Cultivation layer with variable panel height

Abstract

To provide a cultivation layer capable of changing the height of a panel.SOLUTION: A first aspect of the present invention is a cultivation tank 1 for hydroponic cultivation of plants including a cultivation tray 2 for holding a liquid fertilizer and a common panel 3 that is held in the cultivation tray 2 and holds a cultivation plant, the cultivation tray 2 including a first maintaining unit 20 for maintaining a panel surface of the common panel 3 at a first distance 10 from a bottom surface of the tray 2, and a second maintaining unit 21 for maintaining the panel surface of the common panel 3 at a second distance 11 larger than the first distance 10 from the bottom surface of the cultivation tray 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cultivation layer with adjustable panel height. [Background technology]

[0002] A technique for changing the position where the roots of cultivated plants are immersed in liquid fertilizer within a cultivation layer in hydroponic cultivation or the like has been disclosed (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7140919 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The cell tray frame is not suitable for cultivated plants that require sufficient row spacing as they grow, and the types of plants that can be cultivated in conventional cultivation tanks are limited. Therefore, a cultivation tank that can ensure the optimal immersion position of the roots according to the growth of the plants and also ensure sufficient row spacing is desired. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a cultivation tank in which the height of the panels can be adjusted to ensure the optimal immersion position of plant roots and also ensure row spacing.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the first aspect of the present invention is a cultivation tray for holding liquid fertilizer; A cultivation tank for hydroponic cultivation of plants, which is held in a cultivation tray and has a common panel for holding cultivated plants, a first maintaining unit provided within the cultivation tray for maintaining a panel surface of the common panel at a first distance from a bottom surface of the tray; a second maintaining unit for maintaining the panel surface of the common panel at a second distance from the bottom surface of the cultivation tray that is greater than the first distance; This is what is constituted.

[0007] (Action and effect) According to the first invention, plants are grown with liquid fertilizer held in the cultivation trays, and as the plants grow, the common panel can be replaced and the cultivated plants can be moved to the optimal position within the cultivation layer, ensuring sufficient row spacing by reducing the number of cultivation holes. Furthermore, it is possible to maintain the liquid fertilizer level in accordance with the root length and maintain the air layer. Furthermore, by placing the common panel at a higher position, the liquid fertilizer level can also be raised, and by replenishing the liquid fertilizer, it is possible to reduce the number of times the liquid fertilizer needs to be replaced.

[0008] Furthermore, an outflow prevention unit for preventing the outflow of liquid fertilizer may be provided above the second maintenance unit in the cultivation tray.

[0009] (Action and effect) According to the above aspect, even if the liquid fertilizer level fluctuates when the cultivation layer is moved, the outflow prevention unit can prevent the liquid fertilizer from overflowing from the cultivation layer.

[0010] The outflow prevention unit may also be configured to include a hanging piece that is adapted to run along the stem of the cultivated plant.

[0011] (Action and effect) According to the above aspect, since the outflow prevention unit includes a pendulous piece, even if the stem bearing the flower and fruit is suspended downward due to its weight, the flower and fruit will not come into contact with the cultivation layer, and can be easily collected by an automatic robot, etc.

[0012] The outflow prevention unit may also be configured to include a prevention portion that includes an arc-shaped space.

[0013] (Action and effect) According to the above aspect, even if the liquid fertilizer level fluctuates when the cultivation layer is moved, the liquid fertilizer can bounce back to its original level, preventing the liquid fertilizer from overflowing from the cultivation layer.

[0014] The free end of the outflow prevention unit may also be cylindrical.

[0015] (Action and effect) According to the above aspect, even if the stems bearing the flowers and fruits are hung downward due to their weight, the flowers and fruits will not come into contact with the cultivation layer, and they can be easily collected by a robot or the like.

[0016] The hydroponic cultivation system may also be provided with a cultivation tank for hydroponic cultivation.

[0017] (Action and effect) According to the above aspect, by incorporating the cultivation layer of this embodiment, it becomes easier to control the quality of cultivated plants and adjust the growth environment.

[0018] It may also be a hydroponic cultivation method provided with a cultivation tank for hydroponic cultivation.

[0019] (Action and effect) According to the above aspect, by incorporating the cultivation layer of this embodiment, it becomes easier to control the quality of cultivated plants and adjust the growth environment.

[0020] The method may also include a molding step of molding a cultivation tank for hydroponic cultivation of plants, and the material constituting the cultivation tank may be a thermoplastic resin.

[0021] (Action and effect) According to the above aspect, it is possible to reduce molding time with a low cost and simple configuration.

[0022] The molding step may also be carried out by injection molding.

[0023] (Action and effect) According to the above aspect, it is possible to reduce molding time with a low cost and simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cultivation tray according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cultivation layer in which seedling raising panels are placed on cultivation trays. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cultivation layer in which growth panels are placed on cultivation trays. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a growth panel. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seedling raising panel. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 2. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 9] A side view of the fruit being harvested is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] 1 to 3, in a cultivation layer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a common panel 3 is placed inside a box-shaped cultivation tray 2. Liquid fertilizer is filled into the cultivation tray 2, and the height of the common panel 3 with cultivated plants attached thereto is changed by units 20 and 21 inside the cultivation tray 2, so that the roots of the cultivated plants are immersed in the liquid fertilizer at an appropriate position.

[0026] In the cultivation tray 2, the first maintenance unit 20 protrudes upward from the periphery of the bottom surface, which is open at the top, and extends in a generally L-shape (see FIGS. 1 and 6). The horizontal piece 20b, which is the bent piece of the first maintenance unit 20 in the cultivation layer 1, is on the same horizontal plane, the upper piece 20a is longer than the horizontal piece 20b, and the four corners of the first maintenance unit 20 are on arcs.

[0027] In the short side direction of the cultivation tray 2, a restraining section 26 having a certain space is formed by a first maintaining unit 20, a second maintaining unit 21 (described later), and an outflow restraining unit 24.

[0028] Furthermore, in the short-side direction of the cultivation tray 2, the second maintaining unit 21 and the outflow prevention unit 24 protrude upward in a substantially L-shape from the end of the first maintaining unit 20, and a side wall 22 protrudes from the end of the first maintaining unit 20 in the long-side direction of the cultivation tray 2, with a height approximately equal to that of the second maintaining unit 21 and the outflow prevention unit 24. The second maintaining unit 21 has an upper piece 21a that is shorter than the horizontal piece 21b, and its four corners are formed into arcs with the same shape as the four corners of the first maintaining unit 20.

[0029] 6, the outflow prevention unit 24 is formed with a protruding piece 24a, a convex surface 24b, and a hanging piece 24c in a generally U-shape. The protruding piece 24a is larger than the hanging piece 24c, the first maintenance unit 20, and the second maintenance unit 21, and the convex surface 24b is b is arc-shaped, and a handle piece 25 of approximately the same height as the protruding piece 24a is formed hanging down.

[0030] The restraining portion 26 is a recess having a space formed by extending the bottom surface of the cultivation tray 2 in the longitudinal direction and by vertically hanging down from the edge of each unit 20, 21, 24. The bottom surface of the restraining portion 26 has a slope that slopes in the circumferential direction, and the opening shape of the restraining portion 26 is an arc in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the restraining portion 26 is provided on the short side of the cultivation tray 2, near the other end and on a diagonal line, but it may also be provided in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the restraining portion 26 may be installed diagonally at a corner.

[0031] A support base 29 protrudes from the bottom surface of the cultivation tray 2, and the support base 29b is approximately the same height as the first maintenance unit 20, and the support base 29a is approximately the same height as the first maintenance unit 20 and the second maintenance unit 21. In this embodiment, the heights of the support base for the seedling raising panel 31 and the support base for the growing panel 31 are different, but they may be the same height depending on the structure of each panel and the unit structure of the cultivation tray.

[0032] The common panel 3 will now be described. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the common panel 3 has a planar shape selected from the growing panel 30 and the seedling raising panel 31. Support pieces 32 hang down from its periphery. Furthermore, the common panel 3 is perforated with funnel-shaped cultivation holes 34 for accommodating the culture medium for cultivated plants, and in this embodiment, the cultivation holes 34 are evenly distributed on the growing panel 30 and the seedling raising panel 31.

[0033] The support pieces 32 of the growing panel 30 are lower than the height of the runoff prevention unit 24, and the support pieces 32 of the seedling raising panel 31 are about the same height as the second maintenance unit 21. Lattice pieces 35 of about the same height as the support pieces 32 hang down from the plane of each panel, and the lattice pieces 35 are selected from diamond-shaped or rectangular shapes.

[0034] To store the common panel 3 in the cultivation tray 2, the seedling raising panel 31 is placed so that its peripheral edge contacts the horizontal piece 20b of the first support unit 20 and the upper piece 21a of the second support unit 21. The growing panel 30 is placed so that its peripheral edge contacts the horizontal piece 21b and the protruding piece 24a of the second support unit 21 (see Figures 2 and 3). In this case, there is a first distance 10, which is the height from the bottom surface of the cultivation tray 2 to the panel surface of the seedling raising panel 31, and a second distance 11, which is the height to the growing panel 30, and the second distance 11 is greater than the first distance 10 (see Figures 7 and 8).

[0035] The position where each panel is placed can be selected from the first maintenance unit 20 or the second maintenance unit 21 depending on the growth of the cultivated plants, and by reducing the number of cultivation holes 34, the row spacing can be ensured. Furthermore, it is possible to maintain the liquid fertilizer level according to the root length and maintain the air layer. Also, by placing the common panel 3 at a higher position, the liquid fertilizer level can be raised, and by replenishing the liquid fertilizer, it is possible to reduce the number of times the liquid fertilizer needs to be replaced.

[0036] The following describes the transportation of each rack of multiple cultivation layers 1 by a self-propelled cart (not shown). When the cultivation layers are transported while changing direction in the width, height, and depth directions, the liquid fertilizer filled in the cultivation trays 2 tends to exceed the water level at the time of filling due to the inertial force applied. However, the space in the prevention section 26 and the arc-shaped space allow the liquid fertilizer to bounce back to the original water level, preventing it from exceeding the height of the outflow prevention unit 24 and overflowing.

[0037] The cultivated plants are not limited to any particular plant. The cultivated plants may include at least one selected from the group consisting of komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach), lettuce, Chinese cabbage, cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, greens, mustard greens, wasabi greens, mizuna (potherb mustard), bok choy, and strawberries. A strawberry seedling 40 is cultivated in one embodiment of the cultivation tank of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9 , the spill prevention unit 24 supports the stem 41 of the strawberry seedling 40 so that it crawls. As a result, even if the stem 41 bearing a flower or fruit is suspended downward due to its weight, the stem 41 abuts against the hanging piece 24c, causing the flower or fruit to hang in the air, preventing contact with the cultivation layer 1. Furthermore, the free end 36 of the hanging piece 24c deforms the stem 41 toward the outside of the cultivation layer 1, further preventing the flower or fruit from contacting the cultivation layer 1.

[0038] In this case, a robot arm 42 equipped with a position sensor is used to contact the flowers and fruits on the vertical axis while cutting the stems 41 on the horizontal axis, making it easy to collect the flowers and fruits at any location while they are in contact with the robot arm 42 on the vertical axis.

[0039] Although this embodiment has mentioned the cultivation layer 1, it can also be applied to a hydroponic cultivation system and a hydroponic cultivation method equipped with the cultivation layer 1 of this embodiment, allowing the height of cultivated plants to be changed according to their growth, making it easier to control the quality of cultivated plants and adjust the growth environment.

[0040] The cultivation layer 1 is formed from a thermoplastic resin material, and the forming method is not limited to a specific method. The forming method is preferably injection molding or vacuum forming, and more preferably injection molding. When the cultivation layer 1 is manufactured by injection molding, it is possible to reduce costs and shorten the forming time due to a simple configuration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1...cultivation tank, 2...cultivation tray, 3...common panel, 10...first distance, 11...second distance, 20...First Sustainment Unit, 21... second maintaining unit, 22... side wall, 24... Outflow prevention unit, 24a... Projecting piece, 24b... Convex surface, 24c... Hanging piece, 25...handle, 26...stopping portion, 27...first recess, 28...second recess, 29... support base, 30... growth panel, 31... seedling panel, 32... support piece, 34...Cultivation hole, 35...Grid piece, 36...Free end, 40...strawberry seedling, 41...stem, 42...robot arm.

Claims

1. a cultivation tray for holding liquid fertilizer; A cultivation tank for hydroponic cultivation of plants, which is held in the cultivation tray and has a common panel for holding cultivated plants, a first maintaining unit provided within the cultivation tray for maintaining a panel surface of the common panel at a first distance from a bottom surface of the cultivation tray; A cultivation tank for hydroponic cultivation of plants, comprising a second maintenance unit for maintaining the panel surface of the common panel at a second distance from the bottom surface of the cultivation tray that is greater than the first distance.

2. 2. The cultivation tank for hydroponic cultivation of plants according to claim 1, further comprising an outflow prevention unit for preventing the outflow of the liquid fertilizer, located above the second maintenance unit in the cultivation tray.

3. 3. The cultivation layer for hydroponic cultivation of plants according to claim 2, wherein the outflow prevention unit includes a hanging piece that is adapted to be attached to the stems of the cultivated plants.

4. The cultivation layer for hydroponic cultivation of plants according to claim 3 , wherein the outflow prevention unit includes a prevention portion including an arc-shaped space.

5. 5. The growing layer for hydroponic cultivation of plants according to claim 4, wherein the free end of the hanging piece is cylindrical.

6. A hydroponic cultivation system for plants, comprising the cultivation tank for hydroponic cultivation of plants according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A method for hydroponic cultivation of plants, comprising a cultivation step of cultivating the plants in the cultivation tank for hydroponic cultivation of plants according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. A method for producing a cultivation tank for hydroponic cultivation of plants according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A method for molding a cultivation tank for hydroponic cultivation, wherein the material constituting the cultivation tank is a thermoplastic resin.

9. 9. The method for molding a cultivation tank for hydroponic cultivation according to claim 8, wherein the molding step is carried out by injection molding.

Images