Local air conditioning system

Abstract

The present invention provides a localized air conditioning system that can cool or heat crops indoors at a lower cost than conventional methods. [Solution] The local air conditioning device 1 includes a duct 3 that is attached to the cultivation shelf 11 of an agricultural greenhouse 100 for cultivating crops 31 placed on indoor cultivation shelves 11, and blows air into a local space R which is the space inside the cultivation shelf 11 on which the crops 31 are placed, thereby maintaining the temperature inside the local space R at a predetermined first temperature, and a radiant panel 5 that is attached to the cultivation shelf 11 and absorbs heat radiated from the crops 31, thereby maintaining the surface temperature of the crops 31 at a predetermined second temperature, wherein the first temperature is the temperature between the second temperature and the indoor temperature outside the local space R.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a local air conditioner.

Background Art

[0002] There are facilities for cultivating crops indoors, such as greenhouses and plant factories, in order to protect crops from wind, rain, and pests, and to cultivate crops regardless of the season. On the other hand, in such facilities, air conditioning is required to ensure that the temperature of the crops does not exceed the appropriate temperature range for growth. Some types of air conditioning cool the entire indoor area using cooling or the like, but as the facility grows larger, the energy required for cooling increases, resulting in higher costs. Therefore, there is a local air conditioning device that cools by blowing cold air onto the crops, such as spot cooling (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in a local air conditioning device such as that of Patent Document 1, as the temperature of the target agricultural crop decreases, it is necessary to lower the temperature of the cold air or increase the volume of the cold air. However, in either case, the energy required for cooling increases, resulting in higher air conditioning costs. In addition, if the volume of the cold air is increased too much, there is also a problem that the crops are damaged when the stems and leaves of the crops shaken by the cold air come into contact with each other.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a local air conditioning device that can achieve a desired temperature for agricultural crops at a lower cost than conventional methods even when cultivating crops indoors.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The local air conditioning system of the present invention comprises a duct held on a cultivation shelf in a facility for cultivating crops placed on an indoor cultivation shelf, which blows air into a local space that is the space within the cultivation shelf on which the crops are placed, and maintains the temperature in the local space at a predetermined first temperature; and a radiant panel held on the cultivation shelf, which absorbs heat radiated from the crops and maintains the surface temperature of the crops at a predetermined second temperature, wherein the first temperature is the temperature between the second temperature and the indoor temperature outside the local space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a localized air conditioning system that can maintain a desired temperature for crops at a lower cost than conventional methods, even when cultivating crops indoors. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing an agricultural greenhouse equipped with a local air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a magnified view of one of the cultivation shelves in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the support posts, beams, girders, and planters of the cultivation shelf. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The present invention will be described below in accordance with preferred embodiments. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, in the embodiments shown below, some illustrations and descriptions of certain components are omitted. It goes without saying that, regarding the details of the omitted technologies, publicly known or well-known technologies are applied as appropriate, to the extent that they do not contradict the content described below.

[0010] First, the configuration of an agricultural greenhouse equipped with a local air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an agricultural greenhouse equipped with a local air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an enlarged view of one of the cultivation shelves in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a plan view showing the positional relationship of the support columns, beams, girders, and planters of the cultivation shelf in Figure 2.

[0011] The agricultural greenhouse 100 (facility) shown in Figure 1 is a facility such as a vinyl greenhouse for cultivating crops 31 indoors, and cultivation shelves 11 are arranged inside. The cultivation shelves 11 are shelves on which the crops 31 to be cultivated are placed, and as shown in Figures 2 and 3, they are equipped with planters 14, support columns 11a, beams 11b, and girders 11c. The planters 14 are rectangular cultivation beds in plan view that hold the crops 31, and multiple planters are arranged vertically so that their upper surfaces are horizontal.

[0012] The support columns 11a are columns that support the planter 14 and crops 31. As shown in Figure 3, they are positioned at the four corners of the rectangular planter 14, extending in the vertical direction (Z), with their lower ends in contact with the floor surface of the agricultural greenhouse 100. The beams 11b extend in the X direction, which is along the shorter side of the rectangular planter 14, and are rod-shaped members that connect adjacent support columns 11a in the X direction. The girders 11c extend in the Y direction, which is along the longer side of the rectangular planter 14, and are rod-shaped members that connect adjacent support columns 11a in the Y direction. The planter 14 is held at a predetermined height by being connected to the support columns 11a, beams 11b, and girders 11c. In addition, lighting 13 is provided above the crops 31 to irradiate the crops 31 with light and promote photosynthesis, and is provided to be supported by the beams 11b and girders 11c as needed. Furthermore, at the points where the support columns 11a, beams 11b, and girders 11c intersect, a block-shaped connecting section 11d may be provided as shown in Figure 3, and the support columns 11a, beams 11b, and girders 11c may be connected to each other via the connecting section 11d. This concludes the explanation of the structure of the agricultural greenhouse 100.

[0013] Next, the configuration of the local air conditioning system will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the local air conditioning system 1 comprises a duct 3, a radiant panel 5, an insulating sheet 7, and an indoor panel 101. The duct 3 is a component for cooling or heating crops 31 and is held on the cultivation shelf 11. The duct 3 shown in Figure 2 is held on beams 11b and girders 11c above the crops 31. The duct 3 blows air into a local space R within the agricultural greenhouse 100 to maintain the temperature inside the local space R at a predetermined first temperature. For example, when the local air conditioning system 1 is used for cooling, the first temperature is lower than the temperature outside the local space R, and the duct 3 maintains the temperature inside the local space R at a first temperature that is lower than the indoor temperature outside the local space R. When the local air conditioning system 1 is used for heating, the first temperature is higher than the temperature outside the local space R, and the duct 3 maintains the temperature inside the local space R at a first temperature that is higher than the indoor temperature outside the local space R. The local space R is the space within the cultivation shelf 11 on which the crop 31 is placed. More specifically, it is the space on which the crop 31 is placed, enclosed by the vertically adjacent beams 11b and girders 11c that constitute the cultivation shelf 11. The specific structure of the duct 3 is not particularly limited as long as it can maintain the temperature in the local space R at a first temperature, but a vinyl duct can be used as an example. In this case, the air blown by the vinyl duct can be generated by a fan coil or the like. Furthermore, the temperature of the air blown by the vinyl duct can be adjusted by adjusting the cooling energy received by the fan coil. Specifically, for example, the circulation rate and temperature of the refrigerant circulating through the fan coil can be adjusted using a chiller or the like that circulates the refrigerant. Alternatively, the temperature in the local space R can be adjusted by adjusting the temperature of the air, assuming the airflow rate is constant.

[0014] Since the crop 31 is placed in a local space R, when the duct 3 raises the temperature in the local space R to a first temperature, the temperature of the crop 31 approaches the first temperature due to heat exchange between the crop 31 and the air in the local space R. Therefore, the duct 3 does not need to blow air directly onto the crop 31, and it is possible to prevent the crop 31 from being damaged by the stems and leaves of the crop 31 coming into contact with each other as they are shaken by the blown air.

[0015] The airflow direction A of the duct 3 is not particularly limited as long as it can bring the temperature in the local space R to the first temperature. For example, when the local air conditioning unit 1 is used for cooling, if the airflow direction A is set so that the air blows onto the light fixture 13, the temperature of the light fixture 13 can be lowered, and the temperature rise in the local space R due to the heat generated when the light fixture 13 is turned on can also be suppressed. The temperature in the local space R can be measured using a thermometer 18 installed in the local space R, as shown in Figure 2.

[0016] The radiant panel 5 is also a component that cools or heats the crop 31 to bring its surface temperature to a predetermined second temperature, and is held on the cultivation shelf 11. The second temperature is a temperature suitable for photosynthesis in the crop 31. Unlike the duct 3, the radiant panel 5 is a radiant component. When the local air conditioning system 1 is used for cooling, the second temperature is lower than the first temperature, which is the temperature in the local space R. In this case, the radiant panel 5 absorbs the heat radiated from the crop 31, more specifically infrared rays, to bring the surface temperature of the crop 31, specifically the temperature of the leaves 31a, to a second temperature, which is lower than the first temperature, which is the temperature in the local space R. When the local air conditioning system 1 is used for heating, the second temperature is higher than the first temperature, which is the temperature in the local space R. In this case, the radiant panel 5 radiates heat such as infrared rays to the crop 31 to bring the temperature of the leaves 31a to a second temperature, which is higher than the first temperature, which is the temperature in the local space R. In general, to promote photosynthesis and growth of crop 31, it is necessary to adjust the temperature of the leaves 31a to a temperature suitable for photosynthesis. Therefore, by setting the temperature of the leaves 31a to a second temperature suitable for photosynthesis, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the leaves 31a from rising too high or falling too low, which would hinder the growth of crop 31. The temperature of the leaves 31a can be measured using a radiation thermometer 50. Furthermore, the radiation panel 5 should be operated under conditions that bring the temperature of the leaves 31a to a temperature suitable for photosynthesis in crop 31.

[0017] In this configuration, the local air conditioning system 1 uses duct 3 to raise the temperature within the local space R to a first temperature, and radiant panels 5 raise the surface temperature of the crop 31 to a second temperature. Therefore, the surface temperature of the crop 31 reaches the second temperature regardless of the temperature outside the local space R. With this configuration, by cooling or heating the local space R and the surface of the crop 31, the crop 31 can be brought to the desired temperature without cooling or heating the entire interior of the agricultural greenhouse 100. Thus, the cost of air conditioning can be reduced compared to the case where the entire interior of the agricultural greenhouse 100 is cooled or heated. Furthermore, with this configuration, for example, during cooling, the radiant heat from the crop 31 to the radiant panels 5 can lower the surface temperature of the crop 31 to a level lower than the temperature within the local space R surrounding the crop 31. During heating, the radiant heat from the radiant panels 5 to the crop 31 can raise the surface temperature of the crop 31 to a level higher than the temperature within the local space R surrounding the crop 31. Therefore, since the set temperature of the air in the local space R (first temperature) does not need to be set to the second temperature suitable for photosynthesis, the burden of temperature adjustment in the duct 3 can be reduced compared to when the surface temperature of the crop 31 is adjusted only by the air supplied from the duct 3. As a result, energy costs can be reduced compared to conventional methods. Furthermore, when the cultivation shelf 11 is moved, the local space R and the crop 31 that are subject to cooling or heating also move, so even if the position of the cultivation shelf 11 is moved within the agricultural greenhouse 100, the temperature of the local space R and the leaves 31a of the crop 31 do not change before and after the move. Therefore, even if the temperature inside the agricultural greenhouse 100 is uneven and the cultivation shelf 11 is moved, it is easier to maintain the temperature of the local space R and the leaves 31a of the crop 31 at the desired temperature. The relationship between the first temperature and the second temperature is such that the first temperature is between the second temperature and the indoor temperature outside the local space R. For example, during cooling, the indoor temperature outside the local space R > first temperature > second temperature, and during heating, the indoor temperature outside the local space R < first temperature < second temperature.

[0018] The radiant panel 5 is not limited in its specific structure as long as it can raise the surface temperature of the crop 31 to the second temperature, but a flat plate-shaped structure in which a cooled or heated refrigerant such as water is circulated inside can be given as an example. As a device for circulating the refrigerant, for example, a chiller that circulates the refrigerant in the fan coil of the duct 3 can be used.

[0019] The installation position of the radiant panel 5 is not particularly limited as long as it can raise the surface temperature of the crop 31 to the second temperature and can be maintained by the cultivation shelf 11. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the radiant panel 5a may be installed above the crop 31 within the local space R and supported by the beam 11b. The radiant panel 5a is a rectangular, flat panel in plan view, with the longer side of the rectangle facing the Y direction and the shorter side facing the X direction. Alternatively, as shown in radiant panel 5b, it may be installed outside the local space R, diagonally above the crop 31. The radiant panel 5b is supported by a support part 17 (adjustment means). The support part 17 is a rod-shaped member supported by the support column 11a in a position that protrudes diagonally downward toward the outside of the local space R from the support column 11a. More specifically, the support part 17 is inclined at an angle θ toward the outside of the local space R with respect to the support column 11a, and the radiant panel 5b is held on the circumferential surface of the rod. The radiant panel 5b is a flat, rectangular panel in plan view, positioned so that its short side aligns with the longitudinal direction of the support rod 17 and its long side faces the Y direction.

[0020] Further, the support portion 17 is supported by the support column 11a via a hinge 20 (adjustment means). The hinge 20 is an adjustment means for adjusting the distance between the radiation panel 5b and the crop 31. The hinge axis 20a serving as the rotation center faces the Y direction, and the support portion 17 can rotate in the C direction in FIG. 2 around the hinge axis 20a as the rotation center. When the support portion 17 rotates, the angle θ changes. In FIG. 2, as the angle θ increases, the distance between the radiation panel 5b and the crop 31 becomes farther, and as the angle θ decreases, the distance between the radiation panel 5b and the crop 31 becomes closer. By adopting such a structure in which the support portion 17 is supported by the support column 11a via the hinge 20, the distance between the radiation panel 5b and the crop 31 can be changed. Therefore, by adjusting the distance between the radiation panel 5b and the crop 31 according to the growth degree of the crop 31, the amount of heat absorbed by the radiation panel 5b from the crop 31 can be adjusted. However, if the angle θ is made too small, the radiation panel 5b may contact the crop 31. Therefore, it is preferable to provide means for restricting the rotation of the hinge axis 20a, such as a stopper 29, so that the angle θ does not become smaller than a predetermined lower limit angle. As a specific structure of the stopper 29, a structure can be exemplified in which protrusions are provided on the circumferential surface of the hinge axis 20a, and when the angle θ reaches the lower limit angle, the protrusions contact the support portion 17 to restrict rotation. The lower limit angle is the minimum angle at which the radiation panel 5b does not contact the crop 31. Further, in FIG. 2, the hinge 20 is a double hinge (biaxial hinge) provided with two hinge axes 20a. By making the hinge 20 a double hinge in this way, the movable range of the radiation panel 5b can be expanded, and by combining it with the stopper 29, it is possible to prevent the radiation panel 5b from contacting the crop 31. Also, the distance between the radiation panel 5b and the crop 31 may be adjustable by making the support column 11a telescopic or the like so that the radiation panel 5b can move in the D direction in FIG. 2. In this case, the support column 11a serves as the adjustment means.

[0021] The insulation sheet 7 is a component that covers the local space R, duct 3, and radiant panel 5 inside the agricultural greenhouse 100, and is, for example, a vinyl sheet. By covering the local space R, duct 3, and radiant panel 5 with the insulation sheet 7, the local space R is partitioned by the insulation sheet 7, and the temperature inside the partitioned space becomes the same as the temperature inside the local space R. In this configuration, heat from outside the insulation sheet 7 is less likely to penetrate into the local space R, making it easier to regulate the temperature inside the local space R. Also, the temperature inside the local space R is less affected by the temperature outside the insulation sheet 7. Note that Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a structure in which the insulation sheet 7 covers the entire cultivation shelf 11, but it is not necessary to cover the entire cultivation shelf 11 as long as the local space R, duct 3, and radiant panel 5 can be covered.

[0022] The indoor panel 101 shown in Figure 1 is a plate-shaped member that cools or heats the interior of the agricultural greenhouse 100, and is installed on the interior wall 103 outside the local space R of the agricultural greenhouse 100 as needed. The indoor panel 101 is a radiant mechanism with a structure similar to that of the radiant panel 5, and cools the interior of the agricultural greenhouse 100 by absorbing heat radiated from indoor installations of the agricultural greenhouse 100 such as cultivation shelves 11 and insulation sheets 7 (see arrow E in Figure 1). It can also heat the interior of the agricultural greenhouse 100 by radiating heat to indoor installations of the agricultural greenhouse 100. The specific structure of the indoor panel 101 can be exemplified as a flat plate-shaped structure with a refrigerant such as water that has been cooled or heated circulated inside, similar to the radiant panel 5. When the local air conditioning system 1 is equipped with the indoor panel 101 in this way, the interior of the agricultural greenhouse 100 is cooled or heated by the indoor panel 101. Therefore, within the agricultural greenhouse 100, the temperature outside the local space R can also be adjusted, and the energy required to bring the temperature inside the local space R to the first temperature can be reduced.

[0023] As described above, the local air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment includes a duct 3 that sets the temperature in the local space R within the cultivation shelf 11 on which the crop 31 is placed to a first temperature, and a radiation panel 5 that sets the surface temperature of the crop 31 to a second temperature. With this configuration, the surface temperature of the crop 31 becomes the second temperature regardless of the temperature outside the local space R. Thus, the local air conditioner 1 can cool or warm the crop 31 to a desired temperature without cooling or warming the entire interior of the agricultural house 100 by cooling or warming the interior of the local space R and the surface of the crop 31. Therefore, the cost required for air conditioning can be reduced compared to the case of cooling or warming the entire interior of the agricultural house 100. Further, with this configuration, during cooling, the surface temperature of the crop 31 can be made even lower than the temperature within the local space R around the crop 31 by the radiant heat from the crop 31 to the radiation panel 5. Furthermore, during heating, the surface temperature of the crop 31 can be made even higher than the temperature within the local space R around the crop 31 by the radiant heat from the radiation panel 5 to the crop 31. Therefore, it is not necessary to set the set temperature (first temperature) of the air temperature within the local space R to a second temperature suitable for photosynthesis, and thus the burden of temperature adjustment of the duct 3 can be alleviated compared to the case of adjusting the temperature of the crop 31 only by the air blown from the duct 3. As a result, the energy cost can be reduced compared to the conventional case.

[0024] Further, the local air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment includes a heat insulating sheet 7 that covers the local space R, the duct 3, and the radiation panel 5. With this configuration, the local space R is partitioned by the heat insulating sheet 7. Therefore, it becomes difficult for the heat outside the heat insulating sheet 7 to enter the local space R, and it becomes easier to adjust the temperature within the local space R. Also, the temperature within the local space R is less likely to be affected by the temperature outside the heat insulating sheet 7.

[0025] Furthermore, the local air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment is provided on the inner wall 103 of the interior of the agricultural house outside the local space R and includes a radiant indoor panel 101 that cools or warms the interior. With this configuration, the interior of the agricultural house 100 is cooled or warmed by the indoor panel 101. Therefore, within the agricultural house 100, the temperature outside the local space R can also be adjusted, and the energy required to set the temperature within the local space R to the first temperature can be reduced.

[0026] Furthermore, the local air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment includes a hinge 20 for adjusting the distance between the radiant panel 5b and the crop 31. In this configuration, the distance between the radiant panel 5b and the crop 31 can be changed by the hinge 20. Therefore, the amount of heat absorbed by the radiant panel 5b can be adjusted according to the growth stage of the crop 31.

[0027] Although the present invention has been described above based on embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and other technologies may be combined as appropriate to the extent possible. Furthermore, publicly known or well-known technologies may be combined as appropriate to the extent possible.

[0028] For example, in the embodiment described above, an agricultural greenhouse 100 was given as an example of a facility where the local air conditioning unit 1 is installed, but a plant factory may also be used.

[0029] Furthermore, although a vinyl duct is exemplified as the duct 3 in the above-described embodiment, a porous material such as a nonwoven fabric may be placed between the duct 3 and the crop 31, and air may be blown into the local space R through the pores of the porous material. In this configuration, the airflow rate and air pressure of the air blown from the duct 3 into the local space R can be made uniform.

[0030] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the lighting 13 is held by the beam 11b or girder 11c, but the lighting 13 may also be provided on the radiant panel 5a so that the radiant panel 5a directly cools the lighting 13.

[0031] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the duct 3 blows air toward the crop 31 or the lighting 13, but the air may also be blown toward the radiant panel 5a, thereby cooling or heating the air before blowing it toward the crop 31. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1: Local air conditioning system 3: Duct 5, 5a, 5b: Radiation panels 7: Insulation sheet 11:Cultivation shelf 17: Support part (adjustment means) 20: Hinge (adjustment mechanism) 31: Crops 100: Agricultural greenhouse (facility) 101: Indoor Panel 103:Inner wall R: Local space

Claims

1. A duct that is held on the cultivation shelf of a facility for cultivating crops placed on indoor cultivation shelves, and that blows air into a local space which is the space within the cultivation shelf on which the crops are placed, thereby maintaining the temperature in the local space at a predetermined first temperature, A radiant panel, which is held on the cultivation shelf and absorbs heat radiated from the crop to maintain the surface temperature of the crop at a predetermined second temperature, Equipped with, The first temperature is the temperature between the second temperature and the indoor temperature outside the local space. A local air conditioning system characterized by the following features.

2. The duct maintains the temperature within the local space at a first temperature which is lower than the indoor temperature outside the local space. The radiant panel maintains the surface temperature of the crop at a second temperature which is lower than the first temperature which is the temperature within the local space. A local air conditioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that...

3. The local space, the duct, and the heat insulating sheet covering the radiant panel are provided. A local air conditioning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that...

4. The facility is provided with radiant indoor panels installed on the interior walls of the indoor area outside the local space, for cooling or heating the indoor area. A local air conditioning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that...

5. The system includes an adjustment means for adjusting the distance between the radiant panel and the crop. A local air conditioning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that...

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