Hydroponic cultivation tray and hydroponic cultivation system

Abstract

To solve a problem in which a nutrient solution supplied to a tray body cannot be made to flow sufficiently smoothly.SOLUTION: A hydroponic cultivation tray for growing plants comprises: a tray body on which plants are placed; and an overflow pipe provided on a bottom surface of the tray body. The bottom surface of the tray body is formed to be inclined with respect to a horizontal surface when the tray body is supported by a cultivation rack. The overflow pipe is inserted in a direction intersecting the bottom surface of the tray body, and has a first hole and a second hole provided therein at different positions in a vertical direction with respect to the horizontal surface. The position of the second hole in the vertical direction with respect to the horizontal plane is above the highest position of the bottom surface. The position of the first hole in the vertical direction with respect to the horizontal plane is below the highest position of the bottom surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to hydroponic cultivation trays and hydroponic cultivation systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Hydroponic systems are known for growing plants hydroponically in an indoor environment. Patent Document 1 discloses a drainage pipe structure for a nutrient solution tank in which nutrient solution is circulated while maintaining a predetermined water depth using a water supply pipe and a drainage pipe, which prevents dirt from accumulating in the nutrient solution tank and can increase the dissolved oxygen concentration in the nutrient solution. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-145569 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a problem in that the nutrient solution supplied to the tray body cannot flow smoothly enough. Therefore, the present disclosure has been made to solve the above problem, and its purpose is to provide a technology that allows the nutrient solution supplied to the tray body to flow sufficiently smoothly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A hydroponic cultivation tray for growing plants, comprising: a tray body on which plants are placed; and an overflow pipe provided on the bottom surface of the tray body, the bottom surface of the tray body being formed so as to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane when the tray body is supported by a cultivation rack, the overflow pipe being inserted in a direction intersecting the bottom surface of the tray body, and having a first hole and a second hole provided at different positions in a vertical direction relative to the horizontal plane, the second hole being positioned above the highest point of the bottom surface in the vertical direction relative to the horizontal plane, and the first hole being positioned below the highest point of the bottom surface in the vertical direction relative to the horizontal plane. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, the nutrient solution supplied to the tray body can flow sufficiently smoothly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a hydroponic cultivation system 1. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of the hydroponic cultivation system 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a side view of the hydroponic cultivation system 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view of the hydroponic cultivation tray 20. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a first side cross-sectional view of the hydroponic cultivation tray 20. [Figure 6] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second side of the hydroponic cultivation tray 20. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a top view of the area around the overflow pipe inserted into the drain port of the tray body 201. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a first side view of the periphery of an overflow pipe inserted into a drain port of a tray body 201. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a second side view of the periphery of the overflow pipe inserted into the drain port of the tray body 201. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings describing the embodiments, common components are designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated description will be omitted. Note that the following embodiments do not unduly limit the content of the present disclosure described in the claims. Furthermore, not all components shown in the embodiments are necessarily essential components of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily a precise illustration.

[0009] <Basic configuration of hydroponic cultivation system 1> The hydroponic cultivation system 1 of the present disclosure supplies a nutrient solution containing water to a cultivation pot 40 placed on a cultivation rack 10. The hydroponic cultivation system 1 automatically provides the optimum cultivation environment for the plants planted in the cultivation pot 40, including lighting, temperature, humidity, and nutrient solution, which are necessary for the plants. The hydroponic cultivation system 1 can cultivate plants without using soil. The hydroponic cultivation system 1 comprises a cultivation rack 10, a hydroponic cultivation tray 20, a water supply system 30, a cultivation pot 40, a control system 50, and a nutrient solution. The nutrient solution in this disclosure is a water-soluble compound containing various minerals necessary for plant growth. The nutrient solution may also contain water that does not contain various minerals. The composition of the nutrient solution is adjusted to be suitable for the plants to be grown in the hydroponic cultivation system 1.

[0010] Each information processing device is configured by a computer equipped with an arithmetic unit and a storage device. The basic hardware configuration of the computer and the basic functional configuration of the computer realized by the hardware configuration will be described later. Regarding the control system 50, explanations that overlap with the basic hardware configuration and basic functional configuration of the computer will be omitted.

[0011] <Configuration of Cultivation Rack 10> The cultivation rack 10 is composed of a rack body 101, a light 102, and a fan 103. The rack body 101 is a structure for supporting the hydroponic cultivation trays 20 . The rack body 101 comprises support posts 1011 and cross bars 1012. The support posts 1011 are upright columns that form the framework of the cultivation rack and support the entire structure. The cross bars 1012 are horizontal or diagonal bars that connect the support posts 1011 to each other and provide additional structural support. The rack body 101 may also include shelves or the like for placing hydroponic cultivation trays 20 and devices (such as lights 102 and fans 103). The outer periphery of the hydroponic cultivation tray 20 in the present disclosure is formed to be engageable with the cross bars 1012, allowing the outer periphery of the hydroponic cultivation tray 20 to be suspended and supported.

[0012] The light 102 is a device that is attached to the rack body 101 and supplies the plants with the artificial light they need. The light 102 can be any lighting device such as an LED. The fan 103 is attached to the rack body 101 and is used to improve air circulation within the cultivation rack 10 and to maintain uniform temperatures, humidity, and other environmental conditions around the plants.

[0013] <Configuration of Hydroponic Cultivation Tray 20> The hydroponic cultivation tray 20 is a container for supporting the cultivation pots 40 in which the plants are planted. The hydroponic cultivation tray 20 can supply the nutrient solution supplied from the water supply system 30 to the cultivation pots 40 while allowing it to flow. The hydroponic cultivation tray 20 is composed of a tray body 201 and an overflow pipe 202. The hydroponic cultivation tray 20 may also include a reflector 203. The reflector 203 is used to guide light from the light 102 disposed vertically above the tray body 201 to the upper part of the leaves of the plants planted in the cultivation pots 40. The reflector 203 prevents the light from the light 102 from reaching the roots of the plants planted in the cultivation pots 40 or the nutrient solution supplied to the bottom surface 2011 of the tray body 201. This prevents root rot of the plants and deterioration of water quality due to the growth of algae in the nutrient solution supplied to the tray body 201. It is preferable to provide a shading panel or the like on the top surface of the tray body 201, with only the portion of the cultivation pot 40 cut out, to prevent the light from the light 102 from impinging on the nutrient solution or the like supplied to the tray body 201, rather than on the upper part of the plant planted in the cultivation pot 40. In addition, in the cultivation pot 40 according to the present disclosure, the periphery (edge) of the pot body 401 is formed higher than the growth media 403, thereby further preventing the light from the light 102 from impinging on the growth media 403, roots, nutrient solution, or the like other than the upper part of the plant.

[0014] The tray body 201 is a container that holds the nutrient solution supplied from the water supply system 30 . The tray body 201 is composed of a bottom surface 2011, a peripheral surface 2012, a first groove portion 2013, and a second groove portion 2014. The bottom surface 2011 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from above in the vertical direction. The peripheral surface 2012, which is formed along the outline of the bottom surface 2011, extends vertically upward relative to the bottom surface 2011.

[0015] The overflow pipe 202 is a pipe for adjusting the water level of the nutrient solution held in the tray body 201 . The overflow pipe 202 is provided with a first drain outlet 2021 and a second drain outlet 2022 .

[0016] <Configuration of water supply system 30> The water supply system 30 is a system for supplying a nutrient solution to the cultivation pots 40 placed on the hydroponic cultivation tray 20. The water supply system 30 is composed of a pump 301 , a tank 302 , a piping system 303 , an aeration system 304 , and a control device 305 .

[0017] The pump 301 is a device for supplying the nutrient solution held in the tank 302 to the hydroponic cultivation tray 20 via the piping system 303 . Tank 302 is a container for holding a nutrient solution. The piping system 303 is a pipe for conducting the nutrient solution held in the tank 302 to the hydroponic cultivation trays 20. The material is usually made of PVC or other highly chemical-resistant materials. The aeration system 304 is a device for increasing the amount of oxygen dissolved in the nutrient solution. The water supply system 30 does not necessarily have to include the aeration system 304.

[0018] <Configuration of 40 cultivation pots> The cultivation pot 40 is a container for holding a plant seedling. The cultivation pot 40 is composed of a pot body 401, a net cup 402, a growth medium 403, and the like.

[0019] The pot body 401 is a container that holds the net cup 402 and the growing media 403. The pot body 401 is made of plastic and is a lightweight and durable structure. The pot body 401 has a hole in the bottom, which allows the roots of the plant to be directly immersed in the nutrient solution. The net cup 402 is a mesh container that holds the growing media 403 in which the plants are planted. The net cup 402 has a mesh structure that allows excess moisture in the growing media 403 to be discharged to the outside, while also allowing the roots of the plants to receive sufficient air. The growing media 403 is a medium that supports the seedlings and encourages root growth. The growing media 403 holds the nutrient solution needed by the planted plants. Examples of growing media 403 include rock wool, coco peat, clay pellets, perlite, etc.

[0020] <Configuration of Control System 50> The control system 50 is a type of information processing device. The control system 50 controls the lights 102, fans 103, water supply system 30, pump 301 included in the water supply system 30, aeration system 304, etc. based on the values ​​of various sensors provided on the cultivation rack 10 and the hydroponic cultivation tray 20. The control system 50 can maintain an optimal cultivation environment for the plants planted in the cultivation pots 40 by controlling the lighting, temperature, humidity, and supply of nutrient solution in the hydroponic cultivation system 1.

[0021] <Detailed configuration and operation of hydroponic cultivation system 1> The detailed configuration and operation of the hydroponic cultivation system 1 will be described below. The hydroponic cultivation system 1 includes a plurality of hydroponic cultivation trays 20, a cultivation rack 10 that supports the plurality of hydroponic cultivation trays 20, and a liquid supply device (water supply system 30) that supplies liquid to the plurality of hydroponic cultivation trays 20.

[0022] <Relationship between the cultivation rack 10 and the tray body 201> The tray body 201 includes a supported portion that supports the tray body 201 by a horizontal beam 1012 that is provided substantially horizontally on the cultivation rack 10. Specifically, the bottom of the circumferential surface 2012 of the tray body 201 is supported by horizontal crosspieces 1012 provided horizontally on the rack body 101. For example, the tray body 201 may be configured to be supported by the rack body 101 using hooks or the like so that the bottom of the circumferential surface 2012 of the tray body 201 is horizontal. A plurality of tray bodies 201 are supported in multiple stages by the rack body 101. For example, in the present disclosure shown in Figures 1 to 3, three tray bodies 201A, 201B, and 201C are supported in three stages in the vertical direction.

[0023] The bottom surface 2011 of the tray body 201 is formed so as to be inclined with respect to the extending direction of the cross bars 1012 when the tray body 201 is supported by the cultivation rack 10. The bottom surface 2011 of the tray body 201 is formed so as to be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane when the tray body 201 is supported by the cultivation rack 10. Specifically, the bottom surface 2011 of the tray body 201 is formed so as to be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane when the tray body 201 is placed on the rack body 101. Such an inclination angle is realized by forming the bottom surface 2011 at an angle with respect to the bottom of the peripheral surface 2012 of the tray body 201 (supported by the horizontal crosspieces 1012). The tray body 201 is fixed to the rack body 101 so that the entire bottom surface 2011 has an inclination angle of 5 degrees or less with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0024] <Details of the bottom shape of the tray main body 201> The bottom surface 2011 of the tray body 201 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the vertical direction of the bottom surface 2011. The bottom surface 2011 of the tray main body 201 is formed to be inclined downward in a first direction, which is the direction of the long side of the bottom surface 2011. A specific description will be given with reference to FIGS. The bottom surface 2011 of the tray body 201 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed vertically from above. The bottom surface 2011 of the tray body 201 is formed to be inclined downward along the long side of the rectangular base from right to left in FIG. 5 (first direction, from right to left in FIG. 4). It is preferable that the bottom surface 2011 of the tray body 201 is inclined along the entire long side. This allows the liquid to flow more smoothly along the inclination. The bottom surface 2011 of the tray main body 201 is formed to be inclined downward from right to left in FIG. 6 (second direction, from top to bottom in FIG. 4) along the short side of the rectangular base. It is preferable that the bottom surface 2011 of the tray main body 201 is inclined along the entire short side. This allows the liquid to flow more smoothly along the inclination. This allows the nutrient solution supplied to the tray body to flow smoothly along the inclined surface. Specifically, in the present disclosure, the nutrient solution supplied from the upper right end of the bottom surface 2011 of the tray body 201 in Fig. 4 is guided along the inclination to the lower left end of the bottom surface 2011 of the tray body 201.

[0025] A first groove 2013 is formed in the bottom surface 2011 of the tray main body 201, extending in a second direction that is the direction of the short side of the bottom surface 2011. The inclination angle of the first groove 2013 in the direction of the long side is greater (steeper) than the angle of the inclined surface formed over the entire bottom surface 2011. The bottom of the first groove 2013 is formed to be inclined downward in the second direction. The first groove 2013 is formed at the lowest position in the direction of the long side of the bottom surface 2011 of the tray main body 201. Specifically, a first groove 2013 extending in the second direction is formed at the left end (the lowest position in the long side direction because it is inclined from right to left) of the bottom surface 2011 of the tray main body 201 in Fig. 4. The bottom of the first groove 2013 is formed to be inclined from top to bottom (second direction) in Fig. 4. As a result, the nutrient solution guided from the right end to the left end of Figure 4 along the inclined surface in the long side direction of the bottom surface 2011 is guided from the top to the bottom of Figure 4 by the first groove portion 2013 provided in the short side direction.

[0026] A third hole is provided at the lowest position in the vertical direction relative to the horizontal plane in the bottom surface 2011 of the tray main body 201. A second groove portion 2014 is formed in the bottom surface 2011 of the tray main body 201 around the third hole. Specifically, a drain outlet 2015 (third hole) is provided in the bottom surface 2011 of the tray main body 201 at the lower left corner in FIG. 4. The area around the drain outlet 2015 in the bottom surface 2011 is recessed to form a second groove portion 2014. The second groove portion 2014 is connected to the inclined direction of the first groove portion 2013, and liquid guided to the first groove portion 2013 is guided to the second groove portion 2014. The liquid guided to the second groove portion passes through the drain outlet 2015 and is discharged from the tray main body 201. This allows the liquid supplied to the inside of the tray body 201 to be drained to the outside of the tray body 201 in a drainable manner.

[0027] A third hole is provided in the bottom surface 2011 of the tray body 201 near a first short side of the bottom surface 2011. No third hole is provided in a second short side opposite to the first short side. Specifically, the bottom surface 2011 of the tray body 201 has a drain hole 2015 (third hole) at the lower left corner of Figure 4, and no drain hole is provided at the right corner of Figure 4 (including the upper right corner or lower right corner). The nutrient solution supplied from the upper right end of the bottom surface 2011 of the tray body 201 in FIG. 4 is guided along the slope to the lower left end of the bottom surface 2011 of the tray body 201 and is discharged from the drain outlet 2015.

[0028] 1 to 3, the operation will be described when the tray body 201A, tray body 201B, and tray body 201C are supported on the rack body 101. In FIG. 2, nutrient solution is supplied from the left end of the tray body 201A via the piping system 303. The supplied nutrient solution flows along the bottom surface of the tray body 201A and is discharged downward from the drain outlet 2015 on the right end. The discharged nutrient solution is supplied to the right end of the tray body 201B. The supplied nutrient solution flows along the bottom surface of the tray body 201B and is discharged downward from the drain outlet 2015 on the right end. The discharged nutrient solution is supplied to the right end of the tray body 201C. The supplied nutrient solution flows along the bottom surface of the tray body 201C and is discharged downward from the drain outlet 2015 on the left end. In this way, by arranging the hydroponic cultivation trays 20 according to the present disclosure, each having a drain outlet 2015 at only one of the left ends, alternately on the left and right sides of the cultivation rack 10, it is possible to supply nutrient solution to multiple hydroponic cultivation trays 20 placed vertically without constructing a complex piping system 303.

[0029] <Relationship between the tray body and the overflow pipe> The hydroponic cultivation tray 20 includes a tray body 201 on which a plant is placed, and an overflow pipe 202 provided on the bottom surface of the tray body 201. The overflow pipe 202 is inserted through the third hole. A specific description will be given with reference to FIGS. A pipe called an overflow pipe 202 is inserted into a drain outlet 2015 provided in the bottom surface 2011 of the tray body 201 in a direction that intersects with the bottom surface 2011 in the vertical direction.

[0030] <Details of the first and second holes provided in the overflow pipe 202> Overflow pipe 202 is inserted in a direction intersecting (for example, vertically) bottom surface 2011 of tray body 201, and a first hole and a second hole are provided at different positions in the vertical direction relative to the horizontal plane. The drainage capacity of the first hole is smaller than the drainage capacity of the second hole. In the direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane, the first hole is provided on the side surface of overflow pipe 202. The second hole is provided on the top surface of overflow pipe 202. Specifically, a first drain outlet 2021 is provided on the side of overflow pipe 202 so that the inside and outside of the overflow pipe are in communication. Furthermore, when the overflow pipe is inserted into tray body 201, the upper open end of overflow pipe 202 forms second drain outlet 2022. First drain outlet 2021 and second drain outlet 2022 are in communication with the lower open end of overflow pipe 202, and liquid supplied to tray body 201 is guided to first drain outlet 2021 or second drain outlet 2022 and is discharged from the lower open end of overflow pipe 202 through drain outlet 2015 to the bottom of tray body 201.

[0031] In the vertical direction relative to the horizontal plane, the position of the second hole is above the highest point of the bottom surface, and in the vertical direction relative to the horizontal plane, the position of the first hole is below the highest point of the bottom surface. In a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane, the upper portion of the second groove portion is higher than the position of the first hole. In a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane, the upper portion of the second groove portion is higher than the position of the upper end of the first hole.

[0032] Specifically, the position of the second drain outlet 2022, which is the upper open end of the overflow pipe 202, is provided at a position higher than the upper right end (liquid supply position) in FIG. 4, which is the highest position of the bottom surface 2011 of the tray body 201. On the other hand, the position of the first drain outlet 2021 of the overflow pipe 202, and the position of the second drain outlet 2022 which is the upper open end, are provided at a position lower than the upper right end (liquid supply position) in FIG. 4 which is the highest position of the bottom surface 2011 of the tray body 201. Specifically, it is preferable that the first drain outlet 2021 is provided at the same height as the drain outlet 2015 provided in the second groove portion 2014. The water supply system 30 supplies liquid to the tray body 201 in an amount that exceeds the drainage capacity of the first drain outlet 2021 and is less than the drainage capacity of the second drain outlet 2022. The drainage capacity of the first drain outlet 2021 is less than the drainage capacity of the second drain outlet 2022. Therefore, the liquid supplied by the water supply system 30 exceeds the drainage capacity of the first drain outlet 2021, and the liquid is accumulated in the tray body 201. The second drain outlet 2022 is provided above the highest position of the bottom surface 2011 of the tray body 201. Therefore, the water supply system 30 supplies liquid so as to cover the bottom surface 2011 of the tray body 201. This allows the hydroponic cultivation system 1 according to the present disclosure to supply nutrient solution to all of the cultivation pots 40 placed on the tray body 201. When the liquid stored in the tray body 201 reaches the position of the second drain outlet 2022, the liquid is discharged by the second drain outlet 2022, which has a drainage capacity that exceeds the water supply capacity of the water supply system 30. This allows the water level of the liquid stored in the tray body 201 to be maintained at a position that does not exceed the position of the second drain outlet 2022. This allows the level of the nutrient solution held in the tray body to be stably maintained without complex control of the supply of the nutrient solution. Also, even when the nutrient solution supplied from the water supply system 30 is supplied to the tray body 201A, the tray body 201B, and the tray body 201C in that order, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the level of the nutrient solution in each of the tray bodies 201A, 201B, and 201C can be kept constant without individually controlling the amount of nutrient solution supplied to each tray body. The hydroponic cultivation tray 20 according to the present disclosure can realize a suitable hydroponic cultivation system 1.

[0033] In the present disclosure, the water supply system 30 does not need to constantly supply liquid to the tray body 201, but may supply liquid to the tray body 201 for a certain period of time and then stop supplying liquid to the tray body 201. In other words, the water supply system 30 may intermittently supply liquid to the tray body 201. In this case, while the water supply system 30 is supplying liquid to the tray body 201, liquid is maintained from the bottom surface 2011 of the tray body 201 to the position of the second drain outlet 2022. Thereafter, when the water supply system 30 stops supplying liquid or the supply amount becomes less than the drainage capacity of the first drain outlet 2021, the liquid accumulated in the tray body 201 is drained through the first drain outlet 2021. As a result, the level of the liquid accumulated in the tray body 201 gradually drops, but because the drainage capacity of the first drain outlet 2021 is smaller than the drainage capacity of the second drain outlet 2022, the liquid accumulated in the tray body 201 is slowly drained. After that, the roots of the plants in the cultivation pots 40 are not immersed in liquid until the next water supply timing by the water supply system 30. By providing a time when the roots of the plants are immersed in liquid and a time when they are exposed to air, oxygen deficiency in the roots can be prevented, and root rot can be prevented.

[0034] 8 and 9, the upper position 20141 of the second groove portion 2014 is higher than the upper end position 20211 of the opening of the first drain outlet 2021. Specifically, by making the width of the first drain outlet 2021 wider rather than narrower, the liquid guided into the second groove portion 2014 can be effectively discharged to the outside of the tray body 201 through the overflow pipe 202. Furthermore, even when the water supply system 30 stops supplying the nutrient solution, the nutrient solution does not remain in the second groove portion 2014, and all of the nutrient solution can be discharged to the outside from the tray body 201.

[0035] <Operation of the water supply system 30> The liquid supplying device supplies approximately the same amount of liquid to the plurality of hydroponic cultivation trays. The supplied liquid can be maintained at approximately the same water level without controlling the supply of different amounts of liquid to each of the multiple hydroponic cultivation trays.

[0036] In FIG. 2, a plurality of tray bodies 201A, 201B, and 201C are supported on the cultivation rack 10 so that the overflow pipe 202A of the tray body 201A is on the left side, the overflow pipe 202B of the tray body 201B is on the right side, and the overflow pipe 202C of the tray body 201C is on the left side.

[0037] In FIG. 2, the water supply system 30 controls a pump 301 to suck liquid from a tank 302 and supply it via a piping system 303 to the left end of a tray body 201A arranged at the top of the cultivation rack 10. Liquid supplied from the left end of the tray body 201A by the water supply system 30 is discharged downward via an overflow pipe 202A arranged at the right end of the tray body 201A. The discharged liquid is supplied from the right end of tray body 201B placed below tray body 201A. The liquid supplied from the right end of tray body 201B is discharged downward via overflow pipe 202B located at the left end of tray body 201B. The discharged liquid is supplied from the left end of tray body 201C placed below tray body 201B. The liquid supplied from the left end of tray body 201C is discharged downward via overflow pipe 202C located at the right end of tray body 201C. As a result, the liquid supplied from the upper part of the cultivation rack 10 by the water supply system 30 can immerse the lower parts of the plurality of cultivation pots 40 placed on the tray bodies 201A, 201B, and 201C in the liquid. This allows the hydroponic cultivation system 1 to supply the nutrient solution to the plurality of cultivation pots 40.

[0038] Furthermore, even when the hydroponic cultivation trays 20 are arranged in two rows as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the nutrient solution can be appropriately supplied to the two rows of hydroponic cultivation trays 20 from between the two rows of hydroponic cultivation trays 20 without complicating the piping system 303.

[0039] The liquid discharged downward from the tray body 201C is stored in the tank 302 of the water supply system 30, where the nutrient solution is adjusted and then supplied again to the tray body 201 from the upper part of the cultivation rack 10.

[0040] <Basic computer hardware configuration> 9 is a block diagram showing the basic hardware configuration of a computer 90. The computer 90 includes at least a processor 901, a main memory device 902, an auxiliary memory device 903, and a communication IF 991 (interface), which are electrically connected to one another by a communication bus 921.

[0041] The processor 901 is hardware for executing an instruction set written in a program, and is composed of an arithmetic unit, registers, peripheral circuits, and the like.

[0042] The main storage device 902 is for temporarily storing programs, data to be processed by the programs, etc. For example, it is a volatile memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

[0043] The auxiliary storage device 903 is a storage device for saving data and programs, such as a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a semiconductor memory.

[0044] The communication IF 991 is an interface for inputting and outputting signals for communicating with other computers via a network using wired or wireless communication standards. The network is composed of the Internet, a LAN, various mobile communication systems constructed by wireless base stations, etc. For example, the network includes 3G, 4G, and 5G mobile communication systems, LTE (Long Term Evolution), and wireless networks (e.g., Wi-Fi (registered trademark)) that can connect to the Internet via a predetermined access point. In the case of a wireless connection, communication protocols include, for example, Z-Wave (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), and Bluetooth (registered trademark). In the case of a wired connection, the network also includes a direct connection using a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, etc.

[0045] It should be noted that the computer 90 can be virtually realized by distributing all or part of each hardware configuration across multiple computers 90 and interconnecting them via a network. In this way, the computer 90 is a concept that includes not only a computer 90 housed in a single housing or case, but also a virtualized computer system.

[0046] <Basic functional configuration of computer 90> The following describes the functional configuration of a computer realized by the basic hardware configuration (FIG. 9) of the computer 90. The computer includes at least the functional units of a control unit, a storage unit, and a communication unit.

[0047] The functional units of the computer 90 can also be realized by distributing all or part of the functional units among multiple computers 90 interconnected via a network. The computer 90 is a concept that includes not only a single computer 90 but also a virtualized computer system.

[0048] The control unit is realized by the processor 901 reading out various programs stored in the auxiliary storage device 903, expanding them in the main storage device 902, and executing processing in accordance with the programs. The control unit can realize functional units that perform various types of information processing depending on the type of program. In this way, the computer is realized as an information processing device that performs information processing.

[0049] The functions performed by the components described herein may be implemented in circuitry or processing circuitry, including general-purpose processors, application-specific processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), a CPU (a Central Processing Unit), conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, programmed to perform the described functions. A processor includes transistors and other circuits and is considered to be circuitry or processing circuitry. A processor may also be a programmed processor that executes programs stored in memory. In this specification, a circuitry, unit, or means is hardware that is programmed to realize or performs the described functions, which may be any hardware disclosed herein or any hardware known to be programmed to realize or perform the described functions. If the hardware is a processor considered to be a type of circuitry, the circuitry, means, or unit is a combination of the hardware and software used to configure the hardware and / or processor.

[0050] The storage unit is realized by a main storage device 902 and an auxiliary storage device 903. The storage unit stores data, various programs, and various databases. Furthermore, the processor 901 can allocate a storage area corresponding to the storage unit in the main storage device 902 or the auxiliary storage device 903 in accordance with the programs. Furthermore, the control unit can cause the processor 901 to execute processes for adding, updating, and deleting data stored in the storage unit in accordance with the various programs.

[0051] A database refers to a relational database, which manages data sets called masters and tables in a tabular format structurally defined by rows and columns, by relating them to each other. In a database, a table is called a table, a master, a column in a table is called a column, and a row in a table is called a record. In a relational database, relationships between tables and masters can be set and associated. Typically, each table and each master has a column set as a primary key to uniquely identify a record, but setting a primary key to a column is not essential. The control unit can cause the processor 901 to add, delete, or update records in specific tables and masters stored in the storage unit according to various programs. Furthermore, by storing data, various programs, and various databases in the storage unit, it can be considered that the information processing device and information processing system according to the present disclosure have been manufactured.

[0052] Note that the databases and masters in this disclosure may include any data structure in which information is structurally defined (such as a list, dictionary, associative array, or object). The data structure also includes data that can be considered as a data structure by combining data with functions, classes, methods, etc. written in any programming language.

[0053] The communication unit is realized by the communication IF 991. The communication unit realizes a function of communicating with other computers 90 via a network. The communication unit can receive information transmitted from other computers 90 and input the information to the control unit. The control unit can cause the processor 901 to execute information processing on the received information in accordance with various programs. In addition, the communication unit can transmit information output from the control unit to other computers 90.

[0054] <Additional Notes> The matters described in the above embodiments will be supplemented below.

[0055] (Appendix 1) A hydroponic cultivation tray for growing plants, comprising: a tray body on which plants are placed; and an overflow pipe provided on the bottom surface of the tray body, the bottom surface of the tray body being formed so as to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane when the tray body is supported by a cultivation rack, the overflow pipe being inserted in a direction intersecting the bottom surface of the tray body, and having a first hole and a second hole provided at different positions in a vertical direction relative to the horizontal plane, the second hole being positioned above the highest point of the bottom surface in the vertical direction relative to the horizontal plane, and the first hole being positioned below the highest point of the bottom surface in the vertical direction relative to the horizontal plane. This allows the nutrient solution supplied to the tray body to flow smoothly along the inclined surface, and also allows the level of the nutrient solution held within the tray body to be stably maintained without complex nutrient solution supply control.

[0056] (Appendix 2) A hydroponic cultivation tray as described in Appendix 1, wherein the tray body has a supported portion that supports the tray body with horizontal bars arranged approximately horizontally on the cultivation rack, and the bottom surface of the tray body is formed so as to be inclined with respect to the direction in which the horizontal bars extend when supported by the cultivation rack. This allows the nutrient solution supplied to the tray body to flow smoothly along the inclined surface.

[0057] (Appendix 3) A hydroponic cultivation tray according to appendix 1 or 2, wherein the bottom surface of the tray body is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the vertical direction of the bottom surface, and the bottom surface of the tray body is formed so as to slope downward toward a first direction which is the direction of the long side of the bottom surface. This allows the nutrient solution supplied to the tray body to flow smoothly along the inclined surface in the long side direction of the rectangular bottom surface.

[0058] (Appendix 4) A hydroponic cultivation tray as described in Appendix 3, wherein a first groove portion is formed in the bottom surface of the tray body, extending toward a second direction which is the direction of the short side of the bottom surface, the bottom of the first groove portion is formed to be inclined downward toward the second direction, and the first groove portion is formed at the lowest position in the direction of the long side of the bottom surface of the tray body. This allows the nutrient solution guided along the inclined surface of the bottom in the long side direction to flow smoothly in the short side direction.

[0059] (Appendix 5) A hydroponic cultivation tray according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, wherein the bottom surface of the tray body has a third hole at the lowest position in the vertical direction relative to the horizontal plane, and the overflow pipe is inserted through the third hole. This allows the nutrient solution guided along the slope of the bottom surface to flow into the third hole equipped with an overflow pipe, preventing old nutrient solution from accumulating inside the tray body and allowing the tray body to be constantly filled with fresh nutrient solution.

[0060] (Appendix 6) A hydroponic cultivation tray as described in Appendix 5, wherein the bottom surface of the tray body is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed vertically from the bottom surface, and the bottom surface of the tray body has a third hole provided near a first short side of the bottom surface, and no third hole is provided on a second short side opposite the first short side. This allows the nutrient solution supplied from one side of the tray body to flow smoothly through the cultivation pots to the other side, even when multiple cultivation pots are placed alternately on the hydroponic cultivation tray.

[0061] (Appendix 7) 7. The hydroponic cultivation tray according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the bottom surface of the tray body has a second groove portion formed around the third hole. This allows the nutrient solution guided along the slope of the bottom surface to be smoothly discharged from the third hole via the groove (recess) around the third hole in which the overflow pipe is provided.

[0062] (Appendix 8) 8. The hydroponic cultivation tray according to claim 7, wherein an upper portion of the second groove portion is located above the position of the first hole in a vertical direction relative to the horizontal plane. This allows the nutrient solution in the tray body to be smoothly discharged through the first hole, preventing old nutrient solution from remaining in the tray body.

[0063] (Appendix 9) 9. The hydroponic cultivation tray according to claim 8, wherein an upper portion of the second groove portion is located above an upper end position of the first hole in a vertical direction relative to a horizontal plane. This allows the nutrient solution in the tray body to be reliably discharged through the first hole, preventing old nutrient solution from remaining in the tray body.

[0064] (Appendix 10) 10. The hydroponic cultivation tray of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the drainage capacity of the first hole is less than the drainage capacity of the second hole. This allows the level of the nutrient solution held within the tray body to be maintained stably. Also, by discharging old nutrient solution through the first hole, it is possible to prevent it from remaining within the tray body.

[0065] (Appendix 11) 11. The hydroponic cultivation tray according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first hole is provided on a side surface of the overflow pipe and the second hole is provided on an upper surface of the overflow pipe in a vertical direction relative to a horizontal plane. This allows the water level of the nutrient solution held within the tray body to be stably maintained.

[0066] (Appendix 12) a hydroponic cultivation system comprising a plurality of hydroponic cultivation trays, a cultivation rack supporting the plurality of hydroponic cultivation trays, and a liquid supply device supplying liquid to the plurality of hydroponic cultivation trays, wherein the hydroponic cultivation trays comprise a tray body on which plants are placed and an overflow pipe provided on the bottom surface of the tray body, the bottom surface of the tray body being formed to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane when the tray body is supported by the cultivation rack, the overflow pipe being inserted in a direction intersecting the bottom surface of the tray body and having a first hole and a second hole provided at different positions in a vertical direction with respect to the horizontal plane, the second hole being positioned above the highest position of the bottom surface in the vertical direction with respect to the horizontal plane, and the first hole being positioned below the highest position of the bottom surface in the vertical direction with respect to the horizontal plane, and the liquid supply device supplying approximately the same amount of liquid to the plurality of hydroponic cultivation trays. This allows the nutrient solution supplied to the tray body to flow smoothly along the inclined surface, and also allows the level of the nutrient solution held within the tray body to be stably maintained without complex control of the supply of nutrient solution to each of the multiple tray bodies.

[0067] (Appendix 13) 13. The hydroponic cultivation system of claim 12, wherein the hydroponic cultivation system is capable of maintaining the supplied liquid at approximately the same water level without controlling the supply of different amounts of liquid to each of the multiple hydroponic cultivation trays. The level of the nutrient solution held within the tray body can be stably maintained without complex control of the supply of the nutrient solution to each of the multiple tray bodies. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1 Hydroponic cultivation system, 10 Cultivation rack 10 Memory unit, 104 Control unit, 106 Input device, 108 Output device, 20 Hydroponic cultivation tray 20 Memory unit, 204 Control unit, 206 Input device, 208 Output device, 30 Water supply system, 301 Memory unit, 304 Control unit, 306 Input device, 308 Output device, 40 Cultivation pot, 401 Memory unit, 404 Control unit, 406 Input device, 408 Output device, 50 Control system, 501 Memory unit, 504 Control unit, 506 Input device, 508 Output device

Claims

1. 1. A hydroponic tray for growing plants, comprising: The hydroponic cultivation tray includes a tray body on which a plant is placed and an overflow pipe provided on a bottom surface of the tray body, The bottom surface of the tray body is formed so as to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane when the tray body is supported by a cultivation rack, the overflow pipe is inserted in a direction intersecting the bottom surface of the tray body, and a first hole and a second hole are provided at different positions in a vertical direction relative to the horizontal plane, In a vertical direction relative to the horizontal plane, the position of the second hole is higher than the highest point of the bottom surface, In a vertical direction relative to the horizontal plane, the position of the first hole is lower than the highest point of the bottom surface. Hydroponic tray.

2. The tray body includes a supported portion that supports the tray body by a horizontal beam that is provided substantially horizontally on the cultivation rack, The bottom surface of the tray body is formed so as to be inclined with respect to the extending direction of the horizontal rails when supported by the cultivation rack. The hydroponic cultivation tray according to claim 1.

3. The bottom surface of the tray body is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed in a vertical direction of the bottom surface, The bottom surface of the tray body is formed to be inclined downward toward a first direction which is a long side direction of the bottom surface. The hydroponic cultivation tray according to claim 1.

4. a first groove portion extending in a second direction, which is a direction of a short side of the bottom surface, is formed in the bottom surface of the tray body; a bottom of the first groove portion is formed to be inclined downward in the second direction, The first groove portion is formed at the lowest position in the long side direction of the bottom surface of the tray main body. The hydroponic cultivation tray according to claim 3.

5. a third hole is provided in the bottom surface of the tray body at a lowest position in a vertical direction relative to the horizontal plane, The overflow pipe is inserted into the third hole. The hydroponic cultivation tray according to claim 1.

6. The bottom surface of the tray body is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed in a vertical direction of the bottom surface, the third hole is provided in the bottom surface of the tray body near a first short side of the bottom surface, and the third hole is not provided in a second short side opposite to the first short side; The hydroponic cultivation tray according to claim 5.

7. a second groove portion is formed on the bottom surface of the tray body around the third hole; The hydroponic cultivation tray according to claim 5.

8. In a vertical direction relative to the horizontal plane, an upper portion of the second groove portion is located above a position of the first hole. The hydroponic cultivation tray according to claim 7.

9. In a vertical direction relative to the horizontal plane, an upper portion of the second groove portion is located above an upper end position of the first hole. The hydroponic cultivation tray according to claim 8.

10. The drainage capacity of the first hole is smaller than the drainage capacity of the second hole. The hydroponic cultivation tray according to claim 1.

11. In a vertical direction relative to the horizontal plane, the first hole is provided on a side surface of the overflow pipe, and the second hole is provided on an upper surface of the overflow pipe. The hydroponic cultivation tray according to claim 1.

12. A hydroponic cultivation system comprising: a plurality of hydroponic cultivation trays; a cultivation rack supporting the plurality of hydroponic cultivation trays; and a liquid supplying device that supplies liquid to the plurality of hydroponic cultivation trays, The hydroponic cultivation tray includes a tray body on which a plant is placed and an overflow pipe provided on a bottom surface of the tray body, The bottom surface of the tray body is formed so as to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane when the tray body is supported by the cultivation rack, the overflow pipe is inserted in a direction intersecting the bottom surface of the tray body, and a first hole and a second hole are provided at different positions in a vertical direction relative to the horizontal plane, In a vertical direction relative to the horizontal plane, the position of the second hole is higher than the highest point of the bottom surface, In a vertical direction relative to the horizontal plane, the position of the first hole is lower than the highest point of the bottom surface, the liquid supply device supplies approximately the same amount of liquid to the plurality of hydroponic cultivation trays; Hydroponic cultivation system.

13. The hydroponic cultivation system can maintain the supplied liquid at approximately the same water level without controlling the supply of different amounts of liquid to each of the plurality of hydroponic cultivation trays. The hydroponic cultivation system according to claim 12.

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