Plant cultivation equipment

Abstract

To provide improved, novel plant cultivation equipment. [Solution] The plant cultivation equipment comprises an endless circumferential member that moves in a circular path, having, for example, a first section that moves substantially linearly along the lateral direction, a second section that moves substantially linearly along the lateral direction at a position above and overlapping with the first section, and two third sections that move while curving outward between the first and second sections; a plurality of movable shelves that each support or hold a plant cultivation container, are attached to the circumferential member via connecting parts at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the circumferential member, and move along with the circumferential member while maintaining the cultivation container in a substantially constant position; and a gas supply unit that supplies gas to the plants held in the cultivation containers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to plant cultivation equipment.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a plant cultivation facility in which an operator can perform work at the same position for each shelf by transporting a shelf for cultivating plants along a path that circulates around the shelf (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In this type of plant cultivation equipment, for example, it would be beneficial if pollination of plants could be performed more easily or more reliably.

[0005] Therefore, one of the problems of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved plant cultivation equipment that enables, for example, easier or more reliable pollination of plants.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The plant cultivation equipment of the present invention comprises, for example, an endless circumferential member that moves in a circular path having a first section that moves substantially linearly along the lateral direction, a second section that moves substantially linearly along the lateral direction at a position above and overlapping with the first section, and two third sections that move while curving outward between the first section and the second section; a plurality of movable shelves that each support or hold a plant cultivation container, are attached to the circumferential member via connecting parts at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the circumferential member, and move along the circumferential member while maintaining the cultivation container in a substantially constant position; and a gas supply unit that supplies gas to the plants held in the cultivation containers. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an illustrative and schematic side view showing the general configuration of the plant cultivation equipment according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exemplary and schematic cross-sectional view intersecting the longitudinal direction of a movable shelf included in the plant cultivation equipment of the embodiment, and shows the position where the gas nozzle is provided. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exemplary and schematic cross-sectional view along the longitudinal direction of a movable shelf included in the plant cultivation equipment of the embodiment, showing the position where the gas nozzle is provided. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an exemplary and schematic cross-sectional view intersecting the longitudinal direction of a movable shelf included in the plant cultivation equipment of the embodiment, and shows the position where the gas nozzle of the first modified example is provided. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an exemplary and schematic cross-sectional view intersecting the longitudinal direction of a movable shelf included in the plant cultivation equipment of the embodiment, and shows the position where the gas nozzle of the second modified example is provided. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The following describes exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The configurations of the embodiments and modifications shown below, as well as the functions and results (effects) obtained from such configurations, are examples only. The present invention can also be realized by configurations other than those disclosed in the following embodiments and modifications. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain at least one of the various effects (including derived effects) that can be obtained by the following configurations.

[0009] In each diagram, the X and Y directions are roughly aligned with the horizontal direction and can also be called the transverse direction. The X direction can also be called the longitudinal direction, and the Y direction can also be called the width direction. The Z direction is roughly aligned vertically upward and can also be called the upward direction, vertical direction, or height direction. The opposite direction of the Z direction can also be called the downward direction.

[0010] The embodiments and modifications disclosed below achieve similar functions and effects through similar configurations. Such similar configurations are denoted by common reference numerals, and redundant descriptions may be omitted.

[0011] [Embodiment] Figure 1 is a side view showing a plant cultivation facility 100 according to an embodiment. The plant cultivation facility 100 includes a chain 10, a rail 20, a plurality of connecting parts 30, a plurality of movable shelves 40, a lighting device 50, a gutter 63, a liquid supply pipe 64, and a gas supply mechanism 70.

[0012] [Conveying mechanism] The chain 10 extends substantially along a virtual plane intersecting the Y direction and is an endless member that circulates in a circumferential path having an elongated oval shape in the X direction when viewed from the side in the opposite direction to the Y direction, as shown in Figure 1. The chain 10 is wound around two rotating bodies (not shown), such as sprockets, that are spaced apart in the X direction, and circulates along the elongated oval trajectory as either of the rotating bodies rotates. In this embodiment, the chain 10 circulates mainly in a clockwise direction from the viewpoint in Figure 1, but it may circulate in a counterclockwise direction, or it may rotate alternately in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The chain 10 is an example of a circumferential member.

[0013] The chain 10 has a first section D1, a second section D2, and two third sections D31 and D32. The first section D1 extends in a linear segment shape substantially along the X direction, and is the section in which the chain 10 moves linearly in the opposite direction to the X direction. The second section D2 extends in a linear segment shape substantially along the X direction, and is the section in which the chain 10 moves linearly in the X direction. The second section D2 is approximately the same length as the first section D1 and is approximately parallel to it, and is separated from the first section D1 by a predetermined distance above it.

[0014] The third sections D31 and D32 are both curved outward in a convex shape, forming the curved portion of the oval-shaped chain 10. The third section D31 is adjacent to the first section D1 and the second section D2 in the X direction and has a shape that is convex in the X direction. The third section D32 is adjacent to the first section D1 and the second section D2 in the opposite direction of the X direction and has a shape that is convex in the opposite direction of the X direction. When the chain 10 rotates clockwise, the third section D31 is the section in which the chain 10 moves from the first section D1 to the second section D2, and the third section D32 is the section in which the chain 10 moves from the second section D2 to the first section D1.

[0015] Multiple connecting parts 30 are attached to the chain 10 at predetermined intervals along its longitudinal direction, for example, at approximately constant intervals. The connecting parts 30 are interposed between the chain 10 and the movable shelf 40 and are the parts that connect the chain 10 and the movable shelf 40. The connecting parts 30 have, for example, multiple members that are rotatably connected to each other. Note that the spacing of the connecting parts 30 on the chain 10 does not have to be constant.

[0016] The rail 20 also extends substantially along a virtual plane intersecting the Y direction, is arranged side by side with the chain 10 in the Z direction, and has an oval shape that is long in the X direction in the side view of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, as an example, the rail 20 is arranged so as to surround the chain 10 as shown in FIG. 1. Further, the rail 20 has, for example, a channel shape extending with a substantially C-shaped cross section, and guides the connecting portion 30 movably. That is, the rail 20 constitutes an oval moving path (orbit) along which the connecting portion 30 moves. Note that the sizes and relative positions of the chain 10 and the rail 20 are not limited to the example of FIG. 1.

[0017] The plant cultivation facility 100 includes two assemblies each having the chain 10, the rail 20, and a plurality of connecting portions 30 shown in FIG. 1, and the two assemblies are provided parallel to each other with a gap in the Y direction. Hereinafter, the chain 10, the rail 20, and the connecting portion 30 located on the left side when viewed in the X direction are simply referred to as the left chain 10, rail 20, and connecting portion 30, and the chain 10, rail 20, and connecting portion 30 located on the right side when viewed in the X direction are simply referred to as the right chain 10, rail 20, and connecting portion 30.

[0018] [Moving shelf (cultivation container)] The moving shelf 40 is supported by the two connecting portions 30 so as to be bridged between two connecting portions 30 separated from each other in the Y direction, that is, between the left and right connecting portions 30. That is, the moving shelf 40 is connected to two chains 10 that rotate synchronously with each other via the two connecting portions 30. Further, in this embodiment, the moving shelf 40 is configured as the cultivation container itself of the plant P. That is, the moving shelf 40 is an example of the cultivation container. However, it is not limited thereto, and the cultivation container may be configured separately from the moving shelf 40 and held by the moving shelf 40.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view intersecting the Y direction of the moving shelf 40, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view intersecting the X direction of the moving shelf 40. Note that FIGS. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views at the position where the gas nozzle 71A of the gas supply mechanism 70 is provided.

[0020] The moving shelf 40 is connected to the connection parts 30 (not shown in FIG. 3) on both the left and right sides (a pair) in FIG. 3. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the moving shelf 40 has an overall appearance of a rectangular parallelepiped that extends long in the Y direction. That is, the longitudinal direction of the moving shelf 40 is the Y direction. The moving shelf 40 is provided with a recess 40a that is open upward, and solids such as soil for planting the plant P and solid fertilizers, and liquids such as water and liquid fertilizers are accommodated in the recess 40a. The recess 40a may also be referred to as a storage part. The cultivation method of the plant P may be soil cultivation or hydroponics.

[0021] The chain 10, the rail 20, and the plurality of connection parts 30 are configured to move while maintaining the posture shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, that is, the moving shelf 40 extends substantially along the Y direction, the opening end 40a1 of the recess 40a is substantially along a horizontal plane, and the recess 40a opens upward. The plurality of moving shelves 40 are conveyed in a posture substantially parallel to each other.

[0022] [Lighting device] The lighting device 50 (51, 52) shown in FIG. 1 irradiates the plant P held on the moving shelf 40 with cultivation light. As the cultivation light, light in a wavelength band suitable for the growth of the plant P can be adopted. The lighting device 50 has a support member 50a and a plurality of LED units 50b. The support member 50a has a plate-like shape that intersects the Z direction and extends in the X direction with a predetermined thickness in the Z direction and a predetermined width in the Y direction. Each of the LED units 50b has a rod-like shape that extends in the Y direction with a predetermined height in the Z direction and a predetermined width in the X direction. Each of the LED units 50b includes LED elements arranged at a predetermined interval, for example, at a constant interval in the Y direction. And the plurality of LED units 50b are arranged at a predetermined interval, for example, at a constant interval in the X direction. The LED unit 50b may also be referred to as a light-emitting unit, and the LED element may also be referred to as a light-emitting element.

[0023] The lighting device 50 includes a lower lighting device 51 and an upper lighting device 52. Lighting device 51 faces the upper part of the movable shelf 40 at a distance while the connecting part 30 and the movable shelf 40 move along the first section D1, and irradiates the plants P held on the movable shelf 40 with cultivation light. On the other hand, lighting device 52 faces the upper part of the movable shelf 40 at a distance while the connecting part 30 and the movable shelf 40 move along the second section D2, and irradiates the plants P held on the movable shelf 40 with cultivation light. Lighting device 51 is an example of a first lighting device, and lighting device 52 is an example of a second lighting device.

[0024] With this configuration, for example, compared to a configuration in which only one of the lighting devices 51 and 52 is provided, the time for irradiating with cultivation light can be extended. In other words, the proportion of the section in the path along which the mobile shelf 40 moves that can be irradiated with cultivation light can be increased. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the growth of plants P can be further promoted. Furthermore, compared to a configuration in which only one of the lighting devices 51 and 52 is provided, for example, it becomes easier to suppress variations in the total irradiation time for each mobile shelf 40, and consequently, variations in the growth of plants P for each mobile shelf 40 can be suppressed.

[0025] Furthermore, if the lighting device 52 is not provided and the plants P moving along the second section D2 are irradiated with sunlight, it becomes difficult to make the irradiation conditions the same for sunlight and cultivation light from the lighting device 51. Also, in this configuration, at night or during the day when it is not sunny, it becomes impossible to irradiate the plants P held on the movable shelves 40 moving along the second section D2 with sunlight. As a result, the irradiation conditions of the light irradiated to the plants P on each movable shelf 40 tend to vary, and there is a risk that it will become difficult to manage the intensity and duration of the light irradiated to the plants P in order to suppress such variations. In this regard, according to this embodiment, by irradiating both the movable shelves 40 moving substantially along the first section D1 and the movable shelves 40 moving substantially along the second section D2 with cultivation light from the lighting devices 51 and 52, it is possible to suppress variations in the irradiation state of cultivation light for each movable shelf 40.

[0026] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 1, in this embodiment, with the connecting section 30 stopped approximately midway through the third section D32 and the movable shelf 40 stopped at position Pm2, the worker W can perform maintenance on the plants P held on the movable shelf 40 or on the movable shelf 40 itself, such as maintenance of the plants P during their growth or harvesting. Alternatively, the worker W may perform the work with the connecting section 30 stopped approximately midway through the third section D31 and the movable shelf 40 stopped at position Pm1, or may perform the work at both positions Pm1 and Pm2.

[0027] Here, as shown in Figure 1, the length of the lighting device 52 in the X direction, i.e., in the direction of movement of the movable shelf 40, is shorter than that of the lighting device 51. Specifically, the lighting device 52 is configured not to be located above the fourth section D4 (D41, D42) near the ends on both sides of the second section D2 in the X direction.

[0028] [Water supply and drainage mechanism] As shown in Figure 2, a groove 40c is provided in the approximate center of the bottom 40b of the recess 40a in the X direction, recessed in the opposite direction to the Z direction (downward) and open in the Z direction (upward). The groove 40c has the cross-sectional shape shown in Figure 2 and extends in the Y direction as shown in Figure 3. The groove 40c is also slightly inclined downward in the Y direction. A drain port 40d is provided near the lower end of the groove 40c, i.e., the end in the Y direction. The drain port 40d is sealed by a drain plug 61 that can be opened and closed. The drain port 40d is provided at the lower end of the groove 40c, but the lower end of the groove 40c is not limited to the end in the Y direction, and may be provided at the end of the bottom 40b in the opposite direction to the Y direction, or at an intermediate position in the Y direction of the bottom 40b. Alternatively, instead of a groove 40c, the bottom 40b may be provided with a valley that extends in the Y direction and is recessed in a V-shape or U-shape overall in a cross-section viewed in the Y direction, as shown in Figure 2. In this case, the valley is provided with a slope that goes downward along the Y direction as it approaches a single point in that Y direction, and the drain port 40d is provided at that single point in the valley (i.e., the lower end of the valley).

[0029] The drain plug 61 is provided with an operating part 61d, such as a wire or handle, for the operator W to open and close the drain port 40d. By using their hands or tools to lift the drain plug 61 upward via the operating part 61d, the operator W can open the drain port 40d and discharge the liquid in the recess 40a through the groove 40c and the drain port 40d.

[0030] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, a filter 62, such as a mesh filter, is provided within the recess 40a to cover the groove 40c. The filter 62 allows liquids and solids smaller than the mesh size to pass through, but prevents solids larger than the mesh size from passing through. Therefore, even if solids such as soil or stones are contained within the recess 40a, these solids can be retained on the filter 62, i.e., within the recess 40a.

[0031] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the drain plug 61 has a configuration that allows the liquid level L in the recess 40a to be set. Specifically, in the example in Figure 3, the drain plug 61 is provided with a cavity 61a extending in the vertical direction, and an inlet 61b is provided in the side wall constituting the cavity 61a, penetrating the side wall, and an outlet 61c is provided at the lower end of the cavity 61a. The inlet 61b is provided at a position above the outlet 61c. In addition, one or more inlets 61b are provided, and if two or more are provided, they are provided so that the positions of their lower ends in the Z direction are approximately the same. With this configuration, when the drain port 40d is closed, liquid present above the lower end of the inlet 61b enters the cavity 61a from the inlet 61b and is discharged outside the movable shelf 40 from the outlet 61c. Therefore, the liquid level L in the recess 40a is maintained at the position of the lower end of the inlet 41b. In other words, the liquid level L (maximum liquid level) in the recess 40a is determined by the position in the Z direction of the lower end of the inlet 41b when the drain plug 61 is installed, that is, when the drain plug 61 is blocking the drain port 40d. That is, as described above, the drain plug 61 functions as a manual draining mechanism, as well as an automatic draining mechanism that discharges liquid when it exceeds a predetermined liquid level L. In this configuration, multiple drain plugs 61 with different Z-direction positions (height positions) of the inlet 41b are prepared and installed interchangeably, thereby changing, or adjusting, the liquid level L in the recess 40a as needed.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the liquid supply pipe 64 is positioned above the fourth section D4 (D41) near one end of the second section D2 in the longitudinal direction (X direction). The supply and cessation of liquid from the liquid supply pipe 64 are switched according to the operation of a manual valve by the operator W or the operation of a switch that controls the opening and closing of an electric valve. The opening and closing of the electric valve may be controlled by a computer. The electric valve is, for example, a valve having an electromagnetic solenoid that opens and closes the valve body. The liquid supply pipe 64 may also be positioned above the fourth section D4 (D42) near the other end of the second section D2 in the longitudinal direction (opposite direction to the X direction).

[0033] As described above, the lighting device 52 is not provided above the fourth section D4. In other words, the liquid supply pipe 64 is provided in a location where the lighting device 52 is not provided. With this configuration, the lighting device 52 and the liquid supply pipe 64 can be arranged more efficiently in the plant cultivation facility 100. In addition, since the liquid supply pipe 64 and the lighting device 52 can be arranged at a distance from each other in the X direction, it is possible to avoid adverse effects on the lighting device 52 if the liquid discharged from the liquid supply pipe 64 splashes or scatters around. In this case, from the viewpoint of preventing liquid from getting on the lighting device 52, it is preferable that the liquid supply pipe 64 be provided on the side of the movable shelf 40 that is further from the lighting device 52 than the center in the X direction, when the movable shelf 40 is in the position where the liquid is supplied by the liquid supply pipe 64.

[0034] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the plant cultivation equipment 100 is provided with a liquid recovery structure, such as a trough 63, that extends in the X direction at a distance from the bottom surface of the movable shelf 40 that moves along the first section D1 and the bottom surface of the movable shelf 40 that moves along the second section D2, in the opposite direction to the Z direction. Liquid discharged from the drain port 40d due to overflow of the supply liquid or shaking of the movable shelf 40 is collected via the trough 63 and guided to a predetermined drain pipe, etc., via a drain pipe, etc. (not shown).

[0035] The drain plug 61 is provided so as to be detachable from the drain port 40d when, for example, the movable shelf 40 is positioned on the gutter 63, specifically when the connection part 30 is stopped in the fourth section D4. Specifically, for example, the drain plug 61 is provided with the aforementioned operating part 61d, and the plant cultivation equipment 100 is provided with space to allow the worker W to open and close the drain plug 61 using the operating part 61d. The drain plug 61 may also be provided so as to be detachable from the drain port 40d when, for example, the movable shelf 40 is stopped at position Pm2 or Pm1.

[0036] [Gas supply mechanism] The gas supply mechanism 70 shown in Figure 1 supplies gas G to plants P held on the movable shelf 40. By supplying gas G, pollination of plants P can be promoted. Gas G can be, for example, carbon dioxide, air, or nitrogen. Pollination using only pollinators such as bees, flies, butterflies, and moths can be difficult to handle, time-consuming and costly, and may result in unstable pollination. In this respect, pollination by supplying gas G has the advantage of reducing the time and cost required for pollination by pollinators, and the timing of gas G supply, supply time (length), discharge flow rate, and supply direction can be arbitrarily set, thereby increasing the certainty of pollination. The specifications such as the timing of gas G supply, supply time, discharge flow rate, and supply direction can be appropriately set according to the type, number, and arrangement of plants P.

[0037] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the gas supply mechanism 70 includes a gas nozzle 71A and a gas pipe 72. The gas nozzle 71A extends in the Y direction with a substantially constant width in the X direction and supplies gas G to the plant P from above. An outlet 71a for discharging gas G is provided on the surface of the end of the gas nozzle 71A opposite to the Z direction, i.e., the lower surface. On the lower surface of the gas nozzle 71A, the outlet 71a is provided in a range that extends in the Y direction when viewed in the Z direction. Specifically, the outlet 71a may have a slit-like shape that extends in the Y direction with a substantially constant width in the X direction, or it may be a plurality of small holes provided at predetermined intervals in the Y direction. With this configuration, a wider range of gas G supply to the plant P can be secured in the Y direction. The gas nozzle 71A is an example of a gas supply unit.

[0038] As shown in Figure 1, the gas nozzle 71A is positioned above the central part of the second section D2 in the X direction (position C in Figure 1) relative to the end of the second section D2 in the X direction or the opposite direction of the X direction. With this configuration, when the pump or compressor, which serves as the gas G supply source, is positioned offset from the chain 10 and rail 20 in the X direction or the opposite direction of the X direction, the length of the gas piping 72 between the gas G supply source and the gas nozzle 71A can be shortened. If the gas G supply source is positioned adjacent to the chain 10 and rail 20 in the Y direction or the opposite direction of the Y direction, the overall width of the plant cultivation equipment 100 in the Y direction increases, and when multiple plant cultivation equipment 100 are installed side by side in the Y direction, the installation area becomes larger. In this regard, according to this configuration, by arranging the gas supply source G offset from the chain 10 and rail 20 in the X direction or the opposite direction of the X direction, it is possible to avoid increasing the width of the plant cultivation equipment 100 in the Y direction, while also shortening the length of the gas piping 72 between the gas supply source G and the gas nozzle 71A. Shortening the gas piping 72 makes it easier to avoid interference between the gas piping 72 and other parts, and also reduces the effort and cost required to install the gas piping 72. The gas supply mechanism 70 may also include a gas nozzle 71B located above the third sections D31 and D32. The same effect can be obtained with the gas nozzle 71B.

[0039] Furthermore, the gas nozzle 71A is located above the fourth section D4. In other words, the gas nozzle 71A is located in a place where the lighting device 50 is not installed. With this configuration, the gas nozzle 71A and the lighting device 52 can be arranged more efficiently in the plant cultivation facility 100 while avoiding interference with each other.

[0040] The supply of gas G may be performed while the movable shelf 40 is moving, as shown in Figure 2. With this configuration, even with a gas nozzle 71A that is narrower in the X direction, a wider supply range of gas G to the plants P can be secured in the X direction. In other words, the gas nozzle 71A can be made more compact.

[0041] Furthermore, when supplying gas G, the movable shelf 40 may be moved not only in the normal direction of movement (opposite direction to the X direction) but also in the opposite direction to the normal direction of movement (X direction). In other words, the gas nozzle 71A may supply gas G in both the state when the movable shelf 40 is moving in the opposite direction to the X direction and the state when it is moving in the X direction. With this configuration, the gas G can hit the plant P from more directions, thereby further promoting pollination of the plant P.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the gas G may be supplied while moving the gas nozzle 71A in the X direction or the opposite direction of the X direction, that is, while changing the discharge position. This configuration also allows the gas G to hit the plant P from more directions, thereby further promoting pollination of the plant P.

[0043] As described above, in this embodiment, gas G is supplied from the gas nozzle 71A (gas supply unit) to the plant P. With this configuration, the supply of gas G can promote pollination of the plant P, so, for example, compared to pollination by pollinators alone, it is possible to achieve more reliable pollination and reduce the effort and cost required for pollination.

[0044] [First modified example of a gas nozzle] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the same movable shelf 40 as in Figure 2, and includes the gas nozzle 71C of the first modified example. The gas nozzle 71C of this modified example is oscillated around a central axis Ax extending in the Y direction by an oscillating mechanism 73. The oscillating mechanism 73 oscillates the gas nozzle 71C between a first position P1 and a second position P2. The first position P1 is a position tilted at a predetermined angle clockwise around the central axis Ax with respect to the central position Pc when viewed in the opposite direction of the Y direction. The second position P2 is a position tilted at a predetermined angle counterclockwise around the central axis Ax with respect to the central position Pc. With this configuration, as the discharge direction changes over time, the gas G hits the plant P from more directions, thereby further promoting pollination of the plant P.

[0045] [Second variation of the gas nozzle] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the same movable shelf 40 as in Figure 2, and includes a gas nozzle 71D of the second modified example. The gas nozzle 71D of this modified example has a louver 71b that swings around a central axis extending in the Y direction, thereby enabling a change in the discharge direction over time, similar to that in Figure 4. With this configuration as well, the change in the discharge direction over time allows the gas G to hit the plant P from more directions, thereby further promoting pollination of the plant P. The louver 71b is an example of a movable part that can change the discharge position or discharge direction of the gas G.

[0046] Although embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated above, these embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, combinations, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, each configuration and specification (structure, type, orientation, model, size, length, width, thickness, height, number, arrangement, position, material, etc.) can be modified as appropriate.

[0047] For example, pollination by gas supply may be used in combination with other methods of pollination, such as pollination by a pollinator, by varying the timing of the implementation. Furthermore, at least one of the gas supply unit and the movable part provided in the gas supply unit may reciprocate linearly not only in the X direction, but also in directions such as the Y direction, Z direction, or directions obliquely intersecting those directions. Also, the pivot axis of at least one of the gas supply unit and the movable part may extend in a direction other than the Y direction, such as the X direction, Z direction, or directions obliquely intersecting those directions. Furthermore, at least one of the gas supply unit and the movable part may rotate around a central axis extending in various directions. In the case of a configuration in which the gas supply unit rotates, a rotating seal is provided at the connection between the gas supply unit and the piping or between pipes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 10…Chain (circular component) 20... Rails 30…Connection part 40… Mobile shelves (cultivation containers) 40a…recess 40a1…Open end 40b…Bottom 40c…Groove 40d...Drain port 41b,61b…Inlet 50…Lighting devices 50a...Support member 50b…LED unit 51...Lighting device (first lighting device) 52...Lighting device (second lighting device) 61...Drain plug 61a…Cavity 61c…Discharge port 61d...Operation unit 62…filter 63… Gutter 64…Liquid supply pipe (liquid supply mechanism) 70…Gas supply mechanism 71A, 71B, 71C, 71D... Gas nozzle (gas supply unit) 71a...Discharge port 71b...Louver (movable part) 72...Gas piping 73... Oscillating mechanism 100…Plant cultivation equipment Ax…center axis D1...First section D2...Second section D31, D32... Third section D, D41, D42... Fourth section G... Gas L…Liquid level P...plant P1…first position P2…Second position Pc…Center position Pm1,Pm2…Position W...Worker

Claims

1. An endless circumferential member that moves in a circular path having a first section that moves substantially linearly along the lateral direction, a second section that moves substantially linearly along the lateral direction at a position above and overlapping with the first section, and two third sections that move while curving outward between the first section and the second section, Each of the following movable shelves supports or holds a plant cultivation container, and is attached to the circumferential member via connecting parts at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the circumferential member, and moves along with the rotation of the circumferential member while maintaining the cultivation container in a substantially constant position, A gas supply unit that supplies gas to the plants held in the cultivation container, Plant cultivation equipment equipped with these features.

2. The plant cultivation equipment according to claim 1, wherein the gas supply unit has a discharge port for discharging the gas, and the discharge port is provided in a range that extends in a direction intersecting the direction of movement of the movable shelf when viewed in the vertical direction.

3. The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gas supply unit supplies gas while the movable shelf is moving.

4. The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the gas supply unit supplies gas in both the state in which the movable shelf moves in the first direction and the state in which the movable shelf moves in the opposite direction to the first direction.

5. The plant cultivation equipment according to claim 1, wherein the gas supply unit is provided at a position closer to the lateral end of the second section than the lateral center of the second section, or at a position above the third section.

6. The plant cultivation equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the gas supply unit supplies gas while changing the gas discharge position or discharge direction.

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