Plant cultivation device

Abstract

To provide a plant cultivation apparatus for efficiently cultivating plants.SOLUTION: A plant cultivation apparatus 1 has a frame 10, a shelf plate 20 supported by the frame, an illumination device 30 provided below the shelf plate 20, and a cultivation container 40 mounted on the shelf plate 20. The illumination device 30 has a first illumination part 31 that emits light downward, and a second illumination part 32 that emits light upward. The plant cultivation apparatus 1 irradiates a plant in a cultivation space S from above with the light of the first illumination part 31 and from below with the light of the second illumination part 32 through the shelf plate 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plant cultivation device.

Background Art

[0002] The applicant has proposed many inventions related to plant cultivation devices so far. For example, in Patent Document 1, there is proposed a plant cultivation device including a tray for cultivating a large number of seedlings, a conveyor for conveying the tray from the entrance side to the exit side, a supply means for supplying water and nutrients to the tray, and a lighting means for irradiating light on the plants in the tray, wherein the supply means and the lighting means are arranged along the conveyor. Thereby, the plants in the tray conveyed by the conveyor are given appropriate nutrients and moisture according to the state of each growth and irradiated with appropriate light. In addition, the applicant has also proposed a cultivation container and a cultivation method capable of efficiently circulating the cultivation solution even when a large number of plants grow (Patent Document 2).

[0003] On the other hand, it is known that as plants grow and the leaves overlap vertically, light does not reach the lower leaves (lower leaves), resulting in poor photosynthesis efficiency of the lower leaves. Generally, the lower leaves with poor photosynthesis efficiency age. And usually, such aged lower leaves are picked off. In recent years, there has been a report that by irradiating upward light from the lower side of plants, aging of the lower leaves located in the first to third layers can be suppressed (Non-Patent Document). Although not directly aimed at suppressing the aging of the lower leaves, Patent Document 3 discloses a method of irradiating light from below a plant using a reflector. And Patent Document 4 discloses an artificial light source unit for cultivating plants such as plants for regulating and promoting the growth of plants by irradiating light on the back surface of the leaves because many stomata exist on the back surface of the leaves.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Non-Patent Document

[0005]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, when using a reflector as in Patent Document 3, it is not possible to provide a sufficient amount of light for photosynthesis to the lower leaves as well as the upper leaves. In particular, as the plant grows and the leaves grow thickly in double or triple layers, shadows are formed, and the irradiation range of the reflected light is also limited. In addition, the cultivation methods of the non-patent documents and Patent Document 4 both arrange the light source above the cultivation medium of the plant, so they are not suitable for long-term cultivation. For example, in a plant cultivation device, in order to use space efficiently, a spacing process of separating plants according to the size of the plants may be performed. However, when the light source is arranged above the cultivation medium, such a spacing process becomes complicated. And the maintenance of each device and cultivation container of the plant cultivation device also becomes complicated. In addition, the heat of the light source may be transmitted to the plant, which may inhibit the growth of the plant. Furthermore, even for a light source unit with waterproof processing as in Patent Document 4, the durability when continuously installed under the plant where water etc. is supplied above the cultivation medium for a long time is not considered. The present invention takes such problems into consideration and aims to provide a plant cultivation device for efficiently cultivating plants.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The plant cultivation device of the present invention includes a cultivation container for accommodating a medium for cultivating plants, an upper illumination for irradiating light on the plants from above, and a lower illumination for irradiating light on the plants from below, and the lower illumination is provided below the opening of the cultivation container. 。

[0008] Since the plant cultivation device of the present invention is provided with a lower illumination for irradiating light on the plants from below, it can prevent the aging of the lower leaves of the grown plants. Therefore, it is particularly preferable for leafy vegetables such as lettuce. In addition, since the lower illumination is provided below the opening of the cultivation container, at least the wall surface of the cultivation container is interposed between the lower illumination and the medium, so that it can be separated from the medium and the lower illumination is less likely to deteriorate. Also, it does not inhibit the growth of the plants to be cultivated.

[0009] Preferably, in the plant cultivation device of the present invention, the lower illumination and the upper illumination are integrated. In this case, by integrating the light sources that serve as heat sources, the temperature control in the cultivation space becomes easy. Also, the cleaning and maintenance inside the plant cultivation device become easy. The plant cultivation device of the present invention includes a base material for supporting the cultivation container, and at least a part of the base material can transmit light, and the lower illumination is provided below the base material. In this case, since the base material is also interposed between the lower illumination and the medium, the deterioration of the lower illumination can be further prevented. Note that the lower illumination may also serve as the base material, or the base material and the lower illumination may be integrated. In this case, the maintenance inside the plant cultivation device becomes easy. Note that the lower illumination is preferably provided below the cultivation container. Preferably, in the plant cultivation device of the present invention, the cultivation container is suspended in the cultivation space. In particular, the lower illumination is preferably provided below the cultivation container.

[0010] The second aspect of the plant cultivation device of the present invention includes a trough-shaped cultivation container for accommodating a medium for cultivating plants, an upper illumination for irradiating light on the plants from above, and a lower illumination for irradiating light on the plants from below. A plurality of the cultivation containers are arranged in parallel, and the lower illumination is provided between the plurality of cultivation containers arranged in parallel. Since the second aspect of the plant cultivation device of the present invention also includes a lower illumination for irradiating light on the plants from below, it can prevent the senescence of the lower leaves of the grown plants. Further, since the lower illumination is provided between the plurality of cultivation containers arranged in parallel, the lower illumination can be separated from the medium, and the lower illumination is less likely to deteriorate. Also, it does not inhibit the growth of the plants to be cultivated.

[0011] In the second aspect of the plant cultivation device of the present invention, the plurality of cultivation containers arranged in parallel are connected by a connecting plate, and the lower illumination is preferably arranged on the connecting plate or below the connecting plate. In that case, it further has a duct for supplying a gas for controlling the cultivation space, and the duct is preferably provided in the space between the cultivation containers arranged side by side. In particular, it is preferably provided in the space surrounded by the outer wall of the cultivation container, the connecting plate, and the base material.

[0012] The third aspect of the plant cultivation device of the present invention includes a cultivation container for accommodating a medium for cultivating plants, a base material for supporting the cultivation container, an upper illumination for irradiating light on the plants from above, and a duct for supplying air for controlling the cultivation space. The base material has a plurality of grooves formed in parallel, and the cultivation container is accommodated in the grooves. The duct is provided between the grooves arranged side by side. The fourth aspect of the plant cultivation device of the present invention includes a trough-shaped cultivation container for accommodating a medium for cultivating plants, an upper lighting for irradiating light to the plants from above, a base material for supporting the cultivation container, and a duct for supplying air for controlling the cultivation space. A plurality of the cultivation containers are arranged in parallel, and the plurality of cultivation containers arranged in parallel are connected by a connecting plate. The duct is provided in a space surrounded by the outer walls of the cultivation containers arranged side by side, the connecting plate, and the base material. In the third and fourth aspects of the plant cultivation device of the present invention, a duct is provided between the cultivation containers, enabling space saving.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] The plant cultivation device of the present invention can prevent the aging of the lower leaves of the cultivated plants. Also, cleaning and maintenance within the plant cultivation device are easy. The plant cultivation device of the present invention can efficiently produce high-quality plants.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] "Plant cultivation apparatus 1" The multi-stage plant cultivation apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a frame body 10, a shelf board 20 supported by the frame body, a lighting device 30 (only in FIG. 2) provided below the shelf board 20, and a cultivation container 40 placed on the shelf board 20. In the plant cultivation apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, the top board 20A is omitted. As shown in FIG. 2, the top board 20A is provided with a lighting device 30A that irradiates light only downward, and the lower surface of the lowermost shelf board 20B is provided with a lighting device 30B that irradiates light only upward. The plant cultivation apparatus 1 has six cultivation spaces S, but the number of stages is not particularly limited.

[0016] "Frame body 10" Returning to FIG. 1, the frame body 10 includes columns 11 arranged in a rectangular shape in four directions, girders 12 connecting them in the horizontal long side direction, and beams 13 connecting them in the horizontal short side direction. The shelf boards 20, 20B, and the top board 20A are supported by the girders 12 and the beams 13. Although not particularly limited, walls (not shown) may be provided on the front, rear, left, and right so as to cover the four columns 11. By providing the walls, the cultivation space can be sealed, and it becomes easier to control the environment inside the cultivation space. Also, by making at least one wall openable and closable, it becomes possible to take out and install the cultivation container 40 and the shelf board 20. However, the structure of the frame body 10 is not particularly limited as long as it can support the shelf board 20 at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction. For example, part or all of the girders or beams may be omitted, or support columns may be provided between the columns 11.

[0017] "Shelf board 20" The shelf board 20 (and the shelf board 20B) is a plate that supports the cultivation container 40 to be described later and has translucency. The shelf board 20 has a rectangular shape with the front and rear sides as the long sides. The shelf board 20 divides the interior of the frame body 10 into a plurality of upper and lower cultivation spaces S. The cultivation space S is a rectangular parallelepiped space with the front and rear directions as the long sides. By providing translucency to the shelf board 20, plants can be irradiated with light from the lighting device 30 located below the shelf board 20 without blocking the light. Examples of the shelf board 20 include glass and synthetic resin plates. The color of the shelf board 20 is not particularly limited and is appropriately selected according to the plants to be cultivated and the cultivation conditions. On the other hand, the top board 20A is not particularly limited, but is preferably composed of an opaque plate.

[0018] "Lighting device 30" As shown in FIG. 3a, the lighting device 30 is an integrated unit of a panel-shaped first lighting unit 31 (upper lighting) that irradiates light downward and a panel-shaped second lighting unit 32 (lower lighting) that irradiates light upward. The lighting device 30 is provided below or on the lower surface of the shelf board 20 along the longitudinal direction of the cultivation space S. To describe the lighting device 30 in detail, a laminated portion 30a in which a first transparent plate 31a, a first light guide plate 31b, a shielding portion P, a second light guide plate 32b, and a second transparent plate 32a are laminated in order from the bottom, a first light source 31c that irradiates light to the first light guide plate 31b along both side portions of the first light guide plate 31b of the laminated portion, a second light source 32c that irradiates light to the second light guide plate 32b along both side portions of the second light guide plate 32b, and a U-shaped frame body 36 provided on the side portion of the laminated portion via the first light source 31c and the second light source 32c are provided. The frame body 36 and the laminated portion 31a are fixed by a sealing material 30b. The first transparent plate 31a and the second transparent plate 32a are not particularly limited as long as they each have translucency. However, by making them transparent, light can be efficiently irradiated onto the object. Examples of these materials include glass and resin plates. Although the first transparent plate 31a and the second transparent plate 32a may be omitted, providing the first transparent plate 31a and the second transparent plate 32a can improve waterproofness. The first light guide plate 31b and the second light guide plate 32b respectively guide the light received from the side portions downward and upward. The first light source 31c and the second light source 32c each include a vertically long substrate (not shown) and a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (not shown) evenly arranged in the longitudinal direction of the substrate. However, the light source is not limited to LEDs, and artificial light sources such as fluorescent lamps, incandescent lamps, and electroluminescent (EL) may also be used. Note that the first light source 31c and the second light source 32c are provided on both side portions of the first light guide plate 31b and the second light guide plate 32b respectively, but they may be provided on only one side portion. The shielding portion 35 is not particularly limited, but for example, a reflector (reflection sheet) such as an aluminum foil is preferably mentioned. Thereby, light can be efficiently irradiated. Note that the shielding portion 35 may not be provided. However, if the shielding portion 35 is not provided, light leakage occurs between the cultivation spaces adjacent above and below, making it difficult to control the light. The frame body 36 is not particularly limited as long as it can integrate the first lighting unit 31 and the second lighting unit 32.

[0019] Since the lighting device 30 includes the first lighting unit 31 and the second lighting unit 32, light can be irradiated onto the plants cultivated below the lighting device 30 from above, and light can be irradiated onto the plants cultivated above the lighting device 30 (the upper cultivation space) from below through the shelf board 20. Since the first lighting unit 31 and the second lighting unit 32 of the lighting device 30 are integrated, they can be easily attached and detached, and maintenance such as cleaning can be easily performed. Since the lighting device 30 is provided below (particularly, the lower surface) the shelf board 20, water, nutrient solution, etc. supplied to plants and the like do not directly reach the lighting device 30. Therefore, it is less likely to deteriorate even after long-term use. On the other hand, the influence of the heat generated by the lighting device 30 can also be reduced, which is also gentle on the plants to be cultivated. Since the lighting device 30 uses a light guide plate, a light source that generates heat can be arranged along the end of the cultivation space, the crossbar 12 or the beam 13 of the frame body 11, and the influence on the plants can be further reduced.

[0020] "Cultivation container 40" The cultivation container 40 is for accommodating a medium for cultivating plants, and as shown in FIG. 3b, includes a trough-shaped container body 41 having a U-shaped cross section with an open upper part, and a lid 42 provided at the opening. The lid 42 has a groove 42a extending in the longitudinal direction of the trough axis and a hole 42b provided at the bottom of the groove. As shown in FIG. 3c, the lid 42 may have a plurality of lid members each having one or more holes 42b arranged in the longitudinal direction, or may be integrated as shown in FIG. 3d. As shown in FIG. 3c, by arranging a plurality of lid members side by side, spacing in the longitudinal direction becomes possible. In any case, a plurality of holes 42b are provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction to support the plants to be cultivated. Note that the opening of this cultivation container 40 is the upper end of the groove 42a of the lid 42 as indicated by the dotted line. The container body 41 and the lid 42 are made of an opaque material. By making the container body 41 opaque, the intrusion of light from the first lighting unit 31 and the second lighting unit 32 into the container body 41 can be prevented. In the case of hydroponics, by blocking the light into the container, the generation of algae in the container can be suppressed. However, depending on the plants to be cultivated and the cultivation method, the container body 41 may be formed from a translucent material. The cultivation container 40 supports or accommodates a plurality of plants in one row or multiple rows. The number of rows to be arranged is not particularly limited, but preferably two rows or less, and particularly preferably one row. If there is one row, the light of the second lighting device 32 can be irradiated onto the lower surface of the lower leaves of the plants from both sides of the cultivation container 40. Even if there are two rows, it can be irradiated from at least one side. In addition, even if there are three or more rows, by making the container body 41 light-transmissive, it is possible to efficiently irradiate the light onto the lower surface of the lower leaves of the plants to be cultivated. When there is one row, the width of the container body 41 is preferably smaller than the size of the plants to be cultivated when they grow. That is, if the grown plants do not protrude from the cultivation container 40, there is a risk that the lower leaves of the plants cannot be efficiently irradiated with light. However, the size of the cultivation container may be appropriately selected according to the type of plants to be cultivated. Examples of the medium accommodated in the cultivation container 40 include solutions containing nutrients used for cultivating plants, potting soil, etc., such as water, nutrient solution, soil such as compost, and stones.

[0021] Next, as shown in FIG. 4, a method for cultivating plants using this plant cultivation device 1 will be described. First, plant seedlings are planted (step 1). That is, the cultivation container 40 is filled with a medium, and the seedlings of the plants to be cultivated are planted in the medium. Next, the seedlings planted in the plant container 40 are cultivated with the light of only the first lighting unit 31 (step 2). That is, the seedlings are irradiated with the light of only the first lighting unit 31. Although the second lighting unit 32 may be turned on, in the state of the seedlings, light from above can also reach the lower leaves, so it is not particularly necessary. In this way, in step 2, by not using the second lighting unit 32 (lower lighting), the production efficiency can be improved. Next, the grown plants are cultivated with the light of the first lighting unit 31 and the second lighting unit 32 (step 3). Here, the grown plants refer to the state in which upper leaves are generated. In particular, it refers to the state in which a plurality of upper leaves are generated so that the light from above does not reach the lower leaves, or does not reach sufficiently. In such a state, by irradiating light from the second lighting unit 32, the aging of the lower leaves can be prevented. Finally, harvest the plants (Step 4).

[0022] With such a configuration, the plant cultivation device 1 can efficiently cultivate plants and is highly productive overall. That is, for the grown plants, light can be irradiated from above and also from below, so that without hindering the growth of the plants, senescence of the lower leaves can be prevented and leaf picking can be minimized. Therefore, the plant cultivation device 1 is particularly suitable for leafy vegetables such as lettuce, and those with a large weight per head can be harvested. In addition, since the plant cultivation device 1 has the lighting device 30 provided below the shelf board 20, there is little risk that the heat generated by the lighting device 30 directly affects the plants. Furthermore, since the lighting device 30 is also isolated from the culture medium, particularly the nutrient solution, it is not easily deteriorated and waterproof treatment of the lighting device 30 is also easy to perform. Since the plant cultivation device 1 uses the cultivation containers 40 that accommodate a plurality of plants, by moving the cultivation containers 40, the spacing between the grown plants can be easily adjusted. Also, simply taking in and out the cultivation containers 40 can easily clean the entire plant cultivation device 1 and perform maintenance on the lighting device 30.

[0023] The plant cultivation device 1 in Fig. 1 is not limited to the above form. The shelf board 20 of the plant cultivation device 1 in Fig. 1 only needs to allow light to pass through at least a part thereof. For example, like the shelf board 20 in Fig. 5a, a plurality of holes 25 for allowing light to pass through are provided so as to be between the cultivation containers 40, or like the shelf board 20 in Fig. 5b, a plurality of pipes 26 are fixed in a rectangular shape at a predetermined interval. It is preferable to provide a light-transmissive film or the like between the holes 25 and the pipes 26. The lighting device 30 of the plant cultivation device 1 in Fig. 1 may be separate, with the first lighting unit 31 and the second lighting unit 32 not integrated. In this case too, the durability is not particularly affected. In the lighting device 30 of the plant cultivation device 1 shown in Fig. 1, a light guide plate is used for the first lighting unit 31 and the second lighting unit 32. However, for example, as in the lighting device 30 of Fig. 5c, a transparent plate 37a and a reflector 37b may be laminated at a predetermined interval, an internal reflector 37c may be provided in the space therebetween, and a reflector-type lighting device that reflects the light of the light source 37d by the reflector 37b and the internal reflector 37c may be used. Alternatively, as in the lighting device 30 of Fig. 5d, a light source 38b may be directly provided on the panel 38a. Note that the reference numeral 38c denotes a transparent plate. The cultivation container 40 of the plant cultivation device 1 shown in Fig. 1 supports a plurality of plants in one or more rows. However, as long as it can support one or more plants, it is not particularly limited. For example, it may support each plant one by one. In this case, the cultivation containers are arranged in the number corresponding to the number of plants. Note that the cultivation containers may be configured to support a plurality of two to five at a time. However, the plants to be cultivated are preferably arranged along at least the longitudinal direction of the rectangular parallelepiped cultivation space. The plant cultivation device 1 shown in Fig. 1 has a cultivation space with multiple tiers. However, as in the plant cultivation device 1A shown in Fig. 5e, a cultivation space S of one tier may be configured by a top plate 20A and a shelf plate 20B.

[0024] Next, another embodiment of the plant cultivation device will be described. "Plant cultivation device 1A" The plant cultivation device 1A shown in Fig. 6 includes a frame body 10, a lighting device 30 supported by the frame body, and a cultivation container 40 placed on the lighting device 30. That is, in the plant cultivation device 1 shown in Fig. 1, the shelf plate 20 is omitted, and the lighting device 30 also serves as a shelf plate. Otherwise, it is the same as the plant cultivation device 1.

[0025] "Plant cultivation device 2" The plant cultivation device 2 shown in Fig. 7a includes a frame body 10, a shelf plate 27 supported by the frame body, a cultivation container 40, a first lighting device 70 (upper lighting) that irradiates light to the plants from above, a second lighting device 80 (lower lighting) that irradiates light to the plants from below, and a duct 90. The frame body 10 and the cultivation container 40 are substantially the same as the frame body 10 and the cultivation container 40 of the plant cultivation device 1 shown in Fig. 1.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 7b, the shelf board 27 is a light-transmitting board having grooves 27a extending in the front-rear direction and connecting plates 27b connecting them. Air-conditioning holes 27c are formed in the connecting plates 27b.

[0027] The first lighting device 70 and the second lighting device 80 are provided along the longitudinal direction of the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped cultivation space S. The first lighting device 70 is panel-shaped lighting. The first lighting device 70 is provided on the lower surface of the shelf board 27. The second lighting device 80 is linear lighting. The second lighting device 80 is accommodated below the connecting plate 27b between adjacent grooves 27a of the shelf board 27. In this form, it is placed on the first lighting device 70, but as shown in Fig. 7c, it may be fixed to the lower surface of the connecting plate 27b. In this case, depending on the size of the cultivation container 40, since light can also be irradiated from the side of the cultivation container 40, the base of the plant (the part emerging from the culture medium) can also be efficiently irradiated with light. Known lighting devices are used as the first lighting device 70 and the second lighting device 80.

[0028] The duct 90 uses the space between the grooves 27a of the shelf boards 27 arranged side by side. For example, carbon dioxide flows from the front to the rear of the plant cultivation device 2. By flowing carbon dioxide into this duct 90, carbon dioxide is supplied into the cultivation space S from the air-conditioning holes 27c provided in the connecting plate 27b, and the amount of carbon dioxide in the cultivation space can be controlled. The gas flowing through the duct 90 is not limited to carbon dioxide, and examples include gases necessary for cultivation such as oxygen, nitrogen, and air. Also, by flowing cooled gas or heated air, temperature control within the cultivation space is also possible.

[0029] Due to being configured in this way, the plant cultivation device 2 can also efficiently cultivate plants, similar to the plant cultivation device 1, and has high overall productivity. In particular, since the cultivation container 40 is accommodated in the groove 27a, the arrangement of the cultivation container 40 is simple. Further, since the shelf board 27 can be interposed between the second lighting device 80 and the cultivation container 40, and the second lighting device 80 can be installed at a height close to the opening surface with respect to the cultivation container 40, cultivation can be performed more efficiently.

[0030] "Plant cultivation device 3" The plant cultivation device 3 in Fig. 8a includes a frame body 10, a shelf board 50 supported by the frame body, a cultivation panel 60 placed on the shelf board 50, a first lighting device 70 (upper lighting) that irradiates light to plants from above, a second lighting device 80 (lower lighting) that irradiates light to plants from below, and a duct 90. The frame body 10 is the same as the frame body 10 of the plant cultivation device 1 in Fig. 1 and is substantially the same as that having walls on the front, back, left, and right. The shelf board 50 is substantially the same as the shelf board 20 of the plant cultivation device 1 in Fig. 1 except that it may be opaque.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 8b, the cultivation panel 60 has two or more gutter-shaped cultivation containers 61 arranged in parallel and a connecting plate 62 provided to close the gaps between the cultivation containers arranged side by side. The connecting plate 62 also acts as a lid for the cultivation container 61 and has a groove 62a and a hole 62b for supporting plants. The cultivation container 61 is formed of an opaque material. Each cultivation container 61 accommodates or supports a plurality of plants in one row or more. The row of plants supported or mainly supported by each cultivation container 61 is not particularly limited, but two rows or less are preferable, and one row or less is particularly preferable. In addition, it may be three rows or more. In that case, by making the cultivation container 61 translucent, the light of the second lighting device 80 can be efficiently irradiated to the lower leaves. The connecting plate 62 is formed from a synthetic resin or glass having translucency. Further, the connecting plate 62 is provided with air-conditioning holes 62c at predetermined intervals so as to communicate the space S1 between the cultivation space and the cultivation container 61. In the connecting plate 62, it is preferable to provide a shielding film or the like at a portion that acts as a lid of the cultivation container 61. Although the connecting plate 62 is provided at the upper end of the cultivation container 61, its position is not particularly limited as long as it forms the space S1, that is, as long as it is other than the lower end of the cultivation container 61. This connecting plate 62 also acts as a lid of the cultivation container 61, but the portion connecting the cultivation containers 61 and the portion corresponding to the lid may be separate bodies. In FIG. 8b, the dotted line indicates the opening of the cultivation container 61.

[0032] The first lighting device 70 and the second lighting device 80 are provided along the longitudinal direction of the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped cultivation space S. The first lighting device 70 is a panel-shaped lighting provided on the lower surface of the shelf board 50. The second lighting device 80 is a linear lighting provided in the elongated space S1 provided between the cultivation containers 61 of the cultivation panel 60. The space S1 is formed by the outer wall 61a of the adjacent trough, the connecting plate 62, and the shelf board 50. Note that it may be attached to the lower surface of the connecting plate 62 as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 8b. As the first lighting device 70 and the second lighting device 80, known lighting devices are used.

[0033] The duct 90 uses the space S1 between the cultivation containers 61 arranged side by side. For example, carbon dioxide is flowed from the front to the rear of the plant cultivation device 3. By flowing carbon dioxide into this duct 90, carbon dioxide is supplied into the cultivation space S from the air-conditioning holes 62c provided in the connecting plate 62, and the amount of carbon dioxide in the cultivation space can be controlled. The gas flowing through the duct 90 is not limited to carbon dioxide, and examples include gases necessary for cultivation such as oxygen, nitrogen, and air. Further, by flowing cooled gas or heated air, the temperature in the cultivation space can also be controlled.

[0034] Since the plant cultivation device 3 is provided with the duct 90, the environment in the cultivation space S can be controlled. Also, in the plant cultivation device 3, the light of the second lighting device 80 is irradiated onto the plants in the cultivation space S through the connecting plate 65 having translucency. Therefore, the plants P can be irradiated with light from above and below, and the senescence of the lower leaves can be prevented. In the plant cultivation device 3, the shelf board 50 may be made transparent, and the second lighting device 80 may be provided between the shelf board 50 and the first lighting device 70. In the plant cultivation device 3, the shelf board 50 may be omitted, and the cultivation panel 60 may be supported by the frame body 10. In this case, a second connecting plate should be provided to block the lower side of the space S1 between the cultivation containers 61. The plant cultivation device 3 in FIG. 8c has a connecting plate 62 having a protruding portion 62d. The second lighting device 80 is provided on the lower surface of this protruding portion 62d. Therefore, unlike the previous embodiments, the second lighting device 80 is provided above the opening of the cultivation container 61. Therefore, the base of the plant can be irradiated with light, and the light can be irradiated more efficiently. Further, the connecting plate 62 (partition wall) is between the second lighting device 80 (lower lighting) and the culture medium. That is, at least a connecting plate (partition wall) is interposed between the lower lighting and the culture medium, so that it can be separated from the culture medium, and the lower lighting is less likely to deteriorate. Also, it is less likely to inhibit the growth of plants. The cultivation panel 60 of the plant cultivation device 30 in FIG. 9a is an integrated structure of the cultivation container 61 and the connecting plate 62. For example, it can be formed by bending a metal plate such as a single aluminum plate. And the lid 63 is attached to each cultivation container 61. The cultivation panel 60 of the plant cultivation device 30 in FIG. 9b has a connecting plate 62 having a groove portion 62e. And the second lighting device 80 is provided on the upper surface of this groove portion 62e. Thus, the second lighting device 80 may be provided outside the duct 90.

[0035] "Plant cultivation device 4" The plant cultivation device 4 in Fig. 10a includes a frame body 10, a shelf board 50 supported by the frame body, a cultivation container 40 placed on the shelf board 50, a first lighting device 70 that irradiates light onto the plants from above, and a second lighting device 80 that is placed on the shelf board 50 and irradiates light onto the plants from below. The frame body 10 is substantially the same as the frame body 10 of the plant cultivation device 1 in Fig. 1. The shelf board 50, the first lighting device 70, and the second lighting device 80 are substantially the same as the shelf board 50, the first lighting device 70, and the second lighting device 80 of the plant cultivation device 3 in Fig. 8 respectively. That is, the second lighting device 80 is provided between adjacent cultivation containers 40. Since the second lighting device 80 is placed on the shelf board 50 in this plant cultivation device 4, there is a possibility of receiving water or the like sprayed on the plants. However, if a supply pipe for water or the like is directly connected into the cultivation container 40, such a risk can be minimized. Also in this case, since light can be irradiated onto the plants from above and below, aging of the lower leaves of the cultivated plants can be prevented. Further, since the cultivation container 40 is interposed between the second lighting device 80 and the culture medium, it is less likely to deteriorate.

[0036] "Plant Cultivation Device 5" The plant cultivation device 5 in Fig. 10b includes a frame body 10, a shelf board 50 supported by the frame body, a cultivation container 40 suspended in the cultivation space S, a first lighting device 70 that irradiates light onto the plants from above, and a second lighting device 80 that irradiates light onto the plants from below. The cultivation container 40 may be supported in such a manner as to be suspended from above. Note that the cultivation container 40 may support a plurality of plants or may support one plant at a time.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0037] S Cultivation space S1 Space 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Plant cultivation devices 10 Frame body 11 Column 12 Crossbar 13 Beam 20 Shelf board 20A Ceiling board 20B Lowermost shelf board 25 Hole 26 Pipe 27 Shelf board 27a Groove 27b Connecting plate 27c Air-conditioning hole 30, 30A, 30B Lighting device 30a Laminated part 30b Sealing material 31 First lighting part 31a First transparent plate 31b First light guide plate 31c First light source part 32 Second lighting part 32a Second transparent plate 32b Second light guide plate 32c Second light source 35 Shielding part 36 Frame body 37a Transparent plate 37b Reflector 37c Internal reflector 37d Light source 38a Panel 38b Light source 40 Cultivation container 41 Container body 42 Lid 42a Groove 42b Hole 50 Shelf board 60 Cultivation container 61 Cultivation container 61a Base to the outside 62 Connecting plate 62a Groove 62b Hole 62c Air-conditioning hole 63 Lid 70 First lighting device 80 Second lighting device 90 Duct

Claims

1. An opaque cultivation container for containing a medium for cultivating plants, a shelf board for supporting the cultivation container, an upper illumination for irradiating light to the plants from above, and a lower illumination for irradiating light to the plants from below, wherein the shelf board has translucency, the lower illumination is provided below the shelf board, the medium is a solution containing nutrients used for cultivating plants, the medium is contained only within the cultivation container, a plant cultivation device.

2. A multi-stage plant cultivation device having a plurality of cultivation spaces, comprising an illumination device in which the lower illumination of one cultivation space and the upper illumination of the cultivation space one level below are integrated. The plant cultivation device according to Claim 1.

3. The lower illumination is provided on the lower surface of the shelf board. The plant cultivation device according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The illumination device includes a laminated portion in which a first transparent plate, a first light guide plate, a shielding portion, a second light guide plate, and a second transparent plate are laminated in order from below, a first light source for irradiating light to the first light guide plate along the side portion of the first light guide plate of the laminated portion, a second light source for irradiating light to the second light guide plate along the side portion of the second light guide plate, and a frame body provided on the side portion of the laminated portion via the first light source and the second light source. The plant cultivation device according to Claim 2.

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