Plant growing device and method

Abstract

To prevent damage to a plant due to light having a specific wavelength component included in sunlight.SOLUTION: This plant growing device comprises: a sunlight guide mechanism for guiding sunlight to a plant 3; a control mechanism 8 for controlling wavelength components of sunlight SL to remove a specific wavelength component from the sunlight SL before irradiation of the plant 3; and a light source unit 7 capable of irradiating the plant 3 with artificial light for growing the plant 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plant cultivation apparatus and method for cultivating plants by using sunlight and artificial light in combination.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as an apparatus for cultivating plants by using sunlight and artificial light in combination, for example, a plant cultivation apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is disclosed. Such a plant cultivation apparatus allows sunlight to enter during the day to promote photosynthesis of plants, and when sufficient incident light for photosynthesis cannot be obtained on cloudy days or rainy days, a supplementary lighting device is used to supplement the shortage.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the plant cultivation apparatus of the above Patent Document 1, since sunlight directly enters the plants, light containing specific wavelength components such as ultraviolet rays and infrared rays enters the plants. In particular, ultraviolet rays with a short wavelength are harmful to plant cells, and infrared rays may overheat the plants and cause heat damage. Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to prevent the occurrence of damage to plants caused by light having specific wavelength components contained in sunlight.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the plant cultivation apparatus according to the present invention is a plant cultivation apparatus that cultivates plants using artificial light, comprising a sunlight light guide mechanism that guides sunlight to the plants, a control mechanism that controls the wavelength components of the sunlight so as to remove specific wavelength components from the sunlight before it is irradiated onto the plants, and an artificial light source that can irradiate the plants with artificial light for growing the plants. Further, in the above plant cultivation apparatus, an irradiation amount measurement unit that measures the irradiation amount of the sunlight from which the wavelength components have been removed by the control mechanism onto the plants, and a control unit that controls the irradiation of the artificial light from the artificial light source onto the plants so as to reach the necessary irradiation amount when the irradiation amount measured by the irradiation amount measurement unit is less than the irradiation amount necessary for the cultivation of the plants may be provided. Further, in the above plant cultivation apparatus, the control mechanism may remove the wavelength components of infrared rays from the sunlight. Further, in the above plant cultivation apparatus, the control mechanism may be configured to remove the wavelength components of ultraviolet rays from the sunlight.

[0006] Further, in the above plant cultivation apparatus, a plurality of cultivation spaces each for cultivating a portion above at least one root of the plants, a moving mechanism that moves each of the cultivation spaces to a predetermined position within the irradiation range of the sunlight, and a movement control unit that controls the moving mechanism are provided. The irradiation amount measurement unit measures the irradiation amount of the sunlight from which the specific wavelength components have been removed onto the plants cultivated in each cultivation space. The movement control unit acquires the irradiation amount of the sunlight onto the plants cultivated in each cultivation space from the irradiation amount measurement unit at predetermined time intervals, and based on the difference in the irradiation amounts of the plurality of cultivation spaces, controls the moving mechanism so as to exchange the cultivation space with a relatively small difference with another cultivation space with a relatively large difference.

[0007] In addition, in the above-described plant cultivation apparatus, the portion above the roots of at least one plant is grown in each cultivation space, and a plurality of cultivation spaces are provided side by side in proximity to each other. The artificial light source is commonly used for the plurality of cultivation spaces, and includes a moving mechanism for relatively moving the artificial light source with respect to the plurality of cultivation spaces, and a movement control unit for controlling the moving mechanism. The irradiation amount measurement unit measures the irradiation amount of the plant grown in each cultivation space for each cultivation space, and when the irradiation amount measured by the irradiation amount measurement unit is less than the irradiation amount required for the growth of the plant, the movement control unit may control the moving mechanism so that the artificial light source relatively moves to the irradiation position of the artificial light source with respect to the cultivation space in which the plant with the insufficient irradiation amount is grown.

[0008] In addition, in the above-described plant cultivation apparatus, a plurality of housings are provided that each define a closed cultivation space in which a portion above the roots of at least one plant is grown. The artificial light source is commonly used for the plurality of housings, and includes a moving mechanism for relatively moving each housing with respect to the artificial light source, and a movement control unit for controlling the moving mechanism. The irradiation amount measurement unit measures the irradiation amount of the plant grown in each cultivation space for each cultivation space, and when the irradiation amount measured by the irradiation amount measurement unit is less than the irradiation amount required for the growth of the plant, the movement control unit may control the moving mechanism so that the housing having the cultivation space in which the plant with the insufficient irradiation amount is grown moves to the irradiation position of the artificial light source.

[0009] In addition, in the above-described plant cultivation apparatus, the control mechanism has a first filter for removing the wavelength component of the ultraviolet rays from the sunlight and a second filter for removing the wavelength component of the infrared rays, and is configured to be able to switch between the sunlight applied with at least the first and second filters and the sunlight applied with only the first filter and irradiate the plant. It may include a cultivation space for growing a portion above the roots of at least one of the plants, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the cultivation space, and a sunlight irradiation control unit for controlling the control mechanism to irradiate the plant with the sunlight applied with only the first filter when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.

[0010] On the one hand, one aspect of the plant cultivation method according to the present invention is a plant cultivation method for cultivating plants using artificial light, including a sunlight light guide step of guiding sunlight to the plants, and a control step of controlling the wavelength components of the sunlight so as to remove specific wavelength components from the sunlight before it is irradiated to the plants.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] In the present invention, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of damage to plants caused by light of specific wavelength components contained in sunlight.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

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[0013] Hereinafter, various embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are merely examples of the means for realizing the present invention, and should be appropriately modified or changed depending on the configuration of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied and various conditions, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0014] In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the vertical and horizontal dimensions and scales of the members or parts are different from the actual ones. Therefore, specific dimensions and scales should be determined with reference to the following description. Of course, there are also parts where the dimensional relationships and ratios are different between the drawings.

[0015] 〔First Embodiment〕 〔Configuration〕 Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIGS. 1 to 10 are diagrams showing the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing a schematic configuration example of a plant cultivation apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the plant cultivation apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment includes a cultivation apparatus 2 for cultivating a large number of plants. The plant cultivation apparatus 1 is installed in a building 50 that constitutes a plant factory. The plant 3 cultivated by the plant cultivation apparatus 1 is, for example, a crop such as beans, but may be other plants that perform photosynthesis. The plant cultivation apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment is preferably used for plants that grow to have long trunks and many leaves that overlap in the vertical direction. A large number of plants 3 are arranged in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 (see FIGS. 8 to 10). The cultivation apparatus 2 has an upper part 2A and a lower part 2B disposed below the upper part 2A. A lower housing 2C is provided in the lower part 2B. The lower housing 2C has a peripheral wall and a bottom wall that define a lower space 2D, and its upper part is open. At least one liquid fertilizer tank 4 is arranged inside the lower housing 2C. When a plurality of liquid fertilizer tanks 4 are provided, the liquid fertilizer tanks 4 are arranged in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 (see the liquid fertilizer tanks 4A and 4B in FIG. 17). Inside the liquid fertilizer tank 4, the roots (including main roots and lateral roots) of the plant 3 are arranged, and the roots grow here. The liquid fertilizer tank 4 is a container that stores a nutrient solution 41 (also called a liquid fertilizer, i.e., a liquid fertilizer) containing the fertilizer given to the roots of the plant 3. A plant support panel 5 is attached to the upper part of the liquid fertilizer tank 4. The trunks of a plurality of plants 3 penetrate the plant support panel 5, and the plant support panel 5 supports these plants 3. The plant support panel 5 may have air permeability. For example, the plant support panel 5 may be porous, or the plant support panel 5 may have a number of through holes. The plant cultivation device 1 further has a nutrient solution supply system 10. The nutrient solution supply system 10 is connected to the liquid fertilizer tank 4 via a liquid fertilizer pipeline 11, and the nutrient solution supply system 10 supplies the nutrient solution 41 to the liquid fertilizer tank 4.

[0016] In the upper part 2A, two cultivation spaces 6A and 6B are arranged. The cultivation spaces 6A and 6B are spaces above the liquid fertilizer tank 4. The cultivation spaces 6A and 6B are arranged adjacent to each other in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). In each of the cultivation spaces 6A and 6B, at least the part above the roots of one or more plants 3 (i.e., the stems and leaves) grows (is cultivated). In the first embodiment, in each of the cultivation spaces 6A and 6B, the part above the roots of a plurality of plants 3 (the part above the liquid fertilizer tank 4) grows. Hereinafter, the part above the roots of the plant 3 is referred to as the "upper part above the tank". Also, in the upper part 2A, a pair of light source units 7 are arranged. The cultivation spaces 6A and 6B are interposed between these light source units 7. In other words, each light source unit 7 is arranged in the vicinity of the cultivation spaces 6A and 6B. Each light source unit 7 has a light source panel (artificial light source) 7a and a transparent heat insulation case (heat insulation partition wall) 7b that surrounds the light source panel 7a. The pair of light source panels 7a are vertically oriented, arranged parallel to each other, and face each other. The pair of heat insulation cases 7b that surround the light source panels 7a are also vertically oriented and arranged parallel to each other.

[0017] Each light source panel 7a emits artificial light L for growing the plants 3. The light source unit 7 is arranged on both sides of the growing spaces 6A and 6B, and the light source panel 7a supplies artificial light L to the plants 3 in the growing spaces 6A and 6B from the sides. Therefore, the artificial light L can be applied as evenly as possible to both the upper and lower leaves of the plants 3 in the growth stage having long stems and many leaves overlapping in the vertical direction. In the first embodiment, a pair of light source units 7 are arranged on both sides of the growing spaces 6A and 6B, but one light source unit 7 may be arranged on one side of the growing spaces 6A and 6B. A pair of light source panels 7a are commonly used for a plurality of growing spaces 6A and 6B, and supply artificial light L to the growing spaces 6A and 6B. Each heat insulation case 7b is formed of a material having light transmissivity, such as glass or a transparent resin. Examples of available transparent resins include, but are not limited to, acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, and polyvinyl chloride. Each heat insulation case 7b has a wall 7c interposed between the growing spaces 6A and 6B and the light source panel 7a. The wall 7c is formed flat, and the walls 7c of the pair of heat insulation cases 7b are arranged parallel to each other. Each heat insulation case 7b suppresses or inhibits heat radiation and heat conduction from the light source panel 7a, which is a heat source, and prevents overheating of the growing spaces 6A and 6B.

[0018] In the first embodiment, each heat insulation case 7b surrounds the entire light source panel 7a. However, the heat insulation case 7b does not necessarily have to surround the entire light source panel 7a. For example, the upper and lower walls of the heat insulation case 7b may be omitted, or the outer wall on the side opposite to the wall 7c may be omitted. Also, among the heat insulation cases 7b, the portions other than the wall 7c interposed between the light source panel 7a and the growing spaces 6A and 6B and introducing the artificial light L into the growing spaces 6A and 6B do not have to be transparent. To prevent overheating of each heat insulation case 7b and the light source panel 7a inside thereof, an air flow may be caused inside each heat insulation case 7b by a blower (not shown) to cool the heat insulation case 7b with air.

[0019] Instead of or in addition to the air blower, a refrigerant pipe or a refrigerant chamber (not shown) for lowering the temperature of each heat insulation case 7b may be arranged in the vicinity of each heat insulation case 7b (for example, in contact with each heat insulation case 7b). The refrigerant may be, for example, a gas such as air or hydrofluorocarbon, or a liquid such as water or ammonia. The refrigerant pipe or the refrigerant chamber is preferably provided on the side opposite to the wall 7c of the heat insulation case 7b. Fins for enhancing the cooling efficiency may be provided on the wall opposite to the wall 7c of each heat insulation case 7b. In order to efficiently suppress the heat conduction from the light source panel 7a, the inside of each heat insulation case 7b may be evacuated. In this case, preferably, a refrigerant pipe or a refrigerant chamber and / or fins are provided. The distance Z between the pair of light source units 7 (that is, the distance between the walls 7c of the pair of heat insulation cases 7b) is set to a size that can apply artificial light L to each leaf of the plant 3 that has grown to a certain extent almost evenly and sufficiently.

[0020] However, the distance Z between the light source units 7 is preferably set to regulate the excessive lateral elongation of the plant 3. That is, the heat insulation case 7b is preferably positioned with respect to the plant 3 so as to regulate the lateral elongation of the leaves of the plant 3 cultivated inside the cultivation spaces 6A and 6B (arranged with respect to the cultivation spaces 6A and 6B). Specifically, when it is assumed that there is no heat insulation case 7b, the horizontal distance from the root of the plant 3 to the heat insulation case 7b is preferably set smaller than the maximum horizontal distance predicted from the root of the plant 3 that the tip of the maximally grown leaf can reach. In this case, since the heat insulation case 7b regulates the excessive elongation of the leaves of the plant 3, the plant 3 can be cultivated in a small space (small width). The plant cultivation apparatus 1 further includes a sunlight light guiding mechanism, a control mechanism 8, an air conditioning system 12, a light emission control device 18, an irradiation amount measuring device 19, an environment control device 20, and a movement control device 30. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the irradiation state of sunlight of the plant cultivation apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0021] Here, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the side wall 52 and the ceiling wall 54 of the building 50 that encloses the plant cultivation device 1 are composed of sunlight incident windows (not shown) made of a material having substantially overall light transmissibility, and it is possible to take in sunlight SL inside the building 50. Here, the light transmissible material is formed of, for example, glass or a transparent resin. Examples of available transparent resins include, but are not limited to, acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, and polyvinyl chloride. That is, it is configured such that sunlight SL is guided to the plants 3 inside the building by the sunlight incident windows of the side wall 52 and the ceiling wall 54, and the side wall 52 and the ceiling wall 54 constitute a sunlight guiding mechanism.

[0022] When the building 50 has a cubic shape, substantially the entire surface of the four side walls 52 may be composed of sunlight incident windows, but it is not limited to this configuration. For example, substantially the entire surface of some side walls 52 such as two opposing side walls 52 out of the four side walls 52 that want to receive sunlight SL may be composed of sunlight incident windows. Also, regarding the ceiling wall 54, if the incidence of sunlight SL from the side wall 52 is sufficient, it is not necessary to configure substantially the entire surface with sunlight incident windows. On the other hand, inside the side wall 52 and the ceiling wall 54 of the building 50, a control mechanism 8 for controlling the wavelength components of sunlight SL to remove specific wavelength components from sunlight SL is provided. The control mechanism 8 includes filter portions 8a and 8b having a removal filter that removes the wavelength components of ultraviolet rays and infrared rays from the sunlight SL incident from the sunlight incident windows constituting the ceiling wall 54 and the side wall 52, and a light shielding filter that blocks the incidence of sunlight SL.

[0023] That is, by the control mechanism 8, it is possible to irradiate the plants 3 with sunlight SL' from which the wavelength components of ultraviolet rays and infrared rays have been removed by the removal filter from the sunlight SL incident through the sunlight incident windows of the side wall 52 and the ceiling wall 54. Thereby, it is possible to remove the wavelength components of ultraviolet rays that are harmful to the cells of the plants 3, and it is also possible to prevent the temperature from rising due to infrared rays. In addition, the sunlight SL' to the plant 3 outside the required irradiation time can be blocked by the light-shielding filter.

[0024] The filter units 8a and 8b are configured to be able to switch and stretch at least the removal filter inside the incident surface of the sunlight incident window. For example, a roll-up type removal filter is wound out and stretched against the incident surface or wound up and removed by an electric roller device or the like. The light-shielding filter can have the same configuration.

[0025] Note that for the light-shielding filter, for example, a filter that is always attached to the sunlight incident window, turns black and exhibits light-shielding performance when not energized, and turns transparent and exhibits light-transmitting performance when energized may be adopted. In this case, for the removal filter, for example, a film-like type that is always attached or a thin plate-like fixed type can be adopted. In addition, when it is possible to continuously irradiate the sunlight SL' during the day, only the removal filter is sufficient, and the light-shielding filter can be removed. Hereinafter, in the first embodiment, a light-shielding filter that can be switched by energization is adopted, and a type that is always attached is also adopted for the removal filter.

[0026] The air conditioning system 12 adjusts the environment of the cultivation device 2 in which the plants are grown to a temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration suitable for plant growth. The air conditioning system 12 is connected to the lower housing 2C via the air duct 14 and communicates with the lower space 2D inside the lower housing 2C. In addition, the air conditioning system 12 communicates with the cultivation spaces 6A and 6B via the air duct 16.

[0027] The air conditioning system 12 supplies the air adjusted from the air duct 14 or 16 to the cultivation device 2, and takes in the air inside the cultivation device 2 from the air duct 16 or 14. There are a plurality of ventilation gaps 40 between the lower housing 2C of the lower part 2B of the cultivation device 2 and the liquid fertilizer tank 4, and the air adjusted by the air conditioning system 12 can flow through the ventilation gaps 40 from the upper part 2A (growing spaces 6A, 6B) of the cultivation device 2 to the lower part 2B (lower space 2D) or from the lower part 2B to the upper part 2A. The light emission control device 18 controls the light emission of the light source panel 7a of the light source unit 7 according to a command from the environment control device 20. For example, the light emission control device 18 turns the light source panel 7a on and off. The irradiation amount measurement device 19 includes an illuminance sensor 19a capable of detecting the illuminance of sunlight, a rod-shaped support part 19b supporting the illuminance sensor 19a, and an irradiation amount calculation part 19c that calculates the irradiation amount of sunlight SL' on the plant 3 based on the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor 19a. Although one illuminance sensor 19a is provided for each of the growing spaces 6A and 6B (see FIGS. 1, 7, etc.), the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and a plurality of illuminance sensors 19a may be provided for one growing space. For example, the illuminance sensors 19a may be provided for each plant 3. In addition, although a sensor for detecting the illuminance of sunlight is used as the illuminance sensor 19a, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and a sensor for detecting the photon flux density of light having a wavelength (400 nm to 700 nm) effective for photosynthesis may be used.

[0028] Although not shown in the figure, the irradiation amount calculation part 19c includes a processor, a timer for time measurement, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores a control program, setting data, etc. In addition, the irradiation amount calculation part 19c includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) for storing data read from the ROM and calculation results necessary in the calculation process of the processor, and an I / F (interface) for mediating data input / output to an external device. These are connected to each other via a bus, which is a signal line for transferring data, so that data can be exchanged. The irradiation amount calculation unit 19c calculates the irradiation amount of sunlight SL' with an illuminance equal to or higher than the illuminance required for photosynthesis in the set irradiation time on the plants 3 in the growth spaces 6A and 6B, in response to a command from the environmental control device 20. Then, the calculated irradiation amount is output to the environmental control device 20. The environmental control device 20 includes a processor, a timer, a ROM, a RAM, and an I / F, which are not shown in the figure, and these are connected to each other and can exchange data via a bus, which is a signal line for transferring data. The environmental control device 20 is electrically connected to the nutrient solution supply system 10, the air conditioning system 12, the light emission control device 18, the irradiation amount calculation unit 19c, and the movement control device 30 via the I / F, and controls the operations of these devices.

[0029] As will be described later, the environmental control device 20 gives commands to the nutrient solution supply system 10 and the air conditioning system 12 to control the growth environment of the plants 3 in the growth spaces 6A and 6B. In addition, a command is given to the control mechanism 8 to control the irradiation process and the blocking process of sunlight SL' on the plants 3 in the growth spaces 6A and 6B. Furthermore, based on the irradiation amount from the irradiation amount calculation unit 19c, the operations of the movement control device 30 and the light emission control device 18 are controlled, and when the irradiation amount is insufficient only by sunlight irradiation, the irradiation process of the artificial light L to the insufficient growth space is controlled. That is, in the first embodiment, when the irradiation of light with an irradiation amount sufficient for photosynthesis can be performed only by the irradiation of sunlight SL', the irradiation of artificial light L by the light source unit 7 is not performed, and when the irradiation of light with an irradiation amount required for photosynthesis cannot be performed, the shortage is supplemented by the irradiation of artificial light L. Although not shown in the figure, the light source unit 7 is provided with a position sensor for detecting the position of the light source panel 7a, and the environmental control device 20 can grasp the position of the light source panel 7a from the detection result of the position sensor.

[0030] The movement control device 30 controls a movement mechanism (not shown) to move the light source panel 7a relative to the growing spaces 6A and 6B in accordance with a command from the environment control device 20. That is, the cultivation device 2 has a movement mechanism for moving the light source panel 7a relative to the growing spaces 6A and 6B. The movement mechanism may be, for example, wheels driven by a motor, a belt conveyor mechanism, an endless track mechanism, or a rack and pinion mechanism. FIG. 3 is a front view of the light source panel of the plant cultivation device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the light source panel of FIG. 3. Further, FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the light source panel according to a modified example. As shown in FIG. 3, the light source panel 7a has a height X greater than the upper limit of the growth height of the plants 3, and has a width Y that can apply artificial light L almost evenly and sufficiently to a plurality of plants 3 planted at intervals from each other.

[0031] The light source of the light source panel 7a may be, for example, a plurality of OLED (organic light-emitting diode) elements. However, in this embodiment, a plurality of LED (light-emitting diode) chips with low heat generation are used.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the light source panel 7a has a flat substrate 32 as a support and a plurality of LED chips 33 arranged on the substrate 32. These LED chips 33 are of the same type and emit white visible light. Therefore, when the same current and voltage are applied, these LED chips 33 emit artificial light L with the same photon flux density. The LED chips 33 are arranged regularly (specifically, in a matrix) at equal intervals in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0033] However, LED chips 33 that emit light with a red wavelength stronger than light of other wavelengths and LED chips 33 that emit light with a blue wavelength stronger than light of other wavelengths may be arranged on the substrate 32. In addition, LED chips 33 that emit light with a green wavelength stronger than light of other wavelengths may be arranged on the substrate 32. The LED chip 33 is mounted on the light-emitting region with a height of X1 and a width of Y1 in the light source panel 7a.

[0034] The substrate 32 is provided with wiring (not shown) for lighting these LED chips 33. Outside the light source panel 7a, a light emission control device 18 (see FIG. 1) for controlling the light emission of these LED chips 33 is provided, and the wiring is electrically connected to the light emission control device 18.

[0035] In order to improve the utilization efficiency of the artificial light L in the cultivation spaces 6A and 6B, the surface of the substrate 32 on the LED chip 33 side preferably has a high light reflectance. The substrate 32 is preferably formed of a member that reflects light (for example, a metal with a smooth surface). The surface of the substrate 32 on the LED chip 33 side may be coated with a light-reflective paint. The light source panel 7a shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is merely an example. The size, number, and spacing of the LED chips 33 are not limited to the illustration. In the first embodiment, the substrate 32 of the light source panel 7a is a flat plate, but as shown in FIG. 5, the substrate 32 may be a corrugated plate. In the first embodiment, as the artificial light source, a light source panel 7a having a plurality of LED chips 33 with a small heat generation amount is used. However, as the artificial light source, at least one fluorescent lamp, at least one cold cathode fluorescent tube, or other light sources may be used.

[0036] 〔Solar light irradiation control process〕 Next, the solar light irradiation control process executed by the environment control device 20 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the solar light irradiation control process according to the first embodiment. The processor of the environment control device 20 activates a control program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM and executes the solar light irradiation control process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 according to the program. When the solar light irradiation control process is executed in the processor, as shown in FIG. 6, first, it proceeds to step S100.

[0037] In step S100, it is determined whether it is the timing to start irradiating sunlight. If it is determined that it is the timing to start irradiation (Yes), the process proceeds to step S102. If it is determined otherwise (No), the determination process is repeated until it becomes the irradiation start timing.

[0038] Here, the irradiation start timing of the sunlight SL’ occurs during the daytime when the sun is up, and the timing changes depending on the season. That is, for example, in Japan, the sunrise time, sunset time, and irradiation intensity change depending on the season (spring, summer, autumn, winter), so appropriate timings are set according to these. For example, the start time of the time zone when the illuminance during the daytime becomes relatively high is set as the irradiation start timing. When the process proceeds to step S102, a command is given to the control mechanism 8 to control the operations of the filter units 8a and 8b, and the sunlight SL’ passing through the removal filter is irradiated onto the growing spaces 6A and 6B. Then, the process proceeds to step S104.

[0039] That is, by energizing the light-shielding filters of the filter units 8a and 8b to make them transparent, the sunlight SL can pass through the sunlight incident window and the removal filter. As a result, for example, when the weather is sunny, the sunlight SL’ is irradiated onto the growing spaces 6A and 6B from above and obliquely from the side through the removal filter (see FIG. 2). FIG. 7 is a plan sectional view of the plant growing apparatus of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 7, the liquid fertilizer tank 4 is a long container, and a plurality of plants 3 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the liquid fertilizer tank 4. The light source units 7 and the growing spaces 6A and 6B extend along the longitudinal direction of the liquid fertilizer tank 4.

[0040] In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the heat insulation case 7b of each light source unit 7 has a length equal to or greater than the total length of the growing spaces 6A and 6B. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the growing spaces 6A and 6B are spaces arranged above a single liquid fertilizer tank 4 and a single lower housing 2C, and are spaces interposed between a pair of light source units 7.

[0041] A light-shielding wall 9 is interposed between the growing spaces 6A and 6B. In other words, the light-shielding wall 9 divides the growing spaces 6A and 6B. In the first embodiment, a pair of heat-insulating cases 7b and the light-shielding wall 9 define the growing spaces 6A and 6B. In order to improve the utilization efficiency of the artificial light L in the growing spaces 6A and 6B, both surfaces of the light-shielding wall 9 preferably have a high light reflectance. The light-shielding wall 9 is preferably formed of a member that reflects light (for example, a metal with smooth surfaces on both sides). Both surfaces of the light-shielding wall 9 may be coated with a light-reflecting paint. In the first embodiment, the lower housing 2C, the liquid fertilizer tank 4, and the heat-insulating case 7b are fixed. The growing spaces 6A and 6B above the liquid fertilizer tank 4 are stationary at fixed positions (i.e., fixed). As described above, the movement control device 30 controls a movement mechanism (not shown) to move the light source panel 7a relative to the growing spaces 6A and 6B in response to a command from the environment control device 20.

[0042] The movement control device 30 reciprocates the light source panels 7a of each light source unit 7 along the longitudinal direction of the liquid fertilizer tank 4 (the longitudinal direction of the growing spaces 6A and 6B). That is, the movement control device 30 moves the light source panel 7a in the heat-insulating case 7b while keeping the heat-insulating case 7b stationary with respect to the growing spaces 6A and 6B. The movement control device 30 moves the light source panels 7a of the pair of light source units 7 synchronously. In addition, the heat-insulating case 7b of the first embodiment is provided with a retraction region 7d for retracting the pair of light source panels 7a to a position that does not face both of the growing spaces 6A and 6B so as not to obstruct the irradiation of sunlight SL' to the growing spaces 6A and 6B.

[0043] That is, when irradiating the cultivation spaces 6A and 6B with sunlight SL', as shown in FIG. 7, the light source panel 7a is previously retracted to the retraction area 7d. In the first embodiment, during the irradiation time of the sunlight SL', it is always retracted before the start time. Specifically, a position sensor (not shown) detects the position of the light source panel 7a, and when it is not in the retraction area 7d, the movement control device 30 is controlled to move the light source panel 7a to the retraction area 7d in advance. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the sunlight SL' is irradiated onto the cultivation spaces 6A and 6B. Returning to FIG. 6, in step S104, a command is given to the irradiation amount calculation unit 19c to measure the irradiation amount of the sunlight SL' irradiated onto each cultivation space. Then, the process proceeds to step S106. Thereby, based on the detection result of the illuminance sensor 19a, the irradiation amount calculation unit 19c measures the irradiation time of the sunlight SL' with an illuminance equal to or higher than the illuminance required for photosynthesis using a timer. Then, the process proceeds to step S106.

[0044] Here, the irradiation amount calculation unit 19c is configured to measure the irradiation time of the sunlight SL' with an illuminance equal to or higher than the illuminance required for photosynthesis, calculate the irradiation amount from the measured irradiation time and illuminance, and sequentially integrate the calculated irradiation amount and store it in the RAM. For example, when there are multiple time periods with sufficient illuminance and insufficient illuminance respectively in weather such as sunny with occasional clouds, the irradiation amounts during the time periods with sufficient illuminance are integrated. In step S106, it is determined whether the irradiation end time of the sunlight SL' has arrived. If it is determined that the end time has arrived (Yes), the process proceeds to step S108. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not the end time (No), the process proceeds to step S104.

[0045] Here, when it is determined that the end time has arrived, the environmental control device 20 gives a command to the control mechanism 8 to turn off the power supply of the light-shielding filters of the filter units 8a and 8b, and block the transmission of the sunlight SL through the sunlight incident window and the removal filter. At this time, by turning off all the electric lights in the building 50, a state where the plants 3 are not irradiated with light (night state) can be formed.

[0046] For the cultivation of Plant 3, since a nighttime environment may be required depending on the type of Plant 3 to be cultivated, it is necessary to provide a nighttime time period during which neither sunlight SL’ nor artificial light L (including other lighting fixtures) is irradiated. In the first embodiment, the time period during which sunlight SL’ is not irradiated and during which complementary irradiation with artificial light L is not performed is defined as the nighttime time period. When shifting to step S108, the integrated result of the irradiation amount of sunlight SL’ at the illuminance required for photosynthesis for each cultivation space (hereinafter referred to as the “total irradiation amount”) is obtained from the irradiation amount calculation unit 19c, and the process shifts to step S110.

[0047] In step S110, it is determined whether or not there is a case where the total irradiation amount obtained in step S108 is less than the preset irradiation amount required for photosynthesis in one day (hereinafter referred to as the “first required irradiation amount”). When it is determined that there is a case where it is less than the first required irradiation amount (Yes), the process shifts to step S112, and when it is determined otherwise (No), the series of processes is terminated. When shifting to step S112, an irradiation amount compensation control process is executed for the cultivation space determined to be less than the first required irradiation amount, and the series of processes is terminated.

[0048] Here, the irradiation amount compensation control process is, for example, a process of compensating (making up for) the amount that is insufficient for the first required irradiation amount due to the irradiation amount by sunlight SL’ when the weather is rainy or cloudy, etc., by controlling the light emission control device 18 and the movement control device 30 to irradiate the artificial light L of the light source unit 7. Specifically, it is a process of controlling the light emission of the light source panel 7a so that the total irradiation amount reaches the first required irradiation amount by irradiating the artificial light L of the light source panel 7a onto Plant 3. 〔Irradiation amount compensation control process〕 Next, the irradiation amount compensation control process executed by the environment control device 20 will be described.

[0049] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the irradiation amount compensation control process according to the first embodiment, FIG. 9 is a plan sectional view of the plant cultivation apparatus of FIG. 7 in which a pair of light source panels have moved, and FIG. 10 is a plan sectional view of the plant cultivation apparatus of FIG. 7 in which the pair of light source panels have moved to other positions. When the irradiation amount compensation control process is executed in step S112, as shown in FIG. 8, first, the process proceeds to step S200. In step S200, the irradiation time of the artificial light L (hereinafter referred to as "artificial light irradiation time") required to compensate for the shortage is calculated, and the process proceeds to step S202. In step S202, a command is given to the movement control device 30 to move the pair of light source panels 7a to the irradiation position of the artificial light L in the cultivation space to be compensated. Then, the process proceeds to step S204.

[0050] Thereby, the movement mechanism is controlled by the movement control device 30, and the pair of light source panels 7a move to a position where the artificial light L can be irradiated to the cultivation space to be compensated. For example, when the cultivation space 6A is the object to be compensated, as shown in FIG. 9, the pair of light source panels 7a move from the retracted area 7d shown in FIG. 7 to the irradiation position of the artificial light L for the cultivation space 6A.

[0051] Returning to FIG. 8, in step S204, a command is given to the light source unit 7 to irradiate the cultivation space to be compensated with the artificial light L, and the measurement of the irradiation time by the timer is started, and the process proceeds to step S206. Thereby, the artificial light L having a photon flux density effective for photosynthesis is irradiated from the pair of light source panels 7a to the cultivation space to be compensated, and the irradiation time is measured.

[0052] In the example of FIG. 9, a pair of light source panels 7a are located on the growth space 6A side, showing a state in which the plants 3 in the growth space 6A are irradiated with artificial light L. In this state, the plants 3 in the growth space 6B are not irradiated with artificial light L. The light-shielding wall 9 inhibits the progress of the artificial light L from the growth space 6A to the growth space 6B. Therefore, a state where the plants inside the growth space 6A are irradiated with the artificial light L output from the light source panel 7a and a state where the plants inside the growth space 6B are not irradiated with the artificial light L output from the light source panel 7a are simultaneously created.

[0053] Returning to FIG. 8, in step S206, it is determined whether or not the artificial light irradiation time has elapsed based on the measurement time of the timer. If it is determined that the time has elapsed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S208. If it is determined otherwise (No), the determination process is repeated until the artificial light irradiation time has elapsed.

[0054] When the process proceeds to step S208, it is determined whether or not the complementation process with the artificial light L has been completed for all the complementation targets. If it is determined that the process has been completed (Yes), the series of processes is terminated and the process returns to the original process. If it is determined otherwise (No), the process proceeds to step S202.

[0055] For example, also for the growth space 6B, when it is necessary to complement the irradiation amount, it is determined that the irradiation process of the artificial light L has not been completed for all the complementation targets. In this case, the moving mechanism is controlled by the movement control device 30, and as shown in FIG. 10, the pair of light source panels 7a move from the irradiation position shown in FIG. 9 to the irradiation position near the growth space 6B.

[0056] In the example of FIG. 10, a pair of light source panels 7a are located on the growth space 6B side, showing a state in which the plants 3 in the growth space 6B are irradiated with artificial light L. Therefore, a state where the plants 3 inside the growth space 6B are irradiated with the artificial light L output from the light source panel 7a and a state where the plants 3 inside the growth space 6A are not irradiated with the artificial light L output from the light source panel 7a are simultaneously created.

[0057] In the first embodiment, a sunlight SL' irradiation time zone is provided during the day, and the shortage of the first required irradiation amount in the irradiation of sunlight SL' during this set time zone is supplemented by the irradiation of artificial light L by the light source unit 7. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, when it is known in advance that the weather conditions are such that it is difficult to irradiate sunlight SL' during the set time zone by a rain cloud radar or the like, the irradiation of sunlight SL' on the day may be stopped and switched to irradiation only by the artificial light L of the light source unit 7.

[0058] In this case, the movement control device 30 is controlled to move the light source panel 7a from the vicinity of one of the growing spaces 6A and 6B to the vicinity of the other, for example, at a 12-hour cycle. Thereby, it is possible to create a daytime state and a nighttime state for the growing spaces 6A and 6B at a 12-hour cycle. That is, in each of the growing spaces 6A and 6B, 12 hours of the day are daytime and the other 12 hours are nighttime.

[0059] Note that the present invention is not limited to this time cycle, and the light source panel 7a may be moved from one of the growing spaces 6A and 6B to the other at other cycles. For example, the light source panel 7a may be moved from one of the growing spaces 6A and 6B to the other at a 6-hour cycle, a 4-hour cycle, or a 3-hour cycle. In any case, in each of the growing spaces 6A and 6B, a total of 12 hours of the day are daytime and a total of 12 hours are nighttime. Also, it is not limited to 12 hours of daytime and 12 hours of nighttime, and either one of the times may be increased or decreased. Further, if there is no problem or it is good for the growth of the plant 3, for example, other combinations such as 16 hours of daytime and 8 hours of nighttime, or 8 hours of daytime and 16 hours of nighttime may be used. In the first embodiment, the removal filter of the control mechanism 8 is configured to remove the wavelength components (invisible light components) of ultraviolet rays and infrared rays from the sunlight SL. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a part of the wavelength components of visible light such as red light and blue light is removed. For example, since red light contributes to the growth of plants and blue light contributes to the color of plants, by appropriately controlling the removal of these, it is possible to prevent harms such as overgrowth of plants and deterioration of color due to overexposure of these wavelength components.

[0060] According to the first embodiment, the control mechanism 8 can irradiate the growth spaces 6A and 6B with sunlight SL' obtained by removing the wavelength components of ultraviolet rays and infrared rays from the sunlight SL incident through the sunlight light guide mechanism. In addition, the shortage of the irradiation amount by only the irradiation of the sunlight SL' can be compensated by the irradiation of the artificial light L by the light source unit 7. Thereby, since the plant 3 can be grown by using sunlight and artificial light in combination, the power consumption of the light source unit 7 can be reduced, and the power cost for growing the plant 3 can be reduced.

[0061] In addition, since the plant 3 can be grown by irradiating the sunlight SL' from which the wavelength components of ultraviolet rays and infrared rays have been removed, the occurrence of damage to the plant 3 caused by ultraviolet rays and infrared rays can be prevented. As the damage to the plant 3 caused by the irradiation of ultraviolet rays, for example, when the plant 3 is a legume, there is a possibility that the damage of excessive production of isoflavone may occur. Isoflavone has a risk of making the taste bad if its content is too high. On the other hand, as the damage to the plant 3 caused by the irradiation of infrared rays, since infrared rays cause an increase in the temperature of the growth spaces 6A and 6B which are the irradiation targets, there is a possibility of causing heat damage to the plant 3.

[0062] In addition to the removal of infrared rays, the growth spaces 6A and 6B are thermally separated from the light source panel 7a by the heat insulation case 7b and are hardly affected by the heat. That is, the heat insulation case 7b prevents overheating of the growth spaces 6A and 6B. Thereby, the energy for the air conditioning system 12 to control the temperature of the air in the plant growth spaces 6A and 6B can be reduced, and the growth spaces 6A and 6B can be easily controlled to an environment suitable for the cultivated plants.

[0063] In addition, by moving the light source panel 7a with respect to the cultivation spaces 6A and 6B by the movement control device 30, the plurality of cultivation spaces 6A and 6B can share the light source panel 7a and use the light source panel 7a in a time-division manner (that is, in different periods). That is, by sharing the light source panel 7a among the plurality of cultivation spaces 6A and 6B, the number of light source panels 7a does not have to correspond to the number of cultivation spaces 6A and 6B. In the first embodiment, the light source units 7 are arranged on both sides of the two cultivation spaces 6A and 6B, but each light source unit 7 has a single light source panel 7a. Each light source unit 7 does not have to have two light source panels 7a corresponding to the two cultivation spaces 6A and 6B. Therefore, an increase in the number of light source panels 7a can be prevented. As a result, the number of light source units 7 can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

[0064] 〔Second Embodiment〕 〔Configuration〕 Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 11 to 13 are views showing the second embodiment. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that when irradiating the artificial light L, the cultivation spaces 6A and 6B are moved to the irradiation positions of the pair of fixed light source panels 7a. Hereinafter, parts different from the first embodiment will be described in detail, and redundant parts will be omitted as appropriate. FIG. 11 is a plan sectional view of a plant cultivation apparatus according to the second embodiment, FIG. 12 is a plan sectional view of the plant cultivation apparatus of FIG. 11 in which a plurality of cultivation spaces have moved, and FIG. 13 is a plan sectional view of the plant cultivation apparatus of FIG. 11 in which a plurality of cultivation spaces have moved to other positions. As shown in FIG. 11, in the plant cultivation apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment, the light source unit 7 is fixed at a predetermined position, and the cultivation spaces 6A and 6B are configured to be movable in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the light source unit 7 by a movement mechanism (not shown).

[0065] That is, the movement control device 30 of the second embodiment controls a movement mechanism (not shown) to move the growth spaces 6A and 6B relative to the light source panel 7a in accordance with a command from the environment control device 20. That is, the cultivation device 2 has a movement mechanism that moves the growth spaces 6A and 6B relative to the light source panel 7a. Note that the movement mechanism for moving the pair of light source panels 7a may be retained or removed as it is. Therefore, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, when irradiating the growth spaces 6A and 6B with sunlight SL', the growth spaces 6A and 6B are moved to a position (retreat position) where the sunlight SL' is not blocked by the light source unit 7.

[0066] After irradiation with sunlight SL' during the set time period, for example, in the case of the growth space 6B where the irradiation amount is insufficient only with the irradiation of sunlight SL', as shown in FIG. 12, the growth spaces 6A and 6B are moved from the retreat position in FIG. 11 so that the growth space 6B is located at the irradiation position of the artificial light L of the pair of light source panels 7a. Thereby, it is possible to transition to the state shown in FIG. 12 in which the plants 3 in the growth space 6B are irradiated with the artificial light L.

[0067] Also, for example, in the case of the growth space 6A where the irradiation amount is insufficient only with the irradiation of sunlight SL', as shown in FIG. 13, the growth spaces 6A and 6B are moved from the position in FIG. 12 so that the growth space 6A is located at the irradiation position of the pair of light source panels 7a. Thereby, it is possible to transition to the state shown in FIG. 13 in which the plants 3 in the growth space 6A are irradiated with the artificial light L. Note that in the second embodiment, it is preferable that the liquid fertilizer pipeline 11 and the air pipelines 14 and 16 are stretchable and bendable. Also, in the second embodiment, since the heat insulation case 7b has a role of suppressing the growth of the plants 3, it has a length equal to or greater than the length of the movement range of the growth spaces 6A and 6B. In the second embodiment, since the growth spaces 6A and 6B can be moved, it is possible to reduce the number of light source units 7 common to the plurality of growth spaces. In the second embodiment, since the heat insulation case 7b is positioned relative to the plant 3 so as to restrict the lateral elongation of the leaves of the plant 3 cultivated inside the cultivation spaces 6A and 6B, the plant 3 can be cultivated in a small space (small width).

[0068] 〔Third Embodiment〕 〔Configuration〕 Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 14 to 16 are views showing the third embodiment. The third embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in that the light source panel 7a is moved together with the heat insulation case 7b. Hereinafter, parts different from the first and second embodiments will be described in detail, and descriptions of overlapping parts will be omitted as appropriate. FIG. 14 is a plan sectional view of a plant cultivation apparatus according to the third embodiment, FIG. 15 is a plan sectional view of the plant cultivation apparatus of FIG. 14 in which a pair of light source panels have moved, and FIG. 16 is a plan sectional view of the plant cultivation apparatus of FIG. 14 in which a pair of light source panels have moved to other positions.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 14, in the plant cultivation apparatus 1B according to the third embodiment, the movement control device 30 is configured to move a pair of light source panels 7a and a pair of heat insulation cases 7b together along the longitudinal direction of the cultivation spaces 6A and 6B with respect to the fixed cultivation spaces 6A and 6B.

[0070] In each light source unit 7, the heat insulation case 7b is configured to be shorter than the heat insulation case 7b in FIGS. 7 and 11 of the first and second embodiments, and the light source panel 7a is fixed inside the heat insulation case 7b. The movement control device 30 synchronously moves a pair of light source units 7 each including the light source panel 7a and the heat insulation case 7b in response to a command from the environment control device 20. In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, when irradiating the cultivation spaces 6A and 6B with sunlight SL', the pair of light source units 7 are moved to a position (retracted position) where the irradiation of the sunlight SL' to the cultivation spaces 6A and 6B is not obstructed.

[0071] After irradiation with sunlight SL' in the set time zone, for example, regarding the cultivation space 6A, when the irradiation amount is insufficient only with the irradiation of sunlight SL', as shown in FIG. 15, a pair of light source units 7 are moved from the retracted position in FIG. 14 so that the cultivation space 6A is located at the irradiation position of the artificial light L of the pair of light source panels 7a. Thereby, it is possible to transition to the state of FIG. 15 in which the plants 3 in the cultivation space 6A are irradiated with the artificial light L. In this state, the plants 3 in the cultivation space 6B are not irradiated with the artificial light L. That is, the cultivation space 6A can be set as the daytime state, and the cultivation space 6B can be set as the nighttime state.

[0072] Also, for example, regarding the cultivation space 6B, when the irradiation amount is insufficient only with the irradiation of sunlight SL', as shown in FIG. 16, a pair of light source units 7 are moved from the position in FIG. 15 so that the cultivation space 6B is located at the irradiation position of the artificial light L of the pair of light source panels 7a. Thereby, it is possible to transition to the state of FIG. 16 in which the plants 3 in the cultivation space 6B are irradiated with the artificial light L. In this state, the plants 3 in the cultivation space 6A are not irradiated with the artificial light. That is, the cultivation space 6B can be set as the daytime state, and the cultivation space 6A can be set as the nighttime state. Although not shown, as in the second embodiment, the movement control device 30 may move the cultivation spaces 6A and 6B without moving the light source panel 7a and the heat insulation case 7b.

[0073] In the third embodiment, the heat insulation case 7b does not need to have a length corresponding to the total length of the plurality of cultivation spaces 6A and 6B. Therefore, the heat insulation case 7b can be downsized. Further, since the heat insulation case 7b and the light source panel 7a are moved together, when the heat insulation case 7b has a configuration surrounding the light source panel 7a, the structure of the moving mechanism can be simplified.

[0074] 〔Fourth Embodiment〕 〔Configuration〕 Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 17 to 19 are diagrams showing the fourth embodiment. The fourth embodiment is different from the first to third embodiments in that a plurality of growing spaces are defined as closed spaces by the housing, respectively, and the growing environment can be controlled independently. In addition, during the irradiation period of the sunlight SL’, movement control is performed to switch the growing space arranged at the position with strong illuminance to the growing space arranged at the position with weak illuminance, which is different from the first to third embodiments. Hereinafter, the parts different from the first to third embodiments will be described in detail, and the description of the overlapping parts will be omitted as appropriate. FIG. 17 is a front cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration example of a plant growing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, FIG. 18 is a plan cross-sectional view of the plant growing apparatus of FIG. 17.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 17, the plant growing apparatus 1C according to the fourth embodiment has a configuration in which, in the plant growing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, cultivation apparatuses 2X and 2Y are provided instead of the cultivation apparatus 2. The cultivation apparatuses 2X and 2Y are arranged in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 17 (see FIG. 18). The cultivation apparatuses 2X and 2Y each have an upper part 2A’ and a lower part 2B’ arranged below the upper part 2A’. A liquid fertilizer tank 4A is arranged in the lower part 2B’ of the cultivation apparatus 2X, and a liquid fertilizer tank 4B is arranged in the lower part 2B’ of the cultivation apparatus 2Y. The cultivation apparatuses 2X and 2Y further have a housing 13. The housing 13 extends vertically from the lower part 2B’ to the upper part 2A’ of the cultivation apparatuses 2X and 2Y. A lower space 2D in which the liquid fertilizer tank 4A or 4B is arranged is provided below each housing 13. The liquid fertilizer tanks 4A and 4B are respectively arranged inside these housings 13.

[0076] Above the upper part 2A' of the cultivation device 2X, a growth space 6A is arranged, and above the upper part 2A' of the cultivation device 2Y, a growth space 6B is arranged. The growth spaces 6A and 6B are respectively spaces above the liquid fertilizer tanks 4A and 4B and are spaces inside the housing 13. The growth spaces 6A and 6B are arranged adjacent to each other in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 17 (see FIG. 18). In the fourth embodiment, in each of the growth spaces 6A and 6B, the upper parts of the plurality of plants 3 above the tanks grow. However, in each of the growth spaces 6A and 6B, only the upper part of one plant 3 above the tank may grow. Each housing 13 defines a closed growth space 6A or 6B.

[0077] Also, above the upper parts 2A' of the cultivation devices 2X and 2Y, a pair of light source units (artificial light sources) 7 are arranged with their lower parts supported by a pair of support members 7e. The growth spaces 6A and 6B can be interposed between these light source units 7. In other words, each light source unit 7 has a positional relationship such that it can be located near the growth spaces 6A and 6B. The pair of light source units 7 are vertically oriented, arranged parallel to each other, and facing each other. In the fourth embodiment, the pair of support members 7e form the movement paths of the light source units 7, and the light source units 7 can be respectively moved along the support members 7e to the vicinity of the growth space 6A or the vicinity of the growth space 6B by a movement mechanism (not shown). Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the cultivation devices 2X and 2Y are configured to be independently movable in a direction along the movement paths of the light source units 7 of the support members 7e by a movement mechanism (not shown).

[0078] That is, the movement control device 30 of the fourth embodiment controls a movement mechanism (not shown) to independently move the cultivation devices 2X and 2Y in response to commands from the environment control device 20. That is, the plant cultivation device 1C has a movement mechanism for independently moving the cultivation devices 2X and 2Y.

[0079] The housing 13 that defines the growing spaces 6A and 6B is formed of a light-transmissive material, such as glass or a transparent resin. Examples of available transparent resins include, but are not limited to, acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, and polyvinyl chloride. Each housing 13 has a wall 13a interposed between the growing space 6A or 6B and the light source unit 7. The wall 13a is formed flat, and the walls 13a of the pair of housings 13 are arranged parallel to each other. Each housing 13, together with the heat insulating case 7b, can suppress or inhibit heat radiation and heat conduction from the light source panel 7a, which is a heat source, and prevent overheating of the growing spaces 6A and 6B.

[0080] In the fourth embodiment, each housing 13 surrounds the entire growing space 6A or 6B. However, each housing 13 does not necessarily have to surround the entire growing space 6A or 6B. For example, the upper and lower walls of each housing 13 may be omitted, or the upper and lower walls may not be transparent. The portion of each housing 13 that is present in the lower part 2B' and surrounds the liquid fertilizer tank 4A or 4B may also not be transparent. The distance between the pair of walls 13a of the housing 13 in FIG. 17 is set to a size that can apply artificial light L to each leaf of the plant 3 that has grown to a certain extent almost evenly and sufficiently.

[0081] However, it is preferable that the distance between the walls 13a is set to regulate excessive lateral elongation of the plant 3. That is, it is preferable that the position of the wall 13a with respect to the plant 3 is determined so as to regulate the lateral elongation of the leaves of the plant 3 cultivated inside the growing spaces 6A and 6B. Specifically, when it is assumed that there is no housing 13, it is preferable that the horizontal distance from the root of the plant 3 to the wall 13a is set smaller than the maximum horizontal distance predicted to be reachable by the tip of the leaf that has grown to the maximum. In this case, since the wall 13a regulates the excessive elongation of the leaves of the plant 3, the plant 3 can be cultivated in a small space (small width).

[0082] The air conditioning system 12 adjusts the environment of the cultivation devices 2X and 2Y in which plants are grown to a temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration suitable for plant growth. The air conditioning system 12 is connected to the housing 13 via the air duct 14 and communicates with the lower space 2D inside the housing 13. Further, the air conditioning system 12 is connected to the housing 13 via the air duct 16 and communicates with the growth spaces 6A and 6B inside the housing 13.

[0083] The air conditioning system 12 supplies the air adjusted from the air duct 14 or 16 to the cultivation devices 2X and 2Y, and takes in the air inside the cultivation devices 2X and 2Y from the air duct 16 or 14. There are a plurality of ventilation gaps 40 between the housing 13 and the liquid fertilizer tanks 4A or 4B at the lower part 2B' of the cultivation devices 2X and 2Y, and the air adjusted by the air conditioning system 12 can flow through the ventilation gaps 40 from the upper part 2A' (growth spaces 6A and 6B) to the lower part 2B' (lower space 2D) or from the lower part 2B' to the upper part 2A' of the cultivation devices 2X and 2Y.

[0084] The environment control device 20 controls the environment inside the cultivation devices 2X and 2Y. As will be described later, the environment control device 20 gives commands to the nutrient solution supply system 10 and the air conditioning system 12, and independently controls the growth spaces 6A and 6B to an environment that promotes photosynthesis of plants and an environment that suppresses photosynthesis. Specifically, during the time period when photosynthesis is carried out during the day, for example, the irradiation of sunlight SL', the irradiation of artificial light L as necessary, the temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, and the concentration of liquid fertilizer are controlled. On the other hand, during the time period when photosynthesis is not carried out at night, for example, only temperature control is performed (adjusted to a lower temperature than during the day), and the environment is controlled to a state where humidity control, supply and addition of carbon dioxide and liquid fertilizer are not performed. FIGS. 19(a) and (b) are diagrams schematically showing the operation of swapping the positions of a plurality of cultivation devices.

[0085] In the fourth embodiment, the environment control device 20 acquires, every time a predetermined time elapses during the set irradiation period from the start time to the end time of the irradiation of sunlight SL', the integrated value of the irradiation amount of the illuminance required for photosynthesis of sunlight SL' of the cultivation devices 2X and 2Y from the irradiation amount calculation unit 19c.

[0086] When there are a cultivation device whose integrated value has reached a predetermined threshold and a cultivation device with less than the first required irradiation amount, movement control is performed to swap their positions. Here, the predetermined threshold may be, for example, the first required irradiation amount or a value less than the first required irradiation amount. For example, it is set to a value that can expect irradiation of not less than the first required irradiation amount by sunlight SL' after the positions are swapped. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 19(a), assume that the illuminance of sunlight SL' on the housing 13 of cultivation device 2X is weaker than the illuminance of sunlight SL' on the housing 13 of cultivation device 2Y, and the irradiation amount on the housing 13 of cultivation device 2X has first reached a predetermined threshold or more.

[0087] In this case, the environmental control device 20 controls the movement control device 30 to move the cultivation device 2X to another position (a position with relatively weak illuminance) as shown in Fig. 19(b), and at the same time, move the cultivation device 2Y to the position with relatively strong illuminance where the cultivation device 2X was arranged until just now. According to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to swap the cultivation device at the position where the illuminance of sunlight SL' is relatively strong and the cultivation device at the position where the illuminance is relatively weak. Thereby, the number of cultivation devices with insufficient irradiation amount can be reduced.

[0088] Also, together with the heat insulation case 7b, the growing spaces 6A and 6B are thermally separated from the light source panel 7a by the housing 13 and are less affected by the heat. That is, the heat insulation case 7b and the housing 13 can prevent overheating of the growing spaces 6A and 6B. Therefore, the energy for the air conditioning system 12 to control the temperature of the air in the plant growing spaces 6A and 6B can be reduced, and the growing spaces 6A and 6B can be easily controlled to an environment suitable for the cultivated plants. In addition, since the housing 13 defines the growing spaces 6A and 6B as closed spaces, the environment can be controlled individually for each growing space. Therefore, for example, appropriate environmental control can be performed according to the growth status of the plant 3. In the fourth embodiment, since the growing spaces 6A and 6B are thermally separated from the light source panel 7a by the housing 13, the heat insulation case 7b may not be provided.

[0089] In the fourth embodiment, the position is switched when the irradiation amount of either one of the growth spaces 6A and 6B reaches a predetermined threshold value first, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, when there are three or more growth spaces, the difference between the irradiation amount of each growth space and a predetermined threshold value (for example, the first required irradiation amount) is calculated every time a predetermined time elapses, and the growth space with the smallest difference is replaced with the growth space with the largest difference. Other configurations may be adopted, such as a configuration in which control is performed to switch the positions.

[0090] 〔Fifth Embodiment〕 〔Configuration〕 Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 20 to 22 are diagrams showing the fifth embodiment. The fifth embodiment is different from the first to fourth embodiments in that sunlight and artificial light are irradiated only from above the growth space. In addition, the control mechanism 8 includes a first removal filter that removes the ultraviolet wavelength component from the sunlight SL, a second removal filter that removes only the infrared wavelength component from the sunlight SL, and a light-shielding filter, and these are configured to be switchable. Further, the temperature of each growth space is measured, and control is performed to switch between using and not using the second removal filter based on the measured temperature, which is different from the first to fourth embodiments. Hereinafter, the parts different from the first to fourth embodiments will be described in detail, and the description of overlapping parts will be omitted as appropriate.

[0091] FIG. 20 is a front sectional view showing a schematic configuration example of a plant cultivation apparatus 100 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 21 is a side sectional view of the plant cultivation apparatus 100 according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 22 is a side sectional view of the plant cultivation apparatus of FIG. 26 in which the light source panel 77a has moved to another position. As shown in FIGS. 25 to 27, a single light source unit 77 is disposed above the growth spaces 6A, 6B, and 6C arranged adjacent to each other. In other words, the light source unit 77 is disposed in the vicinity of the growth spaces 6A, 6B, and 6C. The light source unit 77 includes a light source panel 77a and a transparent heat insulation case (heat insulation partition wall) 77b that surrounds the light source panel 77a. The light source panel 77a is horizontally oriented, and the heat insulation case 77b that surrounds the light source panel 77a is also horizontally oriented.

[0092] Since the light source unit 77 is disposed above the cultivation spaces 6A, 6B, and 6C, the light source panel 77a supplies artificial light L and L' to the plants 3 in the cultivation spaces 6A, 6B, and 6C from above. The plant cultivation apparatus 100 that irradiates the artificial light L from above to below is suitable for irradiating the artificial light L to the plants 3 in the growth stage having leaves that spread widely in the horizontal or diagonal direction as compared to the height.

[0093] The light source panel 77a is commonly used for the plurality of cultivation spaces 6A, 6B, and 6C, and supplies the artificial light L to the cultivation spaces 6A, 6B, and 6C. However, the cultivation spaces 6A, 6B, and 6C use the light source panel 77a in a time-division manner (i.e., in different periods).

[0094] Similar to the heat insulation case 7b of the fourth embodiment, the heat insulation case 77b is formed of a light-transmissive material, such as glass or transparent resin. The heat insulation case 77b has a wall 77c interposed between the cultivation spaces 6A, 6B, and 6C and the light source panel 77a. The wall 77c is formed flat and is horizontally oriented. The heat insulation case 77b suppresses or inhibits heat radiation and heat conduction from the light source panel 77a, which is a heat source, and prevents overheating of the cultivation spaces 6A, 6B, and 6C.

[0095] In the fifth embodiment, the heat insulation case 77b surrounds the entire light source panel 77a. However, the heat insulation case 77b does not necessarily have to surround the entire light source panel 77a. For example, the upper wall and side walls of the heat insulation case 77b may be omitted. Also, portions of the heat insulation case 77b other than the wall 77c between the light source panel 77a and the cultivation spaces 6A, 6B, and 6C do not have to be transparent.

[0096] Similar to the first embodiment, in order to prevent overheating of the heat insulation case 77b and the light source panel 77a, any one of a blower (not shown), a refrigerant pipe or a refrigerant chamber (not shown), and fins may be provided. In order to efficiently suppress heat conduction from the light source panel 77a, the inside of the heat insulation case 77b may be evacuated. The height H from the plant support panel 5 to the wall 77c of the light source unit 77 is set to a size that can apply artificial light L almost evenly and sufficiently to each leaf of the plant 3 that has grown to a certain extent.

[0097] However, it is preferable that the height H of the wall 77c of the light source unit 77 is set to regulate excessive elongation of the plant 3 in the vertical direction. That is, it is preferable that the heat insulation case 77b is positioned with respect to the plant 3 (arranged with respect to the plant support panel 5) so as to regulate the vertical elongation of the leaves of the plant 3 cultivated inside the cultivation spaces 6A, 6B, 6C. Specifically, it is preferable that the height H of the wall 77c of the heat insulation case 77b is set smaller than the maximum height that is predicted that the leaves of the plant 3 will grow and the upper ends of the leaves will reach when it is assumed that there is no heat insulation case 77b. In this case, since the heat insulation case 77b regulates excessive elongation of the leaves of the plant 3, the plant 3 can be cultivated in a small space (small height). In the fifth embodiment, the heat insulation case 77b of the light source unit 77 has a length equal to or greater than the total length of the cultivation spaces 6A, 6B, 6C. The cultivation spaces 6A, 6B, 6C are spaces above the liquid fertilizer tanks 4A, 4B, 4C, respectively.

[0098] The movement control device 30 controls a movement mechanism (not shown) so as to move the light source panel 77a of the light source unit 77 relative to the cultivation spaces 6A, 6B, 6C. The light source panel 77a is commonly used for the three cultivation spaces 6A, 6B, 6C.

[0099] On the one hand, as shown in FIG. 25, the building 50A that encloses the plant cultivation device 100 is, in the building 50 of the first embodiment, composed only of a sunlight incident window (not shown) in which substantially the entire ceiling wall 54 is made of a material having light transmissivity. And the side wall 55 of the building 50A is composed of a wall member that does not have light transmissivity such as concrete. That is, the building 50A can take in sunlight SL inside through the sunlight incident window of the ceiling wall 54. Thereby, the sunlight SL is guided to the plant 3 inside the building by the sunlight incident window of the ceiling wall 54. That is, a sunlight guiding mechanism is constituted by the light incident window of the ceiling wall 54. On the other hand, a control mechanism 8 for removing specific wavelength components from the sunlight SL is provided inside the ceiling wall 54 of the building 50A.

[0100] The control mechanism 8 of the fifth embodiment includes a first removal filter for removing the wavelength component of ultraviolet rays from the sunlight SL incident from the sunlight incident window constituting the ceiling wall 54, a second removal filter for removing the wavelength component of infrared rays from the sunlight SL, and a light shielding filter for blocking the incidence of the sunlight SL. The first removal filter and the second removal filter are composed of, for example, roll-up filters, and are configured to cover the sunlight incident window when deployed and to be in a positional relationship where they face each other vertically. And it is configured to be able to switch between the simultaneous use of the first removal filter and the second removal filter, the use of only the first removal filter, and the non-use of both. Specifically, by using the first removal filter and the second removal filter simultaneously, the wavelength components of ultraviolet rays and infrared rays can be removed from the sunlight SL. Also, by using the first removal filter and not using the second removal filter, only the wavelength component of ultraviolet rays can be removed from the sunlight SL.

[0101] That is, the control mechanism 8 can irradiate the plant 3 with sunlight SL' from which the wavelength components of ultraviolet rays and infrared rays have been removed by the first removal filter and the second removal filter from the sunlight SL incident through the sunlight incident window of the ceiling wall 54. In addition, by using only the first removal filter, the plant 3 can be irradiated with sunlight SL'' from which only the wavelength components of ultraviolet rays have been removed from the sunlight SL. That is, the plant 3 can be irradiated with sunlight SL'' including the wavelength components of infrared rays. Further, as the light-shielding filter, one that can switch between a light-transmitting state and a light-shielding state by energization and non-energization in the first embodiment is adopted. Thereby, the sunlight SL can be shielded by de-energizing the light-shielding filter. In addition, although not shown, the plant cultivation device 100 includes a temperature sensor 60 that measures the temperatures of the cultivation spaces 6A, 6B, and 6C, and a sunlight irradiation control unit 62.

[0102] Based on the temperatures of the cultivation spaces 6A, 6B, and 6C acquired from the temperature sensor 60, the sunlight irradiation control unit 62 controls the switching operation of the removal filter of the control mechanism 8 via the environment control device 20 to control the irradiation of the sunlight SL' and the sunlight SL'' to the cultivation spaces 6A, 6B, and 6C. Although not shown, the sunlight irradiation control unit 62 includes a processor and a ROM that stores a control program, setting data, and the like. In addition, it includes a RAM for storing data read from the ROM and calculation results necessary in the calculation process of the processor, and an I / F for mediating data input / output to an external device. These are connected to each other via a bus, which is a signal line for transferring data, so that data can be exchanged.

[0103] Specifically, before starting the irradiation process of sunlight SL' for the photosynthesis of the plant 3, the sunlight irradiation control unit 62 acquires the temperature of the growth spaces 6A, 6B, and 6C from the temperature sensor 60. Then, it determines whether the determined temperature (for example, the average temperature, the maximum temperature, etc.) based on the acquired temperature is below a predetermined temperature. For example, when it is determined that the temperature is not below the predetermined temperature, the control mechanism 8 gives a control command to the environmental control device 20 so as to deploy the first removal filter and the second removal filter. The environmental control device 20 gives a command to the control mechanism 8 according to the control command from the sunlight irradiation control unit 62 to deploy the first removal filter and the second removal filter. Thereby, the growth spaces 6A, 6B, and 6C are irradiated with the sunlight SL' from which the wavelength components of ultraviolet rays and infrared rays are removed. During the irradiation process of the sunlight SL', the sunlight irradiation control unit 62 acquires the temperature of the growth spaces 6A, 6B, and 6C from the temperature sensor 60 every predetermined time. When it is determined that the determined temperature based on the acquired temperature is, for example, below the predetermined temperature, the control mechanism 8 gives a control command to the environmental control device 20 so as to store the second removal filter and deploy only the first removal filter. The environmental control device 20 gives a command to the control mechanism 8 according to the control command from the sunlight irradiation control unit 62 to store the second removal filter and deploy only the first removal filter. Thereby, the growth spaces 6A, 6B, and 6C are irradiated with the sunlight SL'' that has the wavelength components of ultraviolet rays removed and includes the wavelength components of infrared rays. That is, when the temperature of the growth spaces 6A, 6B, and 6C is relatively low, the irradiation of infrared rays is actively performed. When the temperature of the growth spaces 6A, 6B, and 6C is relatively high, the irradiation of infrared rays is stopped.

[0104] In the fifth embodiment, the determination process is performed every predetermined time during the irradiation process of the sunlight SL' to switch the removal filter, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, immediately before the start time of performing the irradiation process of the sunlight for photosynthesis, the temperature is acquired from the temperature sensor 60. If the determined temperature at that time is higher than the predetermined temperature, the first removal filter and the second removal filter may be deployed. If the temperature is below the predetermined temperature, only the first removal filter may be deployed and not switched thereafter. In the fifth embodiment, the sunlight irradiation control unit 62 controls the control mechanism 8 via the environmental control device 20. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the sunlight irradiation control unit 62 may directly control the control mechanism 8. The movement control device 30 of the fifth embodiment moves the light source panel 77a in the heat insulation case 77b along the longitudinal direction of the cultivation spaces 6A, 6B, 6C with respect to the fixed cultivation spaces 6A, 6B, 6C without moving the heat insulation case 77b.

[0105] In addition, the movement control device 30 can create a state in which the plant 3 inside any one of the cultivation spaces 6A, 6B, 6C is irradiated with the artificial light L output from the light source panel 77a. Further, the movement control device 30 can create a state in which the plants 3 inside none of the cultivation spaces 6A, 6B, 6C are irradiated with the artificial light L of the light source panel 77a.

[0106] On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 22, the irradiation amount of the sunlight SL' or SL'' with respect to the cultivation space 6A is insufficient, and the plant 3 inside the cultivation space 6A is in a state of being irradiated with the artificial light L output from the light source panel 77a. Thereby, the shortage of the irradiation amount of visible light in the cultivation space 6A is compensated. The movement control device 30 moves the light source panel 77a in the heat insulation case 77b along the longitudinal direction of the cultivation spaces 6A, 6B, 6C with respect to the fixed cultivation spaces 6A, 6B, 6C without moving the heat insulation case 77b.

[0107] In addition, based on the temperature of the growing space acquired from the temperature sensor 60, the sunlight irradiation control unit 62 gives a command to the control mechanism 8 via the environmental control device 20 to switch between the sunlight SL' from which the wavelength components of ultraviolet rays and infrared rays are removed and the sunlight SL'' from which only the wavelength components of ultraviolet rays are removed from the sunlight, and irradiate the plant 3 therewith. For example, when the temperature is low in winter, the plant 3 can be irradiated with the sunlight SL'' containing infrared rays actively, and when the temperature is high in summer, the plant 3 can be irradiated with the sunlight SL' not containing the wavelength components of infrared rays. Thereby, the energy for the air-conditioning system 12 to control the temperature of the air in the plant growing spaces 6A, 6B, 6C can be reduced.

[0108] In addition, the growing spaces 6A, 6B, 6C are thermally separated from the first and second light source panels 77v and 77u by the heat insulating case 77b and are hardly affected by the heat thereof. That is, the heat insulating case 77b prevents overheating of the growing spaces 6A, 6B, 6C. Therefore, the energy for the air-conditioning system 12 to control the temperature of the air in the plant growing spaces 6A, 6B, 6C can be reduced, and the growing spaces 6A, 6B, 6C can be easily controlled to an environment suitable for the plants to be cultivated.

[0109] In addition, the number of the light source panels 77a does not need to correspond to the number of the growing spaces 6A, 6B, 6C. In this embodiment, a single light source panel 77a can be commonly used for the growing spaces 6A, 6B, 6C. Therefore, an increase in the number of the light source panels 77a can be prevented. Each configuration of the second to fourth embodiments may be applied to the fifth embodiment if applicable.

[0110] As described above, the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and details are possible without departing from the scope of the invention described in the claims. Such changes, modifications and corrections should be included in the scope of the present invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0111] L, L’... artificial light, SL, SL’, SL’’... sunlight, 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 100... plant cultivation device, 2, 2X, 2Y... cultivation device, 3... plant, 4, 4A, 4B, 4C... liquid fertilizer tank, 6A, 6B, 6C... cultivation space, 7, 77... light source unit, 7a, 77a... light source panel (artificial light source), 7b, 77b... heat insulation case (heat insulation partition), 8... control mechanism, 8a, 8b... filter section, 13... housing, 19... irradiation amount measuring device (irradiation amount measuring section, ultraviolet irradiation amount measuring section), 20... environmental control device, 30... movement control device (movement control section), 50, 50A... building, 52, 55... side wall, 54... ceiling wall, 60... temperature sensor, 62... sunlight irradiation control section

Claims

1. A plant cultivation apparatus for cultivating plants using artificial light, comprising: a sunlight light guide mechanism for guiding sunlight to the plant; a control mechanism for controlling the wavelength components of the sunlight so as to remove specific wavelength components from the sunlight before it is irradiated onto the plant; an artificial light source capable of irradiating the plant with artificial light for growing the plant. The plant cultivation apparatus is characterized by comprising the above components.

2. In Claim 1, an irradiation amount measurement unit for measuring the irradiation amount of the sunlight from which the wavelength components have been removed by the control mechanism onto the plant; a control unit for controlling the irradiation of the artificial light from the artificial light source onto the plant so as to reach the required irradiation amount when the irradiation amount measured by the irradiation amount measurement unit is less than the irradiation amount required for growing the plant. The plant cultivation apparatus is characterized by comprising the above components.

3. In Claim 1, the control mechanism is characterized by removing the infrared wavelength components from the sunlight. The plant cultivation apparatus is characterized by this.

4. In Claim 1, the control mechanism is characterized by removing the ultraviolet wavelength components from the sunlight. The plant cultivation apparatus is characterized by this.

5. In Claim 2, a plurality of cultivation spaces each for cultivating a portion above at least one root of the plant; a moving mechanism for moving each of the cultivation spaces to a predetermined position within the irradiation range of the sunlight; a movement control unit for controlling the moving mechanism. The irradiation amount measurement unit measures the irradiation amount of the sunlight from which the specific wavelength components have been removed onto the plant cultivated in each cultivation space; The movement control unit acquires the irradiation amount of the sunlight onto the plant cultivated in each cultivation space from the irradiation amount measurement unit at predetermined time intervals, and controls the moving mechanism so as to swap the cultivation space with a relatively small difference in the irradiation amount with another cultivation space with a relatively large difference in the irradiation amount based on the difference in the irradiation amount of the plurality of cultivation spaces. The plant cultivation apparatus is characterized by this.

6. In Claim 2, portions above at least one root of the plant are cultivated in each cultivation space, and a plurality of cultivation spaces are provided side by side in proximity to each other; the artificial light source is commonly used for the plurality of cultivation spaces; a moving mechanism for moving the artificial light source relative to the plurality of cultivation spaces; a movement control unit for controlling the moving mechanism. The irradiation amount measurement unit measures the irradiation amount of the plant cultivated in each cultivation space for each cultivation space. The moving control unit controls the moving mechanism so that the artificial light source moves relatively to the irradiation position of the artificial light source in the growing space for growing plants with an irradiation amount less than the irradiation amount required for growing the plants when the irradiation amount measured by the irradiation amount measuring unit is less than the irradiation amount required for growing the plants. A plant growing apparatus characterized by the above.

7. In claim 2, Comprising a plurality of enclosures that define a closed growing space in which portions above the roots of at least one plant are each grown, The artificial light source is commonly used for the plurality of enclosures, A moving mechanism for moving each of the enclosures relative to the artificial light source, A moving control unit for controlling the moving mechanism, and The irradiation amount measuring unit measures the irradiation amount of the plants grown in the growing space for each growing space, The moving control unit controls the moving mechanism so that the enclosure having the growing space for growing plants with an irradiation amount less than the irradiation amount required for growing the plants moves to the irradiation position of the artificial light source when the irradiation amount measured by the irradiation amount measuring unit is less than the irradiation amount required for growing the plants. A plant growing apparatus characterized by the above.

8. In claim 1, The control mechanism has a first filter for removing the wavelength component of the ultraviolet rays from the sunlight and a second filter for removing the wavelength component of the infrared rays, and is configured to be able to switch and irradiate the plants with at least the sunlight applied with the first and second filters and the sunlight applied with only the first filter, A growing space for growing a portion above the roots of at least one of the plants, A temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the growing space, A plant growing apparatus comprising: a sunlight irradiation control unit that controls the control mechanism to irradiate the plants with sunlight applied with only the first filter when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.

9. A plant growing method for growing plants using artificial light, comprising: A sunlight guiding step of guiding sunlight to the plants, A control step of controlling the wavelength component of the sunlight so as to remove a specific wavelength component from the sunlight before being irradiated to the plants. A plant growing method characterized by the above.

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