JPH0243454B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION FIELD The present invention relates to a hydroponic cultivation device for cultivating plants hydroponically. BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, hydroponic cultivation, which cultivates plants without using soil, has been popular. To perform hydroponic cultivation, a hydroponic cultivation device is used. Among these, an example of one used for home use is a case in which a plurality of casing-shaped cultivation dishes are stacked in multiple tiers, each having a support on the top surface to support the seedlings so that the roots can grow downward. There are some in which water containing nutrients, that is, a nutrient solution, is circulated within each of these cultivation dishes. The circulation of the nutrient solution involves first supplying the nutrient solution to the top cultivation dish, then sequentially flowing the nutrient solution to the lower cultivation dishes and supplying it to each cultivation dish. This is done by supplying it again to the top cultivation dish. A device with such a configuration is installed in a location that satisfies the conditions necessary for the growth of seedlings. Then, the roots of the seedlings are supplied with nutrient solution and oxygen, and the entire seedlings are supplied with light, air, and other things necessary for their growth, allowing plants to be cultivated without using soil. On the other hand, since a plurality of cultivation dishes are weighted and stacked in a multi-tiered manner, it is possible to cultivate a large variety of plants in a small space, resulting in excellent space efficiency. Problems to be Solved by the Invention Oxygen is necessary for the growth of roots of seedlings. here,
In the above-mentioned plants, there are two types of oxygen supply routes to the roots of seedlings. One supply route is when oxygen is supplied to roots exposed to the air. Another supply route is when oxygen is mixed into the nutrient solution and supplied to the roots. However, in the above-mentioned method, no particular consideration is given to mixing a large amount of oxygen into the nutrient solution, and depending on the seedlings to be cultivated, the amount of oxygen supplied may not be sufficient. The present invention was made in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a hydroponic cultivation device that can supply a sufficient amount of oxygen to the roots of seedlings. Means for Solving the Problems The present invention provides a method for cultivating a plurality of cultivation dishes by arranging a plurality of cultivation dishes held by a holding member in a multi-stage manner on a top-opened nutrient solution tank in which a nutrient solution is stored. A water bowl is placed at the upper end of the dish and has an opening on the top surface and a water hole on the bottom facing the cultivation dish. A housing-like water distribution body is connected to the bottom end of the cultivation dish, and a discharge hole is formed at the bottom end of the water distribution body above the water flow basins except for the top one. At the same time, a water distribution section that communicates the cultivation dish with the water distribution body was provided at the end opposite to those discharge holes. Function: The nutrient solution in the nutrient solution tank that has been sucked into the supply section and selected for the uppermost water tank flows down from the water hole and is supplied to the cultivation dish located below. The water flows from this cultivation dish through the water distribution section to the water distribution body, is discharged from the discharge hole, and flows down to the water basin located below. In this way, the nutrient solution is sequentially supplied to the lower cultivation dishes, returned from the lowest cultivation dish to the nutrient solution tank, and repeatedly circulated within each cultivation dish. In such a distribution route of the nutrient solution, a large amount of oxygen is mixed into the nutrient solution. This is because the nutrient solution falls from the water bowl to the cultivation dish, from the water distribution body to the water bowl, and the flow of the nutrient solution from the water bowl to the cultivation dish and down to the water bowl becomes zigzag. This is because it is exposed to air for a long time. Therefore,
The roots of the seedlings in the cultivation dish are supplied with a large amount of oxygen along with the nutrient solution, resulting in good growth of the seedlings. Embodiment of the Invention A first embodiment of the invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 7. A substrate 2 having casters 1 at the four corners of its lower end is provided parallel to the ground surface 3. The substrate 2 has a fitting hole 4 in the center thereof, into which a base tube 5 is fitted and fixed. Further, a support tube 6 having a smaller diameter than the base tube 5 is rotatably fitted into the base tube 5 and extends upward. and,
At the upper end of the base tube 5, a plurality of rotary tubes 7 rotatably fitted into the support tube 6 are vertically stacked via bearings 8. Those rotating tubes 7
A wheel-shaped holding member 9 is attached to each of the lower parts. These holding members 9 include four support rods 10 that protrude from the rotary tube 7 in a cross direction.
and rings 11 fixed to the ends of these support rods 10, and are mounted horizontally. Furthermore, an umbrella-shaped ceiling member 1 is provided at the upper end of the support pipe 6.
2 is attached to the ceiling member 12, and on the top of this ceiling member 12 there is a bowl-shaped cap 1 having a mounting hole 13 in the center part.
4 is fixed. Next, on the substrate 2, a donut-shaped nutrient solution tank 16 that stores the nutrient solution 15 inside is mounted on the base tube 5.
They are arranged with their axes aligned with each other. The nutrient solution tank 16 has a support 17 on its upper surface that supports a large number of seedlings (not shown), and has a heater 18 and a porous air generator 19 inside. A filter 20 is also provided inside the nutrient solution tank 16 to cover one corner of the inside. On the nutrient solution tank 16, a plurality of cultivation dishes 21 and a plurality of water sinks 22 are arranged in a staggered manner. That is, two holding plates 23 for one holding member 9 are attached to the holding member 9 on a circumference centered on the rotating tube 7, and the cultivation dish 21 is attached to each of the holding members 9. is placed on top. On the other hand, the water flow device 22 is a donut-shaped housing having an opening on the top surface and two water flow holes 24 positioned on the circumference on the bottom surface at equal intervals, and is fitted and fixed to the top of each of the rotary tubes 7. ing. The water holes 24 are formed at positions facing the inner end of the cultivation dish 21, respectively. Here, the holding plate 23 has a depression in the center, and this part serves as a water distribution body 25. A discharge hole 26, which can be opened and closed, is formed on the lower surface of the inner end of each of these water distribution bodies 25, and is located opposite to the opening on the upper surface of the water flow device 22 directly below. Further, inside the outer end of the water distribution body 25, a lower end of a water distribution device 27 as a water distribution section attached to the cultivation dish 21 is located. That is, at the outer end of the cultivation dish 21, there is a cylindrical support 28 that projects perpendicularly from the bottom surface.
are formed, and cylindrical adjustment tubes 29 are rotatably fitted into the inner peripheral surfaces of these struts 28, and the tips of these adjustment tubes 29 are located within the water distribution body 25. Here, a vertically long water distribution hole 30 is formed in the support column 28, and the adjustment pipe 29
A long inclined adjustment hole 31 is formed at a position overlapping with the water distribution holes 30 . Therefore, when the adjustment pipe 29 rotates, the height of the overlapping portion of the water distribution hole 30 and the adjustment hole 31 changes in the cultivation dish 21, and a level adjustment mechanism 32 is configured here. FIG. 4 shows this level adjustment mechanism 32 between the support column 28 and the adjustment tube 29.
Expand and show. Further, the cultivation dish 21 is provided with a cutoff filter 33 that surrounds the water pipe 29 therein, and the support body 17 is disposed on the upper surface. Regarding the cultivation dish 21 and the holding plate 23, those held by the lowermost holding member 9 are the cultivation dish 21a and the holding plate 23a, respectively, and the cultivation dish 21a and the holding plate 23a and the other They are basically the same, but differ in the following points. That is, the porous supports 17 are arranged inside the cultivation dish 21a, and these supports 17 do not exist on the upper surface. The holding plate 23a has a donut shape that fits into the rotary tube 7, and a large number of the discharge holes 26 are formed so as to be located on the upper opening of the nutrient solution tank 16 (the holding plate 23a (The shape of is shown in Fig. 5). It is different from others in this respect. Next, a control box 34 is attached to the side surface of the board 2. This control box 34 has an air pump 35 and a liquid supply pump 36 built therein, and an operation plate 37 having a built-in circuit (not shown) is attached to the top surface. here,
The heater 18, the air pump 35, and the liquid supply pump 36 are connected to the circuit. Further, the air generator 19 is connected to the air pump 35. The control box 34 is formed with an insertion hole 38 through which wiring to the heater 18 and piping to the air generator 19 are inserted. This insertion hole 38 is covered with a flexible waterproof cover 39 to which only the upper end is fixed. A cover 40 is attached to the control box 34 to cover the operation panel 37 on the top surface. This cover 40 is made of a transparent material. The ends are fixed with pins 41 and can be opened and closed. On the other hand, the liquid supply pump 36 has a water supply side and a drainage side. The water supply side is connected to the nutrient solution tank 16 via a solution supply pipe 42 . The connection position is a corner of the nutrient solution tank 16 covered with the filter 20. Further, a nutrient solution supply pipe 43 is connected to the drainage side. The nutrient solution supply pipe 43 is guided along a path that passes through the base pipe 5 from below the substrate 2 and exits to the upper end of the support pipe 6. The end of the nutrient solution supply pipe 43 is disposed opposite to the upper opening of the water flower 22 located at the uppermost stage. Here, the nutrient solution 15 in the nutrient solution tank 16 is transferred to the topmost water flower 2.
A supply section 44 is formed to supply the 2. Next, a cooling fan 45 is provided below the bottom opening of the base tube 5 . This cooling fan 45 is placed on the ground surface 3 and is arranged in a position where it can blow air upward. Further, a blower fan 46 is also disposed above the upper opening of the support tube 6. This blowing fan 46 is held by a hook 47 provided at a predetermined position on the ceiling member 12, and is positioned at a position where it can blow air downward. The cooling fan 45 and the blower fan 46 are the same and have a built-in drive unit and power source (not shown). Note that the cooling fan 4
Since the blower fan 5 and the blower fan 46 are the same, it is also possible to provide only one of them and replace them with each other depending on the situation. Next, a transparent heat-insulating cover 48 that completely covers the cultivation dish 21, the water flower 22, etc. is removably provided. The heat retaining cover 48 is a bag-like member with an opening at the bottom, which is attached from the ceiling member 12 side, positioned and held by the holding member 9 and the cap 14, and whose lower end is fixed to the nutrient solution tank 16. Note that a hole is drilled at the top at a position that matches the mounting hole 13. In such a configuration, each support 17 holds a seedling. Then, the supply unit 44 supplies the nutrient solution 15 in the nutrient solution tank 16 to the top water flower 2.
Supply to 2. The nutrient solution 15 in the nutrient solution tank 16 is supplied to the nutrient solution pump 36 by driving the nutrient solution pump 36, and the supplied nutrient solution 15 is sent to the uppermost water tank 22 through the nutrient solution supply pipe 43. It is done by Then, the nutrient solution 15 flows down from the water hole 24 in the water sink 22, and the nutrient solution 15 is supplied to the cultivation dish 21 on the uppermost stage. Here, a nutrient solution is applied to the roots of the seedlings existing in those cultivation dishes 21.
5 is supplied, and the nutrient solution 15 flows into the water distribution body 25 through the water distribution device 27, is discharged from the discharge hole 26, and flows down to the water flow device 22 directly below. In this way, the nutrient solution 15 sequentially flows downward through the same route,
Nutrient solution 1 discharged from the discharge hole 26 located at the bottom stage
5 returns to the nutrient solution tank 16. The nutrient solution 15 returned to the nutrient solution tank 16 is filtered by a filter 20 to remove impurities, and is again supplied to the uppermost streamer 22 by the supply section 44. In this way, the nutrient solution 15 is constantly circulated within each cultivation dish 21 and the like. Therefore, the roots of the seedlings have a circulating nutrient solution15.
is supplied with oxygen to promote growth. or,
As the seedlings grow, the area occupied by the roots of the seedlings in the cultivation dish 21 increases, but even if the roots grow, they are blocked by the cutoff filter 33 and are prevented from entering the water distributor 27. do not have. Therefore, normal circulation of the nutrient solution 15 is always ensured. Here, the heat retaining cover 48 is attached or detached depending on the outside temperature. A heat insulating cover 48 is attached during the cold season. If necessary, the nutrient solution 15 is heated with a heater 18. On the other hand, if the outside temperature is high, the thermal cover 48
Remove. If necessary, the nutrient solution 15 falling from the lowermost water distribution body 25 is cooled by the cooling fan 45 to lower the temperature of the nutrient solution 15. This keeps the area around the seedlings at an appropriate temperature, creating a good cultivation environment. In addition, when seeds are sown on the support 17 and seedlings are grown from the seeds, the water hole 24 for flowing the nutrient solution 15 into the cultivation dish 21 where the seed support 17 is sown is closed, and the cultivation dish 21 is Provide fresh water. This is because fresh water is better for seed germination than nutrient solution 15. At this time, if the other water holes 24 are open, the nutrient solution 15 is supplied to the other cultivation dishes 21, and seedlings and seeds can be grown at the same time. Furthermore, by rotating the cultivation dish 21 as a whole or individually, each seedling can be exposed to sunlight evenly. The overall rotation is performed by rotating the support tube 6 and rotating all the holding members 9 integrally. Individual rotation is performed by rotating any holding member 9. Moreover, each cultivation dish 21 can be easily attached and detached by simply being placed on the holding plate 23.
The positions of the cultivation dishes 21 can be exchanged even within one holding member 9. Thereby, even when the seedlings grow, by changing the position of the cultivation dish 21, it is possible to prevent the leaves from interfering with each other. or,
It is also possible to individually take out the cultivation dish 21 to an arbitrary location. On the other hand, in the nutrient solution 15, during its distribution process,
Contains a lot of oxygen. This is because the nutrient solution 15 is exposed to air for a long time. That is, the nutrient solution 15 is transferred from the water flower 22 to the cultivation dish 21 and the water distribution body 2.
5 to the water sink 22. At this time, nutrient solution 1
5 is exposed to air. Moreover, the shock of the fall also generates water bubbles, further increasing the amount of oxygen mixed in. Further, in the distribution path of the nutrient solution 15, the flow from the water hole 24 to the water distributor 27 to the discharge hole 26 is in a zigzag pattern. Therefore, the time spent in contact with the air becomes longer. In this way, if a large amount of oxygen is mixed into the nutrient solution 15, the roots of the seedlings will be exposed to the nutrient solution 15.
5, a large amount of oxygen is supplied, and good growth of the seedlings is achieved. Further, the water level of the nutrient solution 15 supplied into the cultivation dish 21 can be adjusted to an arbitrary level by the level adjustment mechanism 32 of the water distributor 27. That is, the nutrient solution 15 in the cultivation dish 21 flows into the water distribution body 25 through the overlapping portion of the water distribution hole 30 and the adjustment hole 31. Therefore, by changing the height of the overlapping portion, the water level of the nutrient solution 15 can be varied. The height of the overlapping portion is adjusted by rotating the adjustment tube 29. In this way, by setting the water level to an appropriate level depending on the growth state of the roots of the seedlings, the roots can be brought into contact with air, and the roots are supplied with a large amount of oxygen together with the nutrient solution 15. Therefore, when the heat insulating cover 48 is attached, if the blower fan 46 is driven, an air flow is generated inside, the temperature around each cultivation dish 21 becomes uniform, and the boundary layer of still air on the plant leaf surface is removed. and its growth is encouraged. On the other hand, since the control box 34 is provided with a waterproof cover 39 and a cover 40, waterproofness is maintained and the device can be installed both indoors and outdoors. In addition, in implementation, a support column 50 that protrudes in the outer circumferential direction may be attached to the holding member 9. As an example for connecting the support columns 50 to each other, the support columns 50 are sandwiched between W-shaped members 51. The connected state is shown in FIG. Thereby, the grown plants can be entangled around the support pillars 50. A second embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 8 and 9. The same parts as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and explanations will be omitted. In this embodiment, a cylindrical connecting rod 60 is bolted to the mounting hole 13 of the cap 14, and a cover frame 61 surrounding the entire device is bolted to the upper end of this connecting rod 60. This cover frame 61 is covered with a large heat-insulating cover 63 having an entrance/exit 62 which can be opened and closed. Effects of the Invention The present invention provides a method in which a plurality of cultivation dishes held by a holding member are arranged in a multi-tiered manner on a top-opened nutrient solution tank in which a nutrient solution is stored, and the upper end of each of these cultivation dishes is A water tank is placed on the side of the tank and has an opening on the top and a water hole on the bottom facing the cultivation dish. A housing-like water distribution body is connected to the lower end of the cultivation dish, and a discharge hole is formed at the lower end of the water distribution body to be located above the water basins except for the uppermost one. Since a water distribution part that communicates the cultivation dish and the water distribution body is provided at the end opposite to the discharge hole, the nutrient solution circulating in each cultivation dish contains a lot of oxygen due to falling and circulation, and the water inside the cultivation dish is mixed with oxygen. A large amount of oxygen can be supplied to the roots of the seedlings together with the nutrient solution, thus promoting the good growth of the seedlings.In addition, if the holding members are rotatable as a whole or individually, , the seedlings in each cultivation dish can be exposed to sunlight evenly, thus promoting the uniform growth of each seedling, and the holding member has a structure that supports a heat-insulating cover that covers the entire cultivation dish. If you hold it, the heat insulation cover can be attached and detached,
The area around the seedlings can always be kept at an appropriate temperature regardless of changes in outside temperature, thus providing a good cultivation environment, and the support pillar 50 for the plants in the cultivation dish to cling to the holding member is provided. When installed, even if the seedlings in the cultivation dish grow large, they can be held by entangling them with the support pillars 50, and the water distribution section has a level that changes the level of the nutrient solution in the cultivation dish. If a regulating mechanism is provided, the level of the nutrient solution in the cultivation dish can be adapted to the growth conditions of the growing seedlings, thus exposing the roots of the seedlings to air and enriching them with oxygen. In addition, if a cooling fan is installed in a part of the nutrient solution distribution route, the nutrient solution can be cooled, contributing to the good growth of seedlings, and preventing changes in outside temperature. Regardless of the situation, the temperature around the seedlings can always be maintained at an appropriate temperature, and therefore, it has the effect of providing a good cultivation environment.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an overall side view with a part cut away showing a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a holding member and a holding plate, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal side view of a water distributor. Fig. 4 is an expanded side view of the water distributor showing the level adjustment mechanism, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the lowermost retaining plate, Fig. 6 is a plan view of the control box, and Fig. 7 shows the connected state of the support columns. A plan view, FIG. 8 is an overall side view showing a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view thereof. 9... Holding member, 15... Nutrient solution, 16... Nutrient solution tank, 18... Heater, 19... Air generator,
21...Cultivation dish, 22...Water bowl, 24...Water hole, 25...Water distribution body, 26...Drain hole, 27...
Water distribution section, 32...Level adjustment mechanism, 34...Control box, 37...Operation panel, 38...Insertion hole, 39...Waterproof cover, 40...Cover, 4
4... Supply unit, 45... Cooling fan, 48... Heat insulation cover, 50... Support column, 61... Cover frame, 63... Large heat insulation cover.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A plurality of cultivation dishes held by a holding member are arranged in a multi-tiered manner on a top-opened nutrient solution tank in which a nutrient solution is stored, and the upper end of each of these cultivation dishes is A water basin is located on the side of the tank and has an opening on the upper surface and a water hole on the lower surface facing the cultivation dish, and the nutrient solution in the nutrient solution tank is poured into the uppermost one of these water basins. A supply unit is provided for supplying the water, a housing-like water distribution body is connected to the lower end of the cultivation dish, and a discharge hole is provided at the lower end of the water distribution body located above the water flow basin except for the uppermost one. 1. A hydroponic cultivation apparatus characterized in that a water distribution part is provided at an end opposite to the discharge holes for communicating the cultivation dish and the water distribution body. 2. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding members are rotatable as a whole or individually. 3. The hydroponic cultivation device according to claim 1, wherein the holding member is a support member for a heat-insulating cover that covers the entire cultivation dish. 4. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding member is provided with a support column for entangling the plants in the cultivation dish. 5. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a cover frame that surrounds the entire cultivation dish is provided, and the cover frame supports a large heat-insulating cover having an entrance and exit that can be opened and closed. 6. The hydroponic cultivation device according to claim 1, characterized in that the water flow hole of the water flow device can be opened and closed freely. 7 A plurality of cultivation dishes held by a holding member are arranged in a multi-tiered manner on a top-opened nutrient solution tank in which a nutrient solution is stored, and each cultivation dish is positioned at the upper end side. A water sink having an opening at the top and a water hole facing the cultivation dish on the lower surface is disposed, and the uppermost one of these water bowls is provided with a supply unit for supplying the nutrient solution in the nutrient solution tank. , a housing-like water distribution body is connected to the lower end of the cultivation dish, and a discharge hole is formed at the lower end of the water distribution body located above the water flow basin except for the uppermost one, and the discharge holes are formed at the lower end of the water distribution body. A water distribution section that communicates the cultivation dish and the water distribution body is provided at an end facing the hole, and a level adjustment mechanism that changes the level of the nutrient solution in the cultivation dish is provided in these water distribution sections. A hydroponic cultivation device featuring: 8. A plurality of cultivation dishes held by a holding member are arranged in a multi-tiered manner on a top-opened nutrient solution tank in which a nutrient solution is stored, and each of these cultivation dishes is positioned at the upper end side. A water sink having an opening at the top and a water hole facing the cultivation dish on the lower surface is disposed, and the uppermost one of these water bowls is provided with a supply unit for supplying the nutrient solution in the nutrient solution tank. , a housing-like water distribution body is connected to the lower end of the cultivation dish, and a discharge hole is formed at the lower end of the water distribution body located above the water flow basin except for the uppermost one, and the discharge holes are formed at the lower end of the water distribution body. Hydroponic cultivation, characterized in that a water distribution part that communicates the cultivation dish and the water distribution body is provided at an end facing the hole, and a cooling fan that blows air is provided in a part of the distribution path of the nutrient solution. Device. 9 A plurality of cultivation dishes held by a holding member are arranged in a multi-tiered manner on a top-opened nutrient solution tank in which a nutrient solution is stored, and each cultivation dish is positioned at the upper end side. A water sink having an opening at the top and a water hole facing the cultivation dish on the lower surface is disposed, and the uppermost one of these water bowls is provided with a supply unit for supplying the nutrient solution in the nutrient solution tank. , a housing-like water distribution body is connected to the lower end of the cultivation dish, and a discharge hole is formed at the lower end of the water distribution body located above the water flow basin except for the uppermost one, and the discharge holes are formed at the lower end of the water distribution body. A water distribution part that communicates the cultivation dish and the water distribution body is provided at the end facing the hole, a heater and an air generator are provided in the nutrient solution tank, and the heater and the air generator are connected to each other. A control box containing a circuit for controlling the operation and having an operation panel on the top surface is provided, a transparent cover is attached to the top surface of the control box so that it can be opened and closed freely, and the wiring and piping of the heater and the air generator are inserted through the control box. A hydroponic cultivation device characterized by covering the insertion hole of the control box with a waterproof cover.