Local temperature control module for crop cultivation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a local temperature control module for crop cultivation, and more specifically, to a local temperature control module comprising: a local temperature control unit having a fluid passage formed therein and positioned adjacent to the growth point of a target crop to control the temperature around the growth point of the target crop; a fluid supply unit that supplies a temperature control fluid to the fluid passage of the local temperature control unit; and a fluid discharge unit that discharges the temperature control fluid of the fluid passage.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a local temperature control module for crop cultivation, and more specifically, to a method for enabling efficient cultivation using minimal energy when growing crops in a cultivation house such as a plant factory or smart farm.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a local temperature control module for crop cultivation that can create an environment necessary for the growth of a target crop using minimal energy and can significantly improve energy efficiency by adjusting the surrounding environment of a specific local part of the target crop to be cultivated, such as a stem, root, branch, etc., along with the growth point, to match cultivation conditions. Background Technology

[0004] Greenhouse-type structures, such as vinyl greenhouses or glass greenhouses, are primarily used for accelerated cultivation, inhibited cultivation, or the cultivation of tropical plants. By artificially controlling light, temperature, and humidity—which are the main growth environments for plants—they are designed to overcome environmental constraints on crop cultivation and are particularly used to cultivate crops even during the winter.

[0005] These greenhouse-type houses are mainly used for cultivating vegetables, and are also used for cultivating flowers and fruit trees. They are widely used because they allow for continuous cultivation of crops throughout the year and enable the cultivation and production of special crops that cannot be grown in open fields, thereby improving production volume and profit within the same area.

[0006] Recently, the field of indoor agriculture utilizing urban smart farms has also been developing. While it is becoming smaller in scale and more advanced compared to traditional greenhouse cultivation, it is fundamentally the same in that it allows for the cultivation of desired crops at desired times by controlling the growing environment.

[0007] Meanwhile, cultivation facilities such as greenhouses, plant factories, and smart farms must fundamentally perform heating and cooling functions to maintain an appropriate temperature, and additionally, it is necessary to regulate humidity, carbon dioxide, and other factors.

[0008] To this end, heating, cooling, and air conditioning of the internal environment (air) are performed using equipment such as heaters, coolers, constant temperature and humidity controllers, air conditioners, humidity controllers, and carbon dioxide controllers. However, the costs associated with the use of fuel or electrical energy for this purpose increase, which is a factor contributing to the increase in crop cultivation costs.

[0009] In particular, since heating, cooling, and air conditioning are provided not only for the space required for actual crop cultivation but also for areas for worker passage and unused spaces extending from the edges to the ceiling, there is a problem in that energy efficiency is significantly reduced and cultivation costs increase further.

[0010] The following prior art document, Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-2423793, 'Greenhouse Environment Monitoring and Control System' (hereinafter referred to as the 'prior art'), comprises multiple smart greenhouses equipped with sensor units for monitoring the internal environment, and enables individual control and management using a networked smart greenhouse control server.

[0011] While these prior art technologies enable the control and management of cultivation environments such as greenhouses, they share the same problem as previously explained: energy efficiency is significantly reduced and cultivation costs increase drastically due to wasted space that cannot be directly used for crop cultivation. Prior art literature

[0013] Republic of Korea Registered Patent Publication No. 10-2423793 'Greenhouse Environment Monitoring and Control System' The problem to be solved

[0014] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a local temperature control module for crop cultivation that enables efficient cultivation using minimal energy when cultivating crops using a cultivation house such as a plant factory or a smart farm.

[0015] In particular, the present invention aims to provide a local temperature control module for crop cultivation that can create an environment necessary for the growth of a target crop using minimal energy and significantly improve energy efficiency by adjusting the surrounding environment of a specific local part of the target crop to be cultivated, such as a stem, root, branch, etc., along with the growth point, to match cultivation conditions.

[0016] More specifically, the present invention aims to provide a local temperature control module for crop cultivation that can create an optimal cultivation environment using minimal energy by intensively managing the cultivation environment around the growth point using a local temperature control unit in the form of a ring, for example, that surrounds the growth point of the crop. means of solving the problem

[0018] To achieve the above objective, the local temperature control module for crop cultivation according to the present invention comprises: a local temperature control unit having a fluid passage formed therein and configured to surround at least a specific local portion of a target crop to control the ambient temperature of said local portion; a fluid supply unit that supplies a temperature control fluid to the fluid passage of said local temperature control unit; and a fluid discharge unit that discharges the temperature control fluid of said fluid passage.

[0019] In addition, at least one slit hole may be formed on the inner surface of the local temperature control unit so that at least a portion of the temperature control fluid moving through the fluid passage is discharged.

[0020] In addition, the local temperature control unit may further have a slit hole formed in at least one of the outer surface, the upper surface, and the lower surface.

[0021] In addition, at least one guide piece may be formed on the inner surface of the local temperature control unit to guide the temperature control fluid discharged from the slit hole to rotate inside the local temperature control unit.

[0022] In addition, the guide piece may be formed to extend from the inner side to the outer side of the slit hole.

[0023] In addition, the local temperature control unit may further be formed with a guide cover configured on at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface to guide the temperature control fluid discharged from the slit hole to remain inside.

[0024] In addition, a protruding projection may be formed on the inner surface of the guide cover to guide the temperature control fluid discharged from the slit hole and exiting the guide cover into the guide cover.

[0025] In addition, the local temperature control unit may further be configured with a discharge amount control unit that controls the amount of temperature control fluid discharged by adjusting the size of the slit hole.

[0026] In addition, the local temperature control unit may be configured to be divided into two unit temperature control units and combined.

[0027] In addition, a height adjustment unit for adjusting the height of the local temperature control unit may be further included. Effects of the invention

[0029] With the above-described solution, the present invention has the advantage of enabling efficient cultivation using minimal energy when growing crops using a cultivation house such as a plant factory or smart farm.

[0030] In particular, the present invention has the advantage of being able to create an environment necessary for the growth of a target crop using minimal energy and significantly improve energy efficiency by adjusting the surrounding environment of specific local parts of the target crop to be cultivated, such as stems, roots, and branches along with the growth point, to match cultivation conditions.

[0031] More specifically, the present invention has the advantage of creating an optimal cultivation environment using minimal energy by intensively managing the cultivation environment around the growth point using a local temperature control unit in the form of a ring, for example, that surrounds the growth point of a crop.

[0032] In addition, the present invention has the advantage of significantly improving energy efficiency by allowing controlled air, supplied with controlled temperature and other factors to create a cultivation environment around the growth point using a guide piece, a guide cover, a protruding lip, etc., to remain around the growth point for a long time.

[0033] In addition, the present invention has the advantage of being easily applicable to both soil cultivation and hydroponic cultivation, and can be utilized smoothly under various cultivation conditions or environments.

[0034] In addition, the present invention has the advantage of being able to efficiently handle various situations by adjusting the discharge amount of controlled air or the height in response to the growth stage of the target crop.

[0035] In addition, the present invention has the advantage of being easily installed and operated on target crops already being cultivated, by configuring the ring-shaped local temperature control unit in a detachable manner so that it can be combined.

[0036] Therefore, reliability and competitiveness can be improved in the field of crop cultivation, particularly in vinyl greenhouses, greenhouses, indoor agriculture, smart farms, and plant factories, as well as in identical or similar fields. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0038] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of a local temperature control module for crop cultivation according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a diagram of the usage state of Figure 1. FIGS. 3 to 10 are configuration diagrams showing other embodiments of FIG. 1. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0039] Examples of the local temperature control module for crop cultivation according to the present invention can be applied in various ways, and below, the most preferred embodiment will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0040] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of a local temperature control module for crop cultivation according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the usage state of FIG. 1.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 1, a local temperature control module (A) for crop cultivation includes a local temperature control unit (100), a fluid supply unit (200), and a fluid discharge unit (300).

[0042] The local temperature control unit (100) has a fluid passage formed inside and is configured to surround at least a specific local part (e.g., a growth point) of the target crop (C) as shown in FIG. 2 to control the ambient temperature of the said local part. It can be formed in the shape of a sealed 'O' ring and can raise or lower the temperature around the growth point by heat radiation from the temperature control fluid passing through the fluid passage.

[0043] Additionally, the fluid passage is formed along the local temperature control unit (100) and can be formed in the same shape as the local temperature control unit (100). For example, if the local temperature control unit (100) is circular, the fluid passage can also be formed in a circular shape as shown in FIG. 4, etc. As another example, if the local temperature control unit (100) is square, the fluid passage can also be formed in a square shape.

[0044] Here, the temperature control fluid may include a gas or a liquid, and can control the ambient temperature of parts important for the growth of the target crop, including specific parts of the target crop other than the growth point, such as stems, roots, and branches; and even when described as a growth point below, it can be understood that this is not limited to the growth point but can be applied to various parts such as stems, roots, and branches.

[0045] And, the fluid supply unit (200) supplies a temperature-regulating fluid to the fluid passage of the local temperature control unit (100), and the fluid discharge unit (300) discharges the temperature-regulating fluid from the fluid passage.

[0046] As a result, the temperature-regulating fluid supplied through the fluid supply unit (200) passes through the fluid passage, regulates the temperature around the growth point of the target crop (C) through heat exchange and heat radiation, and can then be discharged through the fluid discharge unit (300).

[0047] Additionally, the fluid supply unit (200) and the fluid discharge unit (300) may be connected to the fluid supply pipe (410) and the fluid recovery pipe (420) as shown in FIG. 2, and the fluid supply pipe (410) and the fluid recovery pipe (420) may be connected to a device (not shown) for heating or cooling the temperature-controlled fluid.

[0048] Accordingly, the local temperature control module (A) of the present invention can efficiently create a cultivation environment necessary for the growth of the target crop (C) using minimal energy by controlling the cultivation environment, such as temperature control, for the growth point that affects the growth of the target crop (C).

[0049] The local temperature control module (A) of the present invention described above can be applied to soil cultivation as shown in FIG. 2, but is not limited thereto. It can also be utilized in hydroponic cultivation according to the needs of those skilled in the art. Below, we will examine various embodiments that can be used in various cultivation environments, such as hydroponic cultivation.

[0050] FIGS. 3 to 10 are configuration diagrams showing other embodiments of FIG. 1.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 3, at least one slit hole (101) may be formed on the inner surface of the local temperature control unit (100) so that at least a portion of the temperature control fluid moving through the fluid passage is discharged.

[0052] In the case of soil cultivation, a temperature-controlled gas can be supplied to the growth point of the target crop (C) through the slit hole (101), and in the case of hydroponic cultivation, a temperature-controlled liquid can be supplied to the growth point of the target crop (C) through the slit hole (101).

[0053] At this time, the temperature control fluid may be supplied in a gaseous, liquid, or mixed form depending on the specific type of target crop, cultivation method (soil cultivation, hydroponic cultivation, etc.), and the requirements of the person in the art.

[0054] For example, if the temperature control fluid is a gas, it can be sprayed in the form of a mixed gas containing fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, etc., thereby supplying insufficient nutrients or eliminating pests and harmful bacteria.

[0055] As another example, in cases where the temperature control fluid is a liquid, it goes without saying that the temperature control fluid may include nutrient solutions, etc.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 4 (a), at least one slit hole (102) may be further formed on the outer surface of the local temperature control unit (100) so that at least a portion of the temperature control fluid moving through the fluid passage (not indicated) is discharged.

[0057] In addition, in the part of the fluid flow passage of the local temperature control unit (100) connected to the fluid supply unit (200), a guide projection (105) is formed as shown in the enlarged portion, so that the supplied temperature control fluid can be guided to move smoothly left and right in an appropriate amount.

[0058] Additionally, referring to FIG. 4(b), at least one slit hole (103, 104) may be further formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the local temperature control unit (100) so that at least a portion of the temperature control fluid moving through the fluid passage may be discharged.

[0059] At least one of the slit holes (101 to 104) shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 may be selected and applied depending on the type of target crop (C), cultivation method, and requirements of those skilled in the art.

[0060] Since the technical feature of the present invention is to adjust the environment around the growth point of a target crop (C) to be suitable for cultivation with minimal energy, we will now examine a method to enable the thermal energy supplied by the temperature control fluid to remain around the growth point of the target crop (C) for a longer period and more efficiently.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 5(a), at least one guide piece (110) may be formed on the inner surface of the local temperature control unit (100) to guide the temperature control fluid discharged from the slit hole (101) to rotate inside the local temperature control unit (100).

[0062] Accordingly, the temperature-regulating fluid discharged from the slit hole (101) rotates around the target crop (the central dotted line in FIG. 5), and thus can remain around the target crop for a long time without spreading outward.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 5(b), the guide piece (110) is formed to extend from the inside to the outside of the slit hole (101), thereby allowing the temperature-regulating fluid moving through the fluid passage to be discharged more smoothly.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 6(a), the local temperature control unit (100) may have a guide cover (120) configured on at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface.

[0065] The guide cover (120) guides the temperature control fluid discharged from the slit hole (101) to stay inside, and by guiding the temperature control fluid that diffuses upward to move back to the center, the temperature control fluid can stay around the target crop for a longer period of time.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 6(b), the guide cover (120) may be formed such that slit holes (103, 104) formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the local temperature control unit (100) are located inside.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 7, on the inner surface of the guide cover (120), a protruding projection (121) is formed to guide the temperature-regulating fluid discharged from the slit hole (101) and exiting the guide cover (120) into the guide cover (120), thereby allowing the temperature-regulating fluid to remain around the target crop for a longer period of time.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 8, the local temperature control unit (100) may further be configured with a discharge amount control unit (130) that controls the amount of temperature control fluid discharged by adjusting the size of the slit hole (101).

[0069] The discharge amount control device (130) is configured in the fluid passage, which is the internal space of the local temperature control unit (100), and a hole with the same shape as the slit hole (101) can be formed, and by adjusting the position of this hole, the amount of temperature control fluid discharged can be controlled.

[0070] To this end, as shown in the enlarged portion of FIG. 8, a control handle (131) extending from the discharge amount control unit (130) can be formed to be exposed by penetrating the upper surface of the local temperature control unit (100), and the user can adjust the size of the slit hole (101) by adjusting the position of the control handle (131).

[0071] Meanwhile, the local temperature control module (A) described above is formed in a ring shape and can be used when installed in advance at the time when the target crop begins to be cultivated.

[0072] If the target crop has grown beyond a certain level, it may be difficult to install this ring-shaped local temperature control module (A).

[0073] To solve this, as shown in FIG. 9, the present invention may be configured such that the local temperature control unit (100) is divided into two components and can be combined.

[0074] To look more specifically, the local temperature control unit (100) can be configured to be divided into two unit temperature control units, that is, a first unit temperature control unit (140) and a second unit temperature control unit (150), so that they can be combined.

[0075] At this time, the coupling portions (not shown) of the first unit temperature control unit (140) and the second unit temperature control unit (150) may each have coupling protrusions (141, 151) and coupling grooves (142) formed therein so that they can be fitted together.

[0076] In addition, if the first unit temperature control unit (140) and the second unit temperature control unit (150) can be combined with each other, it is obvious that various types can be applied, and the shapes of the first unit temperature control unit (140) and the second unit temperature control unit (150) can also be applied in various ways.

[0077] In addition, the structure can be applied such that one side of the first unit temperature control unit (140) and the second unit temperature control unit (150) is hinge-connected while the other side is detachably connected, and it goes without saying that various other methods can also be applied.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 10, the local temperature control module (A) of the present invention may further include a height control unit (500) for controlling the height of the local temperature control unit (100).

[0079] The height adjustment unit (500) may include a fixed unit (510) that is fixedly supported on soil, etc., and a moving unit (520) that moves up and down along the fixed unit (510), and the fixed unit (510) and the moving unit (520) may be applied as various things such as LM guides.

[0080] Accordingly, the local temperature control module (A) of the present invention can continuously maintain an optimal cultivation environment by adjusting the height in response to changes in the position of the growth point as the target crop (C) grows.

[0081] In addition, the local temperature control module (A) of the present invention may enable heating and cooling for the entire target crop when the target crop is small in size, and even in this case, heating and cooling are performed only on the local area corresponding to the target crop within the entire cultivation space.

[0082] In addition, when heating and cooling are required for the root portion of the target crop in soil cultivation, the local temperature control module (A) of the present invention may also be used in a form that is buried in the soil where the target crop is cultivated.

[0083] The local temperature control module for crop cultivation according to the present invention has been described above. It will be understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains that the technical configuration of the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without altering the technical concept or essential features of the present invention.

[0084] Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as exemplary in all respects and not limiting. Explanation of the symbols

[0086] A: Local temperature control module 100: Local temperature control unit 101, 102, 103, 104: Slit holes 105 : Guide projection 110 : Guide section 140: 1st unit temperature control unit 141: Connecting projection 142 : Connecting groove 150 : 2nd unit temperature control unit 151 : Connecting projection 120 : Guide Cover 121 : Protruding Chin 130 : Discharge amount control 131 : Control knob 200 : Fluid supply unit 300 : Fluid discharge unit 410: Fluid supply pipe 420: Fluid return pipe 500 : Height adjustment unit 510 : Fixing unit 520 : Mobile unit

Claims

Claim 1 A local temperature control module for crop cultivation comprising: a local temperature control unit configured to surround at least a specific local portion of a target crop and having a fluid passage formed therein to control the ambient temperature of the said local portion; a fluid supply unit that supplies a temperature control fluid to the fluid passage of the local temperature control unit; and a fluid discharge unit that discharges the temperature control fluid of the fluid passage; wherein a plurality of guide pieces are formed on the inner surface of the local temperature control unit to guide the temperature control fluid supplied from the fluid supply unit to rotate within the local temperature control unit, and each of the plurality of guide pieces is inclined and protrudes from the inner surface of the local temperature control unit in the same predetermined direction. Claim 2 A local temperature control module for crop cultivation comprising: a local temperature control unit configured to surround at least a specific local portion of a target crop and having a fluid passage formed therein to control the ambient temperature of the said local portion; a fluid supply unit that supplies a temperature control fluid to the fluid passage of the local temperature control unit; and a fluid discharge unit that discharges the temperature control fluid of the fluid passage; wherein, on the inner surface of the local temperature control unit, a guide projection formed to protrude toward the fluid supply unit is provided at a location facing the part where the fluid supply unit and the fluid passage of the local temperature control unit are connected. Claim 3 A local temperature control module for crop cultivation according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one slit hole is formed on the inner surface of the local temperature control part so as to discharge at least a portion of the temperature control fluid moving through the fluid passage. Claim 4 A local temperature control module for crop cultivation according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one slit hole is formed on the inner surface of the local temperature control part so as to discharge at least a portion of the temperature control fluid moving through the fluid passage. Claim 5 A local temperature control module for crop cultivation according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the local temperature control unit is characterized by having a slit hole further formed in at least one of the outer surface, the upper surface, and the lower surface. Claim 6 A local temperature control module for crop cultivation according to claim 3, wherein the guide piece is formed to extend from the inner side to the outer side of the slit hole. Claim 7 A local temperature control module for crop cultivation comprising: a local temperature control unit configured to surround at least a specific local part of a target crop and having a fluid passage formed inside to control the ambient temperature of the said local part; a fluid supply unit that supplies a temperature control fluid to the fluid passage of the local temperature control unit; and a fluid discharge unit that discharges the temperature control fluid of the fluid passage; wherein at least one slit hole is formed on the inner surface of the local temperature control unit to discharge at least a portion of the temperature control fluid moving through the fluid passage, and the local temperature control unit further comprises a guide cover formed on at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface to guide the temperature control fluid discharged from the slit hole to remain inside. Claim 8 A local temperature control module for crop cultivation according to claim 7, characterized in that a protruding projection is formed on the inner surface of the guide cover to guide the temperature control fluid discharged from the slit hole and exiting the guide cover into the inner side of the guide cover. Claim 9 A local temperature control module for crop cultivation, wherein, in claim 3 or 4, the local temperature control unit further comprises a discharge amount control device that controls the amount of temperature control fluid discharged by adjusting the size of the slit hole. Claim 10 A local temperature control module for crop cultivation, characterized in that, in claim 1 or 2, the local temperature control unit is configured to be divided into two unit temperature control units and combined. Claim 11 A local temperature control module for crop cultivation, characterized in that, in claim 1 or 2, it further includes a height control unit for controlling the height of the local temperature control unit.

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