Raising apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a raising apparatus capable of efficiently raising plants accommodated in a closed space.　A raising apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a plurality of housing units aligned in a prescribed alignment direction; and a supply device for supplying a raising gas to be used for raising plants to a closed space. The plurality of housing units include a first end housing unit disposed farthest in a first direction among the plurality of housing units, and the other housing units disposed in the second direction with respect to the first end housing unit. The other housing units include a second end housing unit disposed farthest in the second direction among the other housing units. The first end housing unit comprises a first internal space which is defined by a first wall part and capable of accommodating plants. The second end housing unit comprises a second internal space which is defined by a second wall part and capable of accommodating plants. When the plurality of housing units are combined, the plurality of housing units define the closed space for raising plants.

Description

Cultivation equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to a growing device.

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a method for growing plants housed in a closed space. The closed space is, for example, a space partitioned by partitions in a plant cultivation factory where plants are grown indoors. A plant grower uses a cultivation shelf (e.g., a rack dedicated to plant cultivation) when growing the plants. The plants are placed on the cultivation shelf housed in the closed space. When the cultivation shelf is used, the closed space includes a cultivation space and a working space. The cultivation space is the space where the cultivation shelf is placed. The working space is the space required for the grower to perform work (e.g., checking the growth status of the plants, harvesting the plants, etc.).

[0003] Here, a conventional method for growing plants housed in a closed space is to supply carbon dioxide into the closed space (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This method supplies carbon dioxide into the closed space to promote the growth of the plants housed in the closed space.

[0004] However, when this method is used in a closed space containing multiple growing shelves, carbon dioxide is supplied to both the growing space and the working space. Of the two spaces, the carbon dioxide supplied to the growing space is absorbed (reduced) by the plants. In other words, the carbon dioxide supplied to the working space is not absorbed by the plants. Therefore, the carbon dioxide supplied to the working space is wasted. As such, the growing efficiency of this method is poor.

[0005] JP 2011-250759 A

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a cultivation device that can efficiently cultivate plants housed in a closed space.

[0007] The cultivation device according to the present invention is a cultivation device for cultivating plants in a closed space, and includes a plurality of housing units arranged along a predetermined arrangement direction, and a supply device for supplying a cultivation gas used for cultivating plants to the closed space, wherein one direction of the arrangement direction is a first direction and the other direction is a second direction, and the plurality of housing units include a first end housing unit arranged furthest from the first direction among the plurality of housing units, and another housing unit arranged further from the first end housing unit in the second direction, and the other housing unit is arranged furthest from the other housing units in the second direction. and a second end housing unit configured to accommodate a plurality of housing units, the first end housing unit having a first wall portion opening in a second direction and a first internal space partitioned by the first wall portion and capable of accommodating plants; the second end housing unit having a second wall portion opening in the first direction and a second internal space partitioned by the second wall portion and capable of accommodating plants; the second end housing unit is configured such that the plurality of housing units are movable so as to be collapsible, and when the plurality of housing units are collapsed, the plurality of housing units partition a closed space in which the plants are grown, the closed space comprising the first internal space and the second internal space.

[0008] The present invention can provide a cultivation device that can efficiently cultivate plants housed in a closed space.

[0009] 6 is a schematic external view of a growing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of multiple units provided in the growing device of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of a first unit provided in the growing device of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of a third unit provided in the growing device of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a control device provided in the growing device of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the growing device of FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a calculation process included in the operation of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another example of the calculation process included in the operation of FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a schematic external view of the growing device of FIG. 1, showing a state in which multiple units provided in the device have not converged. FIG. 10 is a schematic external view of the growing device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of multiple units provided in the growing device of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a schematic front view of a third unit provided in the growing device of FIG. 10. FIG. 13 is a schematic external view of the growing device of FIG. 10, showing a state in which only the first unit and the second unit of the multiple units provided in the device have converged. FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing yet another embodiment of the growing device according to the present invention.

[0010] An embodiment of a growing device according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "the device") will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] The device includes a plurality of housing units. The plurality of housing units are arranged along a predetermined arrangement direction. One side of the predetermined arrangement direction is a first direction. The other side of the predetermined arrangement direction is a second direction. The second direction is the opposite direction to the first direction. All or some of the plurality of housing units converge to define a closed space. The device grows plants in the defined closed space.

[0012] The "closed space" houses plants.

[0013] The "plant" is grown by a grower in a closed space. The plant absorbs (reduces) gases (e.g., oxygen, carbon dioxide, etc.) in the closed space. The plant uses the absorbed gases in the closed space for growth. The plant is, for example, a plant that can be grown hydroponically.

[0014] A "grower" uses this device to grow plants.

[0015] A "plant growing factory" is a facility where plants are grown indoors.

[0016] In the following description, "contact" means "one member abutting and contacting another member."

[0017] In the following description, "converge" means "a plurality of housing units that define one closed space coming together in the closest state to each other." When each of the plurality of housing units that define one closed space abuts against an adjacent housing unit, the plurality of housing units converge. In other words, the converged plurality of housing units define the closed space.

[0018] In the following description, when one housing unit abuts against an adjacent housing unit, the multiple housing units do not necessarily converge. That is, for example, when one housing unit (A) of two housing units (A and B) that define one closed space abuts against the adjacent housing unit (B), the two housing units (A and B) converge. When only one housing unit (C) of three housing units (C, D, and E) that define one closed space abuts against the adjacent housing unit (D), the three housing units (C, D, and E) do not converge.

[0019] In the following description, "upstream side" means "upstream side in the gas flow." "Downstream side" means "downstream side in the gas flow." In the following description, "intake" means "to draw in gas." "Air delivery" means "to deliver gas."

[0020] The following description is an example of the device being used in a plant cultivation factory.

[0021] ●Embodiment of the Present Device (1)● ●Configuration of the Present Device (1) The configuration of the present device will be described below.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a schematic external view of the device showing an embodiment of the device, and Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram of a plurality of housing units (hereinafter simply referred to as "units") included in the device.

[0023] The device S includes a first unit 1, a second unit 2, a third unit 3, a control device 4, and a rail R. In the following description, the first unit 1, the second unit 2, and the third unit 3 will be referred to as "each unit" unless otherwise specified.

[0024] Each unit is connected to the control device 4 via a network that uses a wired communication method or a wireless communication method. The units converge to define a closed space CS.

[0025] The network is, for example, a communication network such as the Internet, a mobile communication network, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0026] The floor F is the floor of the plant cultivation factory in which the device S is used.

[0027] The rails R guide the movement of each unit. The rails R are laid parallel to the floor F.

[0028] The first unit 1 is arranged furthest in the first direction among the units. The first unit 1 is movable on rails R. The first unit 1 includes a first wall portion 11, a first internal space S1, a device accommodating space DS, a first contact portion 12, a communication portion 13, a contact detection portion 14, a first concentration meter 15, and a supply device 16. The first unit 1 is a first end housing unit in the present invention.

[0029] The first wall 11 separates the first internal space S1 from the device housing space DS. The first wall 11 includes an opening 111.

[0030] The first internal space S1 accommodates plants.

[0031] The device accommodating space DS accommodates the supply device 16 .

[0032] The opening 111 is disposed on the second direction side of the first wall 11. That is, the first wall 11 opens in the second direction.

[0033] The first contact portion 12 is disposed in the opening 111. The first contact portion 12 can come into contact with the second contact portion 22a provided in the second unit 2. That is, the first unit 1 can come into contact with the second unit 2. The second contact portion 22a will be described in detail later.

[0034] The communication unit 13 communicates with the control device 4 via a network.

[0035] The contact detection unit 14 detects contact between the first unit 1 and the second unit 2. The specific operation of the contact detection unit 14 will be described later.

[0036] The first concentration meter 15 measures the first concentration. The first concentration meter 15 is disposed inside the first wall portion 11.

[0037] The "first concentration" is the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the gas in the closed space CS.

[0038] The second unit 2 is disposed between the first unit 1 and the third unit 3. The second unit 2 is movable on a rail R. The second unit 2 includes a second wall portion 21, second contact portions 22a and 22b, a communication portion 23, a contact detection portion 24, and a second internal space S2. The second unit 2 is an intermediate housing unit according to the present invention.

[0039] The second wall portion 21 defines the second internal space S2 and includes openings 211a and 211b. The second wall portion 21 is an intermediate wall portion according to the present invention.

[0040] The second internal space S2 accommodates plants. The second internal space S2 is an intermediate internal space in the present invention.

[0041] The opening 211a is disposed on the first direction side of the second wall portion 21. The shape and size of the opening 211a are the same as the shape and size of the opening 111, respectively.

[0042] The opening 211b is disposed on the second direction side of the second wall portion 21. That is, the second wall portion 21 is open in the first direction and the second direction.

[0043] The second contact portion 22a is disposed in the opening 211a and is capable of contacting the first contact portion 12 of the first unit 1.

[0044] The second contact portion 22b is disposed in the opening 211b. The second contact portion 22b can come into contact with a third contact portion 32 provided in the third unit 3. That is, the second unit 2 can come into contact with both the first unit 1 and the third unit 3. The third contact portion 32 will be described in detail later.

[0045] The communication unit 23 communicates with the control device 4 via the network.

[0046] The contact detection unit 24 detects contact between the first unit 1 and the second unit 2. The contact detection unit 24 detects contact between the second unit 2 and the third unit 3. The specific operation of the contact detection unit 24 will be described later.

[0047] The third unit 3 is disposed furthest in the second direction among the units. The third unit 3 is movable on the rail R. The third unit 3 includes a third wall portion 31, a third abutment portion 32, a communication portion 33, a contact detection portion 34, and a third internal space S3. The third unit 3 is the second end housing unit in the present invention.

[0048] The third wall portion 31 defines a third internal space S3. The third wall portion 31 includes an opening 311.

[0049] The third internal space S3 accommodates plants. The third internal space S3 corresponds to the second internal space of the present invention.

[0050] The opening 311 is disposed on the first direction side of the third wall 31. That is, the third wall 31 is open in the first direction. The shape and size of the opening 311 are the same as the shape and size of the opening 211b.

[0051] The third contact portion 32 is disposed in the opening 311. The third contact portion 32 can come into contact with the second contact portion 22b of the second unit 2. That is, the third unit 3 can come into contact with the second unit 2.

[0052] The communication unit 33 communicates with the control device 4 via the network.

[0053] The contact detection unit 34 detects contact between the third unit 3 and the second unit 2. The specific operation of the contact detection unit 34 will be described later.

[0054] 3 is a schematic front view of the first unit 1. This figure shows the first internal space S1 housing a plant. In this figure, the thick arrows indicate the flow of gas.

[0055] The supply device 16 generates a growth gas using outside air. The supply device 16 supplies the generated growth gas to the closed space CS. The supply device 16 is housed in the device housing space DS. The operation of the supply device 16 is controlled by the control device 4. The supply device 16 includes a blower 161, a concentration membrane 162, a pump 163, a flow meter 164, and a second concentration meter 165. The growth gas will be described in detail later.

[0056] The closed space CS includes a first internal space S1, a second internal space S2, and a third internal space S3.

[0057] The "outside air" is gas outside the closed space CS and outside the device housing space DS. The outside air includes carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, and the like.

[0058] The blower 161 draws in outside air. The blower 161 sends the outside air drawn in by the blower 161 to the concentration membrane 162. The operation of the blower 161 is controlled by the control device 4. The blower 161 is disposed upstream of the concentration membrane 162 in the supply device 16.

[0059] The concentration membrane 162 allows outside air to pass through. The concentration membrane 162 preferentially allows carbon dioxide to pass through among carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, and the like contained in the outside air. Therefore, the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the growth gas (gas flowing downstream of the concentration membrane 162) is higher than the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the outside air (gas flowing upstream of the concentration membrane 162). In other words, the concentration membrane 162 concentrates the carbon dioxide contained in the outside air to generate the growth gas. The concentration membrane 162 is disposed between the blower 161 and the pump 163 in the supply device 16. The concentration membrane 162 is, for example, a known membrane having excellent selectivity and permeability for carbon dioxide.

[0060] The "growth gas" is generated by the concentration membrane 162. The growth gas is the gas that has permeated the concentration membrane 162 out of the outside air sent from the blower 161 toward the concentration membrane 162.

[0061] The pump 163 reduces the pressure in the space downstream of the concentration membrane 162 in the supply device 16 to a predetermined pressure. The pressure in the space downstream of the concentration membrane 162 is lower than the pressure in the space upstream of the concentration membrane 162 in the supply device 16. The outside air sent from the blower 161 permeates the concentration membrane 162 due to the pressure difference between before and after the concentration membrane 162. That is, the pump 163 sucks in the outside air sent from the blower 161. The pump 163 sends (supplies) the growth gas to the closed space CS. The operation of the pump 163 is controlled by the control device 4. The pump 163 is disposed between the concentration membrane 162 and the flow meter 164 in the supply device 16.

[0062] The flow meter 164 measures the air supply flow rate and the air supply time. The flow meter 164 is disposed in the supply device 16 between the pump 163 and the second concentration meter 165. The flow meter in the present invention is, for example, a thermal flow meter such as a thermoflow meter, or an impeller flow meter.

[0063] The "gas supply flow rate" is the flow rate per unit time of the growth gas supplied from the pump 163 to the closed space CS.

[0064] The "gas supply time" is the time during which the growth gas is supplied from the pump 163 to the closed space CS.

[0065] The second concentration meter 165 measures the second concentration. The second concentration meter 165 is disposed downstream of the flow meter 164 within the supply device 16.

[0066] The "second concentration" is the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the growth gas sent to the closed space CS from the pump 163. The second concentration is higher than the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the outside air.

[0067] 4 is a schematic front view of the third unit 3. The figure shows the third internal space S3 accommodating a plant. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the control device 4.

[0068] The control device 4 controls the overall operation of the device S. The control device 4 includes a communication unit 41, a memory unit 42, a convergence detection unit 43, a notification unit 44, an operation control unit 45, a calculation unit 46, and a display unit 47.

[0069] The communication unit 41 communicates with each unit via the network.

[0070] In the following description, the first concentration meter 15, the second concentration meter 165, and the flow meter 164 will be referred to as "each measuring instrument" unless otherwise specified. Information relating to the values ​​measured by each measuring instrument (first concentration, second concentration, air supply time, air supply flow rate) will be referred to as "each measurement information" unless otherwise specified.

[0071] The storage unit 42 stores information (e.g., each piece of measurement information) necessary for the overall operation of the device S. The storage unit 42 is, for example, a recording device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), or a semiconductor memory such as a random access memory (RAM).

[0072] The convergence detection unit 43 detects the convergence of each unit that partitions the closed space CS. The convergence detection unit 43 detects the convergence of each unit when each of the contact detection units 14, 24, and 34 detects contact between two adjacent units. The convergence detection unit 43 does not detect the convergence of each unit when at least one of the contact detection units 14, 24, and 34 does not detect contact between two adjacent units. The convergence detection unit 43 calculates the convergence time based on the detection result.

[0073] "Convergence time" is the time it takes for each unit to converge.

[0074] The notification unit 44 determines whether or not the convergence detection unit 43 has detected the convergence of each unit. The notification unit 44 notifies the trainer whether or not each unit has converged.

[0075] The operation control unit 45 controls the overall operation of the apparatus S (for example, the supply operation of the supply device 16, etc.) The operation control unit 45 is, for example, a microcomputer or a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0076] The "supply operation" is an operation in which the supply device 16 supplies the growth gas to the closed space CS. The operation control unit 45 controls the supply operation based on the detection result of the convergence detection unit 43. When the supply device 16 performs the supply operation, the blower 161 draws in outside air. When the supply device 16 performs the supply operation, the pump 163 delivers the growth gas to the closed space CS. When the supply device 16 does not perform the supply operation, the blower 161 does not draw in outside air. When the supply device 16 does not perform the supply operation, the pump 163 does not deliver the growth gas to the closed space CS.

[0077] The calculation unit 46 acquires information stored in the storage unit 42. The calculation unit 46 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide reduced by the plants based on the information acquired by the calculation unit 46. The reduction amount "V" calculated based on the first concentration "c1", the second concentration "c2", the air supply flow rate "Q", and the air supply time "T1" is expressed by the following formula (1).

[0078] V=Q×T1×(c2-c1) (1)

[0079] The reduction amount "V" calculated based on the first concentration "c1", the second concentration "c2", the air flow rate "Q", and the convergence time "T2" is expressed by the following equation (2).

[0080] V=Q×T2×(c2-c1) (2)

[0081] The display unit 47 displays the amount of carbon dioxide reduction calculated by the calculation unit 46. The display unit 47 is a display. The display unit 47 is a reduction amount display unit in the present invention.

[0082] Operation of the Device (1) The operation of the device S is described below.

[0083] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the device S.

[0084] First, the notification unit 44 determines whether the convergence detection unit 43 has detected the convergence of each unit (S1).

[0085] When the convergence detection unit 43 detects the convergence of each unit (S1: Yes), the notification unit 44 notifies the trainer that each unit has converged (S2).

[0086] Next, the operation control unit 45 determines whether or not the supply device 16 is supplying the growth gas (S3).

[0087] When the supply device 16 is supplying the growth gas (S3: Yes), the apparatus S executes a calculation process (S4). The calculation process (S4) is a process for calculating the amount of carbon dioxide reduced by the plants. The details of the calculation process (S4) will be described later.

[0088] Thereafter, the notification unit 44 determines whether the convergence detection unit 43 has detected the convergence of each unit (S1).

[0089] When the supply device 16 is not supplying the growth gas (S3: No), the operation control unit 45 causes the supply device 16 to start supplying the growth gas (S5).

[0090] Next, the device S executes a calculation process (S4).

[0091] When the convergence detection unit 43 does not detect convergence of each unit (S1: No), the notification unit 44 notifies the trainer that each unit has not converged (S6).

[0092] Next, the operation control unit 45 determines whether or not the supply device 16 is supplying the growth gas (S7).

[0093] When the supply device 16 is supplying the growth gas (S7: Yes), the operation control unit 45 causes the supply device 16 to stop supplying the growth gas (S8).

[0094] Thereafter, the notification unit 44 determines whether the convergence detection unit 43 has detected the convergence of each unit (S1).

[0095] When the supply device 16 is not supplying the growth gas (S7: No), the notification unit 44 again determines whether the convergence detection unit 43 has detected the convergence of each unit (S1).

[0096] In this way, the present apparatus S notifies whether each unit has converged or not based on the detection result of the convergence detection unit 43. When each unit has converged, the present apparatus S causes the supply device 16 to supply the growth gas. When each unit has not converged, the present apparatus S does not cause the supply device 16 to supply the growth gas.

[0097] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the calculation process (S4) included in the operation of the device S.

[0098] First, the calculation unit 46 acquires the first concentration, the second concentration, the gas supply flow rate, and the supply time from the storage unit 42 (S41, S42, S43A).

[0099] Next, the calculation unit 46 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide reduction achieved by the plants based on the first concentration, the second concentration, the air flow rate, and the supply time acquired by the calculation unit 46 (S44).

[0100] Next, the display unit 47 displays the amount of carbon dioxide reduction calculated by the calculation unit 46 (S45).

[0101] In this way, the present device S calculates the amount of carbon dioxide reduction achieved by the plants. The present device S displays the amount of carbon dioxide reduction calculated by the calculation unit 46.

[0102] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of another example of the calculation process (S4) included in the operation of the device S.

[0103] Another example of the calculation process (S4) described below (hereinafter referred to as the "second calculation process") will be described, focusing on the differences from the previously described calculation process (S4) (hereinafter referred to as the "first calculation process").

[0104] First, the calculation unit 46 acquires the convergence time from the storage unit 42 (S43B).

[0105] Next, the calculation unit 46 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide reduction achieved by the plants based on the first concentration, the second concentration, the air flow rate, and the convergence time acquired by the calculation unit 46 (S44).

[0106] In this way, the present device S calculates the amount of carbon dioxide reduction achieved by the plants based on the convergence time.

[0107] 9 is a schematic external view of the present apparatus S showing a state in which the units of the present apparatus S are not converged. The figure shows a state in which the first unit 1 is in contact with the second unit 2. The figure also shows a state in which the second unit 2 is not in contact with the third unit 3. The figure also shows a state in which the closed space CS is not partitioned. The figure also shows a state in which a growing work passage is formed between the second unit 2 and the third unit 3.

[0108] The "cultivation work passage" is a passage necessary for the grower to carry out the cultivation work. The grower carries out the cultivation work in the cultivation work passage.

[0109] "Growth work" refers to work necessary for growing plants, such as planting, harvesting, maintenance, and planting seedlings.

[0110] In this way, when the second unit 2 is not in contact with the third unit 3 and the units are not converged, the present apparatus S forms a growing operation passage between the second unit 2 and the third unit 3. That is, when the growing operation passage is formed, the present apparatus S does not allow the supply device 16 to supply the growing gas.

[0111] Summary (1) According to the embodiment described above, the present device S includes a first unit 1, a second unit 2, a third unit 3, and a supply device 16. The first unit 1 is disposed furthest in the first direction among the units. The third unit 3 is disposed furthest in the second direction among the units. The second unit 2 is disposed between the first unit 1 and the third unit 3 among the units. The first unit 1 includes a first wall portion 11 opening in the second direction and a first internal space S1 for accommodating a plant. The third unit 3 includes a third wall portion 31 opening in the first direction and a third internal space S3 for accommodating a plant. When the units converge, they define a closed space CS. The closed space CS includes the first internal space S1 and the third internal space S3. The supply device 16 supplies a growing gas to the closed space CS. The plants absorb the growth gas supplied to the closed space CS, and as a result, the present device S can efficiently grow the plants housed in the closed space CS.

[0112] According to the embodiment described above, when the third unit 3 moves in the second direction from a state in which the units are converged, the device S forms a growing work passage between the second unit 2 and the third unit 3. As a result, the device S enables the grower to perform growing work.

[0113] In a conventional method for growing plants, carbon dioxide is supplied to both the growing space and the working space. This results in a high carbon dioxide concentration in the working space. This method can have adverse effects on the grower, such as poor physical condition and reduced accuracy of the growing work when entering the working space. On the other hand, according to the embodiment described above, the present device S includes a control device 4. The control device 4 is connected to each unit via a network. The control device 4 includes a convergence detection unit 43, a notification unit 44, and an operation control unit 45. The convergence detection unit 43 detects convergence of each unit. When the convergence detection unit 43 does not detect convergence of each unit, the operation control unit 45 stops the supply of growing gas by the supply device 16. The present device S does not supply growing gas when the closed space CS is not partitioned (when a growing work passage is formed). As a result, the grower performs growing work without the supply of growing gas. The present device S can prevent adverse effects on the grower.

[0114] According to the embodiment described above, the control device 4 includes a calculation unit 46 and a display unit 47. The calculation unit 46 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide reduction achieved by the plant. The display unit 47 displays the amount of carbon dioxide reduction calculated by the calculation unit 46. As a result, the grower can visually recognize the amount of carbon dioxide reduction displayed on the display unit 47. The grower can utilize the amount of carbon dioxide reduction achieved by the plant toward achieving carbon neutrality and carbon credits (a system in which greenhouse gas emission reductions are certified as credits and traded).

[0115] According to the embodiment described above, the convergence detection unit 43 calculates the convergence time based on the detection result. The calculation unit 46 acquires the convergence time calculated by the convergence detection unit 43 from the convergence detection unit 43. As a result, the present device S can calculate the amount of carbon dioxide reduction achieved by the plants based on the convergence time.

[0116] According to the embodiment described above, the supply device 16 condenses carbon dioxide contained in the outside air to generate the growth gas. As a result, the present device S can efficiently grow plants housed in the closed space CS while reducing carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere to achieve carbon neutrality.

[0117] According to the embodiment described above, the first wall 11 defines the device accommodation space DS. The device accommodation space DS accommodates the supply device 16. As a result, the device S can protect the supply device 16 from the environment outside the first wall 11.

[0118] According to the embodiment described above, the device housing space DS does not house plants. The supply device 16 does not supply growth gas to the device housing space DS. The supply device 16 supplies growth gas only to the closed space CS. As a result, the device S can efficiently grow plants housed in the closed space CS.

[0119] ●Embodiment (2) of the present device● Another embodiment of the present device (hereinafter referred to as the "second embodiment") described below will be described focusing on the differences from the previously described embodiment of the present device (hereinafter referred to as the "first embodiment").

[0120] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the first end housing unit is fixed to the floor (immovable). The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the device includes a middle end housing unit instead of a middle housing unit. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the device partitions two closed spaces (a first closed space and a second closed space).

[0121] Configuration of the Present Device (2) Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of the present device showing a second embodiment of the present device. Fig. 11 is a functional block diagram of a first unit 1A, a second unit 2A, and a third unit 3A.

[0122] This device SA includes a first unit 1A, a second unit 2A, a third unit 3A, a control device 4A, and a rail R.

[0123] In the following description, the first unit 1A, the second unit 2A, and the third unit 3A will be referred to as "each unit" unless otherwise specified.

[0124] Each unit is connected to the control device 4A via a network using a wired or wireless communication method. The units converge to partition the first closed space CS1 and the second closed space CS2.

[0125] The first unit 1A is fixed to the floor and is immovable. The first unit 1A is the first end housing unit of the present invention.

[0126] The second unit 2A is disposed between the first unit 1A and the third unit 3A. The second unit 2A includes a second wall portion 21A and a second internal space S2A. The second unit 2A is an intermediate end housing unit according to the present invention.

[0127] The second wall 21A partitions the second internal space S2A. When the units converge, the second wall 21A partitions the first closed space CS1 and the second closed space CS2. The second wall 21A has an opening 211a. The second wall 21A is an intermediate end wall according to the present invention, and is also a partition wall according to the present invention.

[0128] The second internal space S2A accommodates plants.

[0129] The first closed space CS1 includes a first internal space S1 and a second internal space S2A.

[0130] The second contact portion 22a is disposed in the opening 211a. The second contact portion 22a can come into contact with the first contact portion 12 of the first unit 1A. That is, the second unit 2A can come into contact with the first unit 1A.

[0131] The third unit 3A includes a third wall portion 31A, a third contact portion 32A, a third concentration meter 35, and a supply device 36.

[0132] The third wall portion 31A separates the third internal space S3A from the device housing space DS2.

[0133] The third internal space S3A accommodates plants.

[0134] The device accommodating space DS2 accommodates the supply device 36.

[0135] The second closed space CS2 includes a third internal space S3A.

[0136] The third contact portion 32A is connected to the opening 311. The third contact portion 32A contacts the second wall portion 21A of the second unit 2A. That is, the third unit 3A contacts the second unit 2A.

[0137] The third concentration meter 35 measures the third concentration. The third concentration meter 35 is disposed inside the third wall portion 31A.

[0138] The "third concentration" is the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the gas in the second closed space CS2.

[0139] 12 is a schematic front view of the third unit 3A, showing the third internal space S3A housing a plant. In the figure, thick arrows indicate the flow of gas.

[0140] The supply device 36 generates a growth gas using outside air. The supply device 36 supplies the generated growth gas to the second closed space CS2. The supply device 36 is accommodated in the device accommodation space DS2. The operation of the supply device 36 is controlled by the control device 4A.

[0141] The functions of each component of the supply device 36 (blower 361, concentration membrane 362, pump 363, flow meter 364, and fourth concentration meter 365) are the same as the functions of each component of the supply device 16 (blower 161, concentration membrane 162, pump 163, flow meter 164, and second concentration meter 165).

[0142] The fourth densitometer 365 measures the fourth density.

[0143] The "fourth concentration" is the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the growth gas sent from the pump 363 to the second closed space CS2.

[0144] Operation of the Device (2) The operation of the device SA in the second embodiment will be described below.

[0145] The device SA operates in the same manner as the device S (the device in the first embodiment) in each of the first closed space CS1 and the second closed space CS2. That is, the device SA executes the processes (S1) to (S8) shown in Fig. 6 in each of the first closed space CS1 and the second closed space CS2.

[0146] 13 is a schematic external view of the device SA showing a state in which only the first unit 1A and the third unit 3A are converged among the units included in the device SA. The same figure also shows a state in which the third unit 3A is not converged to the second unit 2A. The same figure also shows a state in which the first closed space CS1 is defined. The same figure also shows a state in which the second closed space CS2 is not defined. The same figure also shows a state in which a passage is formed between the second unit 2A and the third unit 3A.

[0147] In this way, when the second unit 2A converges on the first unit 1A, the device SA does not form a growing work passage (hereinafter referred to as the "first growing work passage") between the first unit 1A and the second unit 2A. When the third unit 3A does not converge on the second unit 2A, the device SA forms a growing work passage (hereinafter referred to as the "second growing work passage") between the second unit 2A and the third unit 3A. In other words, when the second growing work passage is formed but the first growing work passage is not formed, the device SA starts the supply operation of the supply device 16 and stops the supply operation of the supply device 36.

[0148] Summary (2) According to the embodiment described above, the device SA includes a first unit 1A, a second unit 2A, a third unit 3A, and supply devices 16 and 36. The first unit 1A is disposed closest to the first direction among the units. The second unit 2A is disposed between the first unit 1A and the third unit 3A among the units. The third unit 3A is disposed closest to the second direction among the units. The second unit 2A includes a second wall portion 21A opening in the first direction and a second internal space S2A for accommodating a plant. The third unit 3A includes a third wall portion 31A opening in the first direction and a third internal space S3A for accommodating a plant. When the units converge, they define a first closed space CS1 and a second closed space CS2. The first closed space CS1 includes a first internal space S1 and a second internal space S2. The second closed space CS2 includes a third internal space S3. The supply device 16 supplies the growth gas to the first closed space CS1. The supply device 36 supplies the growth gas to the second closed space CS2. The plants absorb the growth gas supplied to the first closed space CS1 and the second closed space CS2. As a result, the device SA can efficiently grow plants housed in the first closed space CS1 and the second closed space CS2. The plants housed in the first closed space CS1 can absorb the growth gas supplied from the supply device 16. The plants housed in the second closed space CS2 can absorb the growth gas supplied from the supply device 36.

[0149] According to the embodiment described above, the device SA performs the same operations (e.g., supply operation) as the device S in each of the first closed space CS1 and the second closed space CS2. When the first closed space CS1 is partitioned (the second unit 2A is converged on the first unit 1A) and the second closed space CS2 is not partitioned (the third unit 3A is not converged on the second unit 2A), the device SA supplies the growing gas generated by the supply device 16 only to the first closed space CS1. The device SA forms a second growing work passage between the second unit 2A and the third unit 3A. As a result, the device SA can supply the growing gas to the first closed space CS1 while a grower is performing necessary growing work on a plant housed in the third internal space S3A. The device S allows a grower to efficiently grow a plant housed in the first closed space CS1 while performing growing work.

[0150] Other Embodiments Arrangement In the embodiments described above, the second wall 21A of the second unit 2A is open only in the first direction. However, the intermediate end unit of the present invention may be provided with an intermediate end wall that is open in the first and / or second direction, and a partition wall that can separate the first closed space and the second closed space when multiple housing units converge, and the intermediate end wall of the present invention does not have to be open only in the first direction. That is, for example, the intermediate end wall of the present invention may be open in both the first and second directions.

[0151] 14 is a schematic diagram showing yet another embodiment of the present device, showing a plurality of the present devices as viewed in the direction of gravity, with the plurality of housing units constituting each of the plurality of present devices converged.

[0152] In the embodiment described above, the device S includes a first unit 1, a second unit 2, and a third unit 3. The device SA includes a first unit 1A, a second unit 2A, and a third unit 3A. However, the number of housing units in the present invention is not limited to "3" as long as the housing units can partition a closed space in which plants are grown. That is, for example, the number of housing units in the present invention may be "2," or "4" or more.

[0153] This device SB includes a first end housing unit of the present invention and a second end housing unit of the present invention, that is, this device SB includes two housing units.

[0154] The device SC includes a first end housing unit of the present invention, a middle end housing unit of the present invention, and a second end housing unit of the present invention. That is, the device SC includes three housing units.

[0155] The device SD includes a first end housing unit of the present invention, two intermediate housing units of the present invention, and a second end housing unit of the present invention. That is, the device SD includes four housing units.

[0156] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the arrangement direction of each unit is a first direction and a second direction. However, the arrangement direction of the multiple housing units in the present invention is not limited to the first direction and the second direction as long as the multiple housing units can define a closed space in which plants are grown when converged. That is, for example, the multiple housing units in the present invention may be arranged in another arrangement direction (hereinafter referred to as a "second arrangement direction") different from a predetermined arrangement direction (hereinafter referred to as a "first arrangement direction"). The second arrangement direction is not parallel to the first arrangement direction.

[0157] In this case, one direction of the second arrangement direction is the third direction, and the other direction is the fourth direction. The first end housing unit is arranged furthest in the first direction and furthest in the third direction among the multiple housing units. The second end housing unit is arranged furthest in the second direction and furthest in the third direction among the other housing units. The other housing units include a third end housing unit and a fourth end housing unit. The third end housing unit is arranged furthest in the first direction and furthest in the fourth direction among the other housing units. The third end housing unit includes a third wall portion and a third internal space. The third wall portion opens in the second direction and / or the third direction. The third internal space is partitioned by the third wall portion and is capable of accommodating plants. The fourth end housing unit is arranged furthest in the second direction and furthest in the fourth direction among the other housing units. The fourth end housing unit includes a fourth wall portion and a fourth internal space. The fourth wall is open in the first direction and / or the third direction. The fourth internal space is partitioned by the fourth wall and is capable of accommodating a plant. The closed space includes the first internal space, the third internal space, and the fourth internal space.

[0158] This device SE includes a first end housing unit of the present invention, a second end housing unit of the present invention, a third end housing unit of the present invention, and a fourth end housing unit of the present invention. That is, this device SE includes four housing units.

[0159] This device SF includes five housing units: a first end housing unit of the present invention, a second end housing unit of the present invention, a third end housing unit of the present invention, and a fourth end housing unit of the present invention. That is, this device SF includes nine housing units.

[0160] Furthermore, the multiple housing units of the present invention may be moved while still defining all or part of the closed space, or may be moved from a converged state to a non-converged state to form a passageway. The multiple housing units may also be moved to change the combination of the multiple housing units defining one closed space. In this case, the device can change the arrangement of the multiple housing units to change the number and size of the closed spaces, the number of supply devices that supply growth gas to the closed spaces, the locations where the housing units are arranged, and so on. Therefore, the device can grow plants by changing the arrangement of the multiple housing units.

[0161] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the plants are plants that can be grown hydroponically. However, the plants grown by the present device are not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the plants may be plants that can be grown in soil.

[0162] In the above-described embodiment, the present device S, SA is equipped with rails R. However, as long as the second end housing unit in the present invention is movable, the number of rails in the present invention is not limited to "1". That is, for example, the number of rails in the present invention may be "2" or more, or may even be "0". The present device may also be a railless growing device that does not have rails.

[0163] In the above-described embodiments, the devices S and SA are used in a plant cultivation factory. However, the location where the devices are used is not limited to a plant cultivation factory. For example, the devices may be used in a warehouse or outdoors.

[0164] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the devices S and SA are equipped with control devices 4 and 4A that connect to each unit via a network. However, the control devices equipped in the devices are not limited to this. That is, for example, each component equipped in the control device may be equipped in one of the multiple housing units (e.g., the first end housing unit) in the present invention, or may be equipped in each of the multiple housing units.

[0165] Housing Unit The shape of the multiple housing units in the present invention is not particularly limited. That is, for example, the shape of the housing unit in the present invention may be a rectangular box or a hemispherical shape. The housing unit may be a mobile shelf unit having multiple movable shelves. In this case, the first end housing unit is a movable shelf or a fixed shelf. The other housing units are movable shelves. The movable shelf may be, for example, a manual, hand-pulled movable shelf or an electrically operated movable shelf.

[0166] In the embodiment described above, all of the units included in the device S are movable. Of the units included in the device SA, the first unit 1A is fixed and immovable. However, whether each of the multiple housing units in the present invention is movable is not limited to the embodiment described above. That is, for example, the intermediate housing unit in the present invention may be fixed and immovable.

[0167] Furthermore, the materials of the first wall portion, the second wall portion, the intermediate wall portion, and the intermediate end wall portion in the present invention are not particularly limited. For example, the first wall portion, the second wall portion, the intermediate wall portion, and the intermediate end wall portion in the present invention may be made of vinyl, resin, or a reflective material that can reflect light.

[0168] Supply Device In the embodiment described above, the present device S for growing plants in a single closed space is equipped with a supply device 16. However, the supply device in the present invention is only required to supply a growth gas to the closed space, and the number of supply devices in the present invention is not limited to "1." In other words, for example, the present device for growing plants in a single closed space may be equipped with two or more supply devices.

[0169] In the embodiment described above, the apparatus SA for growing plants in two closed spaces includes a supply device 16 and a supply device 36. The growth gas generated by the supply device 16 (hereinafter referred to as the "first growth gas") is supplied to the first closed space CS1. The growth gas generated by the supply device 36 (hereinafter referred to as the "second growth gas") is supplied to the second closed space CS2. However, the supply device of the present invention is not limited to one supply destination as long as it can supply the growth gas to the closed spaces. That is, for example, a single supply device of the present invention may supply the growth gas to multiple closed spaces. In this case, the single supply device may include branch pipes arranged between the supply device and each of the multiple closed spaces. The single supply device may also include valves capable of adjusting the flow rate of the growth gas supplied to each of the multiple closed spaces. In this way, the present apparatus, which divides a plurality of closed spaces, only needs to be provided with one supply device, which reduces costs compared to when a plurality of supply devices are required.

[0170] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the supply device 16, 36 is equipped with a concentration membrane 162, 362. However, the supply device of the present invention may not be equipped with a concentration membrane as long as it supplies the growth gas to the closed space. That is, for example, the supply device of the present invention may be a DAC (Direct Air Capture) device that captures carbon dioxide by physical adsorption, a DAC device that captures carbon dioxide by cryogenic separation, a pipeline, a dry ice supply device, a carbon dioxide gas cylinder, or a combustion-type carbon dioxide applicator. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the flow meter 164 is disposed between the pump 163 and the second concentration meter 165 in the supply device 16. The second concentration meter 165 is disposed downstream of the flow meter 164 in the supply device 16. However, the flow meter of the present invention may be disposed downstream of the concentration membrane and be capable of measuring the gas supply flow rate and gas supply time, and the location of the flow meter of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The second concentration meter of the present invention may be disposed downstream of the concentration membrane to measure the second concentration, and the location of the second concentration meter of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. That is, for example, the second concentration meter of the present invention may be disposed between the pump and the flow meter in the supply device. The flow meter of the present invention may be disposed downstream of the second concentration meter. The second concentration meter of the present invention and the flow meter of the present invention may each be disposed in a supply flow path connected between the supply device and the closed space.

[0171] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the supply device 16 is provided in the first unit 1, 1A. The supply device 36 is provided in the third unit 3A. However, the supply device of the present invention is only required to concentrate carbon dioxide contained in the outside air to generate a growth gas, and the location where the supply device of the present invention is disposed is not limited to the above-described embodiments. That is, for example, the housing unit to which the supply device of the present invention is attached may be the intermediate housing unit of the present invention. The housing unit to which the supply device is attached may or may not house the supply device. The housing unit that houses the supply device may house the supply device in an apparatus housing space different from the closed space, or may house the supply device in the closed space.

[0172] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the operation control unit 45 starts or stops the supply of the growth gas by the supply device based on the convergence detection detected by the convergence detection unit 43. However, the control of starting and stopping the supply of the growth gas by the control device in the present invention is not limited to this. That is, for example, the control device in the present invention may control the ON / OFF of the power supply of the supply device or may control a valve provided in the supply device.

[0173] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the control of the supply operation of the supply device 16 by the operation control unit 45 is "start of supply" and "stop of supply." However, the control of the supply device by the control device in the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. That is, for example, the control device in the present invention may control to increase or decrease the flow rate of the growth gas supplied by the supply device, or may control to increase or decrease the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the growth gas.

[0174] In the above-described embodiments, the growth gas is not particularly limited. That is, for example, the growth gas in the present invention may be a gas containing a volatile component such as acetoin or butanediol.

[0175] In a conventional method for growing multiple plants (e.g., a first plant and a second plant) housed in a closed space, it has been difficult to partition the closed space into separate spaces for each of the multiple plants. Therefore, in this method, carbon dioxide is supplied to a single closed space housing both the first plant and the second plant. As a result, when the carbon dioxide concentration optimal for growing the first plant differs from the carbon dioxide concentration optimal for growing the second plant, the carbon dioxide concentration absorbed by at least one of the first plant and the second plant is not optimal for growing that plant. In other words, the growth efficiency of this method is poor. Meanwhile, in the above-described embodiments, the first and second growing gases are not particularly limited in terms of whether they are the same or different. That is, the first growing gas may be different from or the same as the second growing gas. The carbon dioxide concentration contained in the first growing gas may be different from or the same as the carbon dioxide concentration contained in the second growing gas. In other words, when a first closed space for accommodating a first plant and a second closed space for accommodating a second plant are respectively partitioned, the operation control unit of the present invention may control the operation of the supply device so that the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the first growth gas is different from the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the second growth gas. In this case, the device supplies the first growth gas suitable for growing the first plant to the first closed space. The device supplies the second growth gas suitable for growing the second plant to the second closed space. As a result, the device can supply growth gases suitable for growing each of the multiple plants to each of the multiple closed spaces, thereby efficiently growing multiple plants.

[0176] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the difference between the airflow rate measured by the flowmeter 164 and the airflow rate measured by the flowmeter 364 is not particularly limited. For example, the flow rate of the growth gas supplied by the first supply device of the present invention may be different from or the same as the flow rate of the growth gas supplied by the second supply device of the present invention. That is, when a first closed space accommodating a first plant and a second closed space accommodating a second plant are respectively partitioned, the operation control unit of the present invention may control the operation of the supply device so that the flow rate of the first growth gas is different from the flow rate of the second growth gas. In this case, the present device supplies an optimal amount of growth gas for growing the first plant to the first closed space. The present device supplies an optimal amount of growth gas for growing the second plant to the second closed space. As a result, the present device can supply optimal amounts of growth gas for growing each of the multiple plants to each of the multiple closed spaces, thereby efficiently growing multiple plants.

[0177] Convergence and Sealing In the embodiment described above, the first unit 1 includes the first contact portion 12 that contacts the second contact portion 22a. However, each of the multiple housing units in the present invention may include a sealing member that contacts the adjacent housing unit. The sealing member seals the closed space. The material of the sealing member is not particularly limited. That is, for example, the sealing member in the present invention may be a gas seal material made of foam sponge, rubber, or a plate-shaped resin.

[0178] In the embodiment described above, the convergence detection unit 43 detects the convergence of the multiple housing units. However, instead of this, the present device may be provided with a sealed detection device that detects whether the closed space is sealed. In this case, the control device in the present invention starts the supply of growth gas when the sealed detection device detects that the closed space is sealed. When the sealed detection device does not detect that the closed space is sealed, the control device controls the operation of the supply device to stop the supply of growth gas to the closed space. The alarm device in the present invention alarms the detection state of the sealed detection device.

[0179] Furthermore, the alarm device of the present invention may be capable of reporting the detection state of the sealed detection device, and the manner of reporting by the alarm device is not particularly limited. That is, for example, the alarm device may be an LED. In this case, the alarm device emits light to report whether or not each unit has converged. The alarm device may be a speaker. In this case, the alarm device emits an alarm sound to report whether or not each unit has converged. The alarm device may stop emitting the LED light or stopping the alarm sound when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the alarm. The alarm device may report to the outside of the multiple housing units, or to the inside of the multiple housing units.

[0180] Calculation and Display of Reduction Amount In the above-described embodiment, the device S includes a first concentration meter 15 and a second concentration meter 165. However, the device does not need to include a second concentration meter, as long as the calculation unit can calculate the carbon dioxide reduction amount. That is, for example, when the supply device of the present invention is a gas cylinder that supplies carbon dioxide at a predetermined concentration, the memory unit may store a value (the concentration of carbon dioxide supplied from the gas cylinder) previously input by the breeder. The calculation unit calculates the reduction amount based on the value stored in the memory unit. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the supply device 16, 36 includes a flow meter 164, 364. However, the device does not need to include a flow meter, as long as the calculation unit can calculate the carbon dioxide reduction amount. That is, for example, the memory unit of the present invention may store a previously measured normal air supply flow rate. The calculation unit of the present invention acquires the air supply flow rate stored in the memory unit. The calculation unit calculates the reduction amount based on the air supply flow rate acquired by the calculation unit.

[0181] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the display unit 47 that displays the reduction amount is provided in the control device 4, 4A. However, the reduction amount display unit in the present invention only needs to be arranged so as to be visible from outside the multiple housing units, and does not have to be provided in the control device 4, 4A. That is, for example, the first end housing unit in the present invention may be provided with the reduction amount display unit. The reduction amount display unit is arranged outside the first wall portion.

[0182] Furthermore, the reduction amount display unit of the present invention is only required to be able to display the reduction amount, and the display mode of the reduction amount displayed on the reduction amount display unit is not particularly limited. That is, for example, the display mode of the reduction amount displayed on the reduction amount display unit of the present invention may be a direct display mode, an indirect display mode, or both. The direct display mode is a mode in which the reduction amount is directly displayed. The direct display mode is, for example, a unit display such as "ppm", a conversion display such as "g", or a display such as "L" or "m ３ " and a flow rate display such as "L / min." The indirect display mode is a mode in which the reduction amount is indirectly displayed. Examples of the indirect display mode include display using icons that change according to the reduction amount (e.g., plant leaves, the number of flowers, the number of trees, etc.), and display using colors that change according to the reduction amount.

[0183] ●Other Information The configuration of the device of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. That is, for example, the device may include a memory unit that stores cultivation information related to plant cultivation and a cultivation information display unit that displays the cultivation information. The cultivation information includes cultivated plant information and cultivation work information. The cultivated plant information is information about the characteristics and condition of plants cultivated in the closed space. The cultivated plant information is, for example, the type of plant, the cumulative amount of carbon dioxide supplied to the closed space, the cumulative amount of nutrients provided, and the cultivation period. The cultivation work information is information about the cultivation work. The cultivation work information is, for example, the work content, the worker, the work time, the shipping destination, and the like. In this case, the control device controls the operation of the supply device based on the cultivation information stored in the memory unit. Therefore, the device can efficiently cultivate plants housed in the closed space according to the plant and the cultivation work.

[0184] Furthermore, the configuration of the present device according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. That is, for example, the present device may include an internal environment control unit. In this case, the internal environment control unit controls the internal environment of the closed space based on information stored in the memory unit (e.g., measurement information, growth information, environmental information, etc.). Specifically, the internal environment control unit may control the amount of LED irradiation within the closed space to artificially switch between day and night. The internal environment control unit may control the temperature within the closed space to provide stress to the plants due to temperature differences. The internal environment control unit may control the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the gas within the closed space, the humidity within the closed space, etc. When the present device includes multiple closed spaces, the internal environment control unit may control the internal environment of each of the multiple closed spaces.

[0185] Movement Control In the embodiment described above, the first unit 1, the second units 2, 2A, and the third units 3, 3A are movable. However, the method of moving the housing units in the present invention is not particularly limited. That is, for example, the movable housing units in the present invention may be electric housing units equipped with a motor, or housing units that can be moved by a shelf-transport robot. The present device may also include a movement control unit that controls the movement of the housing units.

[0186] Furthermore, the device, which includes a movable housing unit and a movement control unit, may also include an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information indicating the internal environment within the closed space and / or the external environment outside the closed space. The internal environment may be, for example, the amount of LED irradiation within the closed space, the temperature within the closed space, and the carbon dioxide concentration within the closed space. The external environment may be, for example, the amount of solar radiation, temperature, and weather. In this case, the movement control unit controls the movement of the housing unit based on the environmental information. The movement control unit may control the spacing between the multiple housing units to be constant based on the carbon dioxide concentration within the closed space. The movement control unit may move the multiple housing units that define the closed space to an environment suitable for growing plants (such as a location illuminated by LEDs in a plant cultivation factory, a terrace illuminated by sunlight, or a bright location in an outdoor greenhouse) based on environmental information indicating the external environment stored in the memory unit.

[0187] The movement control unit may also control the movement of the movable casing unit based on the development information. Specifically, the movement control unit may control the movement of the casing unit so as to form a passageway based on the work time stored in the storage unit. The movement control unit may move the casing unit to a location where a worker is performing development work based on the work content, work time, and work location stored in the storage unit.

[0188] ●Features of this device● The features of this device that have been explained so far are summarized below.

[0189] This device is a growing device (e.g., this device S, SA) for growing plants in a closed space (e.g., closed space CS, first closed space CS1, second closed space CS2), and comprises a plurality of housing units (e.g., first unit 1, 1A, second unit 2, 2A, third unit 3, 3A) arranged along a predetermined arrangement direction, and a supply device (e.g., supply device 16, 36) for supplying a growing gas used for growing the plants to the closed space, wherein one direction of the arrangement direction is a first direction and the other direction is a second direction, and the plurality of housing units include: a first end housing unit (e.g., first unit 1, 1A) arranged furthest in the first direction among the plurality of housing units; and other housing units (e.g., second unit 2, 2A, third unit 3, 3A) arranged in the second direction relative to the first end housing unit, and and a second end housing unit (e.g., third unit 3, 3A) that is arranged furthest in the second direction among the other housing units, wherein the first end housing unit includes: a first wall portion (e.g., first wall portion 11) that opens in the second direction; and a first internal space (e.g., first internal space S1) that is partitioned by the first wall portion and is capable of accommodating the plant; and the second end housing unit includes: a second wall portion (e.g., third wall portion 31, 31A) that opens in the first direction; and a second internal space (e.g., third internal space S3, S3A) that is partitioned by the second wall portion and is capable of accommodating the plant; and wherein the second end housing unit is configured such that the plurality of housing units are movable so as to be collapsible, and when the plurality of housing units are collapsed, the plurality of housing units define the closed space in which the plant is grown, and the closed space includes the first internal space and the second internal space.

[0190] In this device, the other housing units may include an intermediate housing unit (e.g., second unit 2) arranged between the first end housing unit and the second end housing unit, and the intermediate housing unit may have an intermediate wall portion (e.g., second wall portion 21) that opens in the first direction and the second direction, and an intermediate internal space (e.g., second internal space S2) that is partitioned by the intermediate wall portion and can accommodate the plant, and the closed space may include the intermediate internal space.

[0191] In this device, the closed space may include a first closed space (e.g., first closed space CS1) and a second closed space (e.g., second closed space CS2) arranged on the second direction side of the first closed space, and the other housing units may include an intermediate end housing unit (e.g., second unit 2A) arranged between the first end housing unit and the second end housing unit, and the intermediate end housing unit may include an intermediate end wall portion (e.g., second wall portion 21A) that opens in the first direction and / or the second direction, and a partition wall portion (e.g., second wall portion 21A) that can partition the first closed space and the second closed space when a plurality of the housing units converge, and the first closed space may include the first internal space, and the second closed space may include the second internal space.

[0192] In this device, the growth gas may include a first growth gas supplied to the first closed space and a second growth gas supplied to the second closed space, and the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the first growth gas may be different from the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the second growth gas.

[0193] The present device may include a control device (e.g., an operation control unit 45) that controls the operation of the supply device, wherein the plants include a first plant grown in the first closed space and a second plant grown in the second closed space, and the growth gases include a first growth gas supplied to the first closed space and a second growth gas supplied to the second closed space, and the control device may control the operation of the supply device so that the flow rate of the first growth gas and the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the first growth gas are different from the flow rate of the second growth gas and the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the second growth gas, respectively.

[0194] In this apparatus, the supply device may include a first supply device (e.g., supply device 16) that supplies the first growth gas to the first closed space, and a second supply device (e.g., supply device 36) that supplies the second growth gas to the second closed space.

[0195] This device may include a control device (e.g., an operation control unit 45) that controls the operation of the supply device, and a convergence detection device (e.g., a convergence detection unit 43) that detects whether the plurality of housing units have converged, and the control device may start supplying the growth gas when the convergence detection device detects the convergence of the plurality of housing units.

[0196] In this device, the control device may be configured to control the operation of the supply device to stop the supply of the growth gas to the closed space when the convergence detection device does not detect the convergence of the plurality of housing units.

[0197] This device comprises a control device (e.g., operation control unit 45) that controls the operation of the supply device; a first convergence detection device (e.g., convergence detection unit 43) that detects whether or not the case unit defining the first closed space among the plurality of case units has converged; and a second convergence detection device (e.g., convergence detection unit 43) that detects whether or not the case unit defining the second closed space among the plurality of case units has converged, wherein the control device: starts supplying the growth gas to the first closed space when the first convergence detection device detects convergence of the case unit defining the first closed space; starts supplying the growth gas to the second closed space when the second convergence detection device detects convergence of the case unit defining the second closed space; stops supplying the growth gas to the first closed space when the first convergence detection device does not detect convergence of the case unit defining the first closed space, When the second convergence detection device does not detect convergence of the housing unit defining the second closed space, the supply of the growth gas to the second closed space may be stopped.

[0198] In this device, each of the plurality of housing units may include a sealing member that abuts against an adjacent housing unit when the plurality of housing units converge to seal the closed space.

[0199] The present device may include a control device that controls the operation of the supply device, and a sealing detection device that detects whether the closed space is sealed or not, and the control device may start supplying the growth gas when the sealing detection device detects that the closed space is sealed.

[0200] In the present device, the control device may be configured to control the operation of the supply device to stop the supply of the growth gas to the closed space when the sealing detection device does not detect that the closed space is sealed.

[0201] The device may further include an alarm device that notifies the detection state of the sealing detection device.

[0202] In this device, when the second end housing unit moves in the second direction from a state in which the plurality of housing units are converged, a passageway through which the plant grower can enter may be formed between at least a pair of adjacent housing units among the plurality of housing units.

[0203] In the present device, the first end housing unit may be fixed so as not to be movable in the arrangement direction.

[0204] In this device, the first end housing unit may be movable in the arrangement direction.

[0205] This device comprises a calculation unit (e.g., calculation unit 46) that calculates the amount of carbon dioxide reduced by the plants, and a reduction amount display unit (e.g., display unit 47) that displays the amount of reduction, and the reduction amount display unit may be arranged so as to be visible from outside the multiple housing units.

[0206] The present device may include: a storage unit that stores a display format of the reduction amount to be displayed on the reduction amount display unit; and a display control unit that controls the display format.

[0207] In the present device, the calculation section may calculate the reduction amount based on a convergence time taken for the plurality of housing units to converge.

[0208] In the present device, the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the growth gas may be higher than the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the outside air outside the closed space.

[0209] In the present device, the supply device may condense carbon dioxide contained in the outside air to generate the growth gas.

[0210] In this apparatus, the supply device may be attached to at least one of the plurality of housing units.

[0211] In this apparatus, the housing unit to which the supply device is attached may house the supply device.

[0212] In this device, the housing unit to which the supply device is attached may have an apparatus accommodation space (e.g., apparatus accommodation space DS, DS2) for accommodating the supply device, and the apparatus accommodation space may be a space different from the closed space.

[0213] The device may include a storage unit that stores cultivation information related to the cultivation of the plant, and a cultivation information display unit that displays the cultivation information.

[0214] The device may comprise a control device that controls the operation of the supply device, and a memory unit that stores cultivation information related to the cultivation of the plant, and the control device may control the operation of the supply device based on the cultivation information.

[0215] The present device comprises a movement control unit that controls the movement of the housing unit, and an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information indicating the internal environment within the closed space and / or the external environment outside the closed space, and the movement control unit may control the movement of other housing units based on the environmental information.

[0216] The device may comprise a movement control unit that controls the movement of the housing unit, and a memory unit that stores cultivation information related to the cultivation of the plant, and the movement control unit may control the movement of other housing units based on the cultivation information.

[0217] In this device, the arrangement directions include a first arrangement direction and a second arrangement direction, the first direction being a direction on one side of the first arrangement direction, the second direction being a direction on the other side of the first arrangement direction, and the one direction of the second arrangement direction being a third direction and the other direction being a fourth direction, the first end housing unit being arranged furthest to the third direction side among the plurality of housing units, and the second end housing unit being arranged furthest to the third direction side among the other housing units, the other housing units including: a third end housing unit arranged furthest to the first direction side and furthest to the fourth direction side among the other housing units; and a fourth end housing unit arranged furthest to the second direction side and furthest to the fourth direction side among the other housing units, the third end housing unit having: a third wall portion opening in the second direction and / or the third direction; and a third internal space partitioned by the third wall portion and capable of accommodating the plant, and the fourth end housing unit The closed space may comprise: a fourth wall portion that opens in the first direction and / or the third direction; and a fourth internal space that is partitioned by the fourth wall portion and is capable of accommodating the plant, wherein the closed space includes the third internal space and the fourth internal space.

[0218] In this device, the plurality of housing units may be movable shelf units having a plurality of movable shelves, the other housing units may be the movable shelves, and the first end housing unit may be the movable shelf or a fixed shelf that does not move.

[0219] S: This device 1: First unit 11: First wall portion 111: Opening 12: First contact portion 13: Communication portion 14: Contact detection portion 15: First concentration meter 16: Supply device 161: Blower 162: Concentration membrane 163: Pump 164: Flow meter 165: Second concentration meter 2: Second unit 21: Second wall portion 211a: Opening 211b: Opening 22a: Second contact portion 22b: Second contact portion 23: Communication portion 24: Contact detection portion 3: Third unit 31: Third wall portion 311: Opening 32: Third contact portion 33: Communication portion 34: Contact detection portion 35: Third concentration meter 36 : Supply device 4 : Control device 41 : Communication unit 42 : Memory unit 43 : Convergence detection unit 44 : Notification unit 45 : Operation control unit 46 : Calculation unit 47 : Display unit S1 : First internal space S2 : Second internal space S3 : Third internal space CS : Closed space DS : Device accommodation space

Claims

1. A growing device for growing plants in a closed space, comprising: a plurality of housing units arranged along a predetermined arrangement direction; and a supply device for supplying a growing gas used for growing the plants to the closed space, wherein one direction of the arrangement direction is a first direction and the other direction is a second direction, and the plurality of housing units include: a first end housing unit arranged furthest in the first direction among the plurality of housing units; and another housing unit arranged further in the second direction than the first end housing unit, and the other housing units include: a second end housing unit arranged furthest in the second direction among the other housing units, and the first end housing unit has: a first wall portion opening in the second direction; and a first internal space partitioned by the first wall portion and capable of accommodating the plants, and the second end housing unit has: a second wall portion opening in the first direction; and a second internal space partitioned by the second wall portion and capable of accommodating the plants, the second end housing unit is movable so that the plurality of housing units can converge, and when the plurality of housing units converge, the plurality of housing units define the closed space in which the plants are grown, and the closed space includes the first internal space and the second internal space.

2. A cultivation device as described in claim 1, wherein the other housing units include an intermediate housing unit arranged between the first end housing unit and the second end housing unit, the intermediate housing unit having an intermediate wall portion that opens in the first direction and the second direction, and an intermediate internal space that is partitioned by the intermediate wall portion and can accommodate the plant, and the closed space includes the intermediate internal space.

3. A cultivation device as described in claim 1, wherein the closed space includes a first closed space and a second closed space arranged on the second direction side of the first closed space, and the other housing units include an intermediate end housing unit arranged between the first end housing unit and the second end housing unit, and the intermediate end housing unit has an intermediate end wall portion opening in the first direction and / or the second direction, and a partition wall portion capable of partitioning the first closed space and the second closed space when a plurality of the housing units converge, and the first closed space includes the first internal space, and the second closed space includes the second internal space.

4. The growth apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the growth gas includes a first growth gas supplied to the first closed space and a second growth gas supplied to the second closed space, and the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the first growth gas is different from the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the second growth gas.

5. A cultivation device as described in claim 3, further comprising: a control device that controls the operation of the supply device; wherein the plants include a first plant grown in the first closed space and a second plant grown in the second closed space; the cultivation gases include a first cultivation gas supplied to the first closed space and a second cultivation gas supplied to the second closed space; and the control device controls the operation of the supply device so that the flow rate of the first cultivation gas and the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the first cultivation gas are different from the flow rate of the second cultivation gas and the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the second cultivation gas, respectively.

6. The growth apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the supply device comprises: a first supply device that supplies the first growth gas to the first closed space; and a second supply device that supplies the second growth gas to the second closed space.

7. A growth device according to claim 1, comprising: a control device that controls the operation of the supply device; and a convergence detection device that detects whether the plurality of housing units have converged, wherein the control device starts supplying the growth gas when the convergence detection device detects that the plurality of housing units have converged.

8. The growth apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control device controls the operation of the supply device to stop the supply of the growth gas to the closed space when the convergence detection device does not detect convergence of the plurality of housing units.

9. A growth device according to claim 3, comprising: a control device for controlling the operation of the supply device; a first convergence detection device for detecting whether or not the case unit defining the first closed space among the plurality of case units has converged; and a second convergence detection device for detecting whether or not the case unit defining the second closed space among the plurality of case units has converged, wherein the control device: starts the supply of the growth gas to the first closed space when the first convergence detection device detects convergence of the case unit defining the first closed space; starts the supply of the growth gas to the second closed space when the second convergence detection device detects convergence of the case unit defining the second closed space; stops the supply of the growth gas to the first closed space when the first convergence detection device does not detect convergence of the case unit defining the first closed space; and stops the supply of the growth gas to the second closed space when the second convergence detection device does not detect convergence of the case unit defining the second closed space.

10. A cultivation device as described in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of housing units is provided with a sealing member that abuts against an adjacent housing unit when the plurality of housing units converge to seal the closed space.

11. A growth apparatus according to claim 10, comprising: a control device that controls the operation of the supply device; and a sealing detection device that detects whether the closed space is sealed, wherein the control device starts supplying the growth gas when the sealing detection device detects that the closed space is sealed.

12. The growth apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control device controls the operation of the supply device to stop the supply of the growth gas to the closed space when the sealing detection device does not detect that the closed space is sealed.

13. The cultivation device according to claim 12, further comprising an alarm device that notifies the detection state of the closed-circuit detection device.

14. A cultivation device as described in claim 1, wherein when the second end housing unit moves in the second direction from a state in which the plurality of housing units are converged, a passage is formed between at least a pair of adjacent housing units among the plurality of housing units, through which the plant grower can enter.

15. The cultivation device according to claim 1, wherein the first end housing unit is fixed so as not to be movable in the arrangement direction.

16. The growing device according to claim 1, wherein the first end housing unit is movable in the arrangement direction.

17. A cultivation device as described in claim 1, comprising: a calculation unit that calculates the amount of carbon dioxide reduced by the plants; and a reduction amount display unit that displays the amount of reduction, wherein the reduction amount display unit is positioned so as to be visible from outside the multiple housing units.

18. The cultivation device according to claim 17, comprising: a storage unit that stores a display format of the reduction amount to be displayed on the reduction amount display unit; and a display control unit that controls the display format.

19. The training device according to claim 17, wherein the calculation unit calculates the reduction amount based on the convergence time taken for the plurality of housing units to converge.

20. The growth apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the growth gas is higher than the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the outside air outside the closed space.

21. The growth device according to claim 20, wherein the supply device condenses carbon dioxide contained in the outside air to generate the growth gas.

22. The growing device according to claim 21, wherein the supply device is attached to at least one of the plurality of housing units.

23. The growing device according to claim 22, wherein the housing unit to which the supply device is attached houses the supply device.

24. A cultivation device as described in claim 23, wherein the housing unit to which the supply device is attached comprises an apparatus accommodation space for accommodating the supply device, and the apparatus accommodation space is a space different from the closed space.

25. A cultivation device according to claim 1, comprising: a storage unit for storing cultivation information relating to the cultivation of the plant; and a cultivation information display unit for displaying the cultivation information.

26. A growing device as described in claim 1, comprising: a control device that controls the operation of the supply device; and a memory unit that stores growing information related to the growing of the plant, wherein the control device controls the operation of the supply device based on the growing information.

27. A cultivation device as described in claim 1, comprising: a movement control unit that controls the movement of the housing unit; and an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information indicating the internal environment within the closed space and / or the external environment outside the closed space, wherein the movement control unit controls the movement of other housing units based on the environmental information.

28. A cultivation device as described in claim 1, comprising: a movement control unit that controls the movement of the housing unit; and a memory unit that stores cultivation information related to the cultivation of the plant, wherein the movement control unit controls the movement of the other housing units based on the cultivation information.

29. The arrangement directions include a first arrangement direction and a second arrangement direction, the first direction being a direction on one side of the first arrangement direction, the second direction being a direction on the other side of the first arrangement direction, one direction of the second arrangement direction being a third direction and the other direction being a fourth direction, the first end housing unit being arranged furthest toward the third direction among the plurality of housing units, the second end housing unit being arranged furthest toward the third direction among the other housing units, the other housing units including a third end housing unit arranged furthest toward the first direction and furthest toward the fourth direction among the other housing units, and a fourth end housing unit arranged furthest toward the second direction and furthest toward the fourth direction among the other housing units, the third end housing unit having a third wall portion opening in the second direction and / or the third direction, and a third internal space partitioned by the third wall portion and capable of accommodating the plant, and the fourth end housing unit having 2. The cultivation device of claim 1, comprising: a fourth wall portion that opens in the first direction and / or the third direction; and a fourth internal space that is partitioned by the fourth wall portion and is capable of accommodating the plant, wherein the closed space includes the third internal space and the fourth internal space.

30. A cultivation device as described in claim 1, wherein the plurality of housing units are movable shelf units having a plurality of movable shelves, the other housing units are the movable shelves, and the first end housing unit is the movable shelf or a fixed shelf that does not move.

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