GREENHOUSE ARRANGEMENT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a greenhouse arrangement with a block storage, at least one block storage element and at least one vehicle.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a greenhouse arrangement with a block storage, at least one block storage element and at least one vehicle, wherein at least one block storage element can be temporarily accommodated in the block storage.

[0003] GB 2 130 555 A describes transport, storage, and sales containers, wherein the container has a stackable body for accommodating, in particular, planted flowerpots in rows next to one another, with interior wall sections designed for lateral bracing and holding of the inserted objects. The body is bowl-shaped and has a base, with raised portions provided on the base that serve to laterally hold and stiffen the inserted objects and are designed to accommodate pots of different sizes in different arrangements. The stackable bodies can be stacked at a distance from one another by means of spacers.

[0004] JP H09 308377 A describes a device for cultivating seedlings. This device comprises a first floor element with a seed chamber. Furthermore, a second floor element is provided, in which a growth chamber and a drying chamber are arranged. A vehicle transfers seed trays from the seed chamber to the growth chamber and then to the drying chamber.

[0005] WO 2021 / 037901 A1 describes a method and a device for growing and treating plants in an air-conditioned plant cultivation device.

[0006] In this case, plant trays with plants are conveyed by a longitudinal conveyor in an approximate circuit from an operating area along a growth area back to the operating area, wherein several longitudinal conveyors are arranged in the plant cultivation device, such that the conveyance of the plant trays takes place in that a transfer unit is arranged at the outlet end of the longitudinal conveyors conveying in one direction, which transfers the plant tray from the one longitudinal conveyor conveying in one direction and transfers it to a longitudinal conveyor conveying in the opposite direction, which conveys the plant tray back to the operating area.

[0007] DE 10 2011 050 545 B3 describes a transportable plant cultivation device for remote locations, comprising a plurality of conveyor devices arranged one above the other, each having a top side, a bottom side, and a conveyor device. A first conveyor device is arranged below an adjacent second conveyor device. Two adjacent conveyor devices are arranged at an angle to one another such that the vertical distance between the top side and the first conveying direction and the bottom side of the second conveying direction increases along the conveying direction of the first conveyor device. A plurality of plant boxes each serve to accommodate a single plant. The plant boxes are arranged on the top sides of the conveyor devices and can be conveyed in the conveying direction during the growth phase of the plants.

[0008] US 2019 / 24671 A1 describes cultivation systems and methods. Plants are grown in containers and the containers are stored in stacks. A grid-like rail network runs above the stacks, on which load handling devices run. The load handling devices remove the containers from the stacks and place them at other locations within the stacks or place them at stations where goods can be removed. The containers can be equipped with one or more of the following services: power, power control, heating, lighting, cooling, sensors, data acquisition, cultivation inputs, water, and nutrients.

[0009] A block storage facility or a block storage arrangement describes a storage arrangement with at least one block storage element receiving space. Stackable block storage elements can be stored and retrieved in the block storage element receiving space. For this purpose, the block storage element is stored in or retrieved from the block storage element receiving space through a loading area. The loading area can be arranged above or below the block storage element receiving space in the direction of gravity, so that the storage or retrieval direction is oriented in the direction of gravity or counter to the direction of gravity. If the loading area is arranged above the block storage element receiving space, the storage direction is oriented in the direction of gravity and the retrieval direction is counter to the direction of gravity.If the loading area is located below the block storage element receiving area in the direction of gravity, the loading direction is oriented opposite to the direction of gravity, and the retrieval direction is oriented in the direction of gravity. If several block storage elements are stored in the block storage element receiving area, a block storage element stack is created. Block storage is also referred to as a stacked storage area or a container stacked storage area. In the following explanation, the block storage element receiving area is located above the loading area in the direction of gravity.

[0010] Plants are grown in a greenhouse. To do this, the plants or seedlings require a suitable environment with appropriate nutrients, lighting, and other resources.

[0011] It is the object of the present invention to design the greenhouse arrangement efficiently.

[0012] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0013] Each block storage element has a support frame and a plant holder, wherein the plant holder is detachably engaged with the support frame, wherein the block storage has at least a first zone and a second zone and at least one first support frame and at least one second support frame, wherein the plant holder is detachably engaged with the first support frame in the first zone, and the plant holder is then transferred to the second zone, wherein the plant holder is transferred from the first support frame to the second support frame as part of the transfer from the first zone to the second zone, wherein the plant holder is detachably engaged with the second support frame in the second zone.

[0014] The first support frame and the second support frame differ, for example, in their equipment, shape, etc. Furthermore, different conditions prevail in the first zone and the second zone, such as CO2 concentration, humidity, or the like.

[0015] This allows the respective conditions to be adapted to the growth stage of the stored plants, thus ensuring good efficiency.

[0016] Preferably, in the first zone, a plant holder containing seedlings and / or plants in a first growth phase is illuminated by a first lighting arrangement of a first support frame arranged above in the direction of gravity, and / or in the second zone, a plant holder containing plants in a second growth phase is illuminated by a second lighting arrangement of a second support frame arranged above in the direction of gravity. Seedlings also include, for example, freshly sown seeds for germination or the like. The lighting arrangement adapted to the growth phase enables energy savings, since seedlings and / or small plants in a first growth phase, for example, require no lighting or only a lower lighting intensity than plants in a later growth phase.Furthermore, the conditions, especially the lighting, can be adapted to the growth phase, so that the seedlings and / or plants find optimal growth conditions. This allows the seedlings and / or plants to grow quickly. This leads to increased throughput of the greenhouse setup.

[0017] Preferably, the plant receptacle is loaded with seedlings and / or plants at a storage location outside the block storage area, then engaged with the first support frame and stored in the first zone of the block storage area. Outside the block storage area, the seedlings and / or plants can be transferred into the plant receptacle, for example, manually by personnel and / or automatically by robots. By separating the loading and unloading from the actual storage area within the block storage area, a suitable atmosphere can be maintained within the block storage area. Furthermore, by separating the loading and unloading areas (planting of the plants) and the storage area, contamination of the plants and / or seedlings in the block storage area by personnel is prevented, thus avoiding disruptions to operations.

[0018] Preferably, the plant support is relocated from the first support frame to the second support frame at a relocation location as part of a transfer. As soon as the plants and / or seedlings have reached a certain size, the complete plant support is transferred from the first support frame to the second support frame. The first support frame is adapted to the first growth phase, and the second support frame is adapted to the second growth phase. Accordingly, for example, an extension in the direction of gravity of the first support frame is less than an extension of the second support frame in the direction of gravity. The relocation takes the needs of the plants in a particular growth phase into account, so that the plant nurseries thrive. Accordingly, more first support frames than second support frames can be arranged in a space with a defined extension in the direction of gravity.

[0019] Preferably, the support frame with the plant holder containing harvestable plants is transferred to a storage location, where the plant holder is separated from the support frame at the storage location. By separating the plant holder from the support frame, in this case the second support frame, the plant holder is easily accessible, allowing harvesting by personnel and / or robots, for example. This enables efficient harvesting of the plants.

[0020] Preferably, the plant support is transferred from the removal point to the storage point, with the plant support being cleaned on the way from the removal point to the storage point. Cleaning removes all contamination from the plant support, so that the seedlings and / or plants to be stored find a clean plant support, thus minimizing the risk of mold growth, pest development, or the like.

[0021] The support frame can be moved to the transfer area, for example, where it can be serviced or cleaned. This increases the service life of the support frame.

[0022] For example, the plant intake is transferred outside the block storage area from the removal point to the storage area, whereby the plant intake is also cleaned outside the block storage area.

[0023] The greenhouse assembly preferably comprises a first buffer and a second buffer, wherein first transport frames with an empty plant support or without the plant support are removably stored in the first buffer, and second transport frames with an empty plant support or without the plant support are removably stored in the second buffer. This creates buffer capacities, ensuring trouble-free operation of the greenhouse assembly.

[0024] Furthermore, the first buffer can be integrated into the second buffer, for example. This keeps the required space to a minimum.

[0025] Furthermore, the problem is solved by the features of claim 8.

[0026] For this purpose, the block storage element has a support frame and a plant receptacle detachably engaged with the support frame, wherein the block storage has at least a first zone and a second zone, wherein a first support frame forms a first block storage element with the plant receptacle, and a second support frame forms a second block storage element with the plant receptacle, wherein the first support frame differs from the second support frame, wherein the first block storage element can be stored in the first zone and the second block storage element can be stored in the second zone, wherein the plant receptacle can be transferred from the first support frame to the second support frame.

[0027] This arrangement allows the support frames to be handled separately from the plant support. This eliminates the need to repot the seedlings and / or plants between their stay in the first zone and harvest. This reduces stress on the plants and / or seedlings during growth, allowing them to grow undisturbed without having to generate new root systems.

[0028] Seedlings and / or plants, also called plants, in this application refer to all growth stages of a plant, starting from a seed or the like up to a plant ready for harvest.

[0029] The first zone is adapted to the plant's initial growth phase, providing optimal growth conditions for the plant during this initial growth phase. The second zone, for example, is adapted to the plant's second growth phase, providing optimal growth conditions for the plant during the second growth phase. This allows the plants to grow quickly, thus achieving high throughput in the block storage and greenhouse arrangement.

[0030] Preferably, the first support frame has a first lighting arrangement and / or the second support frame has a second lighting arrangement. These lighting arrangements allow the plants to be illuminated according to their growth phase, so that, for example, a plant in the first growth phase is illuminated with a lower intensity than in the second growth phase. Adapting the lighting arrangement to the respective growth phase enables good plant growth.

[0031] Preferably, the extension of the first support frame in the direction of gravity is smaller than the extension of the second support frame in the direction of gravity. This allows more first support frames to be stored in a block storage element receiving space with a defined vertical extension than second support frames. Consequently, the first zone can be made smaller than the second zone. This minimizes space requirements.

[0032] The greenhouse arrangement preferably comprises a storage area, a removal area, and a transfer area. In the storage area, plants, for example, can be transferred to the plant support. The plant support is then engaged with the first support frame. At the transfer area, the plant support is transferred, for example, from a first support frame to a second support frame. At the removal area, the support frame and the plant support are separated from each other, with harvesting, for example, continuing at the removal area. At the respective area—storage area, removal area, or transfer area—peripherals can, for example, be adapted to the task of the respective area. This achieves good efficiency.

[0033] Preferably, the storage area and / or the retrieval area include the transfer area, and / or the storage area includes the retrieval area. This arrangement allows multiple tasks, such as storage, transfer, and retrieval or harvesting, to be performed in one location. This further reduces the space requirement, making the greenhouse arrangement compact.

[0034] Preferably, a transfer arrangement is provided between the removal area and the storage area. The transfer transfers, for example, a plant holder. This allows the plant holder to be transferred from the removal area to the storage area, ensuring that sufficient plant holders are available in the removal area. This enables efficient operations.

[0035] Preferably, the transfer assembly includes a cleaning device. The cleaning device cleans, for example, the plant receptacle. This allows plants to be placed in a clean plant receptacle. This reduces germ contamination, thus avoiding potential future operational downtime or crop failure.

[0036] The block storage preferably has a first buffer for accommodating at least one first transport frame and a second buffer for accommodating at least one second transport frame. The buffers ensure that sufficient transport frames are always available, enabling smooth operations. For example, the first buffer can be integrated into the second buffer. This results in a compact greenhouse arrangement.

[0037] The invention is described below using a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a greenhouse arrangement; Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a process for operating the greenhouse arrangement.

[0038] In Fig. 1 A greenhouse arrangement 1 is shown with a retrieval area 2, a storage / transfer area 3, a first zone 4, a second zone 5, a buffer 6, travel paths 7 for a vehicle (not shown), a transfer arrangement 8, a cleaning device 9, and a plant holder 10 that is temporarily engaged with a support frame (not shown). The first zone 4, the second zone 5, the buffer 6, and some of the travel paths 7 are arranged within a block storage system.

[0039] The first zone 4, the second zone 5 and the buffer 6 have block storage element receiving spaces (not shown) into which block storage elements (see below) are loaded and unloaded from below in the direction of gravity through a loading space (not shown).

[0040] The sequence of a cycle in the operation of the greenhouse arrangement 1 is described below using the Fig. 2 shown. At the storage / relocation location 3, a plant holder 10 is loaded with seeds. Furthermore, at the storage / relocation location, the plant holder 10 loaded with seeds is brought into engagement with a first support frame. Together, the plant holder 10 and the first support frame form a first block storage element.

[0041] The first block storage element is transferred into the first zone or a block storage element receiving space in the first zone.

[0042] In the first zone 4, the first block storage element remains for a defined time until the seeds have reached a defined growth stage.

[0043] To ensure the seeds find an optimal growth environment, the atmosphere within the first zone can be adjusted. The lighting conditions are achieved using lighting arrangements (not shown) on the support frames. Depending on the plant species, seeds prefer a bright or dark environment for germination. The first support frame can be equipped with appropriate lighting arrangements according to preferences. Furthermore, seeds and their seedlings are smaller than plants in later growth phases. Accordingly, the first support frame has an adapted expansion, measured in the direction of gravity, to the first growth phase.

[0044] After a certain time, the seedlings that have emerged from the seed require a different environment and different spatial conditions. For this purpose, the complete first block storage element, including the first support frame and plant holder 10, is transferred from the first zone 4 to the storage / relocation location 3. At the storage / relocation location 3, the plant holder 10 is separated from the first support frame. The first support frame is then transferred, for example, to the buffer 6. The plant holder 10 is engaged with a second support frame, so that the second support frame forms a second block storage element with the plant holder 10. The second support frame is removed, for example, from the buffer.

[0045] The second block storage element is then transferred from the vehicle into the second zone 5, wherein the second block storage element is stored in a block storage element receiving space of the second zone. InIn the second zone, the atmosphere and lighting are adapted to the growth stage and corresponding requirements of the plant.

[0046] The second support frame is also adapted to the plant's required conditions. The second support frame allows for greater expansion in the direction of the plant's gravity. Furthermore, plants require more light in later growth phases, so the second support frame has a different lighting system. The lighting system is arranged so that it radiates downwards in the direction of gravity. In a stack of block storage elements, one block storage element, in particular the plant support 10, is illuminated from above.

[0047] The process of moving from one zone 4, 5 to another zone 5, 4, and the associated relocation of the plant support 10 from one support frame to another, can be repeated according to the needs of the plant. Each zone and each support frame can be adapted to the needs of the plant at a specific growth stage.

[0048] As soon as the plants reach a stage ready for harvesting, they are transferred from the second zone by the vehicle to the unloading location 2 together with the plant holder 10 and the support frame, here for example the second support frame, as a second block storage element.

[0049] At the unloading location 2, the plant support 10 is separated from the second support frame, with the second support frame then being transferred, for example, into the buffer 6. The buffer 6 can also be arranged, for example, in the first zone 4 and / or in the second zone 5, with plants with different growth stages being stored in the first zone 4 and the second zone 5.

[0050] The harvest-ready plants from the plant holder 10 are harvested. The plant holder 10 is then transferred by the transfer assembly 8 to the cleaning device 9, where the cleaning device 9 cleans and / or disinfects the plant holder 10. The plant holder 10 is then brought to the storage / relocation area 3, where it is restocked with seeds or seedlings. The transfer assembly 8 serves to prepare the plant holders 10. The transfer assembly 8 therefore also serves a buffer function.

[0051] The support frames are moved exclusively by the vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle can separate the support frames from the plant support 10, allowing the plant support to be removed from the support frame at storage / transfer location 3 and / or retrieval location 2. Furthermore, multiple vehicles can be provided.

[0052] For example, complete stacks of block storage elements are always stored, relocated, or retrieved. The complete stack of block storage elements refers to the maximum storage capacity of a block storage element receiving space. The block storage elements are transferred individually from one block storage element receiving space to another by the vehicle. This means that each block storage element receiving space is assigned a fixed period of the plant growth phase, for example. For example, a first block storage element receiving space is assigned to the first day of the growth phase, a second block storage element receiving space to the second day of the growth phase, and so on. The number of block storage element receiving spaces is defined according to the period of the growth phase.

[0053] Zones 4 and 5 are shown as spatially separated. However, they can also be connected to each other. List of reference symbols

[0054] 1Greenhouse layout 2Removal area 3Storage / transfer area 4First zone 5Second zone 6Buffer 7Travel path 8Transfer arrangement 9Cleaning device 10Plant intake

Claims

1. Method for operating a greenhouse arrangement (1) with a block storage, at least one block storage element and at least one vehicle, wherein each block storage element has a support frame and a plant receptacle (10), wherein the plant receptacle (10) is detachably engaged with the support frame, wherein the block storage has at least a first zone (4) and a second zone (5) and at least one first support frame and at least one second support frame, wherein the first support frame differs from the second support frame, wherein the plant receptacle (10) is detachably engaged with the first support frame in the first zone (4), and the plant receptacle (10) is then transferred to the second zone (5), wherein the plant receptacle (10) is transferred from the first zone (4) to the second zone (5) from the first support frame to the second support frame during the transfer, wherein the plant receptacle (10) in the second zone (5) is brought into releasable engagement with the second support frame.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the first zone (4) a plant receptacle (10) equipped with seedlings and / or plants in a first growth phase is illuminated by a first lighting arrangement of a first support frame arranged above in the direction of gravity, and / or in the second zone (5) a plant receptacle (10) containing plants in a second growth phase is illuminated by a second lighting arrangement of a second support frame arranged above in the direction of gravity.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plant receptacle (10) is loaded with seedlings and / or plants at a storage location (3) outside the block storage and is then brought into engagement with the first support frame and stored in the first zone (4) of the block storage.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the plant receptacle (10) is transferred from the first carrier frame to the second carrier frame at a transfer location (3) as part of a transfer process.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the carrier frame with the plant receptacle (10) containing harvestable plants is transferred to a removal location (2), where the plant receptacle (10) is separated from the carrier frame.

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the plant receptacle (10) is transferred from the removal location (2) to the storage location (3), wherein the plant receptacle (10) is cleaned on the way from the removal location (2) to the storage location (3).

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the greenhouse arrangement (1) has a first buffer (6) and a second buffer (6), wherein first carrier frames with an unloaded plant receptacle (10) or without the plant receptacle (10) are removably stored in the first buffer (6) and second carrier frames with an unloaded plant receptacle (10) or without the plant receptacle (10) are removably stored in the second buffer (6).

8. Greenhouse arrangement (1) with a block storage, at least one block storage element and at least one vehicle, wherein at least one block storage element can be temporarily accommodated in the block storage, wherein the block storage element has a support frame and a plant receptacle (10) which can be detachably engaged with the support frame, wherein the block storage has at least a first zone (4) and a second zone (5), wherein a first support frame with the plant receptacle (10) forms a first block storage element, and a second support frame with the plant receptacle (10) forms a second block storage element, wherein the first support frame differs from the second support frame, wherein the first block storage element can be stored in the first zone (4) and the second block storage element can be stored in the second zone (5), wherein the plant receptacle (5) can be transferred from the first support frame to the second support frame.

9. Greenhouse arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the first support frame has a first lighting arrangement and / or the second support frames have a second lighting arrangement.

10. Greenhouse arrangement according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that an extension of the first support frame in the direction of gravity is smaller than an extension of the second support frame in the direction of gravity.

11. Greenhouse arrangement according to claim 8 or 10, characterized in that the greenhouse arrangement (1) has a storage location (3), a removal location (2) and a transfer location (3).

12. Greenhouse arrangement according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the storage location (3) and / or the removal location (2) comprise the transfer location (3), and / or the storage location (3) comprises the removal location (2).

13. Greenhouse arrangement according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that a transfer arrangement (8) is provided between the removal location (2) and the storage location (3).

14. Greenhouse arrangement according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the transfer arrangement (8) has a cleaning device (9).

15. Greenhouse arrangement according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the greenhouse arrangement has a first buffer (6) for receiving at least one first transport frame and a second buffer (6) for receiving at least one second transport frame.