Plant cultivation structure

Abstract

To achieve space saving for a slide guide structure of a slider.SOLUTION: In a plant cultivation structure 10, a rail 20 is extended along the longitudinal direction of a cultivation shelf 16, and a slider 24 is guided to slide by the rail 20. Here, the slider 24 is guided to slide by the single rail 20. This structure allows for space saving in the slide guide structure of the slider 24.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a plant cultivation structure in which plants are cultivated on a cultivation shelf. [Background technology]

[0002] In the greenhouse cultivation shelf described in Patent Document 1 below, plants are cultivated on the cultivation shelf. Also, a shelf-mounted cart is slidable along the longitudinal direction of the cultivation shelf.

[0003] Here, in this greenhouse cultivation shelf, a pair of guide rails guides the sliding of the shelf cart. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-32595 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a plant cultivation structure capable of reducing the space required for a slide guide structure for a slider. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A plant cultivation structure according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a cultivation shelf on which plants are cultivated, a single guide portion extending along the longitudinal direction of the cultivation shelf, and a slider that is guided by the guide portion.

[0007] A plant cultivation structure according to a second aspect of the present invention is the plant cultivation structure according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the slider is removable only from an end of the guide portion.

[0008] A plant cultivation structure of a third aspect of the present invention is a plant cultivation structure of the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein the slider is removable from one end of the guide part in the slider sliding direction, and the slider is supported by the guide part at a point other than the other end in the sliding direction.

[0009] A plant cultivation structure according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the plant cultivation structure according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, wherein the slider holds the guide portion and is supported by the guide portion.

[0010] A plant cultivation structure according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the plant cultivation structure according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, further comprising a stopper that stops the sliding of the slider and absorbs impact to the slider.

[0011] A plant cultivation structure according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the plant cultivation structure according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, further comprising a rotating portion which is rotated so that the slider slides relative to the guide portion. Effect of the Invention

[0012] In the plant cultivation structure according to the first aspect of the present invention, plants are cultivated on the cultivation shelf. Also, a guide portion extends along the longitudinal direction of the cultivation shelf, and a slider is guided by the guide portion.

[0013] Here, the slider is guided by a single guide portion, which allows the slide guide structure for the slider to be space-saving.

[0014] In the plant cultivation structure according to the second aspect of the present invention, the slider is removable only from the end portion of the guide portion, which limits the slider from coming off from the middle portion of the guide portion.

[0015] In the plant cultivation structure of the third aspect of the present invention, the slider is made removable from one end of the guide portion in the slider sliding direction.

[0016] Here, the slider is supported by the guide portion at a portion other than the other end in the sliding direction, so that the slider can be attached to and detached from the guide portion with the other end in the sliding direction of the slider overlapping the guide portion.

[0017] In the plant cultivation structure according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the slider is supported by the guide portion by clamping the guide portion, so that the guide portion can appropriately support the slider.

[0018] In the plant cultivation structure of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the stopping portion stops the sliding of the slider and absorbs impact on the slider, so that the sliding of the slider can be stopped appropriately.

[0019] In the plant cultivation structure according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the rotating part is rotated and the slider is slid relative to the guide part, so that the slider can be appropriately slid relative to the guide part. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the plant cultivation structure according to the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the right. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the plant cultivation structure according to the embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] (A) and (B) are oblique views from diagonally rear right showing the slider portion in a plant cultivation structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (A) shows the slider body and rails, etc., and (B) shows the rails, etc. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a slider portion in a plant cultivation structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which 1A is an oblique view showing the slider body from diagonally rear to the right, and 1B is an oblique view showing the slider body and rails, etc., from below. [Diagram 5] 1A is an oblique view from below showing a support structure by rails of a slider body in a plant cultivation structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a side view from the right showing a damper in a plant cultivation structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing a slider and the like in the plant cultivation structure according to the embodiment of the present invention, viewed obliquely from the right. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a right-side perspective view showing a slider connection structure in the plant cultivation structure according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] (A) is an oblique view from the rear right showing the state in which the work table is pulled out from the slider in the plant cultivation structure of an embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is an oblique view from the right side showing the tray of the slider in the plant cultivation structure of an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a plant cultivation structure 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the right, and Fig. 2 shows a rear view of the plant cultivation structure 10 as seen from the rear. In the drawings, the front of the plant cultivation structure 10 is indicated by an arrow FR, the left of the plant cultivation structure 10 is indicated by an arrow LH, and the upward direction is indicated by an arrow UP.

[0022] The plant cultivation structure 10 according to this embodiment is installed in a greenhouse (for example, a vinyl greenhouse) and is used to cultivate a plant 12 (for example, strawberries, see FIG. 2) in a greenhouse within the greenhouse.

[0023] 1 and 2, the plant cultivation structure 10 is provided with a plurality of supports 14, which are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction. Support columns 14A are provided at the left and right ends of the supports 14 as support members, and the support columns 14A are erected so as not to be tilted and extend in the vertical direction. Support rods 14B are hung between the upper portions and vertical intermediate portions between the support columns 14A as support portions, and the support rods 14B extend in the left-right direction.

[0024] A cultivation shelf 16 is supported on the upper portion and the vertical middle portion of each of the supports 14, and extends in the front-rear direction. The left-right (width) center of the cultivation shelf 16 is located at the left-right center between the support columns 14A of the supports 14, and the cultivation shelf 16 is slightly inclined downward from both ends in the front-rear direction (longitudinal direction) toward the front-rear center.

[0025] A U-shaped cross-section cultivation gutter 16A is provided in the portion of the cultivation shelf 16 other than the upper portion, and the cultivation gutter 16A is open to the upper side. The cultivation gutter 16A is supported from below by the support rods 14B of the multiple supports 14, and the cultivation shelf 16 is supported by the multiple supports 14. A long rectangular cultivation plate 16B is provided in the upper portion of the cultivation shelf 16, and the cultivation plate 16B closes the cultivation gutter 16A from the upper side. A plurality of circular cultivation holes 16C (see FIG. 6) are formed through the left and right portions of the cultivation plate 16B, and the plurality of cultivation holes 16C are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction.

[0026] The plant 12 is placed in a state in which it penetrates the cultivation hole 16C of the cultivation plate 16B, and the stem of the plant 12 extends from the upper side of the cultivation plate 16B (cultivation hole 16C). The root of the plant 12 extends from the lower side of the cultivation plate 16B (cultivation hole 16C), and the root of the plant 12 is inserted into the cultivation gutter 16A. In the cultivation gutter 16A, the culture solution flows down from both ends in the front-rear direction toward the center in the front-rear direction, so that the culture solution is supplied to the root of the plant 12, and the plant 12 is cultivated. The culture solution that reaches the center in the front-rear direction in the cultivation gutter 16A is transported to both ends in the front-rear direction in the cultivation gutter 16A via a transport pipe (not shown).

[0027] A mounting body 18 (see FIG. 3B) is attached to each of the supports 14 except the rear end support 14. A mounting column 18A is provided at the left and right ends of the mounting body 18 as a mounting member, and the mounting column 18A extends in the vertical direction. A mounting rod 18B is hung between the mounting columns 18A in the vertical middle, and the mounting rod 18B extends in the left-right direction. The left and right mounting columns 18A are attached to the left and right support columns 14A of the support 14, respectively, between the support rods 14B of the support 14, so that the mounting body 18 is attached to the support 14 and disposed between the support columns 14A. The mounting rod 18B is removable from the pair of mounting columns 18A, and mounting rods 18B with different left-right (longitudinal) dimensions can be hung between the mounting columns 18A.

[0028] A rail 20 (see FIG. 3(B)) is attached to the upper side of the left-right center of each mounting rod 18B of the mounting bodies 18 as a guide, and the rail 20 extends in the front-rear direction along the longitudinal direction of the cultivation shelf 16. The left-right position of the rail 20 is located at the left-right center of the cultivation shelf 16, and the cross section of the rail 20 is elongated in the up-down direction. The rail 20 is not provided at the rear of the cultivation shelf 16 in the front-rear direction, and the rear end of the rail 20 is located forward of the rear end of the cultivation shelf 16. A plate-shaped convex portion 20A (see FIG. 5(A)) is formed to protrude from the left and right ends of the upper part of the rail 20, and the outer surface of the convex portion 20A is curved in a convex shape toward the outside of the left-right direction of the rail 20 in the up-down direction.

[0029] A damper 22 (see FIG. 5(B)) serving as a stopping part is provided above the front end of the rail 20. The damper 22 is provided with a cylindrical stopping rod 22A serving as a stopping member, and the stopping rod 22A is movable in the front-rear direction within a predetermined range. The stopping rod 22A is coaxially inserted into a spring 22B (compression coil spring) serving as an absorbing member, and the spring 22B urges the stopping rod 22A rearward.

[0030] Two sliders 24 (see Figures 3(A) and 4(A)) are slidably supported on the upper side of the rail 20. The two sliders 24 are each elongated in the front-to-rear direction and aligned in the front-to-rear direction.

[0031] The slider 24 is provided with a slider body 26 in the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box as a main body member, and the inside of the slider body 26 is open on the top, front, and rear sides. A support plate 26A in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate is provided at the rear end of the lower part (bottom) of the slider body 26 and at the intermediate part (front side) in the front-rear direction, and the support plate 26A is disposed at the center part in the left-right direction of the slider body 26. Three rollers 28 (see Figs. 4(B) and 5(A)) in the shape of a substantially cylindrical plate as a rotating part are supported on the lower side of the support plate 26A, and the rollers 28 are rotatable around the up-down direction. Two rollers 28 and one roller 28 are provided on the left and right sides of the front support plate 26A, and the position of the right roller 28 in the front-rear direction is the center position between the left rollers 28 in the front-rear direction. The rear support plate 26A is provided with one roller 28 on the left side and two on the right side, with the left roller 28 being positioned in the front-rear direction central position between the right rollers 28. A recess 28A having a substantially trapezoidal cross section is formed around the entire circumference at the axial middle portion of the roller 28, and the axial dimension of the recess 28A increases toward the radial outside of the roller 28.

[0032] Between the recessed portion 28A of the left roller 28 and the recessed portion 28A of the right roller 28 in the front and rear support plates 26A, the upper portion of the rail 20 (including the protruding portion 20A) is fitted in the left-right direction, whereby the slider body 26 is supported in the left-right direction by the rail 20. The protruding portion 20A of the rail 20 is fitted in the top-bottom direction by the recessed portion 28A of each roller 28, whereby the slider body 26 is supported in the top-bottom direction by the rail 20. Therefore, the slider 24 (slider body 26) is guided by the rail 20 and is slidable in the front-rear direction, and when the slider 24 slides in the front-rear direction, each roller 28 is rotated by the frictional force between the rail 20. The left-right (width) dimension of the slider 24 is smaller than the left-right dimension of the gap between the mounting posts 18A of the mounting body 18, and the slider 24 is slidable in the front-rear direction passing between the mounting posts 18A.

[0033] The front-to-rear distance between the rearmost support 14 and the rear end of the rail 20 is slightly larger than the front-to-rear distance between the rear end of the slider body 26 and the second-from-front roller 28 (which can be the frontmost roller 28). This makes it possible to insert the rear end of the rail 20 between the left and right rollers 28 of the slider body 26 forward of the rearmost support 14, and also makes it possible to remove the rear end of the rail 20 from between the left and right rollers 28 of the slider body 26, thereby making it possible to attach and detach the slider body 26 to and from the rail 20.

[0034] A substantially cylindrical closing pillar 26B (see FIG. 7) is provided as a closing member at the rear right corner of the slider body 26, and the closing pillar 26B is rotatable around the lower end in the front-rear direction within a predetermined range. The closing pillar 26B is rotated to a closing position to the left (inside the slider body 26) and downward, and the closing pillar 26B closes the rear opening in the slider body 26. The closing pillar 26B is rotatable to an opening position to the upward, whereby the closing pillar 26B opens the rear opening in the slider body 26.

[0035] The left part of the rear end of the lower part of the slider body 26 of the front slider 24 and the left part of the front end of the lower part of the slider body 26 of the rear slider 24 are connected by a connecting post 30 (see FIG. 7) having a substantially rectangular column shape as a connecting member, whereby the front slider 24 and the rear slider 24 are connected and made slidable together. The connecting post 30 is detachable from the front slider body 26 and the rear slider body 26, and the connection between the front slider 24 and the rear slider 24 is released by detaching the connecting post 30 from the front slider body 26 and the rear slider body 26.

[0036] A substantially rectangular abutment plate 32 serving as an abutment member is removably attached to the front side of the slider body 26 of the front slider 24, and the abutment plate 32 closes the front opening in the slider body 26. When the abutment plate 32 abuts against the stop rod 22A of the damper 22 while the front and rear sliders 24 are slid forward, the forward movement of the stop rod 22A is elastically restricted by the biasing force of the spring 22B of the damper 22, and the forward sliding of the front and rear sliders 24 (including the abutment plate 32) is stopped.

[0037] A substantially rectangular box-shaped workbench 34 (see FIG. 6) is accommodated in the slider body 26 as a container, and the workbench 34 is made of transparent resin and has an upper opening. The workbench 34 is fitted in the slider body 26 in the left-right direction, and the forward movement of the workbench 34 relative to the slider body 26 is restricted by the abutment plate 32 in the front slider 24, and restricted by the closing pillar 26B of the front slider body 26 in the rear slider 24. The rearward movement of the workbench 34 relative to the slider body 26 is restricted by the closing pillar 26B of the slider body 26, and when the closing pillar 26B is rotated to the upper open position, the workbench 34 is allowed to move rearward relative to the slider body 26 (see FIG. 8(A)). The lower end of the rear wall 34A (closing portion) of the workbench 34 is supported by the rear end of the lower wall of the workbench 34 (see FIG. 7), and the rear wall 34A of the workbench 34 is rotatable rearward around the lower end. The rearward rotation of the rear wall 34A of the workbench 34 is restricted by the closing pillar 26B of the slider body 26, and the rear wall 34A of the workbench 34 closes the rear side of the interior of the workbench 34. When the closing pillar 26B is rotated to the upper open position, the rear wall 34A of the workbench 34 is rotatable rearward, and the interior of the workbench 34 is made open rearward (see FIG. 8(A)).

[0038] A rectangular plate-shaped sheet 36 (see Figs. 6 and 7) serving as a removable member is placed on the underside of the workbench 34, and the sheet 36 is generally fitted into the workbench 34 in the left-right and front-rear directions. A rectangular plate-shaped protrusion 36A is integrally formed on the rear side of the sheet 36, and the protrusion 36A protrudes rearward. When the rear wall 34A of the workbench 34 is rotated rearward, the sheet 36 can be moved rearward relative to the workbench 34 with the protrusion 36A pinched.

[0039] A plurality of (six in this embodiment) roughly rectangular box-shaped trays 38 (see Figs. 6 and 8(B)) are accommodated within the workbench 34 as storage members, and the trays 38 are placed on the sheet 36 with the interiors open at the top. The longitudinal direction of the trays 38 is the left-right direction and the width direction of the trays 38 is the front-rear direction, and the plurality of trays 38 are fitted into the workbench 34 in their respective longitudinal directions and are arranged in their respective width directions. The trays 38 are adapted to accommodate plants 12 (fruits 12A of the plants 12 in this embodiment) from the upper opening.

[0040] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0041] In the plant cultivation structure 10 configured as described above, the rails 20 extend along the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the cultivation shelf 16, and the slider 24 is guided by the rails 20 to slide. Furthermore, the plant 12 is movable between the cultivation shelf 16 and the slider 24, and in this embodiment, the fruit 12A of the plant 12 on the cultivation shelf 16 is moved to the tray 38 of the slider 24 and stored in the tray 38. Therefore, by sliding the slider 24, the plant 12 can be easily moved between the slider 24 and the cultivation shelf 16 in the entire longitudinal direction.

[0042] Here, the slider 24 is guided by one (single) rail 20. This allows the slide guide structure of the slider 24 to be space-saving in the left-right direction, and inhibits the movement of the plants 12 between the cultivation shelf 16 and the slider 24 from being hindered by the rail 20. Moreover, the number of rails 20 can be reduced, leading to cost reduction.

[0043] Furthermore, the slider 24 is supported by the rail 20 with the rail 20 sandwiched in the left-right direction by left and right rollers 28. Therefore, the rail 20 can properly support the slider 24, and the slider 24 can properly slide relative to the rail 20.

[0044] Furthermore, the rollers 28 of the slider 24 are rotated, causing the slider 24 to slide relative to the rail 20. This makes it possible to reduce the sliding resistance of the slider 24, allowing the slider 24 to slide appropriately relative to the rail 20.

[0045] Moreover, when the abutment plate 32 of the slider 24 abuts against the stop bar 22A of the damper 22 as the slider 24 slides forward, the forward sliding of the slider 24 is stopped by the stop bar 22A, and the impact from the stop bar 22A to the slider 24 is absorbed by the elastic contraction of the spring 22B of the damper 22. Therefore, the forward sliding of the slider 24 can be appropriately stopped.

[0046] In addition, the rear end of the rail 20 can be released from between the rollers 28 on the left and right sides of the slider 24 (slider body 26), making it possible to remove the slider 24 only from the rear end of the rail 20. This makes it possible to restrict release of the slider 24 from parts of the rail 20 other than the rear end (the intermediate part in the front-rear direction and the front end), and makes it possible to prevent the slider 24 from being released unnecessarily from the rail 20.

[0047] Moreover, the slider 24 can be removed from the rear end of the rail 20 (one end in the sliding direction of the slider 24), and the slider 24 is supported by the rail 20 at a portion other than the front end (the other end in the sliding direction) (the rear end and the support plate 26A (including the roller 28) at the middle portion in the front-to-rear direction). Therefore, unlike the case where the slider 24 is supported by the rail 20 at the front end, the slider 24 can be attached to and removed from the rail 20 with the front end of the slider 24 overlapped on the rail 20, so that the rail 20 can be lengthened rearward, the front-to-rear distance over which the rail 20 supports the slider 24 can be increased, and the front-to-rear distance over which the slider 24 can slide can be increased.

[0048] In this embodiment, the slider 24 may be provided with a braking device (brake) for the rail 20. In this way, the sliding of the slider 24 relative to the rail 20 is braked by the braking device, so that unnecessary sliding of the slider 24 relative to the rail 20 can be restricted.

[0049] In this embodiment, rollers 28 are provided on both the left and right sides where the slider 24 is supported by the rail 20. However, rollers 28 may be provided on only one of the left and right sides where the slider 24 is supported by the rail 20, and rollers 28 do not necessarily have to be provided on both the left and right sides where the slider 24 is supported by the rail 20.

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slider 24 is provided with the rollers 28. However, the rail 20 may be provided with the rollers 28. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10 plant cultivation structure, 12 plant, 16 cultivation shelf, 20 rail (guide portion), 22 damper (stop portion), 24 slider, 28 roller (rotating portion)

Claims

1. A cultivation shelf on which plants are grown; A single guide portion extending along the longitudinal direction of the cultivation shelf; a slider that is guided by the guide portion; A plant cultivation structure comprising:

2. 2. The plant cultivation structure according to claim 1, wherein the slider is removable only from the end of the guide portion.

3. 2. The plant cultivation structure according to claim 1, wherein the slider is removable from one end of the guide portion in the slider sliding direction, and the slider is supported by the guide portion at a portion other than the other end in the sliding direction.

4. 2. The plant cultivation structure according to claim 1, wherein the slider is supported by the guide portion while sandwiching the guide portion.

5. 2. The plant cultivation structure according to claim 1, further comprising a stop portion for stopping the sliding of the slider and absorbing an impact on the slider.

6. 2. The plant cultivation structure according to claim 1, further comprising a rotating portion which is rotated so that the slider slides relative to the guide portion.

Images