System for plant horticulture and floriculture

Abstract

System for plant horticulture and floriculture comprising at least one cultivation compartment (100), in which to cultivate said plants (3), which cultivation compartment (100) has a top wall (1) and a bottom wall (2) comprising a cultivation surface (20) on which to cultivate the plants (3). The top wall (1) has one or more lighting devices (11) for generating a light beam (C, D, E, F G), which light beam is projected from the top wall (1) towards the cultivation surface (20), so as to radiate the plants (3) to be cultivated, generating a lighting area of a given extension on the surface of the plant (3). Furthermore, said cultivation compartment (100) comprises means for detecting the extension of the lighting area, said lighting devices (11) having means for adjusting the width of the light beam ((CC,, DD,, EE,, FF,, G G)),, which adjustment means are configured to increase / decrease the width of the light beam based on the extension of the lighting area.

Description

[0001] System for plant horticulture and floriculture

[0002] The present invention relates to a system for plant horticulture and floriculture comprising at least one cultivation compartment, in which to cultivate the plants .

[0003] The cultivation compartment has a top wall and a bottom wall comprising a cultivation surface on which to cultivate the plants .

[0004] The top wall has one or more lighting devices for generating a light beam, which proj ects from the top wall towards the cultivation surface, so as to radiate the plants to be cultivated, generating a lighting area of a given extension on the surface of the plant .

[0005] The present invention is aimed in particular at all systems in the field of horticulture and floriculture , for the cultivation of any kind of plant .

[0006] In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention refers to what are known as soil-less crops , such as hydroponic crops . Such crops utilize light energy emitted by artificial light source generation devices , such as LEDs , neon lamps or the like . Therefore, soil-less crops are generally carried out inside special compartments , i . e . , the cultivation compartments , which have sources for generating light energy, as well as means for dispensing a liquid and means for sucking / supplying a forced air flow . Inside the cultivation compartment, therefore , the plants to be cultivated are subj ected to hydration, lighting and control of environmental conditioning, temperature and humidity, so as to create an optimal environment to allow the growth of the plants .

[0007] As a result, the cost necessary to maintain an optimal environment inside a cultivation compartment is often high, with negative repercussions on the production costs of the cultivated goods .

[0008] In fact, the soil-less cultivation systems known in the state of the art have the main obj ective of maximizing a production yield, but do not in fact allow to limit energy waste .

[0009] Especially with regard to light energy, it is particularly difficult to limit the consumption thereof , since the light energy replaces sunlight and must often constantly radiate the plants to allow the growth thereof .

[0010] For this reason, the cultivation compartment is fully lit .

[0011] However, plants have a growth phase in which they increase in size and footprint and require different light energy based on their state of growth .

[0012] To solve such a problem, the systems known in the state of the art include lighting devices which emit a light beam of adj ustable intensity, so as to modify the intensity thereof based on the state of growth of the plants to be cultivated.

[0013] However, such a solution is not sufficient to solve the problem of the consumption of electrical energy for generating light energy inside the lighting compartment .

[0014] First of all , in the initial growth phases , a large part of the cultivation surface is not occupied by the plant, but despite this , is fully lit .

[0015] Secondly, a variation in light intensity allows to limit the consumption of electrical energy, but at the expense of the correct growth of the plants .

[0016] In fact, during the growth phases , plants need about the same light intensity .

[0017] There is therefore an unmet need for the systems known in the state of the art to solve the disadvantages set out above, in particular to optimize the lighting of the cultivation compartment to allow the correct growth of the plants , varying the lighting based on the growth phase of the plants while minimizing energy consumption .

[0018] The present invention achieves the above obj ects by making a system as previously described, in which the cultivation compartment comprises means for detecting the extension of the lighting area .

[0019] Furthermore, the lighting devices have light means for detecting the extension of the lighting area, configured to increase / decrease the width of the light beam based on the extension of the lighting area .

[0020] Therefore, the present invention aims to limit the electric current consumption of the cultivation compartment through an adj ustment of the light beam, not in intensity, but in the width thereof .

[0021] The presence of the means for detecting the lighting area of the surface of the plant allows to adj ust the width of the light beam so as to entirely light the plant, based on the actual size of the plant itself .

[0022] The light intensity therefore remains constant, but the electrical energy saving is achieved by a limitation of the lighting surface , i . e . , a sizing of the lighting surface based on the growth phase of the plant .

[0023] Therefore, the system which is the subj ect matter of the present invention does not indiscriminately light the entire cultivation surface, but limits itself to exclusively lighting the cultivation surface occupied by the plants , in a different manner based on the growth phase of the plants themselves and the relative leaf arrangement .

[0024] As a result, the energy of the light beam is entirely absorbed by the plants and is not radiated and wasted on the cultivation surface not covered by the plants .

[0025] The system which is the subj ect matter of the present invention can also include a single lighting device which can be used to radiate a single plant or a set of plants .

[0026] Preferably, the system which is the subj ect matter of the present invention envisages that each plant is associated with a corresponding lighting system .

[0027] It is thereby possible to obtain a differentiated lightingfor each plant, even inside the same cultivation compartment .

[0028] Such a feature is particularly advantageous in all hydroponic systems which have the means for generating an air flow placed laterally to the plants themselves . In fact, in such systems , the plants which are located in a position which is proximal to the generation of the air j et grow differently with respect to the plants in the distal position, i . e . , the plants inside the same cultivation compartment have different sizes .

[0029] It follows that, in order to ensure optimal growth, the plants inside the same cultivation compartment are preferably lit differently, based on the size they occupy inside the compartment itself .

[0030] Starting from the generic configuration j ust described, it is possible to envisage different embodiments , which differ in the construction of the means for detecting the lighting area, as well as the lighting devices .

[0031] For example, according to a first embodiment, it can be envisaged that the means for detecting the extension of the lighting area comprise a plurality of cameras placed in the top wall .

[0032] The cameras are therefore responsible for identifying the lit area of the cultivation compartment and assessing whether it corresponds to the footprint of the plant .

[0033] It is therefore possible to envisage an image recognition system, aimed at identifying the shape of the plant and assessing that the entire shape is lit by the lighting devices .

[0034] Alternatively or in combination, it is possible to envisage that the means for detecting the extension of the lighting area comprise a plurality of sensors placed at the cultivation surface and configured to detect the light hitting the cultivation surface .

[0035] In fact, such sensors detect the shadow of the cultivation surface created by the plant, from the shape of the plant which intercepts the light beam, allowing to reconstruct, for example , the extension of the surface of the leaf arrangement .

[0036] Preferably, in order to further limit consumption, the generation of the light beam is obtained through LED technology . Therefore, advantageously, the lighting device comprises a plurality of lighting elements , configured to be activated separately based on the extension of the lighting area required . As will be evident from the illustration of some embodiments , the fact of including a plurality of lighting elements positioned above a corresponding plant, allows to obtain the best compromise between electric current consumption and optimization of the extension of the lighting area, especially thanks to the possibility of activating them independently .

[0037] Based on the arrangement of the lighting elements , it is therefore possible to obtain different shapes of the light beam. In fact, it is possible to envisage a control unit capable of activating the lighting elements according to different modes , based on operating needs .

[0038] For example, the lighting elements could be activated so as to follow the shape of the plant .

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, aimed at obtaining the best compromise between constructional simplicity and saving electric current, it is possible to envisage that the adj ustment of the light beam envisages an increase / decrease of the section of the light beam along a plane parallel to the cultivation surface, based on the punctual growth phase of the plant .

[0040] To obtain such a solution, the lighting elements belonging to a lighting device are arranged in a radial pattern .

[0041] It will thereby be possible to activate the lighting elements concentrically, increasing the radius of the radial pattern based on the size of the plant .

[0042] According to an embodiment, the lighting devices are configured to emit a light beam having a cylindrical shape .

[0043] The cylindrical shape allows to obtain a better control of the light beam when increasing or decreasing the width of the beam itself .

[0044] The system which is the subj ect matter of the present invention is particularly advantageous in applications related to the construction of vertical greenhouses .

[0045] Therefore, advantageously, the top wall and / or the bottom wall are mounted translatably inside the cultivation compartment . There are also movement means configured to increase / decrease the distance between the top wall and the bottom wall .

[0046] The movement means can be activated based on the growth phase of the plant, such that the top wall and the bottom wall increase their distance as the height of the plant increases .

[0047] Such a feature is particularly advantageous in combination with the peculiar construction of the lighting device , as the closer the walls , the simpler the technology required to create a light beam of cylindrical shape .

[0048] According to a further embodiment, the system which is the subj ect matter of the present invention comprises a cabinet having a plurality of cultivation compartments positioned one above the other, along a vertical axis .

[0049] The system which is the subj ect matter of the present invention can therefore be used for the construction of vertical greenhouses , according to what is described in WO2021 / 229310 , the content of which is to be considered an integral part of the present disclosure .

[0050] Finally, it is specified that, despite the presence of the means for detecting the extension of the lighting area, i . e . , an additional component with respect to the systems known in the state of the art, the system in any case has a saving of electrical energy .

[0051] In fact, the absorption of such additional means is minimal , as it is not necessary that the same means , regardless of their creation, are always active .

[0052] In fact, plant growth is a slow and progressive process , whereby, in order to adj ust the width of the light beam, it is advantageous to envisage that the means for detecting the extension of the lighting area are configured to be progressively activated according to predetermined time intervals .

[0053] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following disclosure of some embodiment examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which : figure 1 illustrates a concept diagram of a possible embodiment of the system which is the subj ect matter of the present invention; figure 2 illustrates a top view of the bottom wall belonging to the system which is the subj ect matter of the present invention; figures 3a and 3b illustrate two views of the top wall belonging to the system which is the subj ect matter of the present invention, in particular a bottom view and a detail of the lighting devices belonging to the top wall ; figure 4 illustrates a further concept diagram of a possible embodiment of the system which is the subj ect matter of the present invention .

[0054] It should be noted that, in order to better understand the advantages and features disclosed, the figures attached to the present patent application illustrate only some possible embodiments of the system for plant horticulture and floriculture which is the subj ect matter covered by the present invention .

[0055] Such embodiments are therefore to be understood as purely illustrative and not limiting the inventive concept of the present invention, namely that of maintaining a correct lighting of the cultivation compartment to allow the correct growth of the plants , varying the lighting based on the growth phase of the plants .

[0056] With particular reference to figure 1 , a side view of an embodiment of the system which is the subj ect matter of the present invention is illustrated, comprising at least one cultivation compartment 100 , in which to cultivate the plants 3 . The cultivation compartment 100 has a top wall 1 and a bottom wall 2 .

[0057] The bottom wall 2 is configured to accommodate the plants 3 to be cultivated and, in particular, has a cultivation surface 20 on which a plurality of cultivation seats 21 of the plants 3 are arranged .

[0058] Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the bottom wall 2 , in which an array of cultivation seats 21 is shown homogeneously arranged along the cultivation surface 20 .

[0059] The cultivation seats 21 can be made according to any manner known in the state of the art .

[0060] With particular reference to the figures , the cultivation seats 21 are made as reliefs with respect to the cultivation surfaces 20 , in which a hole 210 is included in which to insert the plants 3 for their growth .

[0061] For the sake of illustrative simplicity, only the plants 3 present in the outermost row of the cultivation seats 21 , which have different growth states , are shown in figure 2 .

[0062] This is a fairly common condition in cultivation systems , since it is possible to insert different types of plants 3 , which grow differently, i . e . , they have different growth phases .

[0063] It is also possible to envisage that all the cultivation seats are occupied by plants , j ust as it is possible to envisage occupying only some of the cultivation seats 21 .

[0064] In any case, it is evident that, generally, the cultivation seats 21 belonging to the same top wall 2 have plants 3 with different growth phases .

[0065] With particular reference to figure 1 , the system which is the subj ect matter of the present invention includes a top wall 1 , spaced from the bottom wall 2 , so as to identify an area 10 in which the plants 3 can grow .

[0066] The top wall 1 has a plurality of lighting devices 11 for generating a light beam, which is proj ected from the top wall 1 towards the cultivation surface 20 , so as to radiate the plants 3 to be cultivated .

[0067] The light beam, spreading, impacts against the surfaces of the plant 3 and generates a lighting area of a given extension on the surface of the plant 3 .

[0068] The parts of the surface of the plant 3 which capture the rays of the light beam, generate a shadow area on the cultivation surface 20 , of a given extension, complementary to the extension of the lighting area .

[0069] From what has j ust been described, it is evident how the extension of the lighting area and the shadow area varies based on the size of the plant, i . e . , the growth phase thereof . Therefore, with reference to figure 2 , the plant

[0070] 3 at the bottom right, has a lighting area and a shadow area of greater extension with respect to the plant 3 placed in the same vertical row above .

[0071] Preferably, according to the embodiment illustrated in the figures , each cultivation seat

[0072] 21 in the bottom wall 2 corresponds to a lighting device 11 of the top wall 1 .

[0073] Such a configuration is obvious by comparing figure 2 and figure 3a : in figure 2 , twenty-five cultivation seats 21 are illustrated, as well as in figure 3a twenty-five lighting devices 11 are illustrated, such that the cultivation seats 21 and the lighting devices 11 are arranged aligned along a vertical direction .

[0074] As previously described, the cultivation compartment 100 comprises means for detecting the extension of the lighting area . Furthermore, the lighting devices 11 comprise means for adj usting the width of the light beam, which are configured to increase / decrease the width of the light beam based on the extension of the lighting area .

[0075] The means for detecting the lighting area can be made in a different manner and envisage different operations .

[0076] According to the variant illustrated in figures 1 and 3a, the top wall 1 has a plurality of cameras 21 aimed at detecting the width of the lighting area .

[0077] In particular, for each plant 3 , the cameras 12 detect the extension of the plant 3 , in particular of a section of the plant 3 along a horizontal plane .

[0078] It is preferable to envisage a processing unit of the entire cultivation compartment 100 on which to load image recognition algorithms , aimed, for example , at recognizing the leaves of the plants 3 and identifying the extension thereof along a horizontal plane , or rather, a proj ection of the leaves and stem of the plant 3 along a horizontal plane .

[0079] Once the extension of the plant 3 has been identified, the cameras 12 detect the extension of the lighting area, thanks to the difference between light and shadow inside the cultivation compartment 100 .

[0080] If the extension of the lighting area is greater with respect to the section of the plant 3 , the processing unit controls the lighting devices

[0081] 11 so as to decrease the width of the light beam, whereas if the extension of the lighting area is smaller with respect to the section of the plant 3 , the processing unit controls the lighting devices 11 so as to increase the width of the light beam. According to a further embodiment variant, not illustrated in the figures , the means for detecting the extension of the lighting area can consist of sensors placed on the cultivation surface 20 and / or on the walls of the cultivation seats 21 , configured to detect the light hitting the surface of the bottom wall 2 .

[0082] In fact, if the light beam is completely absorbed by the plant, the sensors placed on the ground would not detect the presence of light, while, in the case of a larger light beam with respect to the size of the plant, the sensors placed on the ground would detect the presence of light .

[0083] In fact, such sensors are configured to detect a given level of shadow / darkness at the surface level of the bottom wall 2 .

[0084] The processing unit thus uses the data detected by the sensors to increase / decrease the surface width of the light beam, in a manner similar to that described above . It is specified that the cameras 12 can be included in combination with the sensors on the ground, or can be included as alternative technologies . Regardless of the technology used, preferably and according to the variant illustrated in figure 3b, the lighting devices 11 comprise a plurality of lighting elements 110 , such as LED elements or the like .

[0085] Advantageously, the lighting elements 110 are arranged in a radial pattern, as illustrated in figure 3b, so that the single activation of each lighting element 110 allows to generate light beams of various shapes .

[0086] For example , thanks to image recognition algorithms , it is possible to envisage that the lighting elements 110 are activated to follow the footprint of the plant 3 placed below the corresponding lighting device 11 .

[0087] Preferably, for the sake of constructional simplicity, the lighting elements 110 are activated to increase or decrease the width of the light beam according to cylinders of different section .

[0088] For example, it is possible to activate only the most central lighting elements 110 , to generate a light beam having the section of the circle A of figure 3b, or it is possible to envisage activating all the lighting elements 110 to generate a light beam having the section of the circle B of figure 3b .

[0089] The diversified activation of the lighting elements 110 is obtained thanks to the processing unit, configured to separately control the lighting elements 110 , based on the data detected by the means for detecting the width of the lighting area .

[0090] Figure 4 illustrates the result of the operation j ust described . Preferably, the lighting devices

[0091] 11 and / or the individual lighting elements 110 have lenses configured to emit light beams having a cylindrical shape , or close to a cylinder .

[0092] Figure 4 illustrates light beams C, D, E, F and G with increasing widths , following the size of the plants 3 which they radiate . It can be noted how the various light beams C, D, E , F and G have tangent boundaries at the points of maximum extension of the plants 3 which are radiated .

[0093] Thereby, the light energy generated by the lighting devices 11 will be entirely absorbed by the plant 3 below, preventing the light rays from hitting the surfaces not useful for plant cultivation and partly being reflected and diffused in the environment surrounding the cultivation compartment 100 with consequent waste of energy .

[0094] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions , some preferred embodiments have been shown in the drawings and described in detail .

[0095] It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific illustrated embodiment but, on the contrary, the aim is to cover all the modifications , alternative constructions and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims .

[0096] The use of "for example" , "etc . " , "or" indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation, unless otherwise indicated.

[0097] The use of "includes" means "includes but is not limited to" , unless otherwise stated .

Claims

CLAIMS1. System for plant horticulture and floriculture comprising at least one cultivation compartment (100) , in which to cultivate said plants (3) , which cultivation compartment (100) has a top wall (1) and a bottom wall (2) comprising a cultivation surface (20) on which to cultivate the plants (3) , the top wall (1) having one or more lighting devices (11) for generating a light beam (C, D, E, E G) , which light beam is projected from the top wall (1) towards the cultivation surface (20) , so as to radiate the plants (3) to be cultivated, generating a lighting area of a given extension on the surface of the plant (3) , characterized in that said cultivation compartment (100) comprises means for detecting the extension of the lighting area, said lighting devices (11) having means for adjusting the width of the light beam (C, D, E, F, G) , which adjustment means are configured to increase / decrease the width of the light beam based on the extension of the lighting area.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein said means for detecting the extension of the lighting area comprise a plurality of cameras (12) placed in the top wall (1) .

3. System according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said means for detecting the extension of the lighting area comprise a plurality of sensors placed at the cultivation surface (20) and configured to detect the light hitting the cultivation surface (20) .

4. System according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each lighting device (11) comprises a plurality of lighting elements (110) , which lighting elements (110) are configured to be activated separately based on the extension of the lighting area.

5. System according to claim 4, wherein the lighting elements (110) belonging to a lighting device (11) are arrangedin a radial pattern.

6. System according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said lighting devices (11) are configured to emit a light beam having a cylindrical shape.

7. System according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said top wall (1) and / or said bottom wall (2) are translatably mounted inside said cultivation compartment (100) , there being movement means configured to increase / decrease the distance between said top wall (1) and said bottom wall (2) .

8. System according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a cabinet is included having a plurality of cultivation compartments (100) positioned one above the other, along a vertical axis.

9. System according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said means for detecting the extension of the lighting area are configured to be activated according to predetermined time intervals.

Images