Multi-tube device for environmental control

Abstract

To provide a multi-tube environmental control device that enables the efficient arrangement of multiple environmental control media within a plant cultivation facility, thereby improving ease of installation and maintenance. [Solution] The present invention relates to a multi-tube environmental control device for controlling the environment within a plant cultivation facility. The multi-tube section 10 is configured such that a plurality of synthetic resin tubes 11 are arranged in parallel along the longitudinal direction, and at least one of the tubes 11 has a heating wire 12, or a heating medium or cooling medium is supplied by a fluid supply section 13, or water is supplied by a water supply section 13, or carbon dioxide is supplied by a gas supply section 15.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an environmental control device for controlling the temperature and gas concentration in a plant cultivation facility, and particularly to a multi-tube device for environmental control that can independently supply a plurality of media.

Background Art

[0002] In a vinyl house or greenhouse as a plant cultivation facility, temperature management and carbon dioxide concentration management are carried out in the facility to promote the growth of crops. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a carbon dioxide supply system for supplying carbon dioxide into a plant cultivation house. The publication discloses a configuration for supplying carbon dioxide into the house using a carbon dioxide generation source and a supply pipe. In addition, Patent Document 2 describes a ground heat exchange type temperature management device that circulates a heat medium through pipes arranged underground to adjust the soil temperature in the house. Thus, the carbon dioxide supply technology and the temperature adjustment technology by heat medium circulation in the greenhouse are each known.

[0003] In recent years, due to the influence of climate change, it has become difficult to predict the weather, and in a plant cultivation facility, sudden weather changes such as high temperature or cold may occur after installation. Therefore, there is a demand for an equipment configuration that can quickly adjust the temperature and gas environment even after the facility is installed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When regulating temperature and carbon dioxide concentration within plant cultivation facilities, it is necessary to install multiple devices and piping individually, which reduces ease of construction and complicates the installation process. Furthermore, piping is prone to interference, leading to reduced maintainability.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a multi-tube environmental control device that enables the efficient arrangement of multiple environmental control media within a plant cultivation facility, thereby improving ease of installation and maintenance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to an environmental control multi-tube device, which is an environmental control device installed in a plant cultivation facility, comprising: a multi-tube section in which a plurality of synthetic resin tubes are arranged in parallel along the longitudinal direction; an electric heating wire placed inside at least one of the plurality of tubes; a fluid supply section that supplies a heating medium or a cooling medium to at least one of the plurality of tubes; a water supply section that supplies water to at least one of the plurality of tubes; or a gas supply section that supplies carbon dioxide to at least one of the plurality of tubes.

[0008] In this configuration, the multi-tube section is installed within the plant cultivation facility, holding multiple tubes along its longitudinal direction. In the configuration with a heating element, the heating element is energized while placed inside the tube, generating heat along the longitudinal direction of the tube. In the configuration with a fluid supply unit, a heating or cooling medium is introduced into the tube from the fluid supply unit, circulating along the longitudinal direction of the tube. In the configuration with a water supply unit, water is introduced into the tube from the water supply unit and supplied along the longitudinal direction of the tube. In the configuration with a gas supply unit, carbon dioxide is introduced into the tube from the gas supply unit and supplied along the longitudinal direction of the tube. These mediums are separated and contained or supplied in multiple tubes, and arranged in parallel along the same installation path.

[0009] The multi-tube section can consist of multiple tubes integrated by an outer covering. In this configuration, the relative positions of the multiple tubes are maintained by the outer covering, and the bundled shape is preserved.

[0010] The water supply tube can be configured to have multiple micropores along its longitudinal direction. In this configuration, water is released from the multiple micropores as it flows through the tube.

[0011] The tube through which carbon dioxide is supplied can be configured to have multiple micropores along its longitudinal direction. This configuration allows carbon dioxide to be released from these multiple micropores as it flows through the tube.

[0012] By generating heat from the heating wires inside the tube, it is possible to raise the temperature of the water circulating within the water supply tube.

[0013] The fluid supply unit may be configured to have a circulation mechanism for circulating a heating medium or a cooling medium. In this configuration, the heating medium or cooling medium is supplied into the tube by the circulation mechanism and circulated at a predetermined flow rate.

[0014] The multi-tube section can be arranged along the base of the plant. With this configuration, the heating of the electric heating element, the flow of the heating or cooling medium, or the release of carbon dioxide occurs at a location corresponding to the base of the plant. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] (1) According to the present invention, by forming a bundle of multiple synthetic resin tubes along the longitudinal direction and configuring at least one of the tubes to contain or supply an electric heating wire, a heating medium or a cooling medium, or carbon dioxide, the environmental control medium can be concentrated and arranged along the same path, thereby simplifying the installation work within the plant cultivation facility.

[0016] (2) In a configuration where a plurality of tubes are integrated by an exterior member, the bundled form is stably maintained, and displacement during installation can be suppressed.

[0017] (3) In a configuration where the water supply tube has a plurality of micropores along the longitudinal direction, water can be dispersed and discharged in the longitudinal direction, and the uniformity of irrigation along the plant row can be achieved.

[0018] (4) In a configuration where the carbon dioxide supply tube has a plurality of micropores along the longitudinal direction, carbon dioxide can be dispersed and discharged in the longitudinal direction, and the uniformity of the concentration distribution along the plant row can be achieved.

[0019] (5) By a configuration in which the temperature of the water flowing through the tube to which water is supplied is raised by the heat generation of the heating wire in the tube in which the heating wire is arranged, the temperature of the water for irrigation can be raised over the entire length of the multi-tube section.

[0020] (6) According to a configuration in which the fluid supply unit has a circulation mechanism for circulating a heating medium or a cooling medium, the medium temperature can be stably maintained, and temperature fluctuations around the plant can be suppressed.

[0021] (7) According to a configuration in which the multi-tube section is arranged along the base of the plant, the local environment around the base can be focused on being controlled, and the growth environment of the plant can be appropriately maintained.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a multi-tube device for environmental control. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure of another embodiment of the multi-tube section. [Figure 3] It is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the multi-tube section is arranged along the base of the plant.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] (1) Overall structure Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a multi-tube device for environmental control according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional structure of another embodiment of the multi-tube section. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the multi-tube section 10 arranged along the base of a plant.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the multi-tube environmental control device of this embodiment comprises a multi-tube section 10, a heating element 12, a fluid supply section 13, a water supply section 14, and a gas supply section 15. These are installed in a plant cultivation facility and function to control the temperature, irrigation, and gas concentration around the plants.

[0026] The multi-tube section 10 has a structure in which multiple synthetic resin tubes 11 are arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction. The multi-tube section 10 has multiple tubes 11 arranged in a single row in the width direction, forming a strip shape overall. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 2, the multi-tube section 10a may have multiple tubes 11 closely clustered together, forming a bundle shape overall.

[0027] (2) Structure of the multi-tube section Each tube 11 may have a circular cross-section, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, but it may also have an elliptical or polygonal cross-section. An independent internal space 11a is formed inside each tube 11. These internal spaces 11a do not communicate with each other and function as separate flow channels for each medium.

[0028] The tube 11 can have a single-layer structure, but it can also have a multilayer structure with an inner layer and an outer layer. For example, a configuration can be adopted in which the inner layer is made of a chemical-resistant material and the outer layer is made of a weather-resistant material.

[0029] Multiple tubes 11 can be arranged in contact with each other, at predetermined intervals, or partially connected via connecting parts.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the outer casing member 16 is a covering that surrounds and integrates multiple tubes 11 from the outer periphery. The outer casing member 16 can be formed from a flexible or semi-rigid material. The outer casing member 16 can be integrally formed by extrusion molding or attached by winding it afterwards. Similarly, the multi-tube section 10 in Figure 1 can also be integrated using the outer casing member 16.

[0031] (3)Each media supply configuration A heating element 12 is placed in at least one of the multiple tubes 11. The heating element 12 is a heating element with a water-resistant coating and is connected to a temperature control device (not shown). The heating element 12 is protected from the external environment by being inserted into the tube 11.

[0032] Furthermore, a heating medium or cooling medium is supplied to at least one of the multiple tubes 11 by a fluid supply unit 13. The fluid supply unit 13 includes a pump, piping, a temperature control device, and optionally a flow control valve. The fluid supply unit 13 can be configured to form a supply line and a return line, circulating the medium.

[0033] Furthermore, water is supplied to at least one of the multiple tubes 11 by a water supply unit 14. The water supply unit 14 includes a water source, a pressure regulator, and a flow control valve. The water supply tube has multiple micropores formed along its longitudinal direction at predetermined intervals.

[0034] Carbon dioxide is supplied to at least one of the multiple tubes 11 by a gas supply unit 15. The gas supply unit 15 includes a carbon dioxide supply source, a pressure regulator, and a flow control valve. The carbon dioxide supply tube has multiple micropores formed along its longitudinal direction at predetermined intervals.

[0035] (4) Arrangement structure As shown in Figure 3, the multi-tube section 10 extends along the cultivation bed 21 in which the plants 20 are planted in rows. By positioning the multi-tube section 10 near the base of the plants 20a, it directly controls the local environment around the plants 20.

[0036] The multi-tube section 10 can be laid on the ground surface, buried in a shallow layer, or held at a predetermined height by a support member. The installation height and position are set appropriately according to the cultivation method.

[0037] (5) Operation Description When water is supplied from the water supply unit 14 to the tube 11, the water is released in a longitudinal direction through multiple micropores formed along the longitudinal direction of the tube 11, irrigating the rows of plants.

[0038] When the heating element 12 is energized, heat is generated inside the tube 11, and this heat is transferred to the surrounding area via the outer circumference of the tube 11. This causes the temperature around the base of the plant 20a to rise. Furthermore, when water is supplied to a tube adjacent to the tube 11 on which the heating element 12 is located, the heat generated by the heating element raises the temperature of the water circulating inside the tube 11, thereby increasing the temperature of the irrigating water along the entire length of the multi-tube section 10.

[0039] When a heating or cooling medium is supplied, the medium is introduced from the fluid supply unit 13 and flows through the internal space 11a. The medium flows continuously through the circulation mechanism, and heat exchange takes place. Furthermore, if water is supplied to a tube adjacent to the tube 11 to which the heating or cooling medium is supplied, heat exchange can be performed by the heating or cooling medium, causing the temperature of the water flowing through the tube 11 to rise or fall.

[0040] When carbon dioxide is supplied, the carbon dioxide introduced from the gas supply unit 15 flows longitudinally through the tube 11 and is released to the outside through micropores. This adjusts the carbon dioxide concentration around the plant 20.

[0041] These media supplies can be provided individually or in combination and simultaneously.

[0042] (6) Variant The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The number of tubes 11 can be two or more, and can be increased or decreased as appropriate depending on the application. The exterior member 16 can be omitted or provided only partially.

[0043] The heating element 12, fluid supply unit 13, water supply unit 14, and gas supply unit 15 can each be provided independently and can be configured in any combination. Furthermore, a temperature sensor or carbon dioxide concentration sensor can be provided, and the supply amount of each medium can be controlled based on the detection results. [Industrial applicability]

[0044] This invention can be applied to plant cultivation facilities such as greenhouses, plant factories, and other similar facilities. It is particularly useful in the field of producing high-value-added crops. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 10,10a Multi-tube section 11 tubes 11a Interior space 12 Heating wire 13 Fluid supply section 14 Water supply section 15. Gas Supply Department 16 Exterior components

Claims

1. An environmental control device installed within a plant cultivation facility, A multi-tube section in which multiple tubes made of synthetic resin are arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction, A heating wire disposed in at least one of the plurality of tubes, a fluid supply unit that supplies a heating medium or cooling medium for temperature control to at least one of the plurality of tubes, a water supply unit that supplies water for irrigation to at least one of the plurality of tubes, or a gas supply unit that supplies carbon dioxide to at least one of the plurality of tubes A multi-tube device for environmental control equipped with the following features.

2. The multi-tube device for environmental control according to claim 1, wherein the multi-tube section consists of multiple tubes arranged in a single row in the width direction, forming a strip shape overall.

3. The multi-tube device for environmental control according to claim 1, wherein the multi-tube section comprises multiple tubes closely clustered together to form a bundle as a whole.

4. The multi-tube device for environmental control according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the multi-tube section comprises multiple tubes integrated by an outer covering member.

5. The multi-tube device for environmental control according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tube to which the water is supplied has a plurality of micropores along its longitudinal direction.

6. The multi-tube device for environmental control according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tube to which carbon dioxide is supplied has a plurality of micropores along its longitudinal direction.

7. The multi-tube environmental control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the heating of the heating element in the tube in which the heating element is arranged increases the temperature of the water flowing through the tube to which the water is supplied.

8. The multi-tube environmental control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fluid supply unit has a circulation mechanism for circulating a heating medium or a cooling medium.

9. The multi-tube device for environmental control according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the multi-tube section is arranged along the base of a plant.

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