Plant cultivation device

Abstract

To provide a plant cultivation device which ensures a high yield per unit area and facilitates the maintenance of seedlings.SOLUTION: A plant cultivation device is installed in a building having a ceiling portion. The plant cultivation device comprises: a frame body; a cultivation tray placement region where a plurality of cultivation trays 5 is arranged in a substantially packed condition within a lower space of the frame body; tray moving means 6 configured to move the cultivation trays; a maintenance region on which the cultivation trays removed from the cultivation tray placement region are mounted; and a moving carriage 15 that travels through the upper space above the cultivation trays 5 within the cultivation tray placement region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cultivation device for cultivating plants. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a plant cultivation device for cultivating plants inside a building. For example, a cultivation device is known in which a cultivation tray is placed inside a vinyl greenhouse (building) and strawberry seedlings are planted in the cultivation tray to cultivate strawberries. This type of cultivation device mainly takes in sunlight directly into the building to cultivate strawberries, etc. In this type of cultivation device, the top of the cultivation tray is widely open. In other words, there are no large obstacles between the top of the cultivation tray and the ceiling of the building. Furthermore, in the conventional cultivation devices, the cultivation trays are arranged in rows, and work aisles for workers to pass through are provided between the rows. The worker can walk along the work passage to approach each cultivation tray. In the conventional cultivation apparatus, the top of the cultivation tray is widely open as described above. This allows the worker to observe the growing condition of the seedlings and take any necessary measures. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-141566 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a demand among consumers for the development of a plant cultivation apparatus that produces a larger yield per unit area, and a demand for a plant cultivation apparatus that allows plants to be cultivated throughout the year. In order to solve the former problem, the present inventors considered arranging the cultivation trays closely together. In order to solve the latter problem, the present inventors have considered placing a light-shielding sheet that reduces the amount of artificial lighting or sunlight above the cultivation tray.

[0005] However, this configuration creates a new problem in that it is difficult to care for the seedlings. That is, according to the above-mentioned embodiment, since no work passage is provided between the cultivation trays, it is difficult for the worker to enter the back of the cultivation area. Furthermore, according to the above-mentioned embodiment, since there is artificial lighting or a light-shielding sheet above the cultivation tray, there is little space above and below, which makes it difficult to work. The present invention aims to solve the above problems and to provide a plant cultivation device that can produce a large yield per unit area and is easy to care for seedlings. That is, the present invention provides a cultivation device that does not impose a workload on the operator, can eliminate problems with the cultivation tray and cultivation device while the seedlings are growing, and can facilitate the above-mentioned work even in a narrow space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An embodiment for solving the above-mentioned problems is a plant cultivation device that is installed in a building having a ceiling, and has a frame body, a cultivation tray arrangement area in which multiple cultivation trays are arranged in a roughly packed manner in the lower space of the frame body, and a tray moving means for moving the cultivation trays, characterized in that the cultivation tray arrangement area has a mobile cart that moves in the upper space above the cultivation trays.

[0007] In the plant cultivation device of this aspect, the cultivation trays are arranged in a substantially packed state in the cultivation tray arrangement area, and therefore the plant cultivation device of this aspect can produce a large yield per unit area. In addition, in the plant cultivation device of this embodiment, a frame body is provided above the tray arrangement area, and lighting and a shading sheet can be installed in this frame body. In addition, a mobile cart moves between the frame body and the cultivation tray arrangement area, allowing workers to use the mobile cart for harvesting plants, caring for the cultivation trays, repairing the plant cultivation apparatus, etc., thereby solving the problem of worker workload.

[0008] In the above-mentioned aspect, it is preferable that the frame has a light-shielding sheet placed thereon, which reflects or absorbs at least a portion of light.

[0009] It is said that the illuminance at which strawberries photosynthesis reaches its maximum is 20,000 to 30,000 lux, so if strawberries are to be cultivated, it is desirable to keep the amount of light irradiated to the seedlings within that range. According to this embodiment, since the frame is a plant cultivation device on which a shading sheet that reflects or absorbs at least a portion of light is placed, when the illuminance reaches 20,000 to 30,000 lux or more, shading can soften the direct sunlight and suppress the rise in temperature of the fruit, leading to improved quality of the fruit. In particular, summer heat that can be considered abnormal weather has a significant impact on the growth of strawberries, so a shading sheet with a shading rate of at least 99.4% or more is very effective. In addition, by using a shading sheet that diffuses and reflects sunlight and light from light-emitting diodes, light can reach the undersides of strawberry fruits and leaves efficiently, improving the fruit coloring effect and photosynthetic efficiency.

[0010] In each of the above aspects, it is preferable that a light source is provided on the frame.

[0011] According to this aspect, since the plant cultivation device has a light source installed in the frame body, it is possible to prevent the amount of photosynthesis from decreasing due to the shortened daylight hours, particularly in winter, which would slow down growth. In addition, it is preferable to use light-emitting diodes (hereinafter referred to as LEDs) as light sources, which consume little power and have a long service life. Among LEDs, red LED light and far-red LED light are particularly suitable for strawberry growth, so it is preferable to use these light sources. In other words, strawberry yields can be increased by irradiating far-red light (for example, light with a wavelength of 700 to 780 nm) in addition to light with a wavelength range required for photosynthesis (for example, light with a wavelength of 400 to 700 nm).

[0012] In each of the above-mentioned aspects, it is desirable that the cultivation trays are arranged in a row within the cultivation tray arrangement area, rails are laid across the row of cultivation trays, and the movable cart moves on the rails.

[0013] According to this aspect, the cultivation trays are arranged in a row in the cultivation tray arrangement area, rails are laid across the rows of the cultivation trays, and the mobile cart is a plant cultivation device that moves on the rails, so that by moving on the rails across the rows of the cultivation trays, the entire cultivation trays or each individual cultivation tray can be observed, and defective cultivation trays can be noticed early. Then, the mobile cart can be moved to the location of the defective cultivation tray and seedlings in the cultivation tray can be cared for on the spot, or if a defect in the plant cultivation device is found, the mobile cart can be moved to the defective location and repaired.

[0014] In each of the above-mentioned aspects, it is preferable that the movable carriage has wheels that engage with the rails and a driving means for driving the wheels, and that the movable carriage is self-propelled by driving the wheels.

[0015] According to this aspect, the mobile cart has wheels that engage with the rails and a driving means for driving the wheels, and since the mobile cart is a plant cultivation device that moves on its own by driving the wheels, for example, in order to determine the growth condition of seedlings in the cultivation trays, a camera can be mounted on the mobile cart and the condition of each cultivation tray can be photographed, making it possible to observe the growth condition of the seedlings without placing a burden on the worker.

[0016] In each of the above aspects, it is preferable that the movable carriage is capable of carrying an operator in a prone position.

[0017] In the plant cultivation device of this embodiment, the worker can ride on the movable cart in a prone position. As described above, the space below the frame is narrow. Therefore, when the worker rides on the movable cart, his head gets stuck on the upper frame and he cannot stand up, so he needs to ride in a prone position. By taking the prone position, he can perform tasks such as caring for seedlings in the cultivation trays and repairing the plant cultivation device in a narrow space.

[0018] In each of the above aspects, it is desirable that the movable carriage is equipped with any one of the following means. (1) Photographing means (2) Watering means (3) Pesticide spraying means (4) Harvesting means

[0019] According to this aspect, the mobile dolly is equipped with any one of the following means: (1) an imaging means, (2) a watering means, (3) a pesticide spraying means, and (4) a harvesting means. Therefore, the condition of the seedlings or the plant cultivation device itself can be photographed, and if there is a problem, the worker can ride the mobile cart to that location and perform maintenance or repairs. If the device has a watering means in addition to the photographing means, it is possible to quickly find seedlings that are suffering from water withering or the like from the photographed seedlings in the cultivation tray, move the mobile cart to the location of the cultivation tray, and water them. If the mobile cart has a pesticide spraying means, it is possible to spray pesticides while moving over the cultivation tray with the mobile cart. If the mobile cart has a harvesting means, it is possible to harvest automatically. Therefore, whichever of the above means (1) to (4) is provided, the burden on the worker is reliably reduced.

[0020] In each of the above-mentioned aspects, it is preferable that the movable carriage is provided with a trajectory correcting means for correcting a trajectory along which the cultivation tray moves.

[0021] According to this aspect, the plant cultivation device has an arrangement area in which a number of cultivation trays are arranged in a roughly packed state, a tray moving means for moving the cultivation trays within the arrangement area, and a maintenance area outside the arrangement area in which cultivation trays removed from the arrangement area are placed.The plant cultivation device has a mobile cart in the arrangement area which moves in the space above the cultivation trays and is equipped with a trajectory correction means for correcting the trajectory along which the cultivation trays move.Therefore, if a cultivation tray is found to be at an angle to the direction of travel and obstructing progress, correction can be made early.

[0022] It is preferable that the plant cultivation device is such that the trajectory correction means is a guide attached to the lower part of the movable carriage.

[0023] According to this embodiment, since the trajectory correction means is a guide attached to the bottom of the mobile cart, when a slanted cultivation tray protrudes onto the track of the mobile cart and the guide comes into contact with the protruding cultivation tray, since the cultivation trays are laid out in a row, the previous cultivation tray acts as a wall, preventing the slanted cultivation tray from becoming any more slanted, and the slanted cultivation tray can be corrected to its original position (perpendicular to the direction of travel).

[0024] In each of the above-mentioned aspects, it is desirable to have a maintenance area in which the cultivation tray removed from the cultivation tray arrangement area is placed, and to have a transfer device in the maintenance area.

[0025] According to this embodiment, since the plant cultivation device has a transfer device in the care area, when a cultivation tray is placed on the transfer device, the transfer device itself moves sideways, allowing the row of cultivation trays to be changed or the cultivation trays that have been cared for to be moved to a location where they can be stored or removed. Effect of the Invention

[0026] The plant cultivation device of the present invention produces a large yield per unit area and also makes it easy to care for seedlings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a plant cultivation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the plant cultivation device of FIG. 1, and FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the plant cultivation device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a moving carriage of the plant cultivation device of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of a drive unit of the movable dolly in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a trajectory correcting means of the movable carriage of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the plant cultivation device of the present invention, in which a movable carriage is installed in the lower structure (the top plate is omitted). [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of use of the plant cultivation device of the present invention, in which an operator is riding on the moving cart. [Figure 9] 13(a) to 13(c) are schematic diagrams showing a process of correcting the posture of the cultivation tray by a trajectory correcting means of the movable carriage. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a transfer device of the plant cultivation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a movable dolly on which the imaging means is mounted. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mobile carriage on which a watering means and a pesticide spraying means are mounted. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a movable carriage on which the mowing means is mounted. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention in which the driving source of the movable carriage is a motor. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a driving source of the movable carriage in the form of a wire rope. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The plant cultivation device 1 of this embodiment is installed in a building 2 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The layout inside the building 2 of the plant cultivation device 1 is as shown in Figure 2(b), and has a cultivation tray arrangement area C and maintenance areas Da and Db. 1 and 2, a frame body 3 is installed in a building 2, and auxiliary members such as a shading sheet 51 and a light source 50 are installed in the frame body 3. A plurality of cultivation trays 5 are arranged in a spread-out state in a lower space 4 of the frame body 3. The cultivation tray arrangement area C is provided with a tray moving means 6 for moving the cultivation tray 5 as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3. The cultivation tray arrangement area C is covered with a frame body 3 as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3. Also, a moving cart 15 for moving in the space above the cultivation tray 5 is installed in the cultivation tray arrangement area C.

[0029] The building 2 is a known vinyl greenhouse, and has a roof 55 and a peripheral wall 56. The building 2 can receive sunlight.

[0030] 2, the plant cultivation device 1 has a cultivation tray arrangement area C and maintenance areas Da and Db for placing the cultivation trays 5 taken out from the cultivation tray arrangement area C. The cultivation trays 5 are generally laid out in the cultivation tray arrangement area C. The cultivation tray 5 is made of resin and is used for hydroponically cultivating strawberries and the like. That is, the cultivation tray 5 is a rectangular tray-shaped member capable of storing culture solution, and a cultivation pot (not shown) is placed on the cultivation tray 5. The cultivation pot holds a plant seedling.

[0031] The cultivation tray arrangement area C has a lower structure 7. The lower structure 7 is for placing the cultivation trays 5 arranged in four rows, and is provided with a tray moving means 6 and a gutter 19 as shown in Figs. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a U-shaped member 57 is provided between the cultivation trays 5, and the member 57 constitutes a gutter 19. 7, a U-shaped member 59 is provided beside the row through which the cultivation trays 5 pass, and the tray moving means 6 is formed by attaching a number of rollers 10 in a row to the side of the member 59. The tray moving means 6 brings two rows of rollers into contact with the bottom of the cultivation tray 5, and one tray moving means 6 is made up of two rows of rollers. The lower structure 7 of this embodiment is for placing the cultivation trays 5 in four rows, so four sets of tray moving means 6 are arranged, and eight sets of roller rows are provided.

[0032] A pulley 9 is integrated with the roller 10, and a belt 8 is suspended around the pulley 9 of an adjacent roller 10. The pulley 9 is driven by a motor (not shown). By turning on a switch on a control panel (not shown) and rotating the motor, the belt 8 and pulley 9 rotate, and the roller 10 rotates. The cultivation tray 5 is placed on the roller 10, and the rotation of the roller 10 causes the cultivation tray 5 to move linearly in the cultivation tray arrangement area C.

[0033] A frame body 3 is provided on the cultivation tray 5. In other words, there is a ceiling formed by the frame body 3 above the cultivation tray 5. The frame body 3 covers the upper surface of the cultivation tray arrangement area C. The frame body 3 is located at a short distance H from the cultivation tray 5, which may be about 60 cm. The frame body 3 is used to install auxiliary members.

[0034] In this embodiment, the light source 50 and a light-shielding sheet (not shown) are installed on the frame body 3. The light-shielding sheet 51 reflects or absorbs at least a part of light such as sunlight. The light-shielding sheet 51 may be switchable between a covered state in which the lower space 4 of the frame body 3 is covered and an open state in which the lower space 4 of the frame body 3 is not covered. The light-shielding sheet 51 may be switchable between a covered state in which the lower space 4 of the frame body 3 is covered by spreading it out like a curtain on the frame body 3, and an open state in which the light-shielding sheet 51 is closed like a curtain and does not cover the lower space 4.

[0035] Next, the movable dolly 15 will be described. The movable dolly has legs 60 and a boarding section 61 as shown in FIG. 4. The boarding section 61 is a section on which an operator lies on his / her stomach and is a rectangular frame made of steel. The movable dolly 15 is preferably designed so that an operator can lie on his / her stomach as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 8, and is preferably designed to have a length L (in the direction of travel of the cultivation tray) of at least 1800 mm and a width W (in the direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the cultivation tray) of at least 500 mm. When an operator lies on the movable dolly, it is preferable to place a top plate 11 or the like on the top surface to make it easier for the operator to lie on his / her stomach. The material of the top plate 11 is not particularly limited, but a transparent hard resin is preferably used. The top plate 11 may be omitted.

[0036] If there is more space above the movable dolly 15, it is possible to, for example, replace the light source 50 attached to the frame 3 or repair the ceiling of the building 2 while sitting or sitting cross-legged on the movable dolly 15.

[0037] The legs 60 are members suspended from the four corners of the riding portion 61 and from the centers of the front and rear sides. In this embodiment, the wheels 18 are provided on the lower part of the leg portion 60. In this embodiment, nine wheels 18 are provided. As shown in FIG. 5, a motor 22 serving as a drive source for driving the wheels 18 is attached to the front leg 60a of the legs 60 provided at the four corners.

[0038] That is, the wheels 18 on the legs 60a on the front side of the movable cart 15 are shown in Fig. 5, and drive the motor 22, which transmits driving force to the wheels 18 via the connected chain 21, thereby moving the movable cart 15. Starting and stopping of the motor 22 may be performed by a control panel (not shown), or a control panel having a start / stop switch for the motor 22 may be mounted on the movable cart. Also, an operator may get on the movable cart 15 and move it manually.

[0039] In addition, a trajectory correction means 35 is provided at the bottom of each leg 60. The trajectory correction means 35 is installed at the top close to the wheel supports 37 that support the wheels 18 of the movable carriage 15, and corrects the direction of the cultivation tray 5 when the cultivation tray 5 becomes tilted during movement or otherwise becomes in a state that hinders the progress of the following cultivation tray.

[0040] The trajectory correction means 35 is a guide 36. The guide 36 corresponds to the row of the cultivation trays 5, and has an inclined portion 63 and a straight portion 65. The guide 36 is installed horizontally. The inclined portion 63 of the guide 36 is a portion inclined with respect to the traveling direction of the movable carriage 15, and widens outward in the width direction from the row of the cultivation trays 5 as it moves away from the movable carriage 15. The straight portion 65 is parallel to the row of the cultivation trays 5.

[0041] It is preferable that the tip of the guide 36 has an acute angle, but if the tip is too sharp, the cultivation tray 5 may be damaged, so the tip may have an R-shape.

[0042] The movable carriage 15 is installed across multiple rows of the cultivation trays 5 and moves in the space above the rows of the cultivation trays 5. In this embodiment, the movable carriage 15 is installed across two rows of the cultivation trays 5. That is, the wheels 18 of the movable carriage 15 are engaged with rails 17 provided between each row of the cultivation trays 5 . Since the boarding portion 61 of the movable carriage 15 is on the leg portion 60, the boarding portion 61 is separated in the height direction from the cultivation tray 5. There is also a space between the boarding portion 61 and the frame body 3. Therefore, when the motor 22 of the movable carriage 15 is driven, the boarding portion 61 moves between the cultivation tray 5 and the frame body 3. As a modified example, while Figure 14 shows a diagram in which a motor 22 is installed on the wheel 18 of the movable cart 15, in Figure 15 a wire rope 88 can be joined to the front leg 60a and the rear leg 60 of the movable cart 15, and a motor 90 can be driven to drive the pulley 85 and the wire rope 88 to move the movable cart 15.

[0043] The plant cultivation device 1 of this embodiment has maintenance areas Da and Db, and the cultivation tray 5 is moved from the cultivation tray arrangement area C to the maintenance areas Da and Db by the tray moving means 6, and maintenance such as leaf raking is performed. That is, in the plant cultivation device 1, the cultivation tray 5 can be removed from the cultivation tray arrangement area C and maintained. After maintenance of the cultivation tray 5 of this embodiment is completed, a predetermined switch on the control panel is pressed to reverse the rotation of the motor and move the cultivation tray 5 in the opposite direction and return it to the cultivation tray arrangement area C.

[0044] In addition, in the plant cultivation device 1 of this embodiment, it is also possible to enter the cultivation tray arrangement area C to perform work. In the plant cultivation device 1 of this embodiment, an operator can enter the cultivation tray arrangement area C by riding on the boarding portion 61 of the movable carriage 15 and driving the motor 22 of the movable carriage 15. The top of the cultivation tray 5 is covered with the frame body 3, and the frame body 3 and the shading sheet 51 essentially become the ceiling, and the space between the cultivation tray 5 and the frame body 3 is narrow. However, in this embodiment, a movable cart 15 is provided between the cultivation tray 5 and the frame body 3, and an operator can move freely within the cultivation tray arrangement area C by moving the movable cart 15.

[0045] In the plant cultivation device 1 of this embodiment, if there are seedlings that need tending, the movable cart 15 is moved to the position of the cultivation tray 5 containing the seedlings, and an operator riding on the movable cart 15 tends to the seedlings. For example, if there are seedlings that are not growing well due to lack of water, the operator will crawl on the movable cart 15, go to the cultivation tray 5 containing the seedlings, and water them. Also, when it is desired to replace the cultivation tray 5, the worker goes to a specified position on the mobile cart 15, places the desired cultivation tray 5 on the mobile cart 15, moves the mobile cart 15 to the desired position, and replaces the cultivation tray 5 at the desired position.

[0046] Furthermore, if there is a problem not with the seedlings but with the plant cultivation device 1 itself, the mobile cart 15 can be moved to the location of the problem, and an operator can ride on the mobile cart 15 in a prone position to repair the problem. When an operator rides on the mobile cart 15, the operator himself holds the start / stop switch for the motor 22, starts and stops the motor, and moves the mobile cart to a specified location.

[0047] The movable carriage 15 is equipped with a trajectory correction means 35 as shown in Figures 4 and 6. The trajectory correction means 35 is installed in the vicinity of the upper part of the wheel support 37 that supports the wheels 18 of the movable carriage 15, and corrects the direction of the cultivation tray 5 when the cultivation tray 5 becomes tilted during movement or otherwise becomes in a state that hinders the progress of the following cultivation tray.

[0048] The trajectory correction means 35 is a guide 36. The guide 36 preferably has an acute tip, but if the tip is too sharp, the cultivation tray 5 may be damaged, and the tip may have an R shape. As a method for correcting the trajectory of the cultivation tray 5, when the cultivation tray 5 becomes slanted and protrudes to the vicinity of the rail 17 of the moving carriage 15, the cultivation tray 5 is corrected by the method shown in FIG. 9(a) to FIG. 9(c). As shown in FIG. 9(a), when the cultivation tray 5 becomes slanted and protrudes to the rail 17 side, the moving carriage 15 moves to the position of the slanted cultivation tray 5. At that time, one of the guides 36 abuts against the protruding portion 38 of the cultivation tray 5. However, the corner 43 of the cultivation tray 5 does not move because it contacts the adjacent cultivation tray 41.

[0049] Next, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the other guide 44 presses the side 45 of the cultivation tray 5 on the guide 44 side. At this time, the cultivation tray 5 moves in the direction of the arrow, that is, in the clockwise direction, due to the pushing force of the guide 44. Finally, it returns to its original position as shown in FIG. 9(c). In other words, the cultivation tray 5 is aligned perpendicular to the moving direction.

[0050] In the embodiment described above, a form has been described in which an operator boards the mobile cart 15 and enters the cultivation tray placement area C to perform work, but in addition to this, or instead, various types of equipment may be mounted on the mobile cart 15.

[0051] Next, accessories that are preferably mounted on the movable dolly 15 will be described. For example, as shown in Fig. 11, a photographing means 25 can be installed on the movable dolly 15. As shown in Fig. 11, at least one photographing means 25 is installed to photograph the state of the seedlings in the cultivation tray 5. The photographing means 25 is preferably installed, for example, under the top plate 11 of the movable dolly 15 in order to photograph the state of the seedlings. The purpose of photographing the seedlings is to photograph and observe the growth state and care state of the seedlings before work, and to make a work plan, etc. In addition, sensors can be installed at both ends of the movable cart 15 in the direction of travel, the movable cart 15 can be moved in a straight line within the cultivation tray placement area C, the movable cart 15 can be moved back and forth by a control device linked to the sensors, and continuous photography can be performed by the imaging means 25.

[0052] For example, as shown in Fig. 12, the mobile cart 15 may be provided with a watering means or a pesticide spraying means. The watering means or the pesticide spraying means includes a tank 26 for storing water or a pesticide, a pump 27 for pumping the water or the pesticide, a spraying motor 28 for driving the pump 27, and a pipe provided with a nozzle 29 for discharging the water or the pesticide. The pump 27 is connected to the tank 26 and the pipe by a pipe not shown. The spraying motor 28 is an electric motor, and is controlled by a control unit (not shown) of the mobile cart 15. The nozzle 29 has an outlet capable of discharging the water or the pesticide in a mist form. The pipe is formed by combining a plurality of pipes.

[0053] For example, as shown in Fig. 13, the movable carriage 15 may be equipped with a harvesting means 30. For example, as shown in Fig. 13, the harvesting means 30 is equipped with a cutter 31. The height of a cutter support frame 33 is adjusted so that the cutting edge 32 of the cutter 31 comes into contact with the stem of the fruit. When there is fruit to be harvested, it is preferable for an operator to manually move the movable carriage 15, go to the location of the fruit to be harvested, and harvest the fruit. At this time, as shown in Fig. 13, it is preferable to install an imaging means 25 on the movable carriage 15, take an image of the growing state of the fruit in advance, and identify the fruit to be harvested.

[0054] A single mobile carriage 15 may be equipped with all of the above-mentioned photographing means 25, watering means or pesticide spraying means, and harvesting means 30, or may be equipped with any one of them.

[0055] Next, the auxiliary equipment will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, the care areas Da and Db have a transfer device 70. By using the transfer device 70, the cultivation tray 5 can be placed and moved to the next row. The transfer device 70 has a cultivation tray placement stand 73, and wheels 74 that rotate by driving force from a motor (not shown) under the placement stand. The wheels 74 run on transfer rails 72 installed perpendicular to the row. When the cultivation tray 5 is to be moved to another row, it is placed on the transfer device 70 by the rollers 10. At this time, a guide may be provided so that the cultivation tray can be smoothly transferred and moved to the other row. Then, the transfer device 70 is moved in a predetermined direction to move the row.

[0056] In this embodiment, although not shown, there is a water supply area located outside the cultivation tray arrangement area C, which supplies water to the cultivation trays 5 removed from the cultivation tray arrangement area C. The water supply area is the same area as the maintenance area, and is provided in the frame 3 of the building 2. Water is supplied to the cultivation trays 5 using a water supply tank that stores water, a water supply pump that pumps water, a water supply motor that drives the water supply pump, and a water supply nozzle that discharges water. The water supply pump is connected to the water supply tank by piping. The water supply motor is an electric motor, and is controlled by a control panel of the water supply device.

[0057] When the cultivation tray 5 is moved to the water supply area, the transfer roll 71 is rotated from the cultivation tray arrangement area C, the cultivation tray 5 is placed on the transfer device 70, the cultivation tray 5 is moved to the row where the water supply nozzles are arranged, and the water supply work is performed. When the water supply work is completed, the motor (not shown) is reversed to move the cultivation tray 5 to the original row, and the transfer roll 71 is reversed to return it to the cultivation tray arrangement area C.

[0058] Next, the light source 50 will be described. A light source 50 can also be installed in the frame 3. For example, artificial red and blue illumination lights are alternately and repeatedly irradiated onto the cultivation surface, and the total irradiation time of the red and blue illumination lights per day is set to 16 to 24 hours.

[0059] As the red illumination light, it is preferable to use light having a peak wavelength of 570 nm to 730 nm and a center wavelength of 645 nm to 680 nm.

[0060] It is preferable to use light having a peak wavelength of 400 nm to 515 nm and a center wavelength of 440 nm to 460 nm as the blue illumination light. It is also preferable to use an LED as the light source 50 for the red illumination light and the blue illumination light.

[0061] Here, artificial light, red illumination light and blue illumination light, are alternately and repeatedly irradiated onto the plant seedlings. Here, "alternately and repeatedly" means that the irradiation of the red illumination light is alternately performed and repeated two or more times, and a period of no light irradiation may or may not be provided between the irradiation periods of the red illumination light and the blue illumination light. In other words, the irradiation of the red illumination light and the irradiation of the blue illumination light may or may not be performed continuously.

[0062] In this embodiment, the light-shielding sheet is attached to the frame, but the light-shielding sheet may be attached to cover the building.

[0063] The plant cultivation apparatus 1 of this embodiment is suitable as an apparatus for cultivating strawberries, but the present invention is not limited to cultivating strawberries, and the plant cultivation apparatus 1 of this embodiment can also be used to cultivate other leafy vegetables such as lettuce, edamame, tomatoes, and other plants.

[0064] The movable carriage 15 of the plant cultivation device 1 of this embodiment straddles four rows of the cultivation trays 5, but may straddle more than that, and may also straddle six or seven rows. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1 Plant cultivation equipment 2. Building 3 Frame 4 Upper space 5 Cultivation tray 6 Tray moving means 7 Undercarriage 11 Tabletop 15 Mobile trolley 17 Rail 18 wheels 22 Motor 25 Filming Method 26 Tank 27 Pump 28 Spraying motor 30 Harvesting methods 35 Orbit correction means 50 light source 70 Transfer Device C. Cultivation tray placement area Da, Db care area

Claims

1. The cultivation tray is installed in a building having a ceiling, and includes a frame body, a cultivation tray arrangement area in which a plurality of cultivation trays are arranged in a substantially packed state in a lower space of the frame body, and a tray moving means for moving the cultivation trays, A plant cultivation device comprising: a movable cart that moves in the space above the cultivation tray in the cultivation tray placement area.

2. 2. The plant cultivation device according to claim 1, wherein the frame is provided with a light-shielding sheet thereon that reflects or absorbs at least a portion of light.

3. The plant cultivation device according to claim 1, wherein a light source is provided on the frame.

4. The cultivation trays are arranged in a row in the cultivation tray arrangement area, and a rail is laid across the row of the cultivation trays, 4. The plant cultivation device according to claim 1, wherein the movable carriage moves on the rails.

5. 5. The plant cultivation device according to claim 4, wherein the movable carriage has wheels that engage with the rails and a driving means for driving the wheels, and the movable carriage is self-propelled by driving the wheels.

6. 5. The plant cultivation device according to claim 4, wherein an operator can ride on the movable carriage in a prone position.

7. 5. The plant cultivation device according to claim 4, wherein the movable carriage is equipped with any one of the following means: (1) Shooting method (2) Watering means (3) Means of spraying pesticides (4) Harvesting means

8. 2. The plant cultivation device according to claim 1, wherein the movable carriage includes a trajectory correcting means for correcting a trajectory along which the cultivation tray moves.

9. 9. The plant cultivation device according to claim 8, wherein the trajectory correction means is a guide attached to a lower part of the movable carriage.

10. 2. The plant cultivation device according to claim 1, further comprising a maintenance area for placing the cultivation tray removed from the cultivation tray arrangement area, and a transfer device provided in the maintenance area.

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