Multistage cultivation device

Abstract

To make air evenly circulate around plants.SOLUTION: A multistage cultivation device 100 comprises: a cultivation shelf 1 having shelf spaces 2 which are formed in a multistage in a vertical direction; artificial illumination 11 which are arranged on a ceiling part of the shelf space; fan 13 which is arranged on the ceiling part of the shelf space, has an upward suction port and a downward outlet, and the suction port is positioned apart from a ceiling C of the shelf space; and a baffle plate 14 which is arranged opposing the outlet while being apart and below the outlet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a multi-stage cultivation device.

Background Art

[0002] In a plant factory, generally, plants such as fruit vegetables and leaf vegetables are hydroponically cultivated in an indoor space using artificial light sources and culture solutions.

[0003] At this time, cultivation shelves are provided in the indoor space. Artificial lighting is installed on the ceiling of each shelf space of the cultivation shelf. In addition, in order to ventilate the air in each shelf space individually, small fans are installed for each shelf space.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in recent years, the cultivation shelves have become larger, and the plants have also become larger for industrial processing, and the height of each shelf space has tended to reach the limit. Therefore, when the plants grow, the shelf space will be occupied by the plants, and it may be difficult to evenly distribute the air around each plant.

[0006] Therefore, in view of such circumstances, the present disclosure was conceived, and its purpose is to provide a multi-stage cultivation device capable of evenly distributing air around each plant.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a cultivation shelf having shelf spaces formed in multiple stages in the vertical direction, artificial lighting arranged on the ceiling of the shelf space, A fan that is disposed on the ceiling portion of the shelf space, has an upward intake port and a downward outlet port, and the intake port is positioned at a distance from the ceiling of the shelf space, A baffle plate that is disposed below and spaced apart from the outlet port, A multi-stage cultivation apparatus characterized by comprising the above is provided.

[0008] Preferably, the baffle plate is transparent or translucent.

[0009] Preferably, in a bottom view, the area of the baffle plate is 1 to 2 times the area of the outlet port.

[0010] Preferably, the baffle plate has a plurality of small holes.

[0011] Preferably, the baffle plate has a notch at its peripheral portion.

[0012] Preferably, a plurality of artificial illuminations are arranged on the ceiling portion of the shelf space, The fan and the baffle plate are arranged at a position between two adjacent artificial illuminations.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the present disclosure, air can be evenly distributed around each plant.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that it should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically and transparently showing a part of the multi-stage cultivation device of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front sectional view schematically showing a part of the multi-stage cultivation device. For convenience, the directions of front, rear, left, right, up, and down are defined as shown in the drawing.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the multi-stage cultivation device 100 for hydroponics has a cultivation shelf 1 installed in the cultivation room R of the plant factory. The cultivation shelf 1 has shelf spaces 2 formed in multiple stages in the vertical direction. In FIG. 1, only one shelf space 2 is mainly shown, and in FIG. 2, three shelf spaces 2 are shown. The configuration of each shelf space 2 is the same. The number of stages of the shelf spaces 2 in the cultivation shelf 1 is arbitrary, for example, it is four stages.

[0018] The cultivation shelf 1 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, with the length in the front-rear direction being longer than the width in the left-right direction, and is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a predetermined height. The front-rear direction of the cultivation shelf 1 is referred to as the longitudinal direction, and the left-right direction of the cultivation shelf 1 is referred to as the lateral direction.

[0019] The cultivation shelf 1 has a shelf frame 6 assembled in a rectangular parallelepiped lattice shape with a plurality of columns 3 extending in the vertical direction, a plurality of longitudinal beams 4 extending in the front-rear direction, and a plurality of lateral beams 5 (omitted in FIG. 2) extending in the left-right direction. And the cultivation shelf 1 has a plurality of shelf boards 7 supported by at least one of the longitudinal beam 4 and the lateral beam 5. The shelf boards 7 partition the inside of the cultivation shelf 1 in the vertical direction. The space sandwiched between adjacent upper and lower shelf boards 7 is the shelf space 2. The shelf board 7 forms the floor F of the upper shelf space 2 and also forms the ceiling C of the lower shelf space 2. In any shelf space 2, the vicinity of the ceiling C is referred to as the ceiling part, and the vicinity of the floor F is referred to as the floor part.

[0020] Note that the lowermost shelf board 7 forms the bottom plate of the cultivation shelf 1, and there is no shelf space 2 below it. Similarly, the uppermost shelf board 7 forms the top plate of the cultivation shelf 1, and there is no shelf space 2 above it.

[0021] On the shelf board 7 forming the floor F of each shelf space 2, a hydroponic bed 8 in which a culture solution is stored is installed. A planting panel 10 is installed at the upper opening of the hydroponic bed 8, and a large number of cultivation holes 9 for planting the plant P are formed at equal intervals on the planting panel 10. In the present embodiment, the plant P is a fruit vegetable or leaf vegetable, for example, lettuce. The hydroponic bed 8 and the planting panel 10 have a size extending over substantially the entire length and substantially the entire width (that is, substantially the entire area) of the shelf space 2. Therefore, the plant P is also planted over substantially the entire length and substantially the entire width of the shelf space 2.

[0022] Artificial lighting is arranged at the ceiling part of each shelf space 2. The artificial lighting in the present embodiment is a straight tube type LED 11 having a predetermined length (for example, 1200 mm). In the present embodiment, a plurality (specifically, five) of the LEDs 11 are provided in a series arrangement along the front-rear direction. Also, this row of LEDs 11 is provided in a plurality of rows (specifically, four rows) at equal intervals in the left-right direction. These LEDs 11 are suspended from the ceiling C using brackets or the like. Therefore, the LEDs 11 are spaced downward from the ceiling C, and a gap 12 is formed between the LEDs 11 and the ceiling C.

[0023] Also, a fan 13 and a baffle plate (deflector plate) 14 are arranged at the ceiling part of each shelf space 2. The fan 13 blows air downward, and the baffle plate 14 collides with the blown air flow and diffuses the air flow in the horizontal direction. In the present embodiment, these fan 13 and baffle plate 14 are combined to form a fan unit 15.

[0024] Figs. 3 to 5 show a bottom view, a front view, and a plan view, respectively, when the fan unit 15 is viewed from below, in front, and above. Also, Figs. 6 and 7 show a bottom view and a front cross-sectional view, respectively, when the fan 13 is viewed alone from below and in front.

[0025] As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the fan 13 includes a casing 16, a motor 17, and an impeller 18. The fan 13 has a central axis C1 extending in the vertical direction.

[0026] The casing 16 is made of aluminum casting and has a cylindrical portion 19 arranged coaxially with the central axis C1 and square (specifically, square) flange portions 20A and 20B (see FIG. 4) integrally provided at the upper and lower ends of the cylindrical portion 19. Inside the cylindrical portion 20, a fan inner passage 23 having a circular cross-section and being linear is formed. The upper end opening of the fan inner passage 23 forms an air inlet 21 for introducing air, and the lower end opening of the fan inner passage 23 forms an air outlet 22 for blowing out air. Thus, the fan 13 has an upward air inlet 21 and a downward air outlet 22.

[0027] Inside the fan inner passage 23, a motor 17 and an impeller 18 are arranged. The motor 17 is in the form of a relatively thin disc with a smaller diameter than the air outlet 22 and is arranged coaxially with the central axis C1. And the motor 17 is arranged in the air outlet 22 so as to be substantially flush with the lower end flange portion 20B. The motor 17 is connected to the cylindrical portion 20 by a plurality (four) of spokes 24 radially extending in the air outlet 22.

[0028] The impeller 18 is also arranged coaxially with the central axis C1. The impeller 18 has a disc-shaped hub 25 arranged at its central portion and a plurality (five) of blades 26 provided at equal intervals on the outer peripheral portion of the hub 25. The hub 25 is arranged adjacent to the upper side of the motor 17 and has the same outer diameter as the motor 17. The output shaft of the motor 17 is fixed to the hub 25 on the central axis C1, and the impeller 18 is rotated by the rotation of the output shaft. The impeller 18 is arranged in the fan inner passage 23 so as to be substantially flush with the upper end flange portion 20A.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 6, mounting holes 27 are provided at the four corners of the lower end flange portion 20B. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, mounting holes 28 are provided at the four corners of the upper end flange portion 20A.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the baffle plate 14 is formed of a resin-made transparent square (specifically, square) plate. And the baffle plate 14 is arranged facing the air outlet 22 and spaced apart therefrom below.

[0031] The baffle plate 14 has a central axis C2 extending in the vertical direction, and this central axis C2 is positioned coaxially with the central axis C1 of the motor 17. As shown in FIG. 3, the baffle plate 14 has an area larger than that of the air outlet 22 in a bottom view, and in this embodiment, it has an area larger than that of the motor 17.

[0032] As shown in detail in FIG. 8, the baffle plate 14 is provided with a mounting hole 29 at a position corresponding to the mounting hole 27 of the lower end flange portion 20B. A cylindrical spacer 30 is coaxially arranged between the baffle plate 14 and the lower end flange portion 20B with respect to the mounting holes 27 and 29. A screw 31 is inserted from below in the order of the mounting hole 29, the spacer 30, and the mounting hole 27. A nut 32 is tightened on the portion of the screw 31 protruding above the mounting hole 27. Thereby, the baffle plate 14 and the fan 13 are integrated, and the fan unit 15 is formed.

[0033] This fan unit 15 is detachably mounted on the shelf board 7 forming the ceiling C of the shelf space 2. Thereby, the air inlet 21 is positioned at a distance from the ceiling C.

[0034] The shelf board 7 forming the ceiling C is provided with a mounting hole 33 at a position corresponding to the mounting hole 28 of the upper end flange portion 20A. A cylindrical spacer 34 is coaxially arranged between the shelf board 7 and the upper end flange portion 20A with respect to the mounting holes 28 and 33. A screw 35 is inserted from above in the order of the mounting hole 33, the spacer 34, and the mounting hole 28. A nut 36 is tightened on the portion of the screw 35 protruding below the mounting hole 28. Thereby, the fan unit 15 is mounted on the ceiling C.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fan 13 and the baffle plate 14, that is, the fan unit 15, are arranged at a position between two adjacent LEDs 11. In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, among the columns of four LEDs 11, the fan unit 15 is arranged at a position between the second and third columns from the left, that is, the middle two columns. This position is exactly in the middle of the left - right width of the cultivation shelf 1 or the shelf space 2.

[0036] Also, a plurality of fan units 15 are provided at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction. In the case of this embodiment, five fan units 15 are provided corresponding to each of the five LEDs 11 forming one row of LEDs 11, and each fan unit 15 is arranged at exactly the middle position of the length of each LED 11.

[0037] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0038] FIG. 9 is a schematic front - cross - sectional view showing the air flow in this embodiment. The figure shows the air flow in one shelf space 2 by the dashed arrow A. Such air flow is the same in each shelf space 2.

[0039] When the fan 13 is operated, an air flow passing from above the fan 13 to below the fan 13 can be formed. Air is sucked into the fan 13 from the upward intake port 21 located at the upper end of the fan 13 and blown out from the downward outlet 22 located at the lower end of the fan 13 to the outside of the fan 13.

[0040] Since the air above the fan 13 is sucked into the fan 13 from the intake port 21, an air flow a flowing horizontally along the ceiling C of the shelf space 2 and toward the intake port 21 can be formed at a position above the fan 13. This air flow a continuously draws fresh air (fresh air) outside the shelf space 2 in the cultivation chamber R into the shelf space 2. The air in the cultivation chamber R is controlled by an air conditioner (not shown) to have a temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, etc. suitable for cultivation. Therefore, the fan 13 will continuously suck in and blow out such fresh air suitable for cultivation one after another.

[0041] Since the air flow a flows through the gap 12 between the LED 11 and the ceiling C, it is possible to prevent the air flow a from being obstructed by the LED 11.

[0042] The air blown out from the air outlet 22 collides with the baffle plate 14 located directly below it, its direction is bent by 90°, and it heads outward along the upper surface of the baffle plate 14. And immediately after passing through the baffle plate 14, the flow is once bent obliquely downward. After that, the space below the LED 11 and above the plant P (the space between the LED 11 and the plant P) horizontally flows in the opposite direction to the previous air flow a as indicated by the reference sign b, and finally reaches the space in the cultivation chamber R outside the shelf space 2.

[0043] Attracted by this air flow b, the air in the gap between the plants P flows upward as indicated by the reference sign c and merges with the air flow b. As a result, the air in the gap between the plants P is well ventilated.

[0044] By the operation of the fan 13 located at the central part of the left - right width within the shelf space 2, an air flow a flowing from the outer side in the width direction toward the fan 13 and an air flow b flowing from the inner side in the width direction away from the fan 13 are symmetrically formed on the left and right sides of the fan 13. Such air flows a and b are formed for each of the fans 13 arranged in the front - rear direction. Therefore, good ventilation can be achieved throughout the shelf space 2.

[0045] Thus, according to the present embodiment, air can evenly spread around each plant P. In particular, in the space above the ceiling part, air can flow horizontally from the outside to the inside of the shelf space 2. Also, in the space below the ceiling part, air can flow horizontally in the opposite direction from the inside to the outside of the shelf space 2. Therefore, it is possible to form two - layer counter - flow layers above and below the ceiling part, and even when the shelf space 2 is occupied by the plants P, air can evenly spread around each plant P. And the variation in the air flow environment within the shelf space 2 can be reduced.

[0046] In addition, since the air evenly circulates around each plant P, the airflow also reaches the growing point of the plant P, which has the effect of preventing chip burn.

[0047] Even if there is a gap between the plants P directly below the baffle plate 14, as indicated by the reference sign d, the air in the gap is attracted to the air flow b, so that the air in the gap can be ventilated well.

[0048] In addition, since the air blown out from the air outlet 22 of the fan 13 collides with the baffle plate 14, it is possible to avoid the air directly colliding with the plant P. Therefore, it is possible to prevent disadvantages such as poor growth due to direct collision and protect the plant P.

[0049] If there is no baffle plate 14, the air blown out from the fan 13 directly collides with the plant P. Therefore, in order to suppress the disadvantages caused by the collision and make the air circulate throughout the shelf space 2, it is necessary to install many fans with a weak air volume.

[0050] However, in this embodiment, since there is the baffle plate 14, the air blown out from the fan 13 does not directly collide with the plant P. Therefore, it is possible to install fewer fans with a strong air volume, and energy saving and cost reduction can be achieved.

[0051] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the fan 13 and the baffle plate 14 are arranged at a position between two adjacent LEDs 11. Therefore, the dead space between the LEDs 11 can be effectively utilized.

[0052] In order to obtain the above-described operational effects, in the bottom view as shown in FIG. 3, the area of the baffle plate 14 is preferably 1 time or more and 2 times or less, and more preferably 1.2 times or more and 1.5 times or less, the area of the air outlet 22 of the fan 13. Here, the area of the air outlet 22 of the fan 13 refers to the cross-sectional area of the lower end portion of the inner passage 23 of the fan, ignoring the motor 17 and the spokes 24.

[0053] Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the distance D between the baffle plate 14 and the air outlet 22 of the fan 13 is preferably 10 mm or more and 100 mm or less.

[0054] Further, as shown in FIG. 10, in the present embodiment, the height position Hf of the lower end of the fan 13 is made higher than the height position Hl of the lower end of the LED 11. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the light from the LED 11 from being blocked by the fan 13 as much as possible, and the light can be irradiated over a wide range. In the figure, the line Lf indicates the upper limit position of the irradiation range where the light from the LED 11 is not blocked by the fan 13.

[0055] Further, in the present embodiment, the baffle plate 14 is made transparent. Therefore, it is possible to substantially prevent the light from the LED 11 from being blocked by the baffle plate 14, and the same irradiation range as when there is no baffle plate 14 can be secured. The upper limit position of the irradiation range is the same position Lf as when there is no baffle plate 14.

[0056] Note that the baffle plate 14 may be semi-transparent or non-transparent. When it is semi-transparent, although the light is attenuated, it can pass through the baffle plate 14. Therefore, the light amount decreases, but the same irradiation range as when it is transparent can be secured.

[0057] When it is non-transparent, the light cannot pass through, so the upper limit position of the irradiation range becomes Lb, and the irradiation range decreases. In the case of non-transparent, the irradiation range changes depending on the height position Hb of the lower end of the baffle plate 14. FIG. 10 shows the case where the height position Hb of the lower end of the baffle plate 14 is lower than the height position Hl of the lower end of the LED 11. FIG. 11 shows the case where the height position Hb of the lower end of the baffle plate 14 is equal to the height position Hl of the lower end of the LED 11. FIG. 12 shows the case where the height position Hb of the lower end of the baffle plate 14 is higher than the height position Hl of the lower end of the LED 11. As can be seen from these figures, the irradiation range of the LED 11 becomes wider as the height position Hb of the lower end of the baffle plate 14 is higher. And the upper limit position Lb of the irradiation range becomes higher as the height position Hb of the lower end of the baffle plate 14 is higher.

[0058] Therefore, in order to ensure a preferable wide irradiation range, the height position Hb of the lower end of the baffle plate 14 is preferably equal to the height position Hl of the lower end of the LED 11 (in the case of FIG. 11) or higher than the height position Hl (in the case of FIG. 12).

[0059] However, the height position Hb of the lower end of the baffle plate 14 can be arbitrarily set in consideration of the layout and air flow in the shelf space 2 or the like. When the height position Hb is made lower than the height position Hl of the lower end of the LED 11 (in the case of FIG. 10), the air flow exiting from the baffle plate 14 easily passes under the LED 11, and the interference with the LED 11 can be reduced.

[0060] In this embodiment, since the baffle plate 14 is transparent, even if the height position Hb of its lower end is lower than the height position Hl of the lower end of the LED 11, the irradiation range is not limited. Further, by making the height position Hb of the lower end of the baffle plate 14 lower than the height position Hl of the lower end of the LED 11, the interference between the air flow exiting from the baffle plate 14 and the LED 11 can be reduced. Therefore, it becomes possible to simultaneously obtain both a preferable irradiation range and air flow.

[0061] The shape of the baffle plate 14 does not have to be square. For example, it may be rectangular as in the first modification shown in FIG. 13. In the example of FIG. 13, the left - right width of the baffle plate 14 is longer than the front - rear length, but conversely, the front - rear length may be longer than the left - right width.

[0062] The baffle plate 14 may be circular as in the second modification shown in FIG. 14. Alternatively, although not shown, it may be elliptical or oblong.

[0063] As in the third modification example shown in FIG. 15, the baffle plate 14 may have a plurality of small holes 40. In this case, the baffle plate 14 can be formed, for example, by a punching plate or a mesh plate made of metal or resin. In this way, a part of the air blown out from the air outlet 22 can be leaked through the small holes 40 and sent directly below the baffle plate 14, and more air can be supplied to the plant P directly below the baffle plate 14.

[0064] However, the original function of the baffle plate 14 is to change the direction of the air blown out from the air outlet 22 from downward to horizontal. Therefore, the number, size, arrangement, etc. of the small holes 40 should be set so as not to inhibit such a basic function.

[0065] Therefore, in this modification example, at least one of the number, size, and arrangement of the small holes 40 is set so that, for example, 20% or less of the air blown out from the air outlet 22 flows through the small holes 40, and the rest flows horizontally without passing through the small holes 40.

[0066] As in the fourth modification example and the fifth modification example shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the baffle plate 14 may have cutouts 41 and 42 at its peripheral edge. In the example shown in FIG. 16, square cutouts 41 are provided at the four corners of the front, rear, left, and right of the square baffle plate 14, respectively. In the example shown in FIG. 17, rectangular cutouts 42 are provided at each side of the front, rear, left, and right of the square baffle plate 14, respectively. The cutout 42 is formed in a rectangular shape extending along each side at the central part of each side except for both ends.

[0067] The air that collides with the baffle plate 14 is bent at a right angle and then flows radially along the upper surface of the baffle plate 14 around the central axis C1, and then passes through the baffle plate 14 and is bent obliquely downward and diffused. At this time, if there are the cutouts 41 and 42, the air can be made to escape from the baffle plate 14 and directed obliquely downward earlier than when there are no cutouts. Therefore, when assuming the angular range around the central axis C1, within the angular ranges θ1 and θ2 where the cutouts 41 and 42 are present, the downward directivity of the air flow can be enhanced compared to the case where there are no cutouts 41 and 42.

[0068] Thus, for example, when there is a location near directly below the baffle plate 14 where it is desired to supply the air flow more actively, by providing the cutouts 41 and 42 corresponding to this location, such supply becomes possible.

[0069] Alternatively, when considering the flow within the entire shelf space 2 or the like and it is desired to strengthen the downward air flow in a specific direction, by providing the cutouts 41 and 42 in accordance with that specific direction, this becomes possible.

[0070] As described above, the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, but various other embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure are also conceivable.

[0071] (1) For example, the baffle plate 14 may be formed of a material other than resin, such as metal.

[0072] (2) A plurality of the fans 13 and the baffle plates 14, that is, the fan units 15, may be provided in the left - right width direction (short - hand direction).

[0073] (3) The straight - tube type LED 11 may be arranged to extend in the left - right width direction (short - hand direction) of the shelf space 2.

[0074] (4) The artificial lighting may be formed by something other than the straight - tube type LED 11. For example, it may be formed by a bulb - type LED or a normal bulb that is not an LED.

[0075] Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the foregoing embodiments, and all modifications, applications, and equivalents included in the idea of the present disclosure defined by the claims are included in the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure should not be construed in a limited manner, and can also be applied to any other technology belonging within the scope of the idea of the present disclosure.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0076] 1 Cultivation shelf 2 Shelf space 11 LED 13 Fan 14 Baffle plate 21 Intake port 22 Outlet 40 Small hole 41, 42 Notch 100 Multi-stage cultivation device C Ceiling

Claims

1. A cultivation shelf having shelf spaces formed in multiple stages in the vertical direction, Artificial lighting disposed at the ceiling portion of the shelf space, A fan disposed at the ceiling portion of the shelf space, having an upward intake port and a downward outlet port, and the intake port being positioned at a distance from the ceiling of the shelf space, A baffle plate disposed facing the outlet port and spaced below it, A multi-stage cultivation device characterized by comprising the above.

2. The baffle plate is transparent or translucent. The multi-stage cultivation device according to Claim 1.

3. In a bottom view, the area of the baffle plate is 1 time or more and 2 times or less the area of the outlet port. The multi-stage cultivation device according to Claim 1.

4. The baffle plate has a plurality of small holes. The multi-stage cultivation device according to Claim 1.

5. The baffle plate has a notch at its peripheral portion. The multi-stage cultivation device according to Claim 1.

6. A plurality of the artificial lighting are disposed at the ceiling portion of the shelf space, The fan and the baffle plate are disposed at positions between two adjacent ones of the artificial lighting. The multi-stage cultivation device according to Claim 1.

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