Irrigation device for cultivating seedlings and irrigation method for cultivating seedlings

Abstract

To provide an irrigation device for cultivating seedlings that can flexibly accommodate an increase or decrease in the number of cultivation tanks by shifting the timing of liquid supply to prevent an instantaneous increase in power and suppress a sudden change in the amount of liquid in the tank. [Solution] The irrigation device 1 for cultivating seedlings comprises cultivation tanks 2a-2c, a tank 3 for storing water or water 31 with dissolved fertilizer components, a control unit 8, and liquid supply means 4a-4c, and the control unit 8 repeatedly supplies liquid from the tank 3 to the cultivation tanks 2a-2c under set conditions in which the liquid supply start times for each of the cultivation tanks 2a-2c are different.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an irrigation device and an irrigation method for cultivating seedlings of plants. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a method for cultivating vegetables and the like using a tank and a liquid supplying means is known (Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5763282). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5763282 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If it becomes possible to expand or reduce the scale of seedling cultivation while avoiding large-scale capital investment, a flexible production form can be adopted. By using only one tank, water composition adjustment and water quality management can be centrally managed. Standardized products can be used for the cultivation tanks and the seedling cultivation trays placed in the cultivation tanks. On the other hand, as the number of cultivation tanks increases, the piping routes become more complex, making it difficult to adjust the liquid supply. As a solution, a configuration in which multiple liquid supply means are installed is considered. However, if the liquid supply timings overlap, the instantaneous power increases and the amount of liquid in the tank decreases dramatically. As a result, a new challenge arises in that the tank capacity must be secured to accommodate the maximum amount of liquid while securing the power supply capacity corresponding to the peak value of the instantaneous power. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide an irrigation device for growing seedlings that can flexibly respond to an increase or decrease in the number of cultivation tanks by shifting the timing of liquid supply to prevent an increase in instantaneous power consumption and suppress sudden changes in the amount of liquid in the tank.

[0006] The seedling irrigation device according to the present invention includes a plurality of cultivation tanks, a tank for storing water or water containing dissolved fertilizer components, a control unit, and a plurality of liquid supplying means. and a number of drainage means corresponding to the number of said liquid supply means. The control unit controls the liquid supply start time of each of the cultivation tanks from the tank to the cultivation tanks under a set condition in which the liquid supply start time of each of the cultivation tanks is different. each Supplying fluid to and drainage from each of the cultivation tanks to the tank; Repeat The control unit controls the liquid supply timing for supplying electricity to each of the liquid supply means and the liquid drainage timing for supplying electricity to each of the liquid drainage means to be different from each other. It is characterized by:

[0007] This configuration can prevent an instantaneous increase in power consumption even if the equipment load increases due to an increase in the number of cultivation tanks. Furthermore, it can suppress changes in the amount of liquid in the tank. In other words, it can flexibly respond to an increase or decrease in the number of cultivation tanks.

[0008] As an example, the control unit has an input unit for inputting base data on which the set conditions are based, and a status display unit for displaying an error when the base data does not match the set conditions, and starts the liquid supply in a state where no error is displayed. In other words, base data is input according to the type, growth level, and environment of the plant, and liquid supply is performed in a state where the base data matches the set conditions, so that a flexible production form can be adopted according to the type, growth level, and environment of the plant.

[0009] As an example The liquid supply means is a liquid supply pump, and the liquid drainage means is a liquid drainage pump, The water level is set in the cultivation tank. Upper and lower limit positions Detect Possible water level Sensors The control unit is Sensors Based on the water level detection signal from Water Level Control to When the water level sensor reaches a set upper limit value, the supply of liquid by the liquid supply pump is stopped, and when the water level sensor reaches a set lower limit value, the drainage of liquid by the liquid drainage pump is stopped. This configuration allows simple and reliable control of the water level in each cultivation tank.

[0010] As an example, this configuration controls the supply of liquid by linking the water level detection means with the liquid supply means. This configuration allows for early detection of process abnormalities such as dry running and clogging of drainage holes, making it a configuration with excellent maintainability. As an example, this configuration supplies liquid in order starting from the cultivation tank that requires the most water. This configuration allows for a rapid supply of water when the amount of water consumed in the tank becomes excessive.

[0011] As an example, this configuration includes drainage means in a number corresponding to the liquid supply means, and the control unit repeatedly drains liquid from the cultivation tanks to the tank under the set conditions in which the drainage start time for each cultivation tank is different. With this configuration, the equipment load can be minimized by alternately operating the liquid supply means and the liquid drainage means one by one.

[0012] The liquid supplying means may be a liquid supply pump or an electromagnetic valve. The liquid supplying means may be a device capable of opening and closing a water supply pipe or a water supply port by controlling current flow. The water level detecting means may be a water level sensor or a float switch. The water level detecting means may be a device capable of detecting an upper limit position or a lower limit position of the water level and sending an electric signal to the control unit. The liquid draining means may be a liquid draining pump or an electromagnetic valve. The liquid draining means may be a device capable of opening and closing a drain pipe or a drain hole by controlling current flow.

[0013] The seedling irrigation method according to the present invention includes a plurality of cultivation tanks, a tank for storing water or water containing dissolved fertilizer components, a control unit, and a plurality of liquid supplying means. and a number of drainage means corresponding to the number of said liquid supply means. The control unit controls the supply of liquid from the tank to each of the cultivation tanks under a set condition in which the liquid supply start time of each of the cultivation tanks is different. and drainage from each of the cultivation tanks to the tank; Repeat In the seedling irrigation method, the control unit controls the liquid supply timing of each of the liquid supply means and the liquid drainage timing of each of the liquid drainage means to be different from each other. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, the scale of seedling cultivation can be expanded or reduced without requiring large-scale capital investment or infrastructure development, thereby enabling flexible response to market demands. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a seedling growing irrigation device according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the control panel in FIG. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 is a schematic flow chart illustrating an example of a control procedure in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic timing chart illustrating an example of the operation of the pump in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic timing diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the pump in FIG. 4 over an extended period of time. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic timing chart showing another example of the operation of the pump of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a seedling cultivation irrigation device 1 according to this embodiment. In the example of FIG. 1, the configuration is such that one tank 3 and one control unit 8 control the circulation of water or water 31 in which fertilizer components are dissolved, for three cultivation tanks 2a to 2c. In addition to the above configuration, for example, there may be two cultivation tanks, or there may be four or more cultivation tanks. In all the drawings for explaining the embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for members having the same functions, and repeated explanations may be omitted.

[0017] In the seedling cultivation irrigation device 1, a mat 2h with a plurality of drainage holes is arranged in each of the cultivation tanks 2a to 2c, and seedling cultivation trays 9a to 9c are arranged on the mats 2h. The seedling cultivation trays 9a to 9c are multi-cavity containers, and commercially available products can be used. As an example, the seedling cultivation trays 9a to 9c are 300 mm wide, 400 mm long, and 150 mL in capacity, and have 5 x 8 cavities formed integrally in a matrix shape. A medium and a seedling 32 are arranged in each cavity of the seedling cultivation trays 9a to 9c. The seedling cultivation irrigation device 1 is configured to irrigate the seedlings 32 in the seedling cultivation trays 9a to 9c from the bottom. The medium can be soil or rock wool, or a mixture thereof, or other known medium. The seedlings 32 can be trees, fruit trees, flower trees, vegetables, or other known cultivated seedlings.

[0018] The cultivation tank 2a is provided with a water level sensor 7a capable of detecting the upper limit and lower limit positions of the water level. The cultivation tank 2b is provided with a water level sensor 7b capable of detecting the upper limit and lower limit positions of the water level. The cultivation tank 2c is provided with a water level sensor 7c capable of detecting the upper limit and lower limit positions of the water level. Here, the water level sensors 7a to 7c are configured to be able to change the upper limit and lower limit positions of the water level, respectively.

[0019] The control unit 8 performs circulation control to repeatedly supply liquid from the tank 3 to the cultivation tanks 2a-2c and drain the liquid from the cultivation tanks 2a-2c to the tank 3. As an example, the control unit 8 supplies water 31 to the cultivation tanks 2a-2c, and stops the supply of water 31 when the water level sensors 7a-7c reach a set upper limit. After that, the irrigation state is maintained for a certain period of time, and when a specified time has passed, the water 31 is drained from the cultivation tanks 2a-2c, and the discharge of water 31 is stopped when the water level sensors 7a-7c reach a set lower limit.

[0020] The seedling irrigation device 1 has a tank 3 that stores water or water 31 with dissolved fertilizer components. The seedling irrigation device 1 has a liquid supply pump 4a and a liquid supply pipe 12a, a liquid supply pump 4b and a liquid supply pipe 12b, and a liquid supply pump 4c and a liquid supply pipe 12c. The seedling irrigation device 1 has a filter 5a, a drainage pump 6a and a liquid supply pipe 11a, a filter 5b, a drainage pump 6b and a liquid supply pipe 11b, and a filter 5c, a drainage pump 6c and a liquid supply pipe 11c.

[0021] As an example, the control unit 8 is attached to the side surface of the tank 3. As an example, the control unit 8 has a CPU formed of a one-chip microcomputer, a liquid crystal display panel, a power supply circuit, and various switches.

[0022] 2, the control panel 8a in the control unit 8 has an input unit 21, a setting display unit 22, and a status display unit 23. As an example, the input unit 21 has a setting button 21a, an up change button 21b, a down change button 21c, and a confirmation button 21d.

[0023] As an example, the setting display unit 22 has a start time display screen 22a for the cultivation tank 2a, a liquid supply time screen 22b for the cultivation tank 2a, and a liquid supply interval screen 22c for the cultivation tank 2a. As an example, the setting display unit 22 has a start time display screen 22d for the cultivation tank 2b, a liquid supply time screen 22e for the cultivation tank 2b, and a liquid supply interval screen 22f for the cultivation tank 2b. As an example, the setting display unit 22 has a start time display screen 22g for the cultivation tank 2c, a liquid supply time screen 22h for the cultivation tank 2c, and a liquid supply interval screen 22i for the cultivation tank 2c.

[0024] As an example, the status display unit 23 has a liquid supply lamp 23a for the cultivation tank 2a, a drain lamp 23b for the cultivation tank 2a, and a seedling raising lamp 23c for the cultivation tank 2a. As an example, the status display unit 23 has a liquid supply lamp 23d for the cultivation tank 2b, a drain lamp 23e for the cultivation tank 2b, and a seedling raising lamp 23f for the cultivation tank 2b. As an example, the status display unit 23 has a liquid supply lamp 23g for the cultivation tank 2c, a drain lamp 23h for the cultivation tank 2c, a seedling raising lamp 23i for the cultivation tank 2c, and an abnormality lamp 23k.

[0025] The seedling growing irrigation device 1 is configured such that the control unit 8 performs circulation control according to set conditions in which the start times of supplying the liquid discharged from the liquid supply pumps 4a to 4c are made different for the cultivation tanks 2a, 2b, and 2c.

[0026] Fig. 3 is a schematic flow chart showing an example of a control procedure in the seedling growing irrigation device 1. In step S1 of Fig. 3, an operator turns on a main power supply (not shown) of the seedling growing irrigation device 1 and inputs basic data on which the setting conditions are based.

[0027] As an example, when the setting button 21a is pressed, the start time display screen 22a for the cultivation tank 2a flashes, so the user presses the up change button 21b or the down change button 21c as appropriate to set the start time, and then presses the confirm button 21d. When the confirm button 21d is pressed, the start time display screen 22d for the cultivation tank 2b flashes next. When the user sets the cultivation tank 2c in the same manner and presses the confirm button 21d, the process transitions to step S2.

[0028] 3, the control unit 8 judges whether the setting conditions are appropriate. If the control unit 8 judges that the input base data does not match the setting conditions, the process proceeds to step S2A.

[0029] 3, the control unit 8 turns on or blinks the abnormal lamp 23k to display an error. Since the abnormal lamp 23k turns on or blinks, the operator presses the up change button 21b, the down change button 21c, or the like as appropriate to re-input the base data on which the setting conditions are based. Then, if the control unit 8 determines that the input base data matches the setting conditions, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0030] 3, the control unit 8 circulates the water 31. Here, there may be an operation-on / operation-off button, and for example, a configuration may be adopted in which pressing the operation-on button starts step S1, and pressing the operation-off button ends the series of operations (not shown).

[0031] Therefore, the control unit 8 performs the circulation control in a state where the error is not displayed.

[0032] 4 is a schematic timing chart showing an example of pump operation in the seedling growing irrigation device 1. As an example, the seedling growing irrigation device 1 provides a predetermined waiting time from the end of irrigation control of the cultivation tank 2a to the start of irrigation control of the cultivation tank 2b. Also, the seedling growing irrigation device 1 provides a predetermined waiting time from the end of irrigation control of the cultivation tank 2b to the start of irrigation control of the cultivation tank 2c.

[0033] As an example, the waiting time is, for example, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, or 30 minutes, and any waiting time can be set depending on the pump rating, the piping length, the layout, and the like.

[0034] Fig. 5 is a schematic timing chart showing an example of the pump operation over a long period of time in Fig. 4. The irrigation control cycle is, for example, one day, and can be set to any cycle time, such as half a day, two days, three days, or seven days, depending on the type of seedlings 32 and their growth conditions.

[0035] 6 is a schematic timing chart showing another example of pump operation in the seedling cultivation irrigation device 1. The irrigation control cycle may be set to different cycles for the cultivation tanks 2a, 2b, and 2c, respectively, and any cycle time can be set depending on the type of seedling 32, the growth condition, etc.

[0036] [Example] The seedling cultivation irrigation device 1 of the embodiment uses well water 31 with fertilizer components dissolved therein, and multi-cavity containers JFA-150 as seedling cultivation trays 9a-9c to cultivate cedar seedlings 32. Depending on the growth status of the seedlings 32, the cultivation tank 2a was irrigated every 3 days, the cultivation tank 2b was irrigated every 5 days, and the cultivation tank 2c was irrigated every 7 days, and it was confirmed that the seedlings grew smoothly.

[0037] According to this embodiment, the scale of seedling cultivation can be expanded or reduced in response to market demands flexibly without requiring large-scale capital investment or infrastructure development.

[0038] In the above embodiment, a configuration having a liquid supply pump and a liquid drainage pump has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. In this configuration, instead of the liquid supply pump and the liquid drainage pump, a device that controls the opening and closing of a pipeline by controlling current flow, such as an electromagnetic valve, can be used. In addition, this configuration can adjust the liquid supply speed and the liquid drainage speed by utilizing gravity. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1 Irrigation device for seedling growth 2a, 2b, 2c cultivation tanks, 2h mats 3. Tank 4a, 4b, 4c Liquid supply means (liquid supply pump) 5a, 5b, 5c Filters 6a, 6b, 6c Drainage means (drainage pump) 7a, 7b, 7c Water level detection means (water level sensor) 8 Control section, 8a Control panel 9a, 9b, 9c Seedling trays 11a, 11b, 11c Drainage tubes 12a, 12b, 12c liquid supply pipe 21 Input section 22 Setting display area 23 Status display section 31 water 32 Seedlings

Claims

1. The system includes a plurality of cultivation tanks, a tank for storing water or water with dissolved fertilizer components, a control unit, a plurality of liquid supply means, and a number of liquid drainage means corresponding to the liquid supply means, and the control unit is configured to repeat liquid supply from the tank to each of the cultivation tanks and liquid drainage from each of the cultivation tanks to the tank under set conditions in which the liquid supply start time for each of the cultivation tanks is different, and the control unit makes the liquid supply timing for supplying electricity to each of the liquid supply means and the liquid drainage timing for supplying electricity to each of the liquid drainage means all different. An irrigation device for cultivating seedlings, comprising:

2. The liquid supply means is a liquid supply pump, the liquid drainage means is a liquid drainage pump, and is provided with a water level sensor arranged in the cultivation tank and capable of detecting upper and lower limit positions of the water level, the control unit is configured to control the water level based on a water level detection signal from the water level sensor, and when the water level sensor reaches a set upper limit value, the supply of liquid by the liquid supply pump is stopped, and when the water level sensor reaches a set lower limit value, the drainage of liquid by the liquid drainage pump is stopped.

2. The seedling irrigation device according to claim 1,

3. A seedling irrigation method using an irrigation device for cultivating seedlings, the device comprising: a plurality of cultivation tanks; a tank for storing water or water with dissolved fertilizer components; a control unit; a plurality of liquid supply means; and a number of liquid drainage means corresponding to the liquid supply means, the control unit repeating liquid supply from the tanks to each of the cultivation tanks and liquid drainage from each of the cultivation tanks to the tank under set conditions in which the liquid supply start time for each of the cultivation tanks is different, the control unit causing all of the liquid supply timings for supplying electricity to each of the liquid supply means and the liquid drainage timings for supplying electricity to each of the liquid drainage means to be different. A method of irrigating seedlings, comprising:

4. The cultivation tanks are each provided with a mat having a plurality of drainage holes, and multi-cavity containers are each provided on the mat, and the seedlings arranged in the cultivation tanks are bottom-watered. The method for irrigating seedlings according to claim 3,

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