Circulating aeroponics cultivation system using multi-mist spraying

Abstract

The present invention relates to a circulating aeroponics cultivation system using multi-mist spraying and, more specifically, to a circulating aeroponics cultivation system using multi-mist spraying, the system comprising: a roots chamber for accommodating the roots of cultivated crops; a mist supply channel, a mist recovery channel and a mist circulation duct for circulating a nutrient solution mist to the roots chamber; and a plurality of mist generation units for spraying the nutrient solution mist, wherein the respective mist generation units spray mists comprising different components, and the spray time and spray amount thereof are independently controlled.

Description

Circulating aeroponics cultivation system with a multi-mist spraying method

[0001] The present invention relates to a circulating aeroponics cultivation system with a multi-mist spraying method. More specifically, the invention comprises a root chamber for accommodating the roots of a cultivated crop, a mist supply channel, a mist recovery channel, and a mist circulation duct for circulating nutrient solution mist to the root chamber, and a plurality of mist generating units for spraying nutrient solution mist, wherein each mist generating unit sprays mist composed of different constituent components, and the spraying time and spraying amount are independently controlled.

[0002]

[0003] Aeroponics is a smart farming cultivation method that grows crops by supplying a nutrient mist while leaving the roots exposed; it is also known as "spray hydroponics." The aeroponics method offers the advantages of rapid crop growth and the ability to recirculate waste nutrient solution.

[0004] Conventional aeroponics methods can generally be classified into a direct spraying method, which sprays a nutrient solution mist directly onto crop roots, and a circulating spraying method, which circulates the nutrient solution mist. Examples of the above direct spraying method include the 'spray-type hydroponic cultivation device' of Patent No. 10-2247927 (April 28, 2021) and Patent No. 10-2753243 (January 7, 2025).

[0005] This direct injection method requires the installation of multiple spray nozzles and complex nutrient solution piping inside the roots chamber housing the crop roots, resulting in high initial installation costs. Additionally, there is the difficulty of continuous maintenance to prevent the spray nozzles and nutrient solution piping from becoming clogged.

[0006] Meanwhile, the circulation spray method is a method of circulating nutrient solution mist from the outside to the inside of the root chamber, and examples include the 'spray cultivation system' of Patent No. 10-1452278 (October 13, 2014) and the 'plant cultivation device using mist' of Patent No. 10-2490083 (January 13, 2023).

[0007] Among these, the aeroponic cultivation system of Patent No. 10-1452278 comprises a nutrient solution supply unit that supplies a spray nutrient solution vaporized by an ultrasonic module, a cultivation bed equipped with an inlet for receiving the spray nutrient solution and an outlet for discharging it, and a nutrient solution discharge unit that collects the spray nutrient solution discharged from the cultivation bed.

[0008] [Prior Art Literature]

[0009] [Patent Literature]

[0010] (Patent Document 1) Patent No. 10-1452278 (October 13, 2014)

[0011] (Patent Document 2) Patent No. 10-2247927 (April 28, 2021)

[0012] (Patent Document 3) Patent No. 10-2490083 (January 13, 2023)

[0013] (Patent Document 4) Patent No. 10-2753243 (January 7, 2025)

[0014]

[0015] Conventional mist-circulating aeroponics cultivation methods, such as the aforementioned Patent No. 10-1452278, have the following problems.

[0016] First, there is a concern that the nutrient solution mist may not be uniformly distributed inside the root chamber or that stagnant areas where the mist does not circulate may occur, thereby preventing the cultivated crops from growing uniformly.

[0017] Second, since the nutrient solution mist is sprayed in a mixed state, there is a risk that the compounds constituting the solution may react with each other, forming precipitates that plants cannot absorb.

[0018] Third, as the residence time of the herbal medicine mist in the root chamber increases, there is a concern that the concentration and acidity (pH) of the essential components constituting the herbal medicine mist may change over time.

[0019] Accordingly, the problem that the present invention aims to solve is,

[0020] First, by preventing the occurrence of stagnant spaces within the root chamber and circulation channels where the nutrient solution mist cannot circulate smoothly, the utilization of the nutrient solution mist is increased and the generation of waste nutrient solution is minimized.

[0021] Second, it is to provide a nutrient solution mist with excellent nutrient absorption rates for cultivated plants by minimizing side reactions between the essential components constituting the nutrient solution.

[0022] Third, it provides optimal growth conditions for cultivated crops by maintaining constant humidity, pH, and concentrations of essential components within the root chamber.

[0023]

[0024] The circulating aeroponics cultivation system of the multi-mist spraying method according to the present invention is,

[0025] A roots chamber having an internal space arranged horizontally while accommodating the roots of a cultivated crop, and

[0026] A mist supply channel having an internal space for supplying a nutrient solution mist to one side of the above-mentioned root chamber, and

[0027] A mist recovery channel having an internal space for recovering nutrient solution mist from the other side of the above-mentioned root chamber, and

[0028] A mist circulation duct that circulates nutrient solution mist from the above-mentioned mist recovery channel to the mist supply channel, and

[0029] It includes a plurality of mist generating units that spray nutrient solution mist into the above-mentioned mist supply channel, mist recovery channel, or mist circulation duct, and

[0030] The above mist generating unit is characterized by spraying mist composed of different constituent components, and by independently controlling the spraying time and spraying amount.

[0031] It is characterized by the fact that a plurality of root chambers are arranged in a parallel structure between the above-mentioned mist supply channel and mist recovery channel, and a duct fan is installed between each root chamber and the mist recovery channel to discharge nutrient solution mist into the mist recovery channel.

[0032] The invention is characterized by the fact that a corner inclined plate is installed at the inner corner portion where the mist supply channel and the mist recovery channel are each connected to the mist circulation duct to induce smooth circulation of the nutrient solution mist, and a mist circulation fan is installed inside the mist circulation duct.

[0033] The above-mentioned mist generating unit is an ultrasonic vibration module or a mist spray nozzle, and is characterized by spraying 3 to 5 types of mist with different constituent components one by one.

[0034]

[0035] The circulating aeroponics cultivation system of the multi-mist spraying method according to the present invention can provide a nutrient solution mist with excellent nutrient absorption rates for cultivated plants by minimizing side reactions between essential components constituting the nutrient solution, as multiple mist generating units each spray mist composed of different components.

[0036] In addition, since the spraying time and spraying amount of the mist generating units are each controlled independently, the circulating aeroponics cultivation system according to the present invention can maintain the humidity, acidity (pH), and concentration of essential components of the nutrient solution mist within the root chamber at a constant level, thereby providing optimal growth conditions for the cultivated crops.

[0037] In addition, the circulating aeroponics cultivation system according to the present invention has a duct fan installed between each root chamber and a mist recovery channel, and a mist circulation fan installed inside the mist circulation duct, so that the nutrient solution mist circulates smoothly without stagnation and the generation of waste nutrient solution can be minimized.

[0038]

[0039] A plan view showing the configuration of a circulating aeroponics cultivation system according to the present invention of FIG. 1,

[0040] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a circulating aeroponics cultivation system according to the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of key parts of a circulating aeroponics cultivation system according to the present invention,

[0042] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the layout structure of a circulating aeroponics cultivation system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a vortex-generating blade (12) installed inside the root chamber (10) of the present invention.

[0044]

[0045] The present invention will be described in detail below using the attached drawings. However, since the attached drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, the scope of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Furthermore, even if a configuration is essential for implementing the present invention, specific descriptions are omitted for matters that are introduced in the prior art or that a person skilled in the art can easily implement from known technology.

[0046] And among the components belonging to the present invention, the term '~unit' refers to a unit that processes at least one common function or operation, and can be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination thereof, and each unit can perform different functions for one common purpose.

[0047] The multi-mist spraying type circulating aeroponics cultivation system according to the present invention is configured to include a root chamber (10), a mist supply channel (20), a mist recovery channel (30), a mist circulation duct (40), and a mist generating unit (50), as shown in the attached FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0048] First, the root chamber (10) has an internal space arranged horizontally while accommodating the roots of the cultivated crop. The root chamber (10) may be formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape or a rectangular shape.

[0049] A planting hole supporting a cultivated crop is formed through the upper surface of the root chamber (10), and a planting pot (P) can be installed in each of the planting holes. Thus, the stem and leaves of the cultivated crop are exposed to the growth space above the root chamber (10), and the roots are exposed to the internal space of the root chamber (10) through the planting pot (P).

[0050] Next, the mist supply channel (20) has an internal space for supplying nutrient solution mist to one side of the root chamber (10). That is, the internal space of the root chamber (10) and the internal space of the mist supply channel (20) are connected to each other so that the nutrient solution mist can pass through smoothly.

[0051] The above mist recovery channel (30) has an internal space for recovering nutrient solution mist from the other side of the root chamber (10). That is, the internal space of the root chamber (10) and the internal space of the mist recovery channel (30) are connected to each other so that the nutrient solution mist can pass through smoothly. The mist recovery channel (30) can be positioned on the opposite side of the mist supply channel (20) in a direction intersecting the root chamber (10).

[0052] The above mist circulation duct (40) is a passage for circulating nutrient solution mist from the mist recovery channel (30) to the mist supply channel (20). The above mist circulation duct (40) can be arranged horizontally between the bottom of the mist recovery channel (30) and the bottom of the mist supply channel (20).

[0053] A plurality of root chambers (10) can be arranged in a parallel structure between the mist supply channel (20) and the mist recovery channel (30). Thus, the nutrient solution mist provided from the mist supply channel (20) passes through each of the root chambers (10) and then circulates back to the mist supply channel (20) through the mist recovery channel (30) and the mist circulation duct (40).

[0054] In the attached FIGS. 1 and 2, a structure is illustrated in which two root chambers (10) are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction between the mist supply channel (20) and the mist recovery channel (30), and a mist circulation duct (40) is connected between the bottom of the mist recovery channel (30) and the mist supply channel (20). However, the mist supply channel (20) and the mist recovery channel (30) may be arranged in the horizontal direction, and the root chambers (10) may be arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction between them, and the number of root chambers (10) may be increased.

[0055] A duct fan (31) may be installed between the root chamber (10) and the mist recovery channel (30). Each duct fan (31) is installed in each root chamber (10) to discharge the nutrient solution mist inside the root chamber (10) into the mist recovery channel (30), and each can be controlled independently.

[0056] A corner bevel plate (41) may be installed at the inner corner portion where the mist supply channel (20) and the mist recovery channel (30) are connected to the mist circulation duct (40), and a mist circulation fan (42) may be installed inside the mist circulation duct (40). The corner bevel plate (41) blocks the space where the nutrient solution mist stagnates in the corner portion of the mist circulation duct (40), and the mist circulation fan (42) circulates the nutrient solution mist from the mist supply channel (20) to the mist recovery channel (30) in its entirety.

[0057] Finally, the above mist generating unit (50) generates a nutrient solution mist by spraying or misting the nutrient solution required for the cultivated crop, and a plurality of units are arranged to spray the nutrient solution into at least one internal space of the mist supply channel (20), the mist recovery channel (30), or the mist circulation duct (40).

[0058] One of the features of the above mist generating unit (50) is that a plurality of mist generating units (50) each spray mist composed of different components, and the mist spraying time and spraying amount of each mist generating unit (50) are controlled independently of each other.

[0059] Specifically, the mist generating unit (50) may use an ultrasonic vibration module (51) or a mist spray nozzle (52) used in conventional aeroponics. This mist generating unit (50) can spray 3 to 5 types of mists with different components separately, and can be configured so that these mists are mixed to form a single pre-set nutrient solution mist.

[0060] Figure 3 attached illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a case where the mist generating unit (50) is composed of one ultrasonic vibration module (51) and three mist spray nozzles (52a, 52b, 52c).

[0061] The ultrasonic vibration module (51) is installed at the bottom of the mist circulation duct (40) at the entrance of the mist supply channel (20), and the mist spray nozzles (52a, 52b, 52c) can each be installed in the mist supply channel (20) at the entrance of each root chamber (10). The ultrasonic vibration module (51) generates a first nutrient solution mist, and the mist spray nozzles (52a, 52b, 52c) can each spray a second nutrient solution mist, a pH adjustment mist, and a water mist.

[0062] The first nutrient solution may be composed of the remaining essential elements, excluding magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca), among the 16 essential elements that constitute the aeroponics nutrient solution. Specifically, the first nutrient solution may include NO3-, NH4+, H2PO4-, K+, SO42-, Fe2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, B(OH)4-, MoO42-, etc. The second nutrient solution may be composed of a nutrient solution containing magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca).

[0063] For reference, it is known that there are a total of 16 essential elements required for plant growth: carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mo), boron (B), and chlorine (Cl) (Source: Glass, DM, 1989, Plant Nutrient; An Introduction to Current Concept, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Boston).

[0064] Therefore, conventional nutrient solutions used in aeroponics contain the 16 essential elements mentioned above. However, among these, magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) combine with other components to form insoluble precipitates. For example, Ca² + and PO₄³ -When this comes into contact, it can form an insoluble precipitate, a Ca₃(PO₄)₂ compound. This insoluble precipitate not only makes it impossible for the cultivated crop to consume, but also causes problems such as clogging the mist spray nozzle or deposition on the inner wall of the root chamber (10).

[0065] Therefore, in the present invention, magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) are separated from other essential elements to generate a nutrient solution mist separately, thereby significantly reducing the formation of insoluble precipitates. In addition, the system of the present invention can easily control the acidity (pH), nutrient solution concentration, and humidity inside the root chamber (10) by separately spraying a pH-regulating mist containing a pH regulator among the nutrient solution components and a water mist consisting only of pure water.

[0066] The above ultrasonic vibration module (51) and the mist spray nozzles (52a, 52b, 52c) can be independently connected to each other by a storage tank (53) that supplies different mist concentrates and a connecting pipe (54). The connecting pipe (54) installed in the mist spray nozzles (52a, 52b, 52c) can be configured as a two-way conduit structure consisting of a liquid supply pipe that supplies the mist concentrate and a compressed air pipe through which compressed air is introduced from the outside to spray the concentrate.

[0067] Since the first nutrient solution mist, the second nutrient solution mist, the pH adjustment mist, and the water mist sprayed from the ultrasonic vibration module (51) and the mist spray nozzles (52a, 52b, 52c), respectively, exist in independent particle states within the root chamber (10), the cultivated plant can absorb essential elements much more easily, and furthermore, a much more uniform and stable growth environment can be provided for the cultivated crop.

[0068] In addition, in the present invention, residual ions or salts attached to the roots of plants can be easily washed by spraying only water mist for a certain period of time through a mist spray nozzle (52c) that sprays water mist as needed, as well as inside the root chamber (10), mist supply channel (20), and mist recovery channel (30).

[0069] Attached FIG. 4 shows the arrangement structure of a system according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein a mist supply channel (20) may be placed in the center, and a root chamber (10) and a mist recovery channel (30) may be arranged symmetrically on both sides thereof. In this case, it is preferable to install mist spray nozzles (52a, 52b, 52c) in the mist supply channel (20) between the two root chambers (10). The connecting pipe (54) is not shown in FIG. 4.

[0070] Meanwhile, a mist sensor (11) capable of measuring the humidity, acidity (pH), and concentration of essential elements of the nutrient solution mist is placed inside the root chamber (10), and the operation of the duct fan (31) and the mist generation unit (50) can be controlled independently according to the measurement results of the mist sensor (11).

[0071] In addition, a crop monitoring camera (not shown in the drawing) for photographing the growth status of the cultivated crop may be installed in a suitable location in the growth space above the root chamber (10), and by independently controlling the operation of the duct fan (31) and the mist generating unit (51, 52a, 52b, 52c) according to the analysis result of the image captured by the crop monitoring camera, a nutrient solution mist suitable for the growth status of the cultivated crop can be provided.

[0072] In the growth space above the root chamber (10), a lighting device (not shown in the drawing) that irradiates light necessary for the growth of cultivated crops may be installed at an appropriate location.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 5, a vortex generating blade (12) that generates a vortex of nutrient solution mist near the roots of the cultivated crop may be installed inside the root chamber (10). The vortex generating blade (12) evenly supplies nutrient solution mist to the roots of the cultivated crop, helping the cultivated crop to grow uniformly.

[0074] Additionally, a demister (32) may be installed on the upper side of the mist recovery channel (30) to selectively and forcibly discharge only the compressed air sprayed into the root chamber (10) through a mist generating unit (50), specifically mist spray nozzles (52a, 52b, 52c). The demister (32) may be equipped with a filter that filters the nutrient solution and an exhaust fan that is automatically controlled according to the internal pressure of the system.

[0075] The nutrient solution condensed in the above demister (32) flows down to the mist circulation duct (40) through the mist recovery channel (30), and then can be recovered separately or sprayed back into the nutrient solution mist in the ultrasonic vibration module (51). To this end, it is preferable that the bottom surface of the mist circulation duct (40) has a suitable slope so that the nutrient solution can easily flow down toward the ultrasonic vibration module (51).

[0076] <Explanation of Symbols>

[0077] (10) Root chamber

[0078] (11) Mist sensor

[0079] (12) Vortex-generating blade

[0080] (20) Mist supply channel

[0081] (30) Mist recovery channel

[0082] (31) Duct fan

[0083] (32) Demister

[0084] (40) Mist circulation duct

[0085] (41) Corner bevel

[0086] (42) Mist circulation fan

[0087] (50) Mist generating unit

[0088] (51) Ultrasonic vibration module

[0089] (52, 52a, 52b, 52c) Mist spray nozzle

[0090] (53) Storage tank

[0091] (54) Connector

[0092] (P) Planting pot

Claims

1. A roots chamber having an internal space arranged horizontally while accommodating the roots of a cultivated crop, and A mist supply channel having an internal space for supplying a nutrient solution mist to one side of the above-mentioned root chamber, and A mist recovery channel having an internal space for recovering nutrient solution mist from the other side of the above-mentioned root chamber, and A mist circulation duct that circulates nutrient solution mist from the above-mentioned mist recovery channel to the mist supply channel, and It includes a plurality of mist generating units that spray nutrient solution mist into the above-mentioned mist supply channel, mist recovery channel, or mist circulation duct, wherein the spraying time and spraying amount are independently controlled. The above mist generating units each spray mist composed of different components, and the mists sprayed from each mist generating unit are mixed to form a single preset nutrient solution mist. A circulating aeroponics cultivation system with a multi-mist injection method, characterized in that the above-mentioned nutrient solution mist is forcibly circulated in a mist state through a mist supply channel, a root chamber, a mist recovery channel, and a mist circulation duct.

2. A circulating aeroponics cultivation system of a multi-mist spraying method, characterized in that, in the first paragraph, a plurality of root chambers are arranged in a parallel structure between the mist supply channel and the mist recovery channel, and a duct fan is installed between each root chamber and the mist recovery channel to discharge nutrient solution mist into the mist recovery channel.

3. A circulating aeroponics cultivation system of a multi-mist spraying method, characterized in that, in the first paragraph, a corner inclined plate is installed at the inner corner portion where the mist supply channel and the mist recovery channel are each connected to a mist circulation duct to induce smooth circulation of the nutrient solution mist, and a mist circulation fan is installed inside the mist circulation duct.

4. A circulating aeroponics cultivation system of a multi-mist spraying method, wherein, in claim 1, the mist generating unit is an ultrasonic vibration module or a mist spraying nozzle, and these are characterized by spraying 3 to 5 types of mist with different constituent components one by one.

5. A circulating aeroponics cultivation system of a multi-mist spraying method, characterized in that, in the first paragraph, a mist sensor capable of measuring the humidity, acidity, and concentration of essential elements of the nutrient solution mist is installed inside the root chamber, and the operation of the duct fan and the mist generating unit are each independently controlled according to the measurement results of the mist sensor.

6. A circulating aeroponics cultivation system of a multi-mist spraying method, characterized in that, in the growth space above the root chamber according to claim 1, a crop monitoring camera for photographing the growth status of the cultivated crop is installed, and the operation of the duct fan and the mist generating unit are each independently controlled according to the analysis results of the image captured by the crop monitoring camera.

7. A circulating aeroponics cultivation system of a multi-mist spraying method, characterized in that, in the first paragraph, a vortex-generating blade is installed inside the root chamber to generate a vortex of nutrient solution mist near the roots of the cultivated crop.

8. A circulating aeroponics cultivation system of a multi-mist injection method, characterized in that, in the first paragraph, a demister is installed on the upper side of the mist recovery channel to regulate internal pressure by forcibly discharging compressed air injected through a mist generating unit.

Images