Hydroponic planting and harvesting device

Abstract

To provide a hydroponic planting and harvesting device that allows for outdoor hydroponic cultivation, and can reduce labor and costs.SOLUTION: A hydroponic planting and harvesting device 1 includes: a buoyant planting sheet 10 in which multiple openings 13 into which pots 12 where planted seeds or seedlings 11 are planted can be inserted are formed; a sheet winding unit 14 that winds up the planting sheet 10 into a roll; a planting unit 20 that is equipped with a transport lane 21 for holding and transporting the pots 12 and an opening / closing mechanism 22 for dropping the pots 12 from an end of the transport lane 21 into the openings 13 of the planting sheet 10; a main body 31 that has grooves formed in a plate-like member for guiding crops into the grooves; a crop-to-cup separating unit 32 that is fixed at a predetermined inclination so that a gap is formed between the pots 12 and the base of the crop 11 as the pots 12 approach a crop cutter 33; and a harvesting unit that is equipped with the crop cutter 33 for separating the crops 11 from the pots 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydroponic planting and harvesting device that is low-cost, labor-saving, and can be used outdoors. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, hydroponic cultivation, a method of growing crops indoors, has been attracting attention as a way to cope with abnormal and unseasonable weather. Hydroponic cultivation is a cultivation method in which crops are grown using water and liquid fertilizer (nutrient solution) without using soil, and because the cultivation room is isolated from the outdoors by walls, glass, vinyl, etc., crops can be grown steadily all year round, regardless of the season or weather conditions.

[0003] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2011-83230 discloses a hydroponic cultivation device that uses an embossed carrier tape 10 having a tape-shaped main body 14 formed with a number of storage recesses 13 at regular intervals along the length thereof, plant seeds held in the storage recesses 13, and through-holes 15 formed in the bottoms of the storage recesses 13. The hydroponic cultivation device includes a liquid tank 2 that stores a nutrient solution J for plants, a feed reel 3 that is disposed at one end of the liquid tank 2 and around which the embossed carrier tape 10 is wound, and a take-up reel 4 that is disposed at the other end of the liquid tank 2 and around which the used embossed carrier tape 10 is wound, and the embossed carrier tape 10 is stretched between the reels 3 and 4 so that the seeds S in the storage recesses 13 are immersed in the nutrient solution J in the liquid tank 2. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-83230 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] While conventional indoor hydroponic cultivation systems have the advantage of being able to cultivate crops stably without being affected by the weather, they require systems to control conditions such as light, temperature, and humidity to control the indoor environment, as well as the initial costs of installing large greenhouses and the running costs of managing and operating them. Furthermore, while labor-saving farming is inevitable due to the declining and aging agricultural population, indoor hydroponic cultivation systems have limited space, which requires additional space to install automation equipment (e.g., seedling planting equipment, harvesting equipment, etc.), creating a bottleneck in labor-saving efforts. Furthermore, indoor hydroponic cultivation systems are equipped with control devices and computers, making them unable to be used outdoors as they are.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a hydroponic planting and harvesting device that allows for hydroponic cultivation outdoors and that can reduce labor and costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the inventors developed a device that can be used outdoors, which combines a device for automatically planting crops with a device for automatically harvesting crops, and they discovered that by making this an outdoor hydroponic cultivation device, it is possible to reduce the labor required for outdoor hydroponic cultivation.

[0008] The present invention was made based on such findings and provides a hydroponic planting and harvesting device comprising: a planting sheet having a predetermined width and length, formed with a plurality of openings into which pots containing seeds or seedlings can be inserted, and having buoyancy to float on the water surface; a sheet winding unit that winds up the planting sheet into a roll along its length; a transport lane for holding and transporting the pots; and an opening and closing mechanism that drops the pots from the tip of the transport lane to align them with the openings in the planting sheet; a main body unit having grooves formed in a plate-like member for guiding crops into the grooves; a crop / cup separating unit fixed at a predetermined inclination so that a gap is formed between the pots and the base of the crop as the pots approach the crop cutter; and a harvesting unit comprising: a planting sheet having a predetermined width and length, formed with a plurality of openings into which pots containing seeds or seedlings can be inserted, and having buoyancy to float on the water surface; a sheet winding unit that winds up the planting sheet into a roll along its length; a transport lane for holding and transporting the pots; and an opening and closing mechanism that drops the pots from the tip of the transport lane to align them with the openings in the planting sheet; [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The hydroponic planting and harvesting device of the present invention allows for the introduction of hydroponic cultivation at a lower cost than that required for an indoor hydroponic cultivation device, and also reduces the labor required for planting seedlings and harvesting crops. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram for explaining a hydroponic cultivation method using the hydroponic planting and harvesting device 1 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a case where the hydroponic planting and harvesting device 1 is used as a planting device for crop seedlings. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram illustrating the process of inserting a brim pot 12 into an opening 13 of a planting sheet 10. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a case where a plurality of planting sections 2 are provided. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cultivation tank 40 in FIG. 1(b) as seen from the right side. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which the cultivation tank 40 is made up of a pair of cultivation tanks 40, 40'. [Figure 7]10 is a diagram for explaining the exchange of solutions when cultivating crops in a pair of cultivation tanks 40, 40'. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a channel-type cultivation tank 45 having a water collection section 46 and a plurality of water channels 47 branching from the water collection section 46. [Figure 9] 1 is a diagram for explaining how a crop 11 is harvested using a harvesting unit 30. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the harvesting unit 30. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram for explaining the process of separating the crop 11 from the brim-equipped pot 12 by the harvesting section 30. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining a hydroponic cultivation method using a hydroponic planting and harvesting device 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the case where the hydroponic planting and harvesting device 1 is used as a planting device for crop seedlings.

[0012] The hydroponic planting and harvesting device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a planting sheet 10, a planting section 20, and a harvesting section 30.

[0013] The planting sheet 10 has a predetermined width and length, and is formed with a plurality of openings 13 into which pots 12, 12... in which seeds or seedlings (the grown products are called crops) 11, 11... are planted. The width and length of the planting sheet 10 are preferably designed to match the width and length of the cultivation tank 40 described below.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1(a), when not in use, the planting sheet 10 is stored in the hydroponic planting and harvesting device 1 in a state where it is wound up by a winding unit 14. The planting sheet 10 is unwound by pulling a rope 15 attached to the tip of the planting sheet 10 with a rope winding device 16, and is unfolded onto the water surface of the cultivation tank 40. At this time, the planting sheet 10 has buoyancy that allows it to float on the water surface when unfolded in the cultivation tank 40, so that sprouts, seedlings, and crops are always in the air, and roots are always in contact with the nutrient solution. The rope winding device 16 can use renewable energy such as solar power generation or a storage battery.

[0015] The material of the planting sheet 10 used in this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it is flexible enough to be rolled up and has enough buoyancy to float on the water surface, but examples include materials such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, when the planting sheet 10 is pulled by the rope 15, the brimmed pots 12, 12... containing seeds or seedlings 11, 11... that have been previously loaded into the transport lane 21 of the planting section 20 fall from the opening / closing mechanism 22 at the tip of the transport lane 21, aligning the pots 12, 12... with the openings 13 of the planting sheet 10.

[0017] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating the process of inserting the brimmed pots 12 into the openings 13 of the planting sheet 10. As shown in Fig. 3A, during filling, the brimmed pots 12 in which seeds or seedlings (not shown) are planted are stored in a state where the edge 25 of the transport lane 21 and the brimmed pots 12' of the brimmed pots 12 are in sliding contact with each other.

[0018] As shown in Figure 3(b), when the opening 13 of the planting sheet 10 comes directly under the opening / closing mechanism 22, the support door 23 of the opening / closing mechanism 22, which had been supporting the flange 12' of the brimmed pot 12, is released, and the stopper 24 closes, causing the brimmed pot 12, which was positioned at the tip, to fall into and be inserted into the opening 13 of the planting sheet 10. The state shown in Figure 3(a) is then restored, and the process of successively inserting the brimmed pots 12 into the opening 13 of the planting sheet 10 is repeated. Therefore, it is preferable that the brimmed pots 12 used in this embodiment have a predetermined weight so that they can be inserted into the opening 13 under their own weight, or that the brimmed pots 12 have a weight attached to their bottom.

[0019] 4 shows a case where multiple planting sections 2 are installed. The operation is the same as the process described above, and planting sections 2 are installed according to the number of openings 13 provided in the planting sheet 10. There is no particular limit to the number of planting sections 2 to be installed, and they can be set appropriately according to the openings in the planting sheet 10.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1(b), after the planting sheet 10 is spread in the cultivation tank 40, hydroponic cultivation is performed with the planting sheet 10 floating on the water surface. Although not required, the cultivation tank 40 may be provided with support legs to facilitate operation. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1(b) viewed from the right side. FIG. 5 shows an example in which six rows of pots 12 are inserted into the planting sheet 10 for cultivation. During hydroponic cultivation, the planting sheet 10 is supported by multiple support members 41 fixed to the inner wall of the cultivation tank 40.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another embodiment in which the cultivation tank 40 is made up of a pair of cultivation tanks 40, 40' (for convenience of explanation, the pots 12 and the crops 13 are not shown). The pair of cultivation tanks 40, 40' are equipped with pumps P for exchanging nutrient solution between the cultivation tanks 40, 40'. The two pumps P in FIG. 6 are intended to represent one pump that moves nutrient solution from the cultivation tank 40 to the cultivation tank 40' and another pump that moves nutrient solution from the cultivation tank 40' to the cultivation tank 40. The number of pumps P is not limited to this, and four or more pairs of pumps may be installed. The pumps P can use renewable energy such as solar power generation or storage batteries.

[0022] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the exchange of nutrient solution when growing crops in a pair of cultivation tanks 40, 40'. When growing crops in a pair of cultivation tanks 40, 40', the nutrient solution in the cultivation tanks 40, 40' can be exchanged at regular intervals. That is, as shown in FIG. 7(a), when the cultivation tank 40 is filled with nutrient solution, the water level in the cultivation tank 40' is low. At this time, the planting sheet 10' is supported by support members 41' installed on the inner wall of the cultivation tank 40', so the roots of the crops 11' are exposed to the air. This allows sufficient oxygen to be supplied to the roots, promoting the growth of the crops 11'. The means for supporting the planting sheets 10, 10' is not particularly limited, and instead of the support members 41, 41', a means for fixing the planting sheets 10, 10' to the cultivation tanks 40, 40' can be provided, or the planting sheets 10, 10' can be supported by previously tying ropes made of rubber, fiber, or other material between the openings in the vertical and / or horizontal directions of the cultivation tanks 40, 40'.

[0023] As shown in Figure 7(b), when the pump P moves the nutrient solution from the cultivation tank 40 to the cultivation tank 40', the level of the nutrient solution in the cultivation tank 40 drops. Because the planting sheet 10 is supported by the support member 41, the roots of the crops 11 are exposed to the air and are supplied with sufficient oxygen. When the pump P moves the nutrient solution, air is mixed in through the water supply pipe, and the aeration effect can increase the dissolved oxygen concentration in the nutrient solution.

[0024] The timing of operating the pump P is determined appropriately depending on the crop and weather conditions, but it is necessary to operate the pump P at a time that will not cause the roots of the crops 11, 11' to become extremely dry and affect the growth of the crops 11, 11'. For example, it is preferable to operate the pump P once every 10 minutes to 3 hours to exchange the nutrient solution.

[0025] FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the cultivation tank 41, namely, a channel-type cultivation tank 45 having a water collection section 46 and a plurality of water channels 47 branching off from the water collection section 46 (for convenience of explanation, the planting sheets 10, 10' are not shown). By using the channel-type cultivation tank 45, crops can be cultivated with a smaller amount of water, thereby saving water. Furthermore, by providing a pair of channel-type cultivation tanks 45, 45' and providing a pump P for exchanging the nutrient solution between the channel-type cultivation tanks 40, 40', it is possible to obtain the aforementioned effects of supplying oxygen to the roots of the crops and increasing the dissolved oxygen concentration in the nutrient solution.

[0026] Even when using the channel-type cultivation tank 45, 45', the planting sheet 10 used in the aforementioned cultivation tank 40 can be used as is without any design changes, as long as the positions of the openings 13, 13' of the planting sheet 10, 10' match the water channel 47. In this case, since the planting sheet 10, 10' (not shown) can be supported by the water collection section 46 or the edge of the water channel 47, it is not necessary to install a support member 41 in the channel-type cultivation tank 45, 45'.

[0027] 9 is a diagram for explaining how the crop 11 is harvested using the harvesting unit 30. Also, FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the harvesting unit 30.

[0028] As shown in Figure 10, the harvesting unit 30 comprises a main body 31 having a comb-shaped groove formed in a plate-like member for guiding the crop 11 into the groove, a crop / cup separating unit 32 fixed at a predetermined inclination so that a gap is formed between the brim pot 12 and the base of the crop 11 as the brim pot 12 approaches the crop cutter 33, and a crop cutter 33 for separating the crop 11 from the brim pot 12.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1(c) and 9, when harvesting crops, the hydroponic planting and harvesting device 1 uses a motor-driven power to operate the winding unit 14, which winds up the planting sheet 10 at a constant speed. The winding unit 14 can use renewable energy such as solar power generation or a storage battery.

[0030] The hydroponic planting and harvesting device 1 according to this embodiment preferably includes a root cutter 34 for cutting the roots of crops exposed at the bottom of the brim pot 12 during harvesting. By including the root cutter 34, it is possible to prevent the roots of crops from becoming entangled in the harvesting unit 30.

[0031] Next, in the harvesting section 30, the crops 11 are separated from the brim-equipped pots 12. As shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11, the crops 11 are first guided into the gaps in the main body 31 of the harvesting section 30. Then, because the crop / cup separating section 32 is fixed at a predetermined incline to the main body 30, as the planting sheet 10 is wound up, the crop / cup separating section 32 gradually forms gaps between the base of the crops 11 and the brim-equipped pots 12.

[0032] As the planting sheet 10 is further wound up, the crops 11 are cut by the crop cutter 33. The cut crops 11 are transported by a transport unit 35 such as a belt conveyor.

[0033] In this embodiment, the crop cutter 33 is shown as a fixed type, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the crop cutter 33 may be configured to be driven by power, like an electric saw.

[0034] In this embodiment, it is preferable to provide a pot separating section 36 for separating the brimmed pots 12 from the planting sheet 10 after cutting the crops 11. The pot separating section 36 is installed at an angle to the planting sheet 10, and as shown in Figures 9 and 11, the pot separating section 36 pushes the inverted brimmed pots 12 downward from the bottom, separating them from the openings 13 of the planting sheet 10. The detached brimmed pots 12 are preferably collected in a collection container. The collected brimmed pots 12 can then be washed and reused for hydroponic cultivation.

[0035] Furthermore, if a sheet washing section 37 for washing the planting sheet 10 is provided, it will be possible to further reduce labor since there will be no need to wash the planting sheet 10 at a later date. In this case, it is preferable to install a washing liquid collection container below the sheet washing section 37 to collect the washing liquid.

[0036] The hydroponic planting and harvesting device according to this embodiment can be used for all types of crops commonly grown hydroponically, such as lettuce, lettuce, lettuce, mizuna, chrysanthemum, arugula, shiso leaves, spinach, water spinach, mitsuba, tomato, and cucumber. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1...Hydroponic cultivation planting and harvesting device 10...Planting sheet 11...Seeds or seedlings (grown crops) 12...Pot with brim 13...Opening 14... Winding section 15...Rope 16...Rope winding device 20…Planting department 21...Transport lane 22...Opening and closing mechanism 23...Support door 24...Stopper 25...Edge 30...Harvesting section 31...Main body 32...Crop-cup separation section 33...Crop cutter 34...Root cutter 35...Transport unit 36...Pot separation part 37...Seat cleaning section 40…Cultivation tank 41...Support member 45…Canal type cultivation tank 46...Catchment area 47...Waterway P...Pump

Claims

1. a planting sheet having a predetermined width and length, a plurality of openings formed therein into which pots containing seeds or seedlings can be inserted, and having buoyancy to float on the water surface; A sheet winding unit that winds the planting sheet into a roll along the length direction; A planting section including a conveying lane for holding and conveying the pots, and an opening / closing mechanism for dropping the pots from the tip of the conveying lane into the opening of the planting sheet; a harvesting unit including a main body portion having a groove formed in a plate-like member for guiding the crop into the groove, a crop / cup separating portion fixed at a predetermined inclination so that a gap is formed between the pot and the base of the plant of the crop as the pot approaches the crop cutter, and a crop cutter for separating the crop from the pot; A hydroponic planting and harvesting device equipped with a

2. 2. The hydroponic planting and harvesting device according to claim 1, further comprising a root cutter for cutting roots of the crop exposed at the bottom of the pot.

3. 3. The hydroponic planting and harvesting device according to claim 1, further comprising a cleaning device for cleaning the planting sheet.

4. Furthermore, it is equipped with a cultivation tank that stores nutrient solution for growing crops.

2. The hydroponic planting and harvesting device according to claim 1.

5. The cultivation tank comprises a pair of cultivation tanks and a pump for exchanging nutrient solution between the pair of cultivation tanks, 5. The hydroponic planting and harvesting device according to claim 4.

6. 5. The hydroponic planting and harvesting device according to claim 4, further comprising a support member for supporting the planting sheet on an inner wall of the cultivation tank.

7. The cultivation tank comprises a water collection section and a plurality of water channels branching from the water collection section.

5. The hydroponic planting and harvesting device according to claim 4.

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