Cultivation system

Abstract

This system provides a cultivation system that allows for compact storage of planting components and simplifies the work of the operator. [Solution] The cultivation system 1 is a cultivation system that performs hydroponic cultivation of plants using a cultivation tank 10, and comprises a sheet-like member 40 that is flexible and has holes formed for planting plants, and is in a covering state that covers the cultivation tank 10 from above when hydroponic cultivation is performed, a storage device 50 that collects the sheet-like member 40 in the covering state and stores it in a deformed storage state from the covering state, and a reinforcing member 70 that is provided at a distance from the nutrient solution stored in the cultivation tank 10 and suppresses bending of the sheet-like member 40 in the covering state.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , , , , ,

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[0001] The present invention relates to a technology of a cultivation system for hydroponic cultivation of plants.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, the technology of a cultivation system for hydroponic cultivation of plants has been known. For example, it is as described in Patent Document 1.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a hydroponic cultivation device for hydroponic cultivation of plants. The hydroponic cultivation device described in Patent Document 1 includes a cultivation container in which a nutrient solution is stored, and a seedbed pallet that is disposed above the nutrient solution in the cultivation container and on which plants are planted. The hydroponic cultivation device described in Patent Document 1 can cultivate the plants accommodated in the seedbed pallet using the nutrient solution stored in the cultivation container.

[0004] Here, as the above-described seedbed pallet (member on which plants are planted), generally, one made of foamed steel is used. Since the foamed steel seedbed pallet is bulky, a large storage space is required, and it requires complicated labor in the work of workers such as installation work, recovery (storage) work, cleaning work, etc. Therefore, there is a demand for a cultivation system that can compactly store the member on which plants are planted and simplify the work of workers.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] This invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and the problem it aims to solve is to provide a cultivation system that allows for compact storage of the planting components and simplifies the work of the operator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The problems that this invention aims to solve are as described above, and the means for solving these problems will now be explained.

[0008] In other words, claim 1 is a cultivation system for hydroponically cultivating plants using a cultivation tank, comprising: a sheet-like member that is flexible and has holes formed for planting the plants, and which covers the cultivation tank from above when hydroponically cultivating plants; a storage device for collecting the sheet-like member in the covered state and storing it in a deformed storage state from the covered state; and a reinforcing member provided at a distance from the nutrient solution stored in the cultivation tank to suppress bending of the sheet-like member in the covered state.

[0009] In claim 2, the reinforcing member is spanned across different side walls among a plurality of side walls that partition the internal space of the cultivation tank.

[0010] In claim 3, the reinforcing member has locking portions that engage with the different side walls.

[0011] Claim 4 provides a holding portion that can hold a part of the sheet-like member on the outside of the cultivation tank.

[0012] In claim 5, the reinforcing member has locking portions that engage with the different side walls, and the holding portion is formed integrally with the locking portions.

[0013] Claim 6 provides a cleaning unit that can clean the sheet-like member when the sheet-like member is collected by the storage device.

[0014] In claim 7, when the sheet-like member is collected by the storage device, it is provided with a position raising portion that positions the sheet-like member higher than in the covered state.

Effects of the Invention

[0015] The effects of the present invention are as follows.

[0016] In the present invention, a member on which plants are planted can be stored compactly and the work of an operator can be simplified.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] Schematic perspective view showing a cultivation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Flowchart showing the procedure of cultivation work according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] (a) Image diagram showing the state of preparation work. (b) Image diagram showing the state of planting work. [Figure 4] (a) Image diagram showing the state of pruning work. (b) Image diagram showing the state of harvesting / collecting / cleaning work. [Figure 5] Front cross-sectional view showing a cultivation tank in a state where a sheet-like member is covered. [Figure 6] (a) Left side view showing a storage device and a cleaning unit. (b) Front view showing the storage device. [Figure 7] Perspective view showing a reinforcing member. [Figure 8] (a) Perspective view showing a locking portion and a holding portion of a reinforcing member. (b) Front view showing a locking portion and a holding portion of a reinforcing member. [Figure 9] Front view showing a position raising portion. [Figure 10] Front cross-sectional view showing a cultivation tank to which a position raising portion is attached. [Figure 11] (a) Diagram showing the remaining part of a plant pruned in pruning work. (b) Diagram showing a state where the sheet-like member is lifted using the position raising portion from the state shown in Fig. 11(a).

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, the cultivation system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In each figure, for convenience of explanation, the shapes and sizes of some members may be appropriately changed. Also, the vertical direction, the front-back direction, and the left-right direction are defined according to the arrows shown in the figure, respectively.

[0019] The cultivation system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is for hydroponic cultivation (nutrient solution cultivation) of plants. In the present embodiment, soybeans are adopted as the plant P to be cultivated. Note that the plant P is not limited to soybeans, and various types can be adopted. In the cultivation system 1, the nutrient solution (culture solution) stored in the cultivation tank 10 described later is absorbed by the plant P planted in the sheet-like member 40, and hydroponic cultivation of this plant P is performed (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 4(a), etc.).

[0020] First, the outline of the cultivation work of hydroponics using the cultivation system 1 will be described using the flowchart showing the procedure of the cultivation work according to the present embodiment in FIG. 2, FIGS. 3 and FIG. 4. Note that the description of each member constituting the cultivation system 1 will be kept simple, and the detailed description will be given later.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the cultivation work according to the present embodiment includes a preparation work (step S11), a planting work (step S12), a pruning work (step S13), and a harvesting / collection / cleaning work (step S14). These works are sequentially executed by the operator at a predetermined timing according to the growth status of the plant P, etc.

[0022] First, as shown in FIG. 3(a), in the preparation work (step S11), preparations for planting the plant P in the cultivation tank 10 are made. Specifically, the supply of the nutrient solution from the nutrient solution supply unit 20 to the cultivation tank 10 is started. Thereby, the nutrient solution is stored in the cultivation tank 10. Also, the sheet-like member 40 is pulled out from the storage device 50 by the operator and covered over the cultivation tank 10 from above.

[0023] Next, as shown in Figure 3(b), during the planting operation (step S12), seedlings of plant P, which have been grown elsewhere, are transported by cart and brought around the cultivation tank 10. The transported plant P seedlings are then planted (transplanted) onto the sheet-like member 40 by the worker.

[0024] Next, as shown in Figure 4(a), in the pruning operation (step S13), the plants P that have reached harvest time are pruned. Specifically, the worker cuts the base of the plants P using, for example, a hedge trimmer. The pruned plants P are then placed on the sheet-like member 40 at the pruned position.

[0025] Next, as shown in Figure 4(b), during the harvesting, collection, and cleaning operation (step S14), the sheet-like member 40 is collected into the storage device 50, causing the plants P placed on the sheet-like member 40 to move toward the storage device 50. The moved plants P are then guided by the storage device 50 and collected into the harvest container 30. The guidance of the plants P by the storage device 50 is assisted by the worker. Once the plants P are collected into the harvest container 30, the harvesting of the plants P is completed. When the sheet-like member 40 is collected into the storage device 50, the cleaning unit 60 (see Figure 6) cleans the sheet-like member 40.

[0026] Next, the configuration of cultivation system 1 will be described in detail. Cultivation system 1 comprises a cultivation tank 10, a nutrient solution supply unit 20, a harvest container 30, a sheet-like member 40, a storage device 50, a cleaning unit 60, a reinforcing member 70, a holding unit 80, and a positioning unit 90.

[0027] The cultivation tank 10 shown in Figures 1 and 5 is a substantially rectangular container with an open interior space at the top. The cultivation tank 10 is configured to store nutrient solution in its interior space. In this embodiment, the cultivation tank 10 is formed in an elongated shape in the front-to-back direction. The cultivation tank 10 is placed on a stand 15 and positioned at a predetermined height from the floor surface to facilitate work by the operator. The cultivation tank 10 is composed of two containers 11 arranged side by side. The two containers 11 are arranged without any gaps between them in the left-to-right direction.

[0028] As shown in Figure 5, of the two containers 11 in the cultivation tank 10, the left side wall of the left container 11 forms the left side wall 12 of the cultivation tank 10, the right side wall of the right container 11 forms the right side wall 13 of the cultivation tank 10, and the right side wall of the left container 11 and the left side of the right container 11 form the central wall 14 of the cultivation tank 10. The left side wall 12, the right side wall 13, and the central wall 14 partition the internal space of the cultivation tank 10.

[0029] The nutrient solution supply unit 20 shown in Figure 3(a), etc., supplies nutrient solution to the cultivation tank 10. In this embodiment, the nutrient solution supply unit 20 supplies nutrient solution from the rear end of the cultivation tank 10. The nutrient solution supplied from the nutrient solution supply unit 20 flows forward through the internal space of the cultivation tank 10 and is drained to the outside through a drain outlet (not shown). In this way, nutrient solution is constantly circulating in the cultivation tank 10.

[0030] The harvesting container 30 shown in Figures 1 and 4(b), etc., is used to collect pruned plants P. The harvesting container 30 is formed in a roughly box shape with an open top. The harvesting container 30 is designed to be portable and, in this embodiment, is placed in front of the storage device 50, which will be described later.

[0031] The sheet-like member 40 shown in Figures 1, 3 to 5, etc., is on which plants P are planted. The sheet-like member 40 is formed in a sheet shape from a flexible material and is configured to be deformable, for example, when being taken in and out of the storage device 50. That is, the sheet-like member 40 is configured to be repeatedly deformed (for example, rolled up or straightened) without breaking or other damage. In this embodiment, a weed control sheet made of woven fabric is used as the sheet-like member 40.

[0032] The sheet-like member 40 is stored in a storage device 50, which will be described later, while rolled up, and is pulled out of the storage device 50 during the preparation work (step S11) (see Figure 3(a)). When the sheet-like member 40 is pulled out of the storage device 50, it straightens out and covers the internal space of the cultivation tank 10 from above (see Figure 3(b)). Hereinafter, the state in which the sheet-like member 40 is stored in the storage device 50 will be referred to as the "storage state," and the state in which the sheet-like member 40 covers the cultivation tank 10 will be referred to as the "covering state."

[0033] In its covering state, the sheet-like member 40 has its four edges located outside the cultivation tank 10 in a plan view (see Figure 5, etc.). That is, in the covering state, the internal space of the cultivation tank 10 is not exposed to the outside. The sheet-like member 40 also has light-shielding properties. This suppresses the intrusion of light from the outside into the internal space of the cultivation tank 10 when it is covered. Note that Figure 1 shows the cultivation system 1 when the sheet-like member 40 is in the covering state, but for the sake of explanation, a part of the sheet-like member 40 (the rear side) has been omitted, and the internal space of the cultivation tank 10 is exposed (visible) to the outside.

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, the sheet-like member 40 has multiple holes 41 formed in it for planting plants P. For convenience, some details are omitted in the figure, but multiple holes 41 are formed over almost the entire surface of the sheet-like member 40, spaced appropriately apart from each other. Seedlings of the cultivated plants P are moved into the holes 41 along with the growing medium (see Figure 3(b)). In Figure 1, the shape of the holes 41 is approximately circular, but it is not limited to this. For example, the holes 41 may be formed by approximately cross-shaped cuts (i.e., so that the internal space of the cultivation tank 10 is not exposed to the outside).

[0035] The storage device 50 shown in Figures 1 and 6 is configured to allow the sheet-like member 40 to be inserted and removed. The storage device 50 is configured to be movable and is positioned in front of the cultivation tank 10 at least when inserting or removing the sheet-like member 40. In this way, the storage device 50 can be moved as needed and used for more than one cultivation tank 10. The storage device 50 comprises a support part 51, a rotating part 52, and a guide part 53.

[0036] The support portion 51 rotatably supports the rotating portion 52, which will be described later. The support portion 51 is installed on the floor surface and erected upward. The support portion 51 has a bottom portion 54 extending in the left-right direction and left and right side walls 55 erected upward from both left and right ends of the bottom portion 54, and is formed in a substantially U-shape when viewed from the front.

[0037] The rotating part 52 is around which the sheet-like member 40 in its stored state is wound. The rotating part 52 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with its axis oriented in the left-right direction. The rotating part 52 is positioned above the bottom 54 of the support part 51 and between the left and right side walls 55. The rotating part 52 has a rotating shaft 56 that protrudes in the left-right direction. The rotating shaft 56 of the rotating part 52 penetrates the left and right side walls 55 of the support part 51 outward in the left-right direction. In this way, the rotating part 52 is supported so as to be rotatable around its axis relative to the support part 51 via the rotating shaft 56.

[0038] In this embodiment, the rotating part 52 is configured to rotate in any direction (clockwise or counterclockwise in a left-side view) in response to the operator's rotation of a rotating handle (not shown). However, it is not limited to this configuration, and for example, it may have a drive source such as a motor, and the rotating part 52 may be configured to rotate due to the driving force from the drive source. As shown in Figure 1, one end (front end) in the longitudinal direction of the sheet-like member 40 is connected to the rotating part 52.

[0039] Thus, for example, when the sheet-like member 40 is in a covering state, when the rotating part 52 rotates clockwise in a left side view, the sheet-like member 40 that was covering the cultivation tank 10 is wrapped around the rotating part 52 and moves toward the storage device 50 (see Figure 4(b)). In other words, when the storage device 50 retrieves the sheet-like member 40 in a covering state, it deforms it from a straightened state to a rolled state and stores the sheet-like member 40. When the sheet-like member 40 is in the stored state, the entire internal space of the cultivation tank 10 is exposed to the outside.

[0040] For example, if the sheet-like member 40 is in its stored state, when an operator grasps and pulls out the sheet-like member 40, the rotating part 52 rotates counterclockwise in a left-side view. In this way, as the rotating part 52 rotates, the rolled-up state of the sheet-like member 40 is gradually released, and the sheet-like member 40 moves backward. That is, when the sheet-like member 40 is pulled out from its stored state, it deforms from a rolled-up state to a straightened state, covering the cultivation tank 10 (see Figure 3(a)).

[0041] The guide section 53 guides the plant P to be harvested. The guide section 53 comprises a guide plate section 57 and left and right support plate sections 58. The guide plate section 57 is a plate-shaped member. The guide plate section 57 has an upper surface that slopes downward from the rear to the front. The guide plate section 57 is positioned in front of the rotating section 52. The left and right support plate sections 58 support the guide plate section 57. The left and right support plate sections 58 extend forward from the upper parts of the left and right side walls 55 of the support section 51, respectively. The front ends of the left and right support plate sections 58 are connected to the guide plate section 57, respectively.

[0042] Thus, the guide plate section 57 is positioned at a distance forward from the rotating section 52 and is formed so as not to come into contact with the sheet-like member 40 (the sheet-like member 40 in its stored state) that is wrapped around the rotating section 52. In other words, the sheet-like member 40 being recovered from its covered state can move downward through the space between the rotating section 52 and the guide plate section 53. As a result, in the harvesting, recovery, and cleaning operation (step S14) shown in Figure 4(b), the plant P that has been placed on the sheet-like member 40 and moved to the storage device 50 is removed from the sheet-like member 40 by the upper surface of the guide plate section 57 as the sheet-like member 40 passes between the rotating section 52 and the guide plate section 53, and is guided towards the harvesting container 30.

[0043] The cleaning unit 60 shown in Figure 6(a) is for cleaning the sheet-like member 40. In this embodiment, the cleaning unit 60 is installed in the storage device 50. More specifically, the cleaning unit 60 is attached to the rear end of the guide plate portion 57 of the guide portion 53, extending across the left-right direction of the guide plate portion 57. The cleaning unit 60 is formed in a brush shape with a brush 61, and the brush 61 is positioned facing backward. In the following description, the position behind the cleaning unit 60 that the brush 61 can reach may be referred to as "cleaning position C" (see Figure 6(a)).

[0044] In other words, the cleaning unit 60 is configured such that when the sheet-like member 40 in its covered state is retrieved, the brush 61 comes into contact with the surface of the sheet-like member 40 facing the cleaning unit 60 side (front side) at the cleaning position C. The "surface of the sheet-like member 40 facing the cleaning unit 60 side at the cleaning position" is the surface of the sheet-like member 40 that faces upward when it is covering the cultivation tank 10. Hereafter, this surface will be referred to as the "front surface" of the sheet-like member 40, and the opposite surface will be referred to as the "back surface" of the sheet-like member 40.

[0045] The cleaning unit 60 is displaceable in the front-rear direction within a predetermined range and is biased rearward within the predetermined range by a biasing means such as a spring (not shown). In this way, even if the position of the surface of the sheet-like member 40 shifts in the front-rear direction at cleaning position C, the brush 61 can follow and contact the cleaning unit 60. That is, the cleaning unit 60 can clean the surface of the sheet-like member 40 regardless of the amount of the sheet-like member 40 wrapped around the rotating part 52.

[0046] The reinforcing members 70 shown in Figures 1, 5, 7, and 8 suppress downward bending of the sheet-like member 40 in its covering state and are provided above the nutrient solution at a distance (i.e., so as not to come into contact with the nutrient solution), and support the sheet-like member 40. The reinforcing members 70 are configured to support the sheet-like member 40 in its covering state. The reinforcing members 70 are formed in an elongated shape and are provided with their longitudinal direction oriented in the left-right direction. The reinforcing members 70 are provided in the cultivation tank 10 in a removable manner. The reinforcing members 70 are spanned across the left wall 12, the central wall 14, and the right wall 13 of the cultivation tank 10. In this way, the reinforcing members 70 are supported from below by the central wall 14 of the cultivation tank 10 in the left-right central part. Multiple reinforcing members 70 are provided and arranged at appropriate intervals from each other in the front-rear direction. The reinforcing members 70 are equipped with a mounting portion 71 and a locking portion 72. Furthermore, a retaining portion 80, which will be described later, is formed on the reinforcing member 70.

[0047] The mounting section 71 is the part on which the sheet-like member 40 is placed. The mounting section 71 is formed from an elongated plate-like member with its surface oriented vertically. The length of the mounting section 71 in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length of the cultivation tank 10 in the horizontal direction. Because the sheet-like member 40 is placed on the mounting section 71, it is possible to suppress the downward bending of the sheet-like member 40 and, for example, prevent it from coming into contact with the nutrient solution stored in the cultivation tank 10.

[0048] The locking portion 72 is the part for attaching the reinforcing member 70 to the cultivation tank 10. The locking portion 72 is located at both ends in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the reinforcing member 70. Specifically, the locking portion 72 is the part that extends downward from both ends in the left-right direction of the mounting portion 71. Before the reinforcing member 70 is attached to the cultivation tank 10, the length between the left and right locking portions 72 is slightly shorter than or approximately the same as the left-right length of the cultivation tank 10.

[0049] In this way, when attaching the reinforcing member 70 to the cultivation tank 10, the left and right locking portions 72 are elastically deformed to spread outward from each other in the left-right direction, and the restoring force clamps the left wall 12 and the right wall 13 of the cultivation tank 10 from the left-right direction outward. As a result, the left and right locking portions 72 are locked to the two side walls of the cultivation tank 10 (left wall 12 and right wall 13), and the reinforcing member 70 is attached to the cultivation tank 10. The attached reinforcing member 70 can then be removed from the cultivation tank 10 by similarly elastically deforming the left and right locking portions 72 to spread outward from each other. In this way, the reinforcing member 70 is configured to be easily attached to and detached from the cultivation tank 10 by the locking portions 72.

[0050] The holding portion 80 shown in Figures 1, 5, 7, and 8 holds the covered sheet-like member 40 in the cultivation tank 10. The holding portion 80 holds a part of the covered sheet-like member 40 on the outside of the cultivation tank 10. The holding portion 80 is formed at both left and right ends of the reinforcing member 70. The holding portion 80 comprises a main body portion 81 and a connecting portion 82.

[0051] The main body portion 81 is the primary structure of the holding portion 80 and is a roughly plate-shaped part with its surface generally oriented in the left-right direction. The main body portion 81 is formed to face each other in the left-right direction with respect to the locking portion 72. The main body portion 81 is positioned with a slight gap between it and the locking portion 72 in the left-right direction. The upper part of the main body portion 81 is formed to slope outward in the left-right direction as it goes upward (so that the distance between it and the locking portion 72 in the left-right direction widens).

[0052] The connecting portion 82 is the part that connects the main body portion 81 to the reinforcing member 70 (locking portion 72). The connecting portion 82 is formed to extend inward in the left-right direction from the lower end of the main body portion 81. The left-right outward end of the connecting portion 82 is connected to the lower end of the main body portion 81. The left-right inward end of the connecting portion 82 is connected to the locking portion 72. In this embodiment, the holding portion 80 is formed integrally with the locking portion 72 (and thus the reinforcing member 70).

[0053] Thus, the holding part 80 is used in the preparation work (step S11) after the sheet-like member 40 has covered the cultivation tank 10 from above. Specifically, the portion of the sheet-like member 40 that is located outside the cultivation tank 10 in a plan view is grasped by the worker and guided between the main body 81 and the locking part 72 of the holding part 80. In this case, as described above, the main body 81 of the holding part 80 is formed with its upper part inclined outward in the left-right direction, so the sheet-like member 40 is smoothly guided between the holding part 80 and the locking part 72. The left and right holding parts 80 are then elastically deformed to spread outward from each other in the left-right direction, and the restoring force holds the sheet-like member 40 between the left and right locking parts 72. In this way, the holding part 80 can hold the sheet-like member 40 in its covered state on the outside of the cultivation tank 10.

[0054] The raising section 90 shown in Figures 9 and 10 raises the sheet-like member 40 to a higher position than when it is covered (in other words, when it is covered during pruning work (step S13)) during harvesting, collection, and cleaning work (step S14) (see Figures 4(a) and (b)). The raising section 90 is detachably attached to the cultivation tank 10. The raising section 90 is formed in an elongated shape, and when attached to the cultivation tank 10, its longitudinal direction is oriented left to right, spanning the left wall 12 and the right wall 13 of the cultivation tank 10. Multiple raising sections 90 are provided and arranged at appropriate intervals from each other in the left to right direction. The raising section 90 comprises a mounting section 91 and a rotating section 92.

[0055] The mounting portion 91 is the part that is attached to the cultivation tank 10. The lower part of the mounting portion 91 is formed in a roughly concave shape that is open downwards when viewed from the front, and the upper part of the mounting portion 91 is formed to extend upwards. The mounting portion 91 is formed at both left and right ends of the raising portion 90. The left and right mounting portions 91 are configured to be fitted into the left wall 12 and right wall 13 of the cultivation tank 10 from above. In this way, the left and right mounting portions 91 are attached to the cultivation tank 10 by being fitted into the left wall 12 and right wall 13 from above.

[0056] The rotating part 92 is the part that guides the sheet-like member 40. The rotating part 92 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with its axis oriented in the left-right direction. The rotating part 92 is positioned between the left and right mounting parts 91. The rotating part 92 has a rotating shaft 93 that protrudes in the left-right direction. In this way, the rotating part 92 is supported so as to be rotatable about its axis relative to the mounting part 91 via the rotating shaft 93. The rotating shaft 93 is also detachably attached to the mounting part 91. That is, the rotating part 92 is detachably attached to the mounting part 91 using the rotating shaft 93.

[0057] As described above, in the cultivation work according to this embodiment, pruning work (step S13) is performed on plants P that have reached harvest time (see Figure 4(a)). At this time, the worker cuts the base of the plant P (the part of the above-ground portion that is close to the sheet-like member 40). That is, as shown in Figure 11(a), when pruning work is performed, a part of the above-ground portion of the plant P (the part cut off from the harvested portion) remains above the sheet-like member 40 and is connected to the roots (underground portion) located below the sheet-like member 40 via holes 41. Hereafter, the part of the plant P that has been separated from the harvested portion will be referred to as the plant residue Pa.

[0058] In this condition, during the harvesting, collection, and cleaning work (step S14), even if an attempt is made to collect the sheet-like member 40 into the storage device 50, it cannot be moved smoothly because it gets caught on the remaining plant material Pa. In other words, it may not be possible to move the (cut) plants P placed on the sheet-like member 40 towards the storage device 50 and collect them into the harvest container 30.

[0059] Therefore, in this embodiment, the raising section 90 is attached to the cultivation tank 10 during the harvesting, collection, and cleaning work (step S14). Specifically, first, the holding section 80 releases the holding of the sheet-like member 40. Although not shown in the figure, when the raising section 90 is attached to the cultivation tank 10, the reinforcing member 70 may remain attached to the cultivation tank 10.

[0060] When the sheet-like member 40 is released, the mounting portion 91 and the rotating portion 92 of the lifting unit 90 are attached separately. Specifically, the mounting portion 91 of the lifting unit 90 is attached to the cultivation tank 10 below the sheet-like member 40. Next, the rotating portion 92 of the lifting unit 90 is passed under the covered sheet-like member 40, spanning from one side to the other. Then, the spanned rotating portion 92 is attached to the left and right rotating portions 92 to assemble the lifting unit 90. When multiple lifting units 90 are attached to the cultivation tank 10 in this way, the sheet-like member 40 is lifted by the lifting unit 90 (rotating portion 92), and the height of the sheet-like member 40 increases. As a result, as shown in Figure 11(b), all of the remaining plant material Pa is pulled out relatively below the sheet-like member 40.

[0061] According to this, when the sheet-like member 40 is collected into the storage device 50, it is possible to prevent the remaining plant material Pa from getting caught on the sheet-like member 40, thus allowing the sheet-like member 40 to move smoothly. In other words, the (harvested) plants P placed on the sheet-like member 40 can be moved towards the storage device 50 and collected into the harvest container 30. That is, the harvesting of plants P can be carried out smoothly.

[0062] In this embodiment, the lifting unit 90 is attached not only when the sheet-like member 40 is returned to the storage device 50, but also when the sheet-like member 40 is pulled out of the storage device 50 by the worker during the preparation work (step S11) (see Figure 3(a)). This allows the rotating part 92 of the lifting unit 90 to effectively guide the movement of the sheet-like member 40.

[0063] As described above, the cultivation system 1 according to this embodiment is A cultivation system for hydroponically cultivating plants P using a cultivation tank 10, A sheet-like member 40 that is flexible and has holes 41 for planting the plants P, and is in a covering state that covers the cultivation tank 10 from above when hydroponic cultivation is performed, A storage device 50 retrieves the sheet-like member 40 in the covered state and stores it in a deformed storage state from the covered state, A reinforcing member 70 is provided at a distance from the nutrient solution stored in the cultivation tank 10, and is used to prevent the sheet-like member 40 in its covering state from bending. It is equipped with the following features.

[0064] This configuration allows for compact storage of the sheet-like member 40 (the member on which plants are planted) and simplifies the worker's work. Specifically, in the cultivation system 1, the member on which plants are planted can be made of a flexible sheet-like member 40 instead of a conventional foamed steel seedling pallet, because the reinforcing member 70 prevents it from bending and coming into contact with the nutrient solution. In this way, the sheet-like member 40 can be stored in the storage device 50 in a deformed storage state (i.e., compactly) from the covered state that covers the cultivation tank 10. Furthermore, since the storage device 50 allows workers to perform various tasks without moving, tasks such as installation, retrieval (storage), and cleaning can be simplified compared to conventional foamed steel seedling pallets. In addition, the reinforcing member 70 is provided above and at a distance from the nutrient solution (i.e., to prevent contact with the nutrient solution), and the sheet-like member 40 can be positioned there, thus preventing the sheet-like member 40 and the reinforcing member 70 from becoming soiled or damaged by contact with the nutrient solution.

[0065] Furthermore, in the cultivation system 1 according to this embodiment, The reinforcing member 70 is It is connected to different side walls among the multiple side walls that partition the internal space of the cultivation tank 10.

[0066] This configuration allows cultivation system 1 to be constructed at a relatively low cost. Specifically, in cultivation system 1, the reinforcing member 70 is configured independently of the sheet-like member 40, resulting in a relatively simpler structure compared to, for example, a case where it is integrally formed with the sheet-like member 40. In other words, it suppresses the relatively high cost of, for example, the sheet-like member 40, and consequently, allows cultivation system 1 to be constructed at a relatively low cost.

[0067] Furthermore, in the cultivation system 1 according to this embodiment, The reinforcing member 70 is It has locking portions 72 that engage with the respective different side walls.

[0068] This configuration allows the reinforcing member 70 to be attached to the cultivation tank 10 in a simple manner.

[0069] Furthermore, in the cultivation system 1 according to this embodiment, The device includes a holding portion 80 that can hold a part of the sheet-like member 40 on the outside of the cultivation tank 10.

[0070] This configuration prevents the sheet-like member 40 from bending and also prevents it from slipping off the reinforcing member 70 or from shifting away from the reinforcing member 70, which would create a gap between it and the side wall of the cultivation tank 10, exposing the internal space of the cultivation tank 10 to the outside.

[0071] Furthermore, in the cultivation system 1 according to this embodiment, The reinforcing member 70 is It has a locking portion 72 that engages with the two side walls, The holding portion 80 is It is formed integrally with the locking portion 72.

[0072] With this configuration, the holding part 80 can also be attached by attaching the reinforcing member 70 to the cultivation tank 10, making the worker's work easier.

[0073] Furthermore, in the cultivation system 1 according to this embodiment, The storage device 50 is equipped with a cleaning unit 60 that can clean the sheet-like member 40 when it is being collected.

[0074] This configuration eliminates the need for manual cleaning of the sheet-like member 40 by the worker, for example, and simplifies the worker's work.

[0075] Furthermore, in the cultivation system 1 according to this embodiment, The storage device 50 is equipped with a position-raising section 90 that raises the sheet-like member 40 to a higher position than the covered state when the sheet-like member 40 is recovered.

[0076] This configuration allows for the smooth harvesting of plant P. Specifically, when the sheet-like member 40 is collected into the storage device 50, it is possible to prevent the remaining plant material Pa from getting caught on the sheet-like member 40, allowing the sheet-like member 40 to move smoothly. Consequently, the (harvested) plants P placed on the sheet-like member 40 can be moved towards the storage device 50 and collected into the harvest container 30.

[0077] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as described in the claims.

[0078] For example, the sheet-like member 40 is not limited to a weed control sheet made of woven fabric, but may be made of any sheet-like member.

[0079] Furthermore, while the storage device 50 is configured to wrap the sheet-like member 40 around the rotating part 52 when storing it, it is not limited to this configuration. For example, when storing the sheet-like member 40, the sheet-like member 40 may be folded to make it more compact.

[0080] Furthermore, the cleaning unit 60 may be provided in a manner that prevents displacement (movement). Also, the cleaning unit 60 may be installed on a component other than the storage device 50 (for example, a component specifically for this purpose). Furthermore, the cleaning unit 60 may clean the back surface of the sheet-like member 40, or clean the back surface in addition to the front surface. In addition, a configuration similar to that used for cleaning the front surface (for example, a configuration that allows displacement in the back-side and anti-back-side directions within a predetermined range) can be adopted for cleaning the back surface of the sheet-like member 40.

[0081] Furthermore, the reinforcing member 70 can be attached to the cultivation tank 10 by any method other than locking. For example, the reinforcing member 70 may be fixed to the cultivation tank 10 with bolts or the like. Also, the reinforcing member 70 may be installed in the cultivation tank 10 in a way that prevents removal rather than making it removable. In addition, the reinforcing member 70 may be installed not only in the short direction (left-right direction in this embodiment) of the cultivation tank 10, but also in the long direction (front-back direction in this embodiment). Furthermore, the reinforcing member may be integrally formed with the sheet-like member 40.

[0082] Furthermore, the holding portion 80 can hold the sheet-like member 40 by any method other than the method according to this embodiment. Also, the holding portion 80 may not be integral with the reinforcing member 70, but may be formed by a separate member independent of the reinforcing member 70.

[0083] Furthermore, the raising section 90 can raise the sheet-like member 40 by any method other than the method according to this embodiment. Also, the raising section 90 does not have to be spanned between the left wall 12 and the right wall 13 of the cultivation tank 10, but may be provided independently on the left wall 12 and the right wall 13, respectively. In addition, the raising section 90 does not necessarily have to have a rotating section 92.

[0084] Furthermore, in order to prevent the plants P planted on the sheet-like member 40 from falling over, a net-like member capable of holding the plants P may be provided at a position higher than the sheet-like member 40. In this case, the net-like member is provided above the sheet-like member 40 in its covered state, so as to extend over substantially the entire area of ​​the sheet-like member 40 in a plan view. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0085] 1. Cultivation System 10 cultivation tank 40 Sheet-like member 41 holes 50 Storage device 70 Reinforcement member

Claims

1. A cultivation system that uses a cultivation tank to hydroponically cultivate plants, A sheet-like member that is flexible and has holes formed for planting the plants, and is used to cover the cultivation tank from above when hydroponic cultivation is performed, A storage device for recovering the sheet-like member in the covered state and storing it in a deformed storage state from the covered state, A reinforcing member is provided at a distance from the nutrient solution stored in the cultivation tank, and is used to prevent the sheet-like member in its covering state from bending. A cultivation system equipped with the following features.

2. The reinforcing member is Among the multiple side walls that partition the internal space of the cultivation tank, the following are connected to each other across different side walls: The cultivation system according to claim 1.

3. The reinforcing member is Having locking parts that engage with each other's different side walls, The cultivation system according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned sheet-like member is provided with a holding portion that can hold a part of it outside the cultivation tank. The cultivation system according to claim 1.

5. The reinforcing member is It has locking parts that engage with each other's different side walls, The aforementioned retaining part is Formed integrally with the locking portion, The cultivation system according to claim 4.

6. When the sheet-like member is collected by the storage device, the storage device is equipped with a cleaning unit capable of cleaning the sheet-like member. The cultivation system according to claim 1.

7. When the sheet-like member is recovered by the storage device, the device includes a position-raising section that raises the sheet-like member to a position higher than the covered state. The cultivation system according to claim 1.

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