JP2015037383A - Plant cultivation apparatus - Google Patents

Plant cultivation apparatus Download PDF

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JP2015037383A
JP2015037383A JP2012272854A JP2012272854A JP2015037383A JP 2015037383 A JP2015037383 A JP 2015037383A JP 2012272854 A JP2012272854 A JP 2012272854A JP 2012272854 A JP2012272854 A JP 2012272854A JP 2015037383 A JP2015037383 A JP 2015037383A
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pallet
plant cultivation
stage
rail
pallets
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克巳 ▲高▼橋
克巳 ▲高▼橋
Katsumi Takahashi
正俊 篠▲崎▼
Masatoshi Shinozaki
正俊 篠▲崎▼
智晴 田島
Tomoharu Tajima
智晴 田島
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AGURI SHOKUHIN KK
SANWA NORIN KK
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AGURI SHOKUHIN KK
SANWA NORIN KK
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    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P60/00—Technologies relating to agriculture, livestock or agroalimentary industries
    • Y02P60/20—Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions in agriculture, e.g. CO2
    • Y02P60/21—Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures

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Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a plant cultivation apparatus which is capable of automating a plant growing work, increasing an effective cultivation area, having a simple structure in entirety, and improving productivity of plants.SOLUTION: There is provided a plant cultivation apparatus in which each stage of multistage plant cultivation shelves is configured by a plurality of horizontally movable pallets, and pallets are moved sequentially in a unit of pallet in a circulating manner. The apparatus comprises: a conveyance part equipped with a plurality of stages of rail part which conveys the plurality of pallets of each stage sequentially in a horizontal direction; first and second drive parts which are disposed on both end parts of the conveyance parts, equipped with a lifting mechanism for lifting up/down the pallet and a mechanism for drawing out/pushing out the pallet in a horizontal direction, moves the pallet between upper and lower stages and takes out/in the pallet to a corresponding rail part at a position of each stage; and light shielding means for blocking an internal space of at least one stage of a lower stage on which the pallet is arranged from outside during a germination period of seeds in a plurality of pallets which are arranged on the rail part of at least one stage on the lower stage side of the rail part of a plurality of stages of the conveyance part.

Description

本発明は、水耕栽培を行う場合に、植物栽培棚を多段式に構成し、上下段間で植物栽培用パレットを移動させ、遮光と光照射とを自由に選択して植物を生育させることができる植物栽培装置に関する。   In the present invention, when hydroponics is performed, the plant cultivation shelf is configured in a multi-stage manner, the plant cultivation pallet is moved between the upper and lower stages, and the plant is grown by freely selecting light shielding and light irradiation. It is related with the plant cultivation apparatus which can do.

従来、植物栽培には、露地栽培に比較して、短期間に集約的に栽培して収穫でき、生産性が高く、しかも清浄な空間で栽培できるハウス栽培が行われている。   Conventionally, in plant cultivation, house cultivation that can be cultivated and harvested intensively in a short period of time compared to outdoor cultivation, has high productivity, and can be cultivated in a clean space.

このハウス栽培には、主に太陽光を利用するものと、人工光源を利用するものがある。太陽光を利用するものは、日中、特に天候の良いときは光量の多い太陽光を利用でき、便利である。   There are two types of house cultivation that mainly use sunlight and one that uses artificial light sources. Those that use sunlight are convenient because they can use sunlight with a large amount of light during the day, especially when the weather is good.

一方、少ない敷地面積で高い生産性を上げるために、栽培棚を多段にすることも行われている。   On the other hand, in order to increase productivity with a small site area, cultivation shelves are also multistaged.

ハウス栽培で太陽光を利用し、かつ栽培棚を多段にする場合には、各段に太陽光を均等に照射することは難しいために、垂直面内で車輪状のフレーム(回転体)に栽培容器を吊り下げて回転移動させる場合には、回転体に複数の栽培容器を一定間隔に吊り下げて循環移動させて各栽培容器に太陽光を可能な限り均等に照射することが行われていた。   When using sunlight in house cultivation and using multiple cultivation shelves, it is difficult to irradiate the sunlight evenly on each stage, so it is grown on a wheel-shaped frame (rotary body) in a vertical plane. When the containers are suspended and rotated, the plurality of cultivation containers are suspended from the rotating body at regular intervals and circulated to irradiate each cultivation container with sunlight as evenly as possible. .

しかしながら、循環移動して複数の栽培容器に太陽光を均等に照射させることは容易であるが、隣接する栽培容器間には一定以上の間隔が必要とされるために、ハウス内の限られた空間内に配置できる栽培容器数は限られたものとなってしまう。   However, although it is easy to circulate and irradiate a plurality of cultivation containers uniformly with sunlight, a certain interval or more is required between adjacent cultivation containers, so that the inside of the house is limited. The number of cultivation containers that can be placed in the space is limited.

そこで、栽培棚を多段にし、かつ多段の栽培棚を循環移動させる自動化栽培装置も提案されている。このような先行技術文献としては、例えば特許文献１に開示されているものがある。特許文献１には、水透過性育苗床材を充填した育苗ポットを着脱可能に装着した通水性育苗容器を収容した可動収納枠体を、ガイドレールと栽培養液の入った生育用水槽とを上下に複数段設けてなる上り用搬送路群及び下り用搬送路群に充満状に装填するとともに循環移動させ、循環移動中に前記育苗ポットの水透過性育苗床材に植え付けた植物を生長させるようにした植物の自動化栽培方法及び自動化栽培装置が開示されている。   Thus, an automated cultivation apparatus has been proposed in which the cultivation shelves are multistage and the multistage cultivation shelves are circulated. As such a prior art document, for example, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 includes a movable storage frame containing a water-permeable seedling container detachably mounted with a seedling pot filled with a water-permeable nursery bed material, a guide rail and a growth tank containing a cultivation nutrient solution. A plurality of up and down transport path groups and a descending transport path group are loaded in a packed manner and circulated, and the plants planted on the water permeable nursery bed material of the seedling pot are grown during the circulation movement. An automated cultivation method and an automated cultivation apparatus for a plant are disclosed.

一方、植物栽培の中でも芽物野菜(例えば豆苗、貝割れ大根など)の栽培では、栽培容器に種子を播き、播種した栽培容器を暗室に所定期間配置し、この所定期間を経過させることにより種子を発芽させ、その後は、発芽させた苗を暗室から光の当たる所まで運び、その場所で光合成を行わせて茎や葉を成育させる作業が行われていた。   On the other hand, in the cultivation of sprout vegetables (for example, bean seedlings, shellfish radishes, etc.) among plant cultivation, seeds are sown in a cultivation container, the sown cultivation container is placed in a dark room for a predetermined period, and this predetermined period is allowed to elapse. The seeds were germinated, and then the germinated seedlings were transported from the dark room to a place where light was applied, and photosynthesis was performed at that place to grow stems and leaves.

特開２００１−９５４０４号公報JP 2001-95404 A

しかしながら、特許文献１は、上り用搬送路群及び下り用搬送路群の２つの搬送路群を備えている (上り用，下り用の各搬送路群の各々の搬送路のガイドレールはその進行方向に向かって下り傾斜している) ことと、かつ複数の上下段間での可動収納枠体の移動はフォークリフトのフォークを用いていることにより、全体構成が複雑な構造となっている。   However, Patent Document 1 includes two transport path groups, an upstream transport path group and a downward transport path group (the guide rails of the transport paths in each of the upstream transport path group and the downward transport path group are in progress) And the movement of the movable storage frame between a plurality of upper and lower stages uses a fork of a forklift, resulting in a complicated structure.

さらに、植物の栽培例えば芽物野菜の栽培では、栽培容器に種子を播き、播種した栽培容器を暗室に所定期間設置し、この期間が経過することによって種子を発芽させ、その後は、発芽した苗を暗室から光の当たる場所へ移動させる労力が必要であった。   Furthermore, in the cultivation of plants, for example, in the cultivation of sprout vegetables, seeds are sown in a cultivation container, the sown cultivation container is placed in a dark room for a predetermined period, and the seeds are germinated by the passage of this period. It took effort to move the camera from the dark room to the place where it was exposed to light.

本発明は上記の事情に鑑みてなされたものであり、植物育生等の作業をきわめて簡易に行うことができ、少ない敷地面積で栽培面積を増やし、植物を収容したパレットを水平方向に移動でき、全体構成がシンプルな構造であり、しかも芽物野菜のような植物栽培において、発芽した苗を暗室から光の当たる別の場所へ運んで移動させることなく、遮光と光照射とを自由に選択して植物を生育させ、植物栽培の生産性を向上できる植物栽培装置を提供することを目的としている。   The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, can be performed very simply work such as plant growth, increase the cultivation area in a small site area, can move the pallet containing the plants in the horizontal direction, The whole structure is simple, and in plant cultivation like sprout vegetables, you can freely choose between shading and light irradiation without carrying the germinated seedling from the dark room to another place where it is exposed to light. An object of the present invention is to provide a plant cultivation apparatus that can grow plants and improve the productivity of plant cultivation.

本発明の一態様の植物栽培装置は、多段の植物栽培棚の各段を水平移動可能な複数のパレットの連続的な配列で構成し、パレット単位で順次に循環移動させる植物栽培装置であって、各段の前記複数のパレットを順次にパレット単位で水平方向に搬送する各段のレール部を複数段備えた搬送部と、前記搬送部の両端部それぞれに配設され、前記パレットを昇降させる昇降機構と該パレットを水平方向に引き出しまたは押し出しする引き出し／押し出し機構とを備え、前記パレットを上下の各段間で移動させ、かつ各段の位置にて該パレットを対応する各段の前記レール部に対して出し入れする第１及び第２の駆動部と、前記搬送部を構成する複数段のレール部のうちの下段側の少なくとも１つのレール部に配置される前記複数のパレットに積み込む植物栽培容器内に播いた種子を発芽させるのに必要な所定期間においては、前記植物栽培容器が配置された前記下段側の少なくとも１つの段の内部空間を外部と遮断するための遮光手段と、を具備し、前記下段側の少なくとも１つの段の遮光された内部空間内で、前記植物栽培容器内に播いた種子を発芽させるのに必要な前記所定期間を経過させ、その後は、前記第１及び第２の駆動部を動作させて前記植物栽培容器を収容したパレットを光の当たる上段側の少なくとも１つの段に移動可能に構成したものである。   A plant cultivation apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is a plant cultivation apparatus that is configured by a continuous arrangement of a plurality of pallets that can horizontally move each stage of a multi-stage plant cultivation shelf, and that is sequentially circulated in units of pallets. A plurality of stages of rails that sequentially convey the plurality of pallets in each stage in a horizontal direction in units of pallets; and a plurality of stages of rails that are disposed at both ends of the conveyance part to raise and lower the pallets An elevating mechanism and a drawer / push-out mechanism for pulling out or pushing out the pallet in the horizontal direction, moving the pallet between upper and lower stages, and each rail corresponding to the pallet at each stage position Loaded on the plurality of pallets disposed on at least one rail section on the lower side of the plurality of rail sections constituting the transport section and the first and second drive sections that are taken in and out of the section. Light shielding means for shutting off the internal space of at least one stage on the lower stage side where the plant cultivation container is arranged, for a predetermined period required to germinate seeds sown in the plant cultivation container The predetermined period necessary for germinating the seeds sown in the plant cultivation container is passed in the light-shielded internal space of at least one stage on the lower stage side, and then the first The pallet containing the plant cultivation container is operated by operating the first and second drive units so as to be movable to at least one stage on the upper side where the light strikes.

本発明の他の態様の植物栽培装置は、多段の植物栽培棚における上段部と下段部それぞれに、植物の種子や苗を育成するための少なくとも１つの植物栽培容器を収容したパレットを所定数ずつ、水平方向の一進行方向に一列状に並べて配設し、かつ前記上段部及び下段部の各段部に一列状に配設した前記所定数のパレットを前記上段部及び前記下段部間でパレット単位で循環移動させるように構成した植物栽培装置であって、前記少なくとも１つの植物栽培容器を収容可能で、かつ左右両側に移動用の車輪を備えた前記所定数のパレットを水平方向の一進行方向に順次に連続的に移動可能とする下段側搬送路としての第１のレール部と、前記所定数のパレットを前記水平方向の一進行方向とは反対の進行方向に順次に連続的に移動可能とする上段側搬送路としての第２のレール部と、前記下段部の前記第１のレール部の進行方向の終端部と前記上段部の前記第２のレール部の進行方向の始端部との間で前記パレットを搬送可能に設けられ、前記パレットを収容して前記上下段部間を昇降移動させる動作を行うと共に前記上下段部の各段部の位置にて前記パレットを引き出しまたは押し出しする動作を行う第１の駆動台を備えた第１の駆動部と、前記上段部の前記第２のレール部の進行方向の終端部と前記下段部の前記第１のレール部の進行方向の始端部との間で前記パレットを搬送可能に設けられ、前記パレットを収容して前記上下段部間を昇降移動させる動作を行うと共に前記上下段部の各段部の位置にて前記パレットを引き出しまたは押し出しする動作を行う第２の駆動台を備えた第２の駆動部と、前記搬送部を構成する上下段のレール部のうちの下段側の前記第１のレール部に配置される前記所定数のパレットに積み込む植物栽培容器内に播いた種子を発芽させるのに必要な所定期間においては、前記植物栽培容器が配置された前記下段側の内部空間を外部と遮断するための遮光手段と、を具備し、前記下段側の遮光された内部空間内で、前記植物栽培容器内に播いた種子を発芽させるのに必要な前記所定期間を経過させ、その後は、前記第１及び第２の駆動部を動作させて前記植物栽培容器を収容したパレットを光の当たる上段側に移動可能に構成したものである。   A plant cultivation apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is provided with a predetermined number of pallets each containing at least one plant cultivation container for growing plant seeds and seedlings in each of an upper stage and a lower stage in a multi-stage plant cultivation shelf. The predetermined number of pallets arranged in a row in a horizontal direction and arranged in a row on each of the upper and lower steps are arranged between the upper and lower steps. A plant cultivation apparatus configured to circulate and move in units, wherein the predetermined number of pallets that can accommodate the at least one plant cultivation container and are provided with wheels for movement on both right and left sides are advanced in the horizontal direction. A first rail portion as a lower-stage conveyance path that can be successively moved in the direction and the predetermined number of pallets sequentially and continuously move in a moving direction opposite to the one moving direction in the horizontal direction. Make possible Between the second rail portion as the step-side conveyance path, the end portion in the moving direction of the first rail portion in the lower step portion, and the starting end portion in the moving direction of the second rail portion in the upper step portion The pallet is provided so as to be transported, and the pallet is accommodated and moved up and down between the upper and lower steps, and the pallet is pulled out or pushed out at the position of each step of the upper and lower steps. A first drive unit including a first drive base, a terminal portion of the upper rail portion in the traveling direction of the second rail portion, and a head portion of the lower rail portion in the traveling direction of the first rail portion. The pallet can be transported between them, and the pallet is accommodated and moved up and down between the upper and lower steps, and the pallet is pulled out or pushed out at the position of each step of the upper and lower steps. Equipped with a second drive base Seeds sown in a plant cultivation container loaded on the predetermined number of pallets arranged on the first rail part on the lower side of the second drive part and the upper and lower rail parts constituting the transport part For a predetermined period required for germination, the light shielding means for shielding the lower internal space where the plant cultivation container is arranged from the outside, and the light shielded internal space on the lower side A pallet containing the plant cultivation container by operating the first and second driving units after the predetermined period required to germinate the seeds sown in the plant cultivation container Is configured to be movable to the upper side where the light hits.

本発明のもう１つの他の態様の植物栽培装置は、多段の植物栽培棚における上段部と下段部それぞれに、植物の種子や苗を育成するための少なくとも１つの植物栽培容器を収容したパレットを所定数ずつ、水平方向の一進行方向に一列状に並べて配設し、かつ前記上段部及び下段部の各段部に一列状に配設した前記所定数のパレットを前記上段部及び下段部間でパレット単位で循環移動させるように構成した植物栽培装置であって、前記少なくとも１つの植物栽培容器を収容可能で、かつ左右両側に移動用の車輪を備えた前記所定数のパレットを、前記下段部の水平方向に配設された平行レール上に移動可能に載置して、これら所定数のパレットを前記水平方向の一進行方向に順次に連続的に移動可能とする下段側搬送路としての第１のレール部と、前記所定数のパレットを、前記上段部の水平方向に配設された平行レール上に移動可能に載置して、これら所定数のパレットを前記水平方向の一進行方向とは反対の進行方向に順次に連続的に移動可能とする上段側搬送路としての第２のレール部と、前記下段部の前記第１のレール部の進行方向の終端部と前記上段部の前記第２のレール部の進行方向の始端部との間で前記パレットを搬送可能に設けられ、前記パレットを収容して前記上下段部間を昇降移動させる動作を行うと共に前記上下段部の各段部の位置にて前記パレットを引き出しまたは押し出しする動作を行う第１の駆動台を備えた第１の駆動部であって、前記第１の駆動台は、前記第１のレール部にガイドされて前記下段部を水平移動してきたパレットが前記第１のレール部の進行方向の終端部に到達したとき、更に該パレットが後続のパレットに押されるタイミングで該パレットを第１の駆動空間に引き出し、該第１の駆動空間に引き出したパレットを前記上段部の前記第２のレール部の進行方向の始端部に対応する高さ位置にまで上昇移動させた後、その上昇移動させた位置で該パレットをパレット１つ分だけ前記一進行方向に押し出して移動させる第１の駆動部と、前記上段部の前記第２のレール部の進行方向の終端部と前記下段部の前記第１のレール部の進行方向の始端部との間で前記パレットを搬送可能に設けられ、前記パレットを収容して前記上下段部間を昇降移動させる動作を行うと共に前記上下段部の各段部の位置にて前記パレットを引き出しまたは押し出しする動作を行う第２の駆動台を備えた第２の駆動部であって、前記第２の駆動台は、前記第２のレール部にガイドされて前記上段部を水平移動してきたパレットが前記第２のレール部の進行方向の終端部に到達したとき、更に該パレットが後続のパレットに押されるタイミングで該パレットを第２の駆動空間に引き出し、該第２の駆動空間に引き出したパレットを前記下段部の前記第１のレール部の進行方向の始端部に対応する高さ位置にまで下降移動させた後、その下降移動させた位置で該パレットをパレット１つ分だけ前記一進行方向とは反対の前記進行方向に押し出して移動させる第２の駆動部と、前記搬送部を構成する上下段のレール部のうちの下段側の前記第１のレール部に配置される前記所定数のパレットに積み込む植物栽培容器内に播いた種子を発芽させるのに必要な所定期間においては、前記植物栽培容器が配置された前記下段側の内部空間を外部と遮断するための遮光手段と、を具備し、前記下段側の遮光された内部空間内で、前記植物栽培容器内に播いた種子を発芽させるのに必要な前記所定期間を経過させ、その後は、前記第１及び第２の駆動部を動作させて前記植物栽培容器を収容したパレットを光の当たる上段側に移動可能に構成したことを特徴とする植物栽培装置。   According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plant cultivation apparatus having a pallet containing at least one plant cultivation container for growing plant seeds and seedlings in each of an upper stage and a lower stage in a multi-stage plant cultivation shelf. A predetermined number of the pallets arranged in a line in one advancing direction in a horizontal direction and arranged in a line in each of the upper and lower steps are arranged between the upper and lower steps. The predetermined number of pallets that can accommodate the at least one plant cultivation container and have wheels for movement on the left and right sides are arranged in the lower stage. As a lower-stage conveyance path that is movably mounted on parallel rails arranged in the horizontal direction of the unit, and that allows the predetermined number of pallets to be successively moved in the horizontal direction in one advancing direction. 1st race And the predetermined number of pallets are movably mounted on parallel rails arranged in the horizontal direction of the upper stage portion, and the predetermined number of pallets are opposite to the one direction of travel in the horizontal direction. A second rail portion serving as an upper-stage transport path that can be successively moved in the advancing direction sequentially, a terminal portion in the advancing direction of the first rail portion in the lower-stage portion, and the second rail portion in the upper-stage portion. The pallet is provided so as to be transportable between the rail portion and the starting end in the traveling direction, and the pallet is accommodated and moved up and down between the upper and lower steps, and the position of each step of the upper and lower steps A first drive unit having a first drive base for performing an operation of pulling out or pushing out the pallet, wherein the first drive base is guided by the first rail portion and the lower stage portion. The pallet that has moved horizontally is the first When the pallet reaches the end in the traveling direction, the pallet is further pulled out to the first driving space at the timing when the pallet is pushed by the subsequent pallet, and the pallet pulled out to the first driving space is After the ascending movement to the height position corresponding to the starting end portion in the traveling direction of the second rail portion, the pallet is pushed and moved in the one traveling direction by one pallet at the ascending position. The pallet can be transported between a first drive unit, a terminal portion in the traveling direction of the second rail portion of the upper step portion, and a starting end portion in the traveling direction of the first rail portion of the lower step portion. A second drive base that is provided to house the pallet and to move up and down between the upper and lower steps and to pull out or push out the pallet at each step of the upper and lower steps. Preparation The second drive unit, wherein the second drive base is a terminal part of the pallet that has been guided by the second rail part and horizontally moved on the upper stage part in the traveling direction of the second rail part. When the pallet is further pushed by the subsequent pallet, the pallet is pulled out to the second driving space, and the pallet pulled out to the second driving space is pulled out of the first rail portion of the lower stage portion. After moving downward to a height position corresponding to the starting end in the traveling direction, the pallet is pushed and moved in the traveling direction opposite to the one traveling direction by one pallet at the lowered position. Seeds sown in a plant cultivation container to be loaded on the predetermined number of pallets arranged on the first rail part on the lower side of the second drive part and the upper and lower rail parts constituting the transport part To germinate A light shielding means for shielding the lower-side internal space in which the plant cultivation container is arranged from the outside, and the plant in the light-shielded internal space on the lower side The upper stage where the predetermined period necessary to germinate the seeds sown in the cultivation container has elapsed, and then the pallet containing the plant cultivation container is exposed to light by operating the first and second driving units. A plant cultivation apparatus characterized by being configured to be movable to the side.

本発明の一実施形態の植物栽培装置における駆動台が下段部(一段目)に下降した状態での概略構成を示す斜視図。The perspective view which shows schematic structure in the state in which the drive stand in the plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention fell to the lower step part (1st step). 本発明の一実施形態の植物栽培装置における駆動台が上段部(二段目)に上昇した状態での概略構成を示す斜視図。The perspective view which shows schematic structure in the state in which the drive stand in the plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention rose to the upper stage part (2nd step). 本発明の一実施形態の植物栽培装置における遮光手段を説明する斜視図。The perspective view explaining the light-shielding means in the plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態の植物栽培装置における第１の駆動部の昇降機構の一例を説明する斜視図。The perspective view explaining an example of the raising / lowering mechanism of the 1st drive part in the plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態の植物栽培装置における第１の駆動部のパレット引き出し及び押し出し機構の一例を説明する斜視図。The perspective view explaining an example of the pallet drawer and extrusion mechanism of the 1st drive part in the plant cultivation device of one embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の一実施形態の植物栽培装置における第１の駆動部のパレット引き出し及び押し出し機構のパレット引き出し後または押し出し前の状態を示す斜視図。The perspective view which shows the state after the pallet drawer of the 1st drive part in the plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention, and the pallet drawer of an extrusion mechanism, or before extrusion. 本発明の一実施形態の植物栽培装置における第１の駆動部のパレット引き出し及び押し出し機構のパレット引き出し前または押し出し後の状態を示す斜視図。The perspective view which shows the state before the pallet drawer of the pallet drawer of the 1st drive part in the plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention and an extrusion mechanism, or after extrusion. 本発明の一実施形態の植物栽培装置における植物栽培容器の一例を示す斜視図。The perspective view which shows an example of the plant cultivation container in the plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. 図８Ａの植物栽培容器に播種した状態を示す斜視図。The perspective view which shows the state seed | inoculated to the plant cultivation container of FIG. 8A. 図８Ａの植物栽培容器での発芽後の苗の状態を示す斜視図。The perspective view which shows the state of the seedling after germination in the plant cultivation container of FIG. 8A. 本発明の一実施形態の植物栽培装置に用いられるパレットの一例を示す斜視図。The perspective view which shows an example of the pallet used for the plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態の植物栽培装置に、所定数の植物栽培容器を搭載したパレットを搬送路としてのレール部に載せた状態での一部破断した平面図。The top view which fractured | ruptured partially in the state which mounted the pallet which mounted the predetermined number of plant cultivation containers on the rail part as a conveyance path in the plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. 図１０の正面図。The front view of FIG. 本発明の一実施形態の植物栽培装置における散水機構の一例を配設した構成を示す断面図。Sectional drawing which shows the structure which arrange | positioned an example of the watering mechanism in the plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態の植物栽培装置における第１の駆動部のパレット引き出し及び押し出し機構のパレット引き出し後または押し出し前の状態を簡略的に表記(図６に対応した表記)した説明図。Explanatory drawing which described briefly the state after the pallet drawer of the 1st drive part in the plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention and the pallet drawer of an extrusion mechanism, or before extrusion (notation corresponding to FIG. 6). 本発明の一実施形態の植物栽培装置における第１の駆動部のパレット引き出し及び押し出し機構のパレット引き出し前または押し出し後の状態を簡略的に表記(図７に対応した表記)した説明図。Explanatory drawing which described briefly the state before the pallet drawer of the 1st drive part in the plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention, and the pallet drawer of an extrusion mechanism, or after an extrusion (notation corresponding to FIG. 7). 図１５Ａ乃至図１５Ｎは本発明の一実施形態の二段式の植物栽培装置における、空パレットへの播種済み栽培容器の積み込み搬送工程の一例を説明する説明図であり、図１５Ａはその工程の一部を説明する説明図。FIG. 15A thru | or FIG. 15N is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the loading conveyance process of the seedling cultivation container to an empty pallet in the two-stage plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention, FIG. 15A of the process Explanatory drawing explaining a part. 本発明の一実施形態の二段式の植物栽培装置における、空パレットへの播種済み栽培容器の積み込み搬送工程の一部を説明する説明図。Explanatory drawing explaining a part of loading and conveying process of the seeded cultivation container to an empty pallet in the two-stage plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態の二段式の植物栽培装置における、空パレットへの播種済み栽培容器の積み込み搬送工程の一部を説明する説明図。Explanatory drawing explaining a part of loading and conveying process of the seeded cultivation container to an empty pallet in the two-stage plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態の二段式の植物栽培装置における、空パレットへの播種済み栽培容器の積み込み搬送工程の一部を説明する説明図。Explanatory drawing explaining a part of loading and conveying process of the seeded cultivation container to an empty pallet in the two-stage plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態の二段式の植物栽培装置における、空パレットへの播種済み栽培容器の積み込み搬送工程の一部を説明する説明図。Explanatory drawing explaining a part of loading and conveying process of the seeded cultivation container to an empty pallet in the two-stage plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態の二段式の植物栽培装置における、空パレットへの播種済み栽培容器の積み込み搬送工程の一部を説明する説明図。Explanatory drawing explaining a part of loading and conveying process of the seeded cultivation container to an empty pallet in the two-stage plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態の二段式の植物栽培装置における、空パレットへの播種済み栽培容器の積み込み搬送工程の一部を説明する説明図。Explanatory drawing explaining a part of loading and conveying process of the seeded cultivation container to an empty pallet in the two-stage plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態の二段式の植物栽培装置における、空パレットへの播種済み栽培容器の積み込み工程の一部を説明する説明図。Explanatory drawing explaining a part of loading process of the seeded cultivation container to the empty pallet in the two-stage plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態の二段式の植物栽培装置における、空パレットへの播種済み栽培容器の積み込み搬送工程の一部を説明する説明図。Explanatory drawing explaining a part of loading and conveying process of the seeded cultivation container to an empty pallet in the two-stage plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態の二段式の植物栽培装置における、空パレットへの播種済み栽培容器の積み込み搬送工程の一部を説明する説明図。Explanatory drawing explaining a part of loading and conveying process of the seeded cultivation container to an empty pallet in the two-stage plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態の二段式の植物栽培装置における、空パレットへの播種済み栽培容器の積み込み搬送工程の一部を説明する説明図。Explanatory drawing explaining a part of loading and conveying process of the seeded cultivation container to an empty pallet in the two-stage plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態の二段式の植物栽培装置における、空パレットへの播種済み栽培容器の積み込み搬送工程の一部を説明する説明図。Explanatory drawing explaining a part of loading and conveying process of the seeded cultivation container to an empty pallet in the two-stage plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態の二段式の植物栽培装置における、空パレットへの播種済み栽培容器の積み込み搬送工程の一部を説明する説明図。Explanatory drawing explaining a part of loading and conveying process of the seeded cultivation container to an empty pallet in the two-stage plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態の二段式の植物栽培装置における、空パレットへの播種済み栽培容器の積み込み搬送工程の一部を説明する説明図。Explanatory drawing explaining a part of loading and conveying process of the seeded cultivation container to an empty pallet in the two-stage plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. 図１６Ａ及び図１６Ｂは本発明の他の実施形態の四段式の植物栽培装置及びその動作工程の一例を説明する説明図であり、図１６Ａは動作工程の一部を説明する説明図。FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B are explanatory views for explaining an example of a four-stage plant cultivation apparatus and its operation process according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16A is an explanatory view for explaining a part of the operation process. 本発明の他の実施形態の四段式の植物栽培装置の動作工程の一部を説明する説明図。Explanatory drawing explaining a part of operation | movement process of the four-stage type plant cultivation apparatus of other embodiment of this invention.

以下、本発明の実施の形態について図面を参照して説明する。   Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

図１は本発明の一実施形態の植物栽培装置における、駆動台の下降状態(下段部位置)での概略構成を示し、図２は本発明の一実施形態の植物栽培装置における、駆動台の上昇状態(上段部位置)での概略構成を示している。   FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration in a lowered state (lower position) of a drive table in the plant cultivation apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows the drive table in the plant cultivation apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention. A schematic configuration in an elevated state (upper portion position) is shown.

本実施形態に記述する植物栽培装置１は、太陽光線を天井面から採光可能なビニールハウスやガラス室などのハウス内に設置され、日中は栽培植物の光合成を促進できるように太陽光線を利用可能であり、また栽培養液の散布を所定時間の間隔で行えるように構成されている。   The plant cultivation apparatus 1 described in the present embodiment is installed in a house such as a vinyl house or a glass room that can shine sunlight from the ceiling surface, and uses sunlight to promote photosynthesis of cultivated plants during the day. It is possible and the cultivation nutrient solution can be sprayed at predetermined time intervals.

植物栽培装置１は、多段の植物栽培棚における上段部と下段部それぞれに、植物の苗(例えばえんどう豆の種子を暗室で１週間位で発芽させた後に暗室の外に出した苗)を更に育生し製品とするための少なくとも１つの植物栽培容器８０(図８Ａ〜図８Ｃ参照)を配置収容したパレット６０を所定の個数(図１及び図２では８パレット)ずつ搬送部３００の下段部(一段目)及び上段部(二段目)に配設する。このとき、搬送部３００には、パレット６０を水平方向の一進行方向に一列状に並べて配設する。そして、上段部及び下段部の各段部に一列状に配設した前記所定個数(上下段部を合わせて１６個)のパレット６０を上段部及び下段部間でパレット単位で循環移動させながら、上段部にて太陽光線を照射できるように構成している。なお、搬送部３００の上段部及び下段部の各段部の水平方向に一列状に連続的に配列するパレット数は、図１及び図２の配列例に限定されず、植物栽培装置１が設置されるハウスの敷地面積に応じて、例えば３０ｍ以上の長さになるようにパレットを多数個連続的に配列するように設計することもできる。   The plant cultivation apparatus 1 has plant seedlings (for example, seedlings that have emerged outside the darkroom after germinating peas seeds in the darkroom for about one week) in each of the upper and lower stages of the multistage plant cultivation shelf. Further, the lower part of the transport unit 300 is a predetermined number (8 pallets in FIGS. 1 and 2) of pallets 60 in which at least one plant cultivation container 80 (see FIGS. 8A to 8C) for nurturing and producing products is disposed and accommodated. (First stage) and upper stage (second stage). At this time, the pallets 60 are arranged in a line in the traveling direction 300 in the horizontal direction. Then, while circulating the predetermined number of pallets 60 (16 in total including the upper and lower step portions) arranged in a row in each step portion of the upper step portion and the lower step portion, in a pallet unit between the upper step portion and the lower step portion, It is comprised so that sunlight can be irradiated in an upper stage part. Note that the number of pallets that are continuously arranged in a row in the horizontal direction of the upper and lower stages of the conveyance unit 300 is not limited to the arrangement example of FIGS. 1 and 2, and the plant cultivation apparatus 1 is installed. Depending on the site area of the house to be used, it may be designed so that a large number of pallets are continuously arranged so as to have a length of, for example, 30 m or more.

植物栽培装置１は、第１の駆動部１００と、第２の駆動部２００と、搬送部３００と、を備えている。更に、植物栽培装置１は、下段側の搬送路空間を外光から遮断し、暗室化するための遮光手段４０を備えている。遮光手段４０は、図３にて後述する。   The plant cultivation device 1 includes a first drive unit 100, a second drive unit 200, and a transport unit 300. Furthermore, the plant cultivation apparatus 1 includes a light shielding means 40 for blocking the lower conveyance path space from outside light and darkening it. The light shielding means 40 will be described later with reference to FIG.

搬送部３００は、下段部側搬送路としての第１のレール部７３，７４と、上段部側搬送路としての第２のレール部７５，７６とを備えた二段構成となっている。この二段の搬送路を有する搬送部３００では、第１の駆動部１００と第２の駆動部２００とを用いて、前記二段の搬送路に対するパレット搬出入及び循環移動が行われる。   The conveyance unit 300 has a two-stage configuration including first rail parts 73 and 74 as lower stage side conveyance paths and second rail parts 75 and 76 as upper stage side conveyance paths. In the transport unit 300 having the two-stage transport path, the first drive unit 100 and the second drive unit 200 are used to carry in and out the pallet with respect to the two-stage transport path and to perform circulation movement.

第１の駆動部１００は、二段構成の搬送部３００の搬送方向の両端部分の一方の端部に設けられ、搬送されるパレット６０に対する昇降動作及び引き出し／押し出し動作を行う。   The first drive unit 100 is provided at one end of both end portions in the transport direction of the transport unit 300 having a two-stage structure, and performs a lifting / lowering operation and a drawer / push-out operation with respect to the transported pallet 60.

第２の駆動部２００は、前記二段構成の搬送部３００の搬送方向の両端部分のもう一方の端部に設けられ、搬送されるパレット６０に対する昇降動作及び引き出し／押し出し動作を行う。   The second drive unit 200 is provided at the other end of both ends in the transport direction of the transport unit 300 having the two-stage structure, and performs a lifting operation and a pulling / pushing operation on the pallet 60 to be transported.

第１の駆動部１００と第２の駆動部２００とは、植物栽培容器を搭載したパレット６０を搬送する二段式の搬送部３００の両端部(パレット搬出入端部)に設置され、上段部及び下段部間でパレット６０を循環移動させるための循環駆動を実現するものである。第１の駆動部１００と第２の駆動部２００とは、構造的には同様な構成であるので、以下の説明の構造の説明では、主に第１の駆動部１００について説明する。   The 1st drive part 100 and the 2nd drive part 200 are installed in the both ends (pallet carrying in / out end part) of the two-stage type conveyance part 300 which conveys the pallet 60 carrying a plant cultivation container, and an upper stage part. And the circulation drive for circulatingly moving the pallet 60 between lower stage parts is implement | achieved. Since the first drive unit 100 and the second drive unit 200 are structurally similar, the description of the structure in the following description will mainly focus on the first drive unit 100.

第１の駆動部１００は、略直方体形状に形成された金属製の枠体５０と、この枠体５０内に配設されて、上下にパレット６０を昇降動作を行う一方、二段式搬送部３００の上下段部の各段部におけるパレット搬出入端部において搬送部３００に対するパレットの引き出し及び押し出し(以下、引き出し／押し出し、又は、押し出し／引き出しと略記)動作を行う駆動台１０と、を備えている。   The first drive unit 100 includes a metal frame 50 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is disposed in the frame 50 to move the pallet 60 up and down, while the two-stage transport unit And a drive base 10 that performs a pallet pull-out and push-out (hereinafter referred to as “pull-out / push-out” or “push-out / pull-out”) operation with respect to the transfer unit 300 at the pallet carry-in / out end of each step of the upper and lower steps of 300. ing.

駆動台１０は、パレット６０を走行可能に保持する１パレット分の走行長さに予め必要とされる追加分を加えた長さ(全長は枠体５０の奥行きに略同じ)を有したレール部１２と、このレール部１２を枠体５０の第１の駆動空間内で第１の駆動源２１にて昇降可能に支持すると共にレール部１２内に載っているパレット６０を第２の駆動源３１にて水平方向(レール進行方向)に移動動可能に支持する支持台１１と、前記支持台１１に対して前記レール部１２を一体的に固定するための接合プレート１３と、支持台１１の上面に固定されて後述のパレット押し出し用の当接板３３をスライド可能に支持する支持板１４と、を備えている。   The drive base 10 has a rail portion having a length (the total length is substantially the same as the depth of the frame body 50) obtained by adding an additional amount required in advance to the traveling length of one pallet that holds the pallet 60 so that the pallet 60 can travel. 12 and the rail portion 12 are supported in the first drive space of the frame 50 so as to be movable up and down by the first drive source 21, and the pallet 60 mounted in the rail portion 12 is supported by the second drive source 31. , A support base 11 movably supported in the horizontal direction (rail travel direction), a joining plate 13 for integrally fixing the rail portion 12 to the support base 11, and an upper surface of the support base 11 And a support plate 14 that slidably supports a pallet push-out contact plate 33, which will be described later.

第２の駆動部２００の構造も、第１の駆動部１００の構造と同様であるので、第１の駆動部１００の各部１１，１２，１３と対応する部分の説明には同一符号を付して説明することにする。   Since the structure of the second drive unit 200 is the same as the structure of the first drive unit 100, the same reference numerals are given to the descriptions of the parts corresponding to the respective units 11, 12, 13 of the first drive unit 100. I will explain.

搬送部３００は、一対の平行レール７３，７４で構成される前記第１のレール部と、一対の平行レール７５，７６で構成される前記第２のレール部と、前記第１のレール部と前記第２のレール部とを内部に支持して固定するための梁と柱によるコ字形状を有した、所定間隔に複数(図では７本)配設されたの枠体７０と、を備えている。各々の枠体７０は、例えば金属製であり、左右両側の２本の柱７１と、該２本の柱７１それぞれの上端間を結合する梁７２と、を備えている。前記第１のレール部と前記第２のレール部とは、２本の柱７１の内面に溶接等により固定されている。   The conveyance unit 300 includes the first rail unit configured by a pair of parallel rails 73 and 74, the second rail unit configured by a pair of parallel rails 75 and 76, and the first rail unit. A plurality of frames 70 (seven in the figure) arranged at predetermined intervals, each having a U-shape with beams and columns for supporting and fixing the second rail portion inside. ing. Each frame 70 is made of, for example, metal, and includes two columns 71 on both the left and right sides, and a beam 72 that connects between the upper ends of the two columns 71. The first rail portion and the second rail portion are fixed to the inner surfaces of the two columns 71 by welding or the like.

また、植物栽培装置１は、栽培養液を散布するための散水機構９０を備える。散水機構９０としては、例えば、第１の駆動部１００の枠体５０の後方側の梁５１の下側部分に、多数の滴下孔を備えた散水用パイプとして設けられている。散水機構９０は、第２の駆動部２００の枠体５０の前方側の梁５１の下側部分にも設けてもよい。更に、散水機構９０は、複数の枠体７０の全ての梁７２に設置してもよいし、複数の枠体７０における適宜の間隔に設けられてもよい。   Moreover, the plant cultivation apparatus 1 is provided with the watering mechanism 90 for spraying cultivation nutrient solution. For example, the watering mechanism 90 is provided as a watering pipe provided with a number of dripping holes in the lower portion of the beam 51 on the rear side of the frame 50 of the first driving unit 100. The watering mechanism 90 may be provided also in the lower part of the beam 51 on the front side of the frame 50 of the second driving unit 200. Further, the water spray mechanism 90 may be installed on all the beams 72 of the plurality of frames 70, or may be provided at appropriate intervals in the plurality of frames 70.

さらに、植物栽培装置１は、第１の駆動部１００の駆動台１０が下段部位置に下降したことを検知する位置検出センサ１０１と、第１の駆動部１００の駆動台１０が上段部位置に上昇したことを検知する位置検出センサ１０２と、第２の駆動部２００の駆動台１０が下段部位置に下降したことを検知する位置検出センサ１０３と、第２の駆動部２００の駆動台１０が上段部位置に上昇したことを検知する位置検出センサ１０４と、を備える。   Furthermore, the plant cultivation apparatus 1 includes a position detection sensor 101 that detects that the drive base 10 of the first drive unit 100 has been lowered to the lower step position, and the drive stand 10 of the first drive unit 100 is at the upper step position. A position detection sensor 102 for detecting the rise, a position detection sensor 103 for detecting that the drive base 10 of the second drive unit 200 is lowered to the lower position, and a drive base 10 of the second drive part 200 And a position detection sensor 104 that detects that the position has been raised to the upper stage position.

なお、三段式の植物栽培装置では、最上段部と最下段部との間に配設される中段部の位置に第１の駆動部１００の駆動台１０が位置したことを検出する位置検出センサと、前記中段部の位置に第２の駆動部２００の駆動台１０が位置したことを検出する位置検出センサと、を更に備える。   In the three-stage plant cultivation apparatus, position detection is performed to detect that the drive base 10 of the first drive unit 100 is located at the position of the middle stage disposed between the uppermost stage and the lowermost stage. The sensor further includes a position detection sensor that detects that the drive base 10 of the second drive unit 200 is positioned at the position of the middle stage.

さらに、植物栽培装置１は、搬送部３００の下段部のパレット列のうちの進行方向終端位置にあるパレットが搬送部３００の終端位置(第１の駆動部１００内に入る直前の位置)に来たことをパレット側のマーク有無で検知するセンサ２０１と、搬送部３００の上段部のパレット列のうちの進行方向終端位置にあるパレットが搬送部３００の終端位置(第２の駆動部２００内に入る直前の位置)に来たことをパレット側のマーク有無で検知するセンサ２０２と、を備える。また、三段式の植物栽培装置では、搬送部３００の中段部のパレット列のうちの進行方向終端位置にあるパレットが搬送部３００の終端位置(第１の駆動部１００または第２の駆動部２００内に入る直前の位置)に来たことをパレット側のマーク有無で検知するセンサを、更に備える。   Furthermore, the plant cultivation apparatus 1 has the pallet at the end position in the traveling direction in the lower pallet row of the transport unit 300 at the end position of the transport unit 300 (position just before entering the first drive unit 100). The sensor 201 that detects the presence or absence of a mark on the pallet side, and the pallet at the end position in the advancing direction in the upper pallet row of the transport unit 300 is located at the end position of the transport unit 300 (in the second drive unit 200). And a sensor 202 that detects that a mark on the pallet side is present or not. In the three-stage plant cultivation apparatus, the pallet at the end position in the traveling direction in the pallet row in the middle part of the transport unit 300 is the end position of the transport unit 300 (the first drive unit 100 or the second drive unit). A sensor is further provided for detecting that a mark on the pallet side has been reached (position immediately before entering 200).

なお、多段式の植物栽培装置１は、各段ともパレットの進行方向を変えて使用する場合があるので、各段の搬送路としてのレール部の両端部付近にそれぞれ１つずつ計２つのセンサを配置し、パレット列が進行方向の終端位置に達したことを検知するようにしてもよい。   In addition, since the multi-stage plant cultivation apparatus 1 may be used by changing the traveling direction of the pallet at each stage, two sensors, one in each of the vicinity of both ends of the rail section as the conveyance path of each stage, are used. To detect that the pallet row has reached the end position in the traveling direction.

植物栽培装置１は、さらに、前記位置検出センサ１０１〜１０４，及びセンサ２０１，２０２の検出結果に基づいて、第１の駆動部１００における昇降動作及び引き出し／押し出し動作と、前記第２の駆動部２００における昇降動作及び引き出し／押し出し動作とのタイミングを制御する制御装置(図示略)としてのコントローラを備えている。すなわち、図示しない制御装置が、第１及び第２の駆動部１００及び２００の昇降機構及び引き出し／押し出し機構の動作タイミングを制御することによってパレット列の循環駆動を制御する。   The plant cultivation apparatus 1 further includes an elevating operation and a pulling / extruding operation in the first driving unit 100 based on the detection results of the position detection sensors 101 to 104 and the sensors 201 and 202, and the second driving unit. A controller is provided as a control device (not shown) that controls the timing of the elevating operation and the pulling / pushing operation at 200. That is, a control device (not shown) controls the circulation drive of the pallet train by controlling the operation timing of the elevating mechanism and the drawer / push-out mechanism of the first and second driving units 100 and 200.

また、第１及び第２の駆動部１００，２００の付近には、作業者が操作する操作ボタン(図示略)が設けられており、作業者が操作ボタンを押すことにより、作業者が空パレットに対して積み込みを完了して該パレットを搬送させる指令が上記タイミング制御装置に送られるようになっている。   In addition, operation buttons (not shown) operated by the operator are provided in the vicinity of the first and second driving units 100 and 200, and the operator presses the operation button so that the operator can use the empty pallet. A command to complete loading and convey the pallet is sent to the timing control device.

図３は本発明の一実施形態の植物栽培装置における遮光手段４０を説明する斜視図である。   FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the light shielding means 40 in the plant cultivation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

図３において、遮光手段４０は、搬送部３００を構成する上下段の第１，第２のレール部のうちの下段側の１つのレール部(７３，７４)に配置される所定数のパレット６０に積み込んだ植物栽培容器８０内に播種された種子を発芽させる所定期間においては、植物栽培容器８０が配置された下段側の内部空間を外部と遮断し、外光を阻止する機能を有する。   In FIG. 3, the light shielding means 40 includes a predetermined number of pallets 60 arranged on one rail portion (73, 74) on the lower side of the upper and lower first and second rail portions constituting the transport unit 300. In the predetermined period for germinating the seeds sowed in the plant cultivation container 80 loaded on the inside, the inner space on the lower side where the plant cultivation container 80 is arranged is blocked from the outside and has a function of blocking external light.

遮光手段４０としては、遮光性の高い材料で形成された遮光カバー或いは遮光カーテンを用いて下段側の搬送路(第１のレール部)の空間を囲むようにして遮光する。なお、上段側の搬送路(第２のレール部)には通常所定数のパレット６０が隙間なく連続的に一列状に並んだ配列を形成するので(しかもパレット６０の左右両側はレール部に係合して遮光性が高いので)、第２のレール部７５，７６より下段側の空間を遮光して暗室化する構造とすればよい。また、第１，第２の駆動部１００，２００の駆動台１０が昇降する第１，第２の駆動空間はパレット列の下段側への搬入が済んだ後に、遮光部材で上部、前面部又は後面部、及び左右の側面部を囲むことにより、遮光が可能である。   As the light shielding means 40, light shielding is performed by surrounding the space of the lower conveyance path (first rail portion) using a light shielding cover or a light shielding curtain formed of a material having high light shielding properties. In addition, since a predetermined number of pallets 60 are normally arranged in a row in a continuous manner without gaps in the upper conveyance path (second rail portion) (and the left and right sides of the pallet 60 are associated with the rail portion). Therefore, the space below the second rail portions 75 and 76 may be shielded from light so that a dark room is formed. In addition, the first and second drive spaces in which the drive base 10 of the first and second drive units 100 and 200 is moved up and down are moved to the lower side of the pallet row, and then the upper, front or Light shielding is possible by surrounding the rear surface portion and the left and right side surface portions.

このように遮光手段４０を用いた構成によれば、例えば豆苗や貝割れ大根の育生及び収穫を行う際に、植物栽培容器８０内の少なくとも種子を発芽させる所定期間(例えば豆苗では１週間位、貝割れ大根では３日間位)を下段側空間を取り囲むように形成した暗室内にて発芽させ、この発芽の所定期間を経過した後は、第１及び第２の駆動部１００，２００を囲む遮光部材の一部を開放した後、引き出し／押し出し機構及び昇降機構を駆動させて植物栽培容器８０を収容した所定数のパレット６０を上段側の搬送路へ順次に搬送移動させる。そして、発芽後の所定数のパレット６０を全て上段側に移動した後は、その上段側の搬送路にて所定期間(例えば豆苗では１週間位、貝割れ大根では３日間位)静止させることにより、植物を太陽光又は人工光に当てて、生育させる。   In this way, according to the configuration using the light shielding means 40, for example, when growing and harvesting bean seedlings and shellfish radish, a predetermined period for germinating at least seeds in the plant cultivation container 80 (for example, one week for bean seedlings). , About 3 days for shellfish radish) germinate in the dark room formed so as to surround the lower space, and after the predetermined period of germination, the first and second drive units 100, 200 are After a part of the surrounding light shielding member is opened, the drawer / push-out mechanism and the elevating mechanism are driven to sequentially convey and move the predetermined number of pallets 60 containing the plant cultivation containers 80 to the upper conveyance path. Then, after all of the predetermined number of pallets 60 after germination have been moved to the upper stage side, they should be kept stationary for a predetermined period of time (for example, about 1 week for bean seedlings and about 3 days for cracked radish) on the upper conveyance path. The plant is grown by being exposed to sunlight or artificial light.

このように下段側に遮光手段４０を備えた多段式の植物栽培装置１を用いれば、発芽用の暗室を別に設ける必要がなく、発芽後の苗の生育期間にも上段側へ機械的に移動させれば人手を介することなく、植物を太陽光又は人工光に当てて、光合成を行わせ、茎や葉を育生することができる。   If the multi-stage plant cultivation apparatus 1 having the light shielding means 40 on the lower side is used as described above, it is not necessary to provide a separate dark room for germination, and it is mechanically moved to the upper stage during the growing period of the seedling after germination. If it does so, a plant will be exposed to sunlight or artificial light, and a photosynthesis may be performed without a human hand, and a stem and a leaf can be nurtured.

なお、天候等の気象状態の悪化で太陽光利用が不都合な場合にも植物苗の光合成を可能とするために、蛍光灯照明やＬＥＤ照明などの人工照明装置を各段部に適宜の間隔で枠体７０などを支持材として用いて配置してもよい。或いは、人工照明装置として紫外線照射部を、各段の進行方向の終端側パレットの上部位置に配置することにより、植物苗に対する殺菌消毒を行う効果が得られる。紫外線照射部の配設位置を、収穫前の苗入りパレットが配送される段部の進行方向の少なくとも終端側パレットの上部位置とするように構成してもよい。   In addition, in order to enable photosynthesis of plant seedlings even when the use of sunlight is inconvenient due to deterioration of weather conditions such as weather, artificial lighting devices such as fluorescent lighting and LED lighting are installed at appropriate intervals in each step. You may arrange | position using the frame 70 etc. as a support material. Or the effect which performs the disinfection and sterilization with respect to a plant seedling is acquired by arrange | positioning an ultraviolet irradiation part as an artificial lighting apparatus in the upper position of the terminal side pallet of the advancing direction of each step | level. You may comprise so that the arrangement | positioning position of an ultraviolet irradiation part may be made into the upper position of the terminal side pallet at least of the advancing direction of the step part to which the seedling containing pallet before harvesting is delivered.

第２の駆動部２００の動作も、第１の駆動部１００の動作と同様な動作となる。   The operation of the second drive unit 200 is the same as the operation of the first drive unit 100.

播種済み植物栽培容器８０を植物栽培装置１内の空きパレット６０に積み込んで下段部側搬送路(第１のレール部)へ搬入し、下段部側搬送路において播種済み容器搭載パレットを発芽期間が経過するまで静止状態とした後に、パレット単位で順次に上段部側に移動搬送するまでの動作の一例については、図１５Ａ〜図１５Ｋで詳述する。   The seeded plant cultivation container 80 is loaded on the empty pallet 60 in the plant cultivation apparatus 1 and is loaded into the lower part side conveyance path (first rail part). An example of the operation from the standstill until it has elapsed until it is sequentially moved and conveyed to the upper stage side in units of pallets will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 15A to 15K.

以下に、植物栽培装置１の各部に関する構成及び動作について図４〜図１４を参照して更に説明する。   Below, the structure and operation | movement regarding each part of the plant cultivation apparatus 1 are further demonstrated with reference to FIGS.

図４は植物栽培装置１における第１の駆動部１００の昇降機構の一例を説明する斜視図である。   FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a lifting mechanism of the first drive unit 100 in the plant cultivation apparatus 1.

図４において、昇降機構は、枠体５０に新たに設けた支持体２２に取り付けられた平行ガイド２４，２４及びボールねじ２３に対してスライドテーブル２５のスライド用係合部２５ａ，２５ａを係合し、第１の駆動部１００の駆動台１０を構成する前記支持台１１及び前記レール部１２をスライドテーブル２５の表面に固着することにより、スライドテーブル２５に固定した駆動台１０を第１の駆動源２１の駆動モータ(図示略)にてボールねじ２３を回転させ、その回転に応じて上下方向Ａに昇降可能にする。前記支持体２２の代わりに枠体５０の柱部分を利用してもよい。   In FIG. 4, the lifting mechanism engages the slide engaging portions 25 a and 25 a of the slide table 25 with the parallel guides 24 and 24 and the ball screw 23 attached to the support 22 newly provided in the frame 50. Then, the support base 11 and the rail portion 12 constituting the drive base 10 of the first drive unit 100 are fixed to the surface of the slide table 25, whereby the drive base 10 fixed to the slide table 25 is first driven. The ball screw 23 is rotated by a drive motor (not shown) of the source 21, and can be moved up and down in the vertical direction A according to the rotation. A column portion of the frame 50 may be used instead of the support 22.

昇降機構としては、第１の駆動源２１の駆動モータ(図示略)の回転力を、ワイヤや滑車を用いて駆動台１０に伝達して、駆動台１０を昇降可能にする構成としてもよい。その他、第１の駆動源２１の駆動モータ(図示略)の回転力で、タイミングベルト駆動、或いはチェーン駆動などで伝達して、駆動台１０を昇降可能にする構成としてもよい。或いは、第１の駆動源２１として、駆動モータ(図示略)に代えて、空気圧又は油圧シリンダとピストンロッドによる直動機構を用いて、駆動台１０を昇降させるように構成してもよい。   The lifting mechanism may be configured to transmit the rotational force of a driving motor (not shown) of the first driving source 21 to the driving table 10 using a wire or a pulley so that the driving table 10 can be moved up and down. In addition, the drive base 10 may be configured to be movable up and down by being transmitted by a timing belt drive or a chain drive by a rotational force of a drive motor (not shown) of the first drive source 21. Alternatively, the first drive source 21 may be configured to move the drive base 10 up and down using a linear motion mechanism including an air pressure or hydraulic cylinder and a piston rod, instead of a drive motor (not shown).

図５〜図７は植物栽培装置１における第１の駆動部１００のパレット引き出し／押し出し機構の一例を説明する斜視図である。   5 to 7 are perspective views for explaining an example of a pallet drawer / push-out mechanism of the first drive unit 100 in the plant cultivation apparatus 1.

図５〜図７において、パレット引き出し／押し出し機構は、駆動台１０に設けた第２の駆動源３１の駆動モータ(図示略)を用いて歯車(ピニオン)(図示略)を回転させることで、ラック３２ａに固定してある２本のストローク部材３２を図６の状態から図７の状態へ前進させて、２本のストローク部材３２の先端部に固着した当接板３３を、押し出し予定のパレット６０の当接側端部に当接して該当接側端部を押し出し方向Ｂの奥行き方向に押し出す動作を行い、或いは、駆動台１０における第２の駆動源３１に連接して設けられた前記当接板３３の付近に形成した爪状の係合片(図示略)を、引き出し予定のパレット６０の前記当接側端部の一部に機械的に自動的に係合(ロック)させ、その状態で第２の駆動源３１の駆動モータ(図示略)を逆回転させることで、２本のストローク部材３２を図７の状態から図６の状態へ後進させて、２本のストローク部材３２の先端部に固着した当接板３３に係合した引き出し予定のパレット６０を引き出し方向Ｂの手前方向に引き出し動作を行う。引き出し動作における当接板３３とパレット６０との係合状態は、パレット６０が図６の引き出し終了位置に戻ったときに機械的に自動的に解除(ロックフリー)されるように構成されている。   5-7, the pallet drawer / push-out mechanism rotates a gear (pinion) (not shown) by using a drive motor (not shown) of the second drive source 31 provided on the drive base 10, The two stroke members 32 fixed to the rack 32a are advanced from the state shown in FIG. 6 to the state shown in FIG. 7, and the contact plate 33 fixed to the tip ends of the two stroke members 32 is pallet to be pushed out. An operation of pushing the contact side end portion 60 in the depth direction of the push-out direction B by abutting against the contact side end portion of the 60 or the contact provided at the drive base 10 connected to the second drive source 31 is performed. A claw-like engagement piece (not shown) formed in the vicinity of the contact plate 33 is mechanically automatically engaged (locked) with a part of the abutting side end of the pallet 60 to be pulled out, In the state, the drive motor (not shown) of the second drive source 31 is rotated in the reverse direction. Thus, the two stroke members 32 are moved backward from the state shown in FIG. 7 to the state shown in FIG. 6, and the pallet 60 scheduled to be pulled out is engaged with the contact plate 33 fixed to the front end portion of the two stroke members 32. Is pulled out in the forward direction of the pulling direction B. The engagement state between the contact plate 33 and the pallet 60 in the pulling operation is configured to be mechanically automatically released (lock-free) when the pallet 60 returns to the pulling end position in FIG. .

パレット引き出し／押し出し機構としては、第２の駆動源３１の駆動モータ(図示略)の回転力を、ストローク部材３２の代わりにワイヤなどを用いて当接板３３に伝達して、当接板３３を移動し、パレットの引き出し／押し出し可能にする構成としてもよい。その他、第２の駆動源３１の駆動モータ(図示略)の回転力で、タイミングベルト駆動、或いはチェーン駆動などで伝達して、当接板３３をパレット引き出し／押し出し可能にする構成としてもよい。或いは、第２の駆動源３１として、駆動モータ(図示略)に代えて、空気圧又は油圧シリンダとピストンロッドによる直動機構を用いて、当接板３３を移動可能にし、パレットの引き出し／押し出しを行うように構成してもよい。   As the pallet drawer / push-out mechanism, the rotational force of a drive motor (not shown) of the second drive source 31 is transmitted to the contact plate 33 using a wire or the like instead of the stroke member 32, and the contact plate 33. The pallet may be pulled out / extruded so that it can be moved. In addition, the contact plate 33 may be configured to be able to pull out / push out the pallet by transmitting with a rotational force of a drive motor (not shown) of the second drive source 31 by timing belt drive or chain drive. Alternatively, as the second drive source 31, instead of a drive motor (not shown), a direct acting mechanism using a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder and a piston rod is used to make the contact plate 33 movable so that the pallet can be pulled out / extruded. It may be configured to do.

図８Ａは植物栽培容器８０の一例を示し、図８Ｂは図８Ａの植物栽培容器８０の栽培室８２内に例えばエンドウ豆の種子８４を播種した状態を示し、図８Ｃは図８Ｂの播種状態から種子８４が発芽した後の苗８５の状態を示している。   FIG. 8A shows an example of a plant cultivation container 80, FIG. 8B shows a state in which, for example, pea seeds 84 are sown in the cultivation room 82 of the plant cultivation container 80 in FIG. 8A, and FIG. The state of the seedling 85 after the seed 84 germinates is shown.

この植物栽培容器８０は例えば白色系又は同色の半透明の合成樹脂で形成されており、図８に示すように平面部８１に対して複数(図では１０個)の栽培室８２が設けられ、栽培室８２の底面には通水孔８３も形成されている。   This plant cultivation container 80 is formed of, for example, a white or translucent synthetic resin of the same color, and a plurality of (10 in the figure) cultivation chambers 82 are provided for the plane portion 81 as shown in FIG. A water passage hole 83 is also formed on the bottom surface of the cultivation room 82.

本発明の実施形態では、まず、作業者は、栽培室８２の底面に例えばえんどう豆の種子８４を播いた図８Ｂに示す状態の植物栽培容器(単に播種済み容器と記す)８０をパレット６０内に配置した後、操作ボタンを押すと、第１の駆動部１００の駆動台１０が下段側搬送路(第１のレール部)の位置で水平方向駆動にて播種済み容器搭載パレット６０を水平方向に押し出すことによって、図３で説明した遮光手段４０で遮光された状態(即ち暗室と同等)にある下段側搬送路(第１のレール部(７３，７４))の栽培空間に前記播種済み容器搭載パレット６０をパレット単位で順次に搬入していくことができる。下段側のパレット列の暗室の栽培空間が全て播種済み容器搭載パレット６０の配列で満たされるまで播種済み容器搭載パレットの搬入を行う。そして、この播種済み容器搭載パレットを暗室状態の下段部側空間に所定数搬入した状態で、発芽のために所定期間(例えば豆苗の場合は７日間くらい、貝割れ大根の場合は３日間くらい)暗室空間内に置かれる。   In the embodiment of the present invention, first, an operator pallets a plant cultivation container (simply referred to as a seeded container) 80 in the state shown in FIG. When the operation button is pressed after being placed inside, the drive base 10 of the first drive unit 100 horizontally drives the seeded container mounting pallet 60 at the position of the lower transport path (first rail portion) in the horizontal direction. By pushing in the direction, the seeding has been completed in the cultivation space of the lower conveyance path (first rail portion (73, 74)) in a state of being shielded by the light shielding means 40 described in FIG. The container mounting pallet 60 can be sequentially carried in pallet units. The seeded container-mounted pallet is carried in until the cultivation space in the dark room of the lower pallet row is filled with the array of the seeded container-mounted pallets 60. And in a state where a predetermined number of these seeded container-mounted pallets are carried into the lower-stage space in the dark room state, a predetermined period for germination (for example, about 7 days for bean seedlings, about 3 days for shelled radishes) ) It is placed in the darkroom space.

このように、図示の二段式の植物栽培装置１の下段側暗室に置かれた状態で、例えばえんどう豆の場合は１週間ほど経過すると、図８Ｃのように発芽して双葉(子葉)８５が出た苗に生育する。この状態で、作業者が第１の駆動空間にて新たなパレットに播種済み容器を搭載した後、操作ボタンを押すと、第１の駆動部１００の駆動台１０が下段搬送路側の苗入り容器搭載パレット６０の進行方向への押し出し動作を行うと同時に、第２の駆動部２００の駆動台１０が下段搬送路側の進行方向末端の苗入り容器搭載パレット６０を第２の駆動部２００の第２の駆動空間へ引き出す動作を行った後、この引き出された苗入り容器搭載パレット６０を上昇させ、上段側搬送路(第２のレール部(７５，７６))の位置にまで上昇させ、その後に続くパレット単位の水平駆動の引き出し／押し出し動作により前記第２の駆動空間内から上段側搬送路(第２のレール部)に順次に移動していく。苗入り容器搭載パレット６０が第２の駆動空間から上段側搬送路へ搬入される付近の上方には散水機構９０が設けられていて、苗入り容器搭載パレット６０が１パレット分移動する間に栽培養液を散布する。そして、苗入り容器搭載パレット６０が所定数、上段側搬送路に配列移動された状態に至った状態で、更に所定期間(豆苗育成の場合は１週間位)、太陽光又は人工光を当てることにより製品として収穫可能なまでに成長させることができる。このような下段側から上段側への循環動作については、後述の図１５Ａ〜図１５Ｋにて詳しく説明する。   Thus, in the state where it is placed in the lower darkroom of the two-stage plant cultivation apparatus 1 shown in the figure, for example, in the case of peas, germination occurs as shown in FIG. It grows on seedlings with 85. In this state, when the operator loads the seeded container on a new pallet in the first drive space and then presses the operation button, the drive base 10 of the first drive unit 100 causes the seedling container on the lower conveyance path side. At the same time when the mounting pallet 60 is pushed out in the traveling direction, the driving base 10 of the second driving unit 200 moves the seedling container mounting pallet 60 at the end of the traveling direction on the lower conveyance path side to the second of the second driving unit 200. Then, the pulled-out seedling container mounting pallet 60 is raised to the position of the upper conveyance path (second rail portions (75, 76)), and thereafter By the subsequent pallet-unit horizontal drive pull-out / push-out operation, the pallet unit sequentially moves from the second drive space to the upper transport path (second rail portion). A sprinkling mechanism 90 is provided above the vicinity where the seedling-containing container-mounted pallet 60 is carried from the second drive space into the upper conveyance path, and cultivation is performed while the seedling-containing container-mounted pallet 60 moves by one pallet. Spray nutrient solution. Then, in a state where a predetermined number of seedling container mounting pallets 60 are arranged and moved to the upper transport path, sunlight or artificial light is further applied for a predetermined period (about one week in the case of bean seedling growth). By this, it can be grown until it can be harvested as a product. Such a circulation operation from the lower stage side to the upper stage side will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 15A to 15K described later.

図９は植物栽培装置１に用いられるパレットの一例を示している。   FIG. 9 shows an example of a pallet used in the plant cultivation apparatus 1.

図９に示すような空パレット６０内には植物栽培容器８０を所定の個数(例えば２２個)並べて配置することができる。なお、図８Ａ〜図８Ｃにおける植物栽培容器８０のサイズは例えば６００ｍｍ×３００ｍｍである。   A predetermined number (for example, 22) of plant cultivation containers 80 can be arranged in an empty pallet 60 as shown in FIG. In addition, the size of the plant cultivation container 80 in FIGS. 8A to 8C is, for example, 600 mm × 300 mm.

図９に示すように、パレット６０は、上面が開口し箱状に構成され、所定個数の植物栽培容器８０を収容可能なパレット本体６１と、パレット本体６１の進行方向に沿った左右両側に配設された移動用の車輪６２と、を備えている。図９におけるパレット６０のサイズは例えば３３００ｍｍ×１２００ｍｍである。   As shown in FIG. 9, the pallet 60 is configured in a box shape with an open top surface, and is arranged on both the left and right sides of the pallet main body 61 along the traveling direction of the pallet main body 61, and can accommodate a predetermined number of plant cultivation containers 80. And provided moving wheels 62. The size of the pallet 60 in FIG. 9 is, for example, 3300 mm × 1200 mm.

なお、パレット６０内に植物栽培容器８０を配置する際には、パレット６０の底面に波板(図示略)を敷いた上で、その波板上に植物栽培容器８０を配置することにより、散水機構９０で栽培養液又は水を散布した後は、余剰の養液又は水が植物栽培容器８０の底面の通水孔８３から波板上に排水され、植物苗に適量の養液又は水を植物栽培容器８０内に保持させることができる。 When arranging the plant cultivation container 80 in the pallet 60, a corrugated sheet (not shown) is laid on the bottom surface of the pallet 60, and then the plant cultivation container 80 is disposed on the corrugated sheet, thereby sprinkling water. After spraying the cultivation nutrient solution or water with the mechanism 90, the surplus nutrient solution or water is drained onto the corrugated plate from the water passage hole 83 on the bottom of the plant cultivation container 80, and an appropriate amount of nutrient solution or water is applied to the plant seedling. It can be held in the plant cultivation container 80.

図１０には、所定数(図では２２固)の植物栽培容器８０を収容したパレット６０に設けた車輪６２を、搬送路としてのレール部７３，７４に載せた状態の平面図を示している。図１１は図１０の正面図である。   In FIG. 10, the top view of the state which mounted the wheel 62 provided in the pallet 60 which accommodated the predetermined number (22 solid in the figure) plant cultivation container 80 on the rail parts 73 and 74 as a conveyance path is shown. . FIG. 11 is a front view of FIG.

第１のレール部は、下段側搬送路として機能するものであって、所定数のパレット６０を、下段部の水平方向に配設された平行レール７３，７４上に移動可能に載置して、これら所定数のパレット６０を前記水平方向の一進行方向に順次に連続的に移動可能とする。   The first rail portion functions as a lower-stage conveyance path, and a predetermined number of pallets 60 are movably placed on parallel rails 73 and 74 disposed in the horizontal direction of the lower step portion. The predetermined number of pallets 60 can be sequentially moved in the horizontal direction in one advancing direction.

第２のレール部は、上段側搬送路として機能するものであって、所定数のパレット６０を、上段部の水平方向に配設された平行レール７５，７６上に移動可能に載置して、これら所定数のパレット６０を前記水平方向の一進行方向とは反対の進行方向に順次に連続的に移動可能とする。   The second rail portion functions as an upper-stage conveyance path, and a predetermined number of pallets 60 are movably placed on parallel rails 75 and 76 disposed in the horizontal direction of the upper-stage portion. The predetermined number of pallets 60 can be successively moved sequentially in the traveling direction opposite to the one traveling direction in the horizontal direction.

第１の駆動部１００は、下段部の第１のレール部の進行方向の終端部と上段部の第２のレール部の進行方向の始端部との間でパレット６０を搬送可能に設けられ、パレット６０を収容して上下段部間を昇降移動させる動作を行うと共に上下段部の各段部の位置にてパレット６０を引き出しまたは押し出しする動作を行う第１の駆動台１０を備えたものであって、第１の駆動台１０は、第１のレール部にガイドされて下段部を水平移動してきたパレット６０が第１のレール部の進行方向の終端部に到達したとき、更に該パレット６０が後続のパレット６０に押されるタイミングで該パレット６０を第１の駆動空間に引き出し、該第１の駆動空間に引き出したパレット６０を上段部の第２のレール部の進行方向の始端部に対応する高さ位置にまで上昇移動させた後、その上昇移動させた位置で該パレット６０をパレット１つ分だけ前記一進行方向に押し出して移動させる。   The first drive unit 100 is provided so as to be able to transport the pallet 60 between a terminal portion in the traveling direction of the first rail portion in the lower step portion and a starting end portion in the traveling direction of the second rail portion in the upper step portion, It is provided with a first drive base 10 that houses the pallet 60 and moves it up and down between the upper and lower steps and pulls out or pushes the pallet 60 at the position of each step of the upper and lower steps. Thus, when the pallet 60 that has been guided by the first rail portion and horizontally moved in the lower stage portion reaches the end portion in the traveling direction of the first rail portion, the pallet 60 is further moved. The pallet 60 is pulled out to the first driving space at the timing when the pallet 60 is pushed by the subsequent pallet 60, and the pallet 60 pulled out to the first driving space corresponds to the start end portion in the advancing direction of the second rail portion of the upper stage portion. Up to the height position After raising movement, the pallet 60 pallet only one minute to move extruded into the one traveling direction at a position where the raised moving.

第２の駆動部２００は、上段部の第２のレール部の進行方向の終端部と下段部の第１のレール部の進行方向の始端部との間でパレット６０を搬送可能に設けられ、パレット６０を収容して上下段部間を昇降移動させる動作を行うと共に上下段部の各段部の位置にてパレット６０を引き出しまたは押し出しする動作を行う第２の駆動台１０を備えたものであって、第２の駆動台１０は、第２のレール部にガイドされて上段部を水平移動してきたパレット６０が第２のレール部の進行方向の終端部に到達したとき、更に該パレット６０が後続のパレット６０に押されるタイミングで該パレット６０を第２の駆動空間に引き出し、該第２の駆動空間に引き出したパレットを下段部の第１のレール部の進行方向の始端部に対応する高さ位置にまで下降移動させた後、その下降移動させた位置で該パレット６０をパレット１つ分だけ前記一進行方向とは反対の進行方向に押し出して移動させる。   The second drive unit 200 is provided so as to be able to transport the pallet 60 between the end portion in the traveling direction of the second rail portion in the upper stage portion and the starting end portion in the traveling direction of the first rail portion in the lower step portion, It is provided with a second drive base 10 that houses the pallet 60 and moves it up and down between the upper and lower steps and pulls out or pushes the pallet 60 at the position of each step of the upper and lower steps. When the pallet 60 that has been guided by the second rail portion and horizontally moved in the upper stage portion reaches the end portion in the traveling direction of the second rail portion, the pallet 60 is further moved. When the pallet 60 is pushed by the subsequent pallet 60, the pallet 60 is pulled out to the second driving space, and the pallet pulled out to the second driving space corresponds to the starting end portion in the traveling direction of the first rail portion at the lower stage. Descent to height position After moving, the said one direction of travel of the pallet 60 pallet only one minute to move extruded in the opposite traveling direction at a position obtained by the downward movement.

なお、第１の駆動部１００の第１の駆動台１０は、パレット６０を第２のレール部の進行方向の始端部に対応する高さ位置にまで上昇移動した位置で該パレット６０をパレット１つ分だけ水平方向の前記一進行方向に押し出して移動させた後は、第１のレール部の進行方向の終端部に対応する高さ位置にまで下降移動する。   The first drive base 10 of the first drive unit 100 moves the pallet 60 to the pallet 1 at a position where the pallet 60 is moved up to a height position corresponding to the start end portion in the traveling direction of the second rail portion. After being pushed and moved in the one traveling direction in the horizontal direction, the first rail portion is moved down to a height position corresponding to the end portion in the traveling direction.

第２の駆動部２００の第２の駆動台１０は、パレット６０を第１のレール部の進行方向の終端部に対応する高さ位置にまで下降移動した位置で該パレット６０をパレット１つ分だけ水平方向の前記一進行方向とは反対の進行方向に押し出して移動させた後は、第２のレール部の進行方向の終端部に対応する高さ位置にまで上昇移動する。   The second drive base 10 of the second drive unit 200 moves the pallet 60 to one pallet at a position where the pallet 60 is moved down to a height position corresponding to the end portion of the first rail portion in the traveling direction. After being pushed and moved in the traveling direction opposite to the one traveling direction in the horizontal direction, the second rail portion moves up to a height position corresponding to the terminal portion in the traveling direction.

第１の駆動部１００の第１の駆動台１０の上昇下降動作(即ち昇降動作)と前記第２の駆動部２００の第２の駆動台１０の上昇下降動作とは対応して同期的に行われ、また第１の駆動部１００の第１の駆動台１０におけるパレット６０の引き出し動作及び押し出し動作(即ち引き出し／押し出し動作)の各動作に対応して、第２の駆動部２００の第２の駆動台１０におけるパレット６０の押し出し動作及び引き出し動作が同期的に行われる。   The ascending / descending operation (that is, the ascending / descending operation) of the first driving base 10 of the first driving unit 100 and the ascending / descending operation of the second driving base 10 of the second driving unit 200 are performed synchronously. In addition, the second drive unit 200 performs the second operation of the second drive unit 200 in response to the pull-out operation and the push-out operation (ie, the pull-out / push-out operation) of the pallet 60 in the first drive base 10 of the first drive unit 100. The push-out operation and the pull-out operation of the pallet 60 in the drive base 10 are performed synchronously.

第１の駆動部１００の第１の駆動台１０は、前記パレット６０を第１の駆動空間で昇降動作させる第１の駆動源２１としての第１のモータと、パレット６０を第１の駆動空間で引き出し動作及び押し出し動作させる第２の駆動源３１としての第２のモータとを備える。   The first drive base 10 of the first drive unit 100 includes a first motor as a first drive source 21 that moves the pallet 60 up and down in the first drive space, and the pallet 60 in the first drive space. And a second motor as the second drive source 31 that performs the pulling-out operation and the pushing-out operation.

第２の駆動部２００の第２の駆動台１０は、前記パレット６０を第２の駆動空間で昇降動作させる第３の駆動源２１(図示略)としての第３のモータと、パレット６０を第２の駆動空間で押し出し動作及び引き出し動作させる第４の駆動源３１(図示略)としての第４のモータとを備える。   The second drive base 10 of the second drive unit 200 includes a third motor as a third drive source 21 (not shown) that moves the pallet 60 up and down in the second drive space, and the pallet 60 in the second drive space. And a fourth motor as a fourth drive source 31 (not shown) that performs the push-out operation and the pull-out operation in the second drive space.

第１の駆動部１００の第１の駆動台１０における押し出し動作は、第１の駆動台１０の第２の駆動源３１に連接して設けられた当接板３３が、押し出し予定のパレット６０の当接側端部に当接して該当接側端部を押し出すことによって行われる。   The push-out operation of the first drive unit 100 in the first drive base 10 is performed by the contact plate 33 provided in connection with the second drive source 31 of the first drive base 10 on the pallet 60 to be pushed out. This is done by abutting against the abutting end and pushing out the corresponding abutting end.

第１の駆動部１００の第１の駆動台１０における引き出し動作は、第１の駆動台１０の第２の駆動源３１に連接して設けられた当接板３３の付近に形成した爪状の係合片(図示略)が、引き出し予定のパレットの前記当接側端部の一部に係合することによって行われる。   The pull-out operation of the first drive unit 100 in the first drive base 10 is a claw-like shape formed in the vicinity of the abutment plate 33 provided in connection with the second drive source 31 of the first drive base 10. An engagement piece (not shown) is performed by engaging a part of the abutting side end of the pallet to be pulled out.

同様に、第２の駆動部２００の第２の駆動台１０における前記押し出し動作は、第２の駆動台１０の第４の駆動源３１に連接して設けられた当接板３３が、押し出し予定のパレットの当接側端部に当接して該当接側端部を押し出すことによって行われる。   Similarly, the push-out operation in the second drive base 10 of the second drive unit 200 is scheduled to be pushed out by a contact plate 33 provided in connection with the fourth drive source 31 of the second drive base 10. This is done by abutting against the abutting end of the pallet and pushing out the corresponding abutting end.

第２の駆動部２００の第２の駆動台１０における前記引き出し動作は、第２の駆動台１０の第４の駆動源３１に連接して設けられた当接板３３の付近に形成した爪状の係合片(図示略)が、引き出し予定のパレットの当接側端部の一部に係合することによって行われる。   The pulling-out operation in the second drive base 10 of the second drive unit 200 is a claw-like shape formed in the vicinity of the contact plate 33 provided in connection with the fourth drive source 31 of the second drive base 10. This engagement piece (not shown) is performed by engaging a part of the contact side end of the pallet to be pulled out.

上述した循環移動における植物苗の生育期間においては、植物の光合成に必要な太陽光を充分に与えることが必要であったり、生育に必要な栄養素としての栽培養液の散布が必要となる。   In the growth period of the plant seedling in the above-described circulation movement, it is necessary to sufficiently provide sunlight necessary for the photosynthesis of the plant, or it is necessary to spray the cultivation nutrient solution as a nutrient necessary for the growth.

そこで、栽培養液の散布のために、図１の植物栽培装置１の少なくとも上段部の複数(図では７本)の枠体７０の７本の梁７２のうちの進行方向の例えば最初と最後の梁７２、或いはどちらか一方の梁７２に多数の散水孔を有する散水用パイプを用いて栽培養液を散布する散水機構９０を設けた構成としている。   Therefore, in order to disperse the cultivation nutrient solution, for example, the first and last in the traveling direction of the seven beams 72 of at least the upper part (seven in the figure) of the frame body 70 of the plant cultivation apparatus 1 of FIG. The water sprinkling mechanism 90 for spraying the cultivation nutrient solution using a sprinkling pipe having a large number of sprinkling holes on one of the beams 72 or one of the beams 72 is provided.

図１２は本発明の一実施形態の植物栽培装置１における栽培養液の散布を行う散水機構９０の構成の一例を示している。   FIG. 12 shows an example of the configuration of the watering mechanism 90 that sprays the cultivation nutrient solution in the plant cultivation apparatus 1 of one embodiment of the present invention.

図１２において、散水機構９０は、水位限定機能を備えた散水用多孔パイプ９１と、この多孔パイプ９１の前段に配置されて、水源としての給水部(図示略)からの供給水(例えば地下水に液体肥料を混合した栽培養液)を一旦受け止めてから多孔パイプ９１に供給するバッファ用パイプ９２と、給水部(図示略)からの栽培養液９４の供給を散水時にのみ流通し、それ以外の時には遮断するバルブ９３と、を備えている。栽培養液９４はバルブ９３を通り、一旦大容量のバッファ用パイプ９２に入ってから、基準水位９５を超えた養液量のみが多孔パイプ９１内に所定の間隔に設けられた水位保持機能を備えた複数の滴下パイプ９１ａを通して滴下孔９１ｂから散水される。   In FIG. 12, a watering mechanism 90 is arranged in a front stage of a watering perforated pipe 91 having a water level limiting function and a water supply unit (not shown) as a water source (for example, groundwater). The buffer pipe 92 for supplying the perforated pipe 91 after receiving the cultivation nutrient solution mixed with liquid fertilizer) and the supply of the cultivation nutrient solution 94 from the water supply unit (not shown) are circulated only at the time of watering. And a valve 93 that shuts off sometimes. After the cultivation nutrient solution 94 passes through the valve 93 and once enters the large-capacity buffer pipe 92, only the nutrient solution amount exceeding the reference water level 95 has a water level holding function provided in the porous pipe 91 at a predetermined interval. Water is sprayed from the dropping hole 91b through the plurality of dropping pipes 91a provided.

このような散水機構９０によれば、例えば二段式植物栽培装置１における循環サイクルごとに栽培養液９４の散布が実施される場合、各回ごとにパレット単位で一定範囲に一定量の栽培養液９４をほぼ均等に散水することができる。   According to such a watering mechanism 90, when spraying of the cultivation nutrient solution 94 is implemented for every circulation cycle in the two-stage plant cultivation apparatus 1, for example, a certain amount of cultivation nutrient solution in a certain range for each pallet. 94 can be sprinkled almost uniformly.

以下に、図１５Ａ〜図１５Ｎを参照して、種子を収容した植物栽培容器(即ち播種済み容器)８０を植物栽培装置１内の空パレット６０に積み込んだ播種済み容器搭載パレット６０を、遮光可能な下段側の搬送路(下段側搬送用レール部７３，７４)へ搬入し、順次に水平方向に搬送する搬送動作、及び発芽期間が過ぎて太陽光又は人工光で苗に育生するために第２の駆動部２００を駆動して、発芽後の苗を収容したパレット６０を遮光手段４０の外部に出し、下段側のパレット列を上段側の搬送路(上段側搬送用レール部７５，７６)へ循環移動させる動作の一例について説明する。   Referring to FIGS. 15A to 15N, the seeded container-mounted pallet 60 in which the plant cultivation container (that is, the seeded container) 80 containing the seeds is loaded on the empty pallet 60 in the plant cultivation apparatus 1 can be shielded from light. In order to nurture seedlings with sunlight or artificial light after the germination period has passed, and the carrying operation of carrying in the lower conveyance path (lower conveyance rails 73, 74) and sequentially conveying in the horizontal direction. 2, the pallet 60 containing the seedlings after germination is driven out of the light shielding means 40, and the lower pallet row is moved to the upper transport path (upper transport rails 75, 76). An example of the operation of cyclically moving to will be described.

図１５Ａ〜図１５Ｎで各動作を説明する前に、これらの図２おいて使用する表記について図１３及び図１４を参照して説明する。   Before describing each operation in FIGS. 15A to 15N, the notation used in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

図１３はパレット引き出し／押し出し機構のパレット引き出し後または押し出し前の状態の簡略的な表記(図６に対応した表記)を示し、図１４はパレット引き出し／押し出し機構のパレット引き出し前または押し出し後の状態の簡略的な表記(図７に対応した表記)示している。   FIG. 13 shows a simplified notation (notation corresponding to FIG. 6) of the pallet pulling / extrusion mechanism after or before pallet pulling, and FIG. 14 shows the state of the pallet pulling / extrusion mechanism before or after pallet pulling. The simplified notation (notation corresponding to FIG. 7) is shown.

図１５Ａ乃至図１５Ｋは本発明の一実施形態の二段式の植物栽培装置における、空パレットへの播種済み栽培容器の積み込み搬送工程の一例を説明する説明図である。なお、図１５Ａ乃至図１５Ｋでは、下段部側の栽培空間に対する遮光手段４０の記載を省略してある。   FIG. 15A thru | or FIG. 15K are explanatory drawings explaining an example of the loading conveyance process of the seeded cultivation container to an empty pallet in the two-stage type plant cultivation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. In addition, in FIG. 15A thru | or FIG. 15K, description of the light-shielding means 40 with respect to the cultivation space of the lower stage part side is abbreviate | omitted.

図１５Ａでは、上下段部とも空パレット６０が並んだ状態となっている。まず、作業者が下段部(一段目)の空パレット６０に植物の種子(例えばえんどう豆の種子)８４が播種された植物栽培容器８０を所定数分だけ積み込んだ後(斜線部分は播種済み容器を積み込んだことを示している)、作業者が図示しない積み込み用操作ボタンを押したとすると、図示しない制御装置は以下の図１５Ｂ〜図１５Ｄの工程を経て、図１５Ｅの工程へ移行する。   In FIG. 15A, empty pallets 60 are arranged in both upper and lower steps. First, after an operator has loaded a predetermined number of plant cultivation containers 80 seeded with plant seeds (for example, pea seeds) 84 on the lower pallet (first stage) empty pallet 60 (the hatched portion is sown) If the operator presses a loading operation button (not shown), the control device (not shown) proceeds to the process shown in FIG. 15E through the following steps shown in FIGS. 15B to 15D.

図１５Ｅでは、作業者は、別の所定数の植物栽培容器８０を空パレット６０に積み込む(斜線部分は積み込み済みを示す)。そして、作業者が再び図示しない積み込み用操作ボタンを押したとすると、図示しない制御装置は以下の図１５Ｆ〜図１５Ｈの工程を経て、図１５Ｉの工程へ移行する。以下同様の複数の工程を経て図１５Ｊの工程に至る。   In FIG. 15E, the operator loads another predetermined number of plant cultivation containers 80 on the empty pallet 60 (the hatched portion indicates that the loading has been completed). If the operator presses a loading operation button (not shown) again, the control device (not shown) proceeds to the process shown in FIG. 15I through the processes shown in FIGS. 15F to 15H below. Thereafter, the process shown in FIG.

このようにして、図１５Ｊの工程では、下段部の植物棚としての搬送路には、所定数の空パレット全てに播種済み容器搭載パレットＡ〜Ｈが収容された状態で配列されることになる。このとき、上段部側の搬送路上のパレットは全て空パレットのままの状態にある。   In this way, in the process of FIG. 15J, in the conveyance path as the lower-stage plant shelf, the seeded container mounting pallets A to H are arranged in a state where all of the predetermined number of empty pallets are accommodated. . At this time, all the pallets on the transport path on the upper stage side remain in an empty pallet.

この図１５Ｊにおける下段側搬送路の播種済み容器搭載パレットＡ〜Ｈが一列状に配列された状態で、搬送動作を停止させて、所定の期間(例えば豆苗の栽培では１週間位)は種子(例えばえんどう豆の種子)８４の発芽を待つことになる。   In the state where the seeded container mounting pallets A to H of the lower side conveyance path in FIG. 15J are arranged in a line, the conveyance operation is stopped, and seeds are seeded for a predetermined period (for example, about one week in the cultivation of bean seedlings). It will wait for germination of 84 (for example, pea seeds).

そして、上記の発芽の所定の期間が経過したときに、作業者は図１５Ｊにおける図示しない遮光手段の一部を開放して、第１の駆動部１００の駆動台１０の新たな空パレット６０に新たな播種済み栽培容器(この播種済み容器搭載パレットをＩとしている)を積み込む(図１５Ｋ参照)。図１５Ｋでは、播種済み容器搭載パレットＡ〜Ｈが苗入り容器搭載パレットＡ〜Ｈとなっているため、発芽後の苗入り容器搭載パレットＡ〜Ｈにはクロスハッチングを付すことによって、発芽前のパレットとは区別できるようにしている。その後に、操作ボタン(図示略)を押すことによって、第１の駆動部１００の駆動台１０が隣接する下段側搬送路上の苗入り容器搭載パレット６０(＝パレットＨ)を１パレット分押し出すタイミングで、第２の駆動部２００の駆動台１０が隣接する終端の苗入り容器搭載パレット６０(＝パレットＡ)を引き出すことによって、図１５Ｌに示す状態となる。   Then, when the predetermined period of germination has elapsed, the operator opens a part of the light shielding means (not shown) in FIG. 15J and puts it on a new empty pallet 60 of the drive base 10 of the first drive unit 100. A new seeded cultivation container (this seeded container mounting pallet is set as I) is loaded (see FIG. 15K). In FIG. 15K, since the seeded container-mounted pallets A to H are seeded container-mounted pallets A to H, cross-hatching is applied to the seedling-containing container-mounted pallets A to H before germination, so that It can be distinguished from the pallet. After that, by pressing an operation button (not shown), the drive base 10 of the first drive unit 100 pushes out the seedling container-mounted pallet 60 (= pallet H) on the adjacent lower conveyance path at the timing of pushing out one pallet. When the drive base 10 of the second drive unit 200 pulls out the adjacent seedling-containing container-mounted pallet 60 (= pallet A), the state shown in FIG. 15L is obtained.

以上の動作を繰り返すことによって、図１５Ｍの中間経過を経て、図１５Ｎに示すように苗入り容器搭載パレットＡ〜Ｈは全て太陽光又は人工光が当たる上段部側の搬送路(７３，７４)に配列される。このとき、図示しない遮光手段４０にて常に暗室状態にされている下段部側の搬送路(７５，７６)には、新たな播種済み容器搭載パレットＩ〜Ｐが配列されることになる。   By repeating the above operation, through the intermediate process of FIG. 15M, as shown in FIG. 15N, all of the seedling-contained container mounting pallets A to H are transport paths (73, 74) on the upper stage side where sunlight or artificial light hits. Arranged. At this time, new seeded container mounting pallets I to P are arranged in the transport path (75, 76) on the lower stage side which is always in a dark room state by the light shielding means 40 (not shown).

図１５Ｎの状態で所定の期間(豆苗の場合は１週間位)育生した後に、作業者は第１の駆動空間に１つだけ有る空きパレット６０に新たな播種済み栽培容器を配置して、再び操作ボタンを押すことによって、上段部側の生育した苗入り容器搭載パレットＡが自動的に第１の駆動部１００の駆動区間の下段部側の位置に下降して容易に収穫することが可能となる。収穫した後の空パレットには、別の新たな播種済み栽培容器を配置して前記と同様に下段部側搬送路に搬入するといった動作を繰り返せば、生育した苗入り容器搭載パレットＡ〜Ｈから光合成で生育した新鮮な植物の苗を収穫することができる。   After growing for a predetermined period (about one week in the case of a bean seedling) in the state of FIG. 15N, the operator places a new seeded cultivation container on an empty pallet 60 that has only one in the first drive space, By pressing the operation button again, the seedling container mounting pallet A grown on the upper stage side can be automatically lowered to the lower stage side position of the driving section of the first driving unit 100 and easily harvested. It becomes. From the grown seedling-containing container-mounted pallets A to H, by repeating the operation of arranging another new seeded cultivation container and carrying it into the lower stage side conveyance path in the same manner as described above, on the empty pallet after harvesting You can harvest seedlings of fresh plants grown by photosynthesis.

図１６Ａ及び図１６Ｂは本発明の他の実施形態の四段式の植物栽培装置及び動作を概略的に説明する説明図である。   FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B are explanatory diagrams schematically illustrating a four-stage plant cultivation apparatus and operation according to another embodiment of the present invention.

図１６Ａ及び図１６Ｂにおいて、植物栽培装置１Ａは、四段の植物栽培棚の各段を水平移動可能な複数のパレットの連続的な配列で構成するが、四段のうちの下段側の最下段(第１段目)と第２段目を遮光手段４０にて囲んで外光から遮断可能であって、暗室状態で使用可能である。従って、種子を発芽させて苗に育てるまでの期間に種子を生育させるのに好適である。   In FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B, the plant cultivation apparatus 1A is configured by a continuous arrangement of a plurality of pallets that can move horizontally in each of the four stages of plant cultivation shelves. The first stage and the second stage are surrounded by the light shielding means 40 and can be shielded from external light, and can be used in a dark room state. Therefore, it is suitable for growing seeds during a period from germination of seeds to growth of seedlings.

四段のうちの上段側の第３段目と最上段(第４段目)は前記遮光手段４０の外部に構成される部分であって、暗室で発芽後の苗を太陽光や人工光を当てて光合成を行わせ生育させる環境を与えるのに好適である。   Of the four stages, the third stage and the uppermost stage (fourth stage) on the upper side are parts formed outside the light shielding means 40, and the seedlings that have germinated in the dark room are exposed to sunlight or artificial light. It is suitable for giving an environment for photosynthesis and growth.

下段側の最下段(第１段目)の搬送路を形成するパレット列を(1)とし、第２段目の搬送路を形成するパレット列を(2)とし、第３段目の搬送路を形成するパレット列を(3)とし、最上段(第４段目)の搬送路を形成するパレット列を(4)とする。遮光手段４０で囲まれた暗室内のパレット列(1)及び(2)に播種済み栽培容器を順次に積み込んで、２点鎖線の矢印のようにパレット単位で順次に搬送移動し、パレット列Ａ〜Ｐを静止し、その状態で発芽のための所定期間が経過すると、次に最下段(第１段目)の発芽後の苗入りパレット列(1)(Ｉ〜Ｐ)と最上段(第４段目)の〜パレット間でパレット列(4)をパレット単位で搬送移動することで、パレット列(1)とパレット列(4)間で入れ替えを行う。その後に、第３段目のパレット列(3)と第４段目のパレット列(4)との間で循環移動(２点鎖線の矢印)を行わせることにより、パレット列(3)と(4)とが上段部側で所定の時間間隔で太陽光が照射され、光合成による生育を促す効果を得ることができる。   The pallet row that forms the lowermost (first stage) transport path on the lower stage side is (1), the pallet train that forms the second stage transport path is (2), and the third stage transport path (3) and the pallet row forming the uppermost (fourth) transport path is (4). The seeded cultivation containers are sequentially loaded on the pallet rows (1) and (2) in the dark room surrounded by the light shielding means 40, and are sequentially transported and moved in units of pallets as indicated by the two-dot chain line arrows. When P is stationary and a predetermined period for germination has passed in that state, the pallet row (1) (I to P) containing seedlings after germination in the lowermost stage (first stage) and the uppermost stage (first stage) By moving the pallet row (4) between pallets in the fourth stage), the pallet row (1) and the pallet row (4) are switched. After that, the pallet train (3) and (3) are moved by circulating between the third pallet train (3) and the fourth pallet train (4). 4) is irradiated with sunlight at a predetermined time interval on the upper side, and an effect of promoting growth by photosynthesis can be obtained.

このような構成では、暗室が下段部側で隣接する上下の二段分用意できるので、下段部側で同時に発芽される苗の個数を倍増することができる。そして、その苗を上段側に搬送して太陽光や人工光の照射によって光合成を行って育生し、製品として出荷することが可能となる。   In such a configuration, since the dark room can be prepared for two upper and lower stages adjacent on the lower stage side, the number of seedlings germinated simultaneously on the lower stage side can be doubled. Then, the seedlings are conveyed to the upper stage side, photo-synthesized by irradiation with sunlight or artificial light, nurtured, and shipped as a product.

以上の本発明の一実施形態では、第１の駆動部から播種済み栽培容器の積み込みを行う場合について説明しているが、本発明の実施形態に係る植物栽培装置では搬送部のレール部は水平に敷かれており第１の駆動部及び第２の駆動部とも同一の機能を持たせることが可能であり、第１の駆動部側からの播種済み栽培容器の積み込みだけでなく搬送部の反対側にある第２の駆動部側からの積み込みを同様に行うことが可能である。従って、１つの搬送部を第１及び第２の駆動部のどちら側からでも行うことができるので、植物栽培装置１の設置状況や作業環境に応じてどらか一方の駆動部側から積み込みを行え、汎用性を備えた植物栽培装置を実現することが可能となる。   In the above embodiment of the present invention, the case where the seeded cultivation container is loaded from the first drive unit has been described, but in the plant cultivation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the rail portion of the transport unit is horizontal. The first drive unit and the second drive unit can be provided with the same function, and not only the loading of the seeded cultivation container from the first drive unit side but also the opposite of the transport unit It is possible to carry out loading from the second drive part side on the side as well. Therefore, since one conveyance part can be performed from either the 1st or 2nd drive part side, it can be loaded from either one drive part side according to the installation condition and work environment of the plant cultivation apparatus 1. It becomes possible to realize a plant cultivation apparatus having versatility.

以上述べた本発明の一実施形態の植物栽培装置によれば、植物育生等の作業をきわめて簡易に行うことができ、少ない敷地面積で栽培面積を増やし、植物を積載したパレットを水平方向に移動でき、全体構成がシンプルな構造であり、しかも芽物野菜のような植物栽培において、発芽した苗を暗室から光の当たる別の場所へ運んで移動させることなく、遮光と光照射とを自由に選択して植物を生育させ、植物栽培の生産性を向上することが可能となる。   According to the plant cultivation apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention described above, operations such as plant growth can be performed very easily, the cultivation area is increased with a small site area, and the pallet loaded with plants is moved in the horizontal direction. It has a simple structure, and in plant cultivation such as sprout vegetables, the germinated seedlings can be moved freely from the dark room to another place that is exposed to light, without shading and light irradiation. It is possible to grow a plant by selecting and improve the productivity of plant cultivation.

本発明の一実施形態を説明したが、これらの実施形態は、例として提示したものであり、発明の範囲を限定することは意図していない。これら実施形態は、その他の様々な形態で実施されることが可能であり、発明の要旨を逸脱しない範囲で、種々の省略、置き換え、変更を行うことができる。これら実施形態やその変形は、発明の範囲や要旨に含まれると同様に、特許請求の範囲に記載された発明とその均等の範囲に含まれるものである。   Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

１…植物栽培装置、１０…駆動台、１１…支持台、１２…レール部、１３…接合プレート、１４…スライド板、２１…第１の駆動源、２２…支持体、２３…ボールねじ、２４…ガイド、２５…スライドテーブル、２５ａ…スライド用係合部、３１…第２の駆動源、３２…ストローク部材、３３…当接板、４０…遮光手段、５０…枠体、５１…枠体の梁、６０…パレット、６１…パレット本体、６２…車輪、７０…枠体、７１…柱、７２…梁、７３，７４…下段部(一段目)のレール部、７５，７６…上段部(二段目)のレール部、８０…植物栽培容器、８４…苗、９０…散水機構、９１…散水用多孔パイプ、９１ａ…滴下パイプ、９１ｂ…滴下孔、９２…バッファ用パイプ、９３…バルブ、９４…栽培養液、９５…基準水位、１００…第１の駆動部、２００…第２の駆動部、３００…搬送部。   DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Plant cultivation apparatus, 10 ... Drive stand, 11 ... Support stand, 12 ... Rail part, 13 ... Joining plate, 14 ... Slide plate, 21 ... 1st drive source, 22 ... Support body, 23 ... Ball screw, 24 ... Guide, 25 ... Slide table, 25a ... Sliding engagement part, 31 ... Second drive source, 32 ... Stroke member, 33 ... Abutting plate, 40 ... Light shielding means, 50 ... Frame body, 51 ... Frame body Beam, 60 ... pallet, 61 ... pallet body, 62 ... wheel, 70 ... frame, 71 ... column, 72 ... beam, 73,74 ... lower rail (first stage) rail section, 75,76 ... upper section (two (Stage of step), 80 ... Plant cultivation container, 84 ... Seedling, 90 ... Sprinkling mechanism, 91 ... Sprinkling pipe, 91a ... Dropping pipe, 91b ... Dropping hole, 92 ... Buffer pipe, 93 ... Valve, 94 ... Cultivation nutrient solution, 95 ... Reference water level, 100 ... First drive unit , 200 ... second drive unit, 300 ... conveying unit.

本発明の一態様の植物栽培装置は、多段の植物栽培棚を上段側と下段側で構成し、前記上段側はさらに上段部及び下段部の少なくとも二段に構成し、該二段の前記上段部は植物の苗を育成するための少なくとも１つの植物栽培容器を収容したパレットを水平方向の一進行方向に所定数連続的に並べた状態で移動可能とし、前記下段部は前記パレットを水平方向の前記一進行方向とは反対方向に所定数連続的に並べた状態で移動可能とし、前記上段部及び前記下段部間でパレット単位で循環移動させて前記二段を上下入れ替え可能に構成し、前記下段側は少なくとも一段に構成し、植物の種子を発芽させるための少なくとも１つの植物栽培容器を収容したパレットを水平方向の一進行方向に所定数連続的に並べた状態で移動可能とし、発芽後はパレット単位で前記上段側に移動させるように構成した植物栽培装置であって、前記上段側の前記下段部に構成され、前記少なくとも１つの植物栽培容器を収容可能で、かつ左右両側に移動用の車輪を備えた前記所定数のパレットを水平方向の一進行方向に順次に連続的に移動可能とする下段部搬送路としての第１のレール部と、前記上段側の前記上段部に構成され、前記所定数のパレットを前記水平方向の一進行方向とは反対の進行方向に順次に連続的に移動可能とする上段部搬送路としての第２のレール部と、前記下段側の一段部に構成され、前記所定数のパレットを水平方向の一進行方向に順次に連続的に移動可能とする下段側搬送路としての第３のレール部と、前記下段部の前記第１のレール部の進行方向の終端部と前記上段部の前記第２のレール部の進行方向の始端部との間で前記パレットを搬送可能に設けられ、前記パレットを収容して前記上下段部間を昇降移動させる動作を行い、前記第３のレール部に前記所定数のパレットを収容して前記上段側に移動させる動作を行うと共に前記上下段部及び前記下段側の各段部の位置にて前記パレットを引き出しまたは押し出しする動作を行う第１の駆動台を備えた第１の駆動部と、前記上段部の前記第２のレール部の進行方向の終端部と前記下段部の前記第１のレール部の進行方向の始端部との間で前記パレットを搬送可能に設けられ、前記パレットを収容して前記上下段部間を昇降移動させる動作を行い、前記第３のレール部に前記所定数のパレットを収容して前記上段側に移動させる動作を行うと共に前記上下段部及び前記下段側の各段部の位置にて前記パレットを引き出しまたは押し出しする動作を行う第２の駆動台を備えた第２の駆動部と、前記下段側の前記第３のレール部に配置される前記所定数のパレットに積み込む植物栽培容器内に播かれた種子を発芽させるために、常時、前記植物栽培容器が配置された前記下段側の内部空間を外部と遮断する遮光手段と、を具備し、前記下段側の遮光された内部空間内で、前記植物栽培容器内に播かれた種子を発芽させ、その後は、前記第１及び第２の駆動部を動作させて前記発芽した苗の前記植物栽培容器を収容したパレットを光合成のために光の当たる前記上段側に移動させ、該パレットを循環移動させるように構成した。 The plant cultivation apparatus of one aspect of the present invention is configured with a multi-stage plant cultivation shelf on an upper stage side and a lower stage side, the upper stage side is further configured in at least two stages of an upper stage part and a lower stage part, and the upper stage of the two stages The part is movable in a state where a predetermined number of pallets containing at least one plant cultivation container for growing plant seedlings are continuously arranged in one horizontal direction of movement, and the lower stage part is configured to move the pallet in the horizontal direction. It is configured to be movable in a state in which a predetermined number is continuously arranged in a direction opposite to the one traveling direction, and configured so that the two stages can be switched up and down by circulating and moving in units of pallets between the upper stage part and the lower stage part , The lower side is configured in at least one stage, and a pallet containing at least one plant cultivation container for germinating plant seeds is movable in a state in which a predetermined number of the pallets are continuously arranged in one horizontal direction, and germination After A plant cultivating device configured to move to the upper side in pagelets, the configured on the lower portion of the upper side, wherein at least one of the plant cultivating container is capable of accommodating, and for moving the left and right sides a first rail section as the lower portion conveying path for sequentially continuously movable said predetermined number of pallets provided with wheels on one traveling direction in the horizontal direction, is configured on the upper portion of the upper side, configuration and second rail section as the upper portion conveyor path which can move sequentially and continuously in the opposite direction of travel, one step portion of the lower side to the one direction of travel of the horizontal pallet of said predetermined number A third rail portion serving as a lower-stage conveyance path that allows the predetermined number of pallets to be successively and continuously moved in one horizontal moving direction; and a traveling direction of the first rail portion of the lower-stage portion Front end and front of the upper stage Conveyable to provided the pallet between a start end of the traveling direction of the second rail section, it has rows operation of moving up and down between the upper lower part houses the pallet, said third rail section A first drive for storing the predetermined number of pallets and moving the pallets to the upper side and for pulling out or pushing out the pallets at the positions of the upper and lower steps and the lower steps. The pallet between a first drive part having a base, a terminal part in the advancing direction of the second rail part of the upper part and a starting part in the advancing direction of the first rail part of the lower part provided so as to be transported to, have rows the operation of moving up and down between the upper lower part to accommodate the pallet, and accommodates the predetermined number of pallets to said third rail unit is moved to the upper side operation And the upper and lower steps and the front A second driving unit having a second drive table to perform the operation of the drawer or extruding the pallet at the position of the step portions of the serial lower side, disposed on the third rail portion of the lower side to germinate the predetermined number of palette loading seeds he sowing the plant cultivation container, always an external cut-off to that shield light means an internal space of the plant cultivation container arranged above the lower side, the The seedling which germinates the seed sown in the plant cultivation container in the shaded internal space on the lower side , and then operates the first and second driving units to germinate the seedling wherein moving the pallets containing the plant cultivation container on the upper side of the light hits for photosynthesis, and configured to circulate moving the pallet.

下段側の最下段(第１段目)の搬送路を形成するパレット列を(1)とし、第２段目の搬送路を形成するパレット列を(2)とし、第３段目の搬送路を形成するパレット列を(3)とし、最上段(第４段目)の搬送路を形成するパレット列を(4)とする。遮光手段４０で囲まれた暗室内のパレット列(1)及び(2)に播種済み栽培容器を順次に積み込んで、２点鎖線の矢印のようにパレット単位で順次に搬送移動し、パレット列Ａ〜Ｐを静止し、その状態で発芽のための所定期間が経過すると、次に最下段(第１段目)の発芽後の苗入りパレット列(1)(Ｉ〜Ｐ)と最上段(第４段目)の空パレットのパレット列(4)をパレット単位で搬送移動することで、パレット列(1)とパレット列(4)間で入れ替えを行う。同様にして、第２段目の発芽後の苗入りパレット列(2)と第３段目の空パレットのパレット列(3)間で入れ替えを行う。以上の下段側のパレット列(1)，(2)と上段側のパレット列(3)，(4)との入れ替えを行った状態を図１６Ｂに示す。図１６Ｂでは、パレット列(1)，(2)が上段側に移動し、パレット列(3)，(4)が下段側に移動した状態を示している。その後に、第３段目に入った発芽後の苗入りのパレット列(2)と最上段(第４段目)に入った発芽後の苗入りのパレット列(1)との間で循環移動(２点鎖線の矢印)を行わせることにより、発芽後の苗入りのパレット列(1)と(2)とが上段側で所定の時間間隔で太陽光が照射され、光合成による生育を促す効果を得ることができる。 The pallet row that forms the lowermost (first stage) transport path on the lower stage side is (1), the pallet train that forms the second stage transport path is (2), and the third stage transport path (3) and the pallet row forming the uppermost (fourth) transport path is (4). The seeded cultivation containers are sequentially loaded on the pallet rows (1) and (2) in the dark room surrounded by the light shielding means 40, and are sequentially transported and moved in units of pallets as indicated by the two-dot chain line arrows. When P is stationary and a predetermined period for germination has passed in that state, the pallet row (1) (I to P) containing seedlings after germination in the lowermost stage (first stage) and the uppermost stage (first stage) The pallet row (4) of the fourth tier empty pallet is transported and moved in units of pallets, thereby switching between the pallet row (1) and the pallet row (4). Similarly, replacement is performed between the pallet row (2) containing the seedlings after germination in the second stage and the pallet row (3) of the empty pallet in the third stage. FIG. 16B shows a state where the lower pallet row (1), (2) is replaced with the upper pallet row (3), (4). FIG. 16B shows a state in which the pallet rows (1) and (2) are moved to the upper side and the pallet rows (3) and (4) are moved to the lower side. After that, circulate between the pallet row (2) with the seedling after germination that entered the third stage and the pallet row (1) with the seedling after germination that entered the uppermost stage ( fourth stage ). by causing the (arrow 2-dot chain line), the sunlight is irradiated at a predetermined time interval seedlings containing the palette columns (1) and (2) Togaue stage after germination, promote the growth by photosynthesis An effect can be obtained.

このような構成では、暗室が下段側で隣接する上下の二段分用意できるので、下段側で同時に発芽される苗の個数を倍増することができる。そして、その苗を上段側に搬送して太陽光や人工光の照射によって光合成を行って育生し、製品として出荷することが可能となる。 In such a configuration, since the dark room can be adjacent and below the two-stage partial prepared under stage, it is possible to double the number of seedlings that are simultaneously germinated under stage. Then, the seedlings are conveyed to the upper stage side, photo-synthesized by irradiation with sunlight or artificial light, nurtured, and shipped as a product.

Claims (12)

多段の植物栽培棚の各段を水平移動可能な複数のパレットの連続的な配列で構成し、パレット単位で順次に循環移動させる植物栽培装置であって、
各段の前記複数のパレットを順次にパレット単位で水平方向に搬送する各段のレール部を複数段備えた搬送部と、
前記搬送部の両端部それぞれに配設され、前記パレットを昇降させる昇降機構と該パレットを水平方向に引き出しまたは押し出しする引き出し／押し出し機構とを備え、前記パレットを上下の各段間で移動させ、かつ各段の位置にて該パレットを対応する各段の前記レール部に対して出し入れする第１及び第２の駆動部と、
前記搬送部を構成する複数段のレール部のうちの下段側の少なくとも１つのレール部に配置される前記複数のパレットに積み込む植物栽培容器内に播いた種子を発芽させるのに必要な所定期間においては、前記植物栽培容器が配置された前記下段側の少なくとも１つの段の内部空間を外部と遮断するための遮光手段と、を具備し、
前記下段側の少なくとも１つの段の遮光された内部空間内で、前記植物栽培容器内に播いた種子を発芽させるのに必要な前記所定期間を経過させ、その後は、前記第１及び第２の駆動部を動作させて前記植物栽培容器を収容したパレットを光の当たる上段側の少なくとも１つの段に移動可能に構成したことを特徴とする植物栽培装置。 A plant cultivation apparatus comprising a continuous arrangement of a plurality of pallets capable of horizontally moving each stage of a multi-stage plant cultivation shelf,
A transport section comprising a plurality of stages of rail sections for transporting the plurality of pallets in each stage sequentially in the horizontal direction in units of pallets;
Provided at each of both ends of the transport unit, and comprising an elevating mechanism for elevating and lowering the pallet and a drawer / extruding mechanism for pulling out or extruding the pallet in the horizontal direction, and moving the pallet between upper and lower stages, And the 1st and 2nd drive part which takes in and out the pallet to the rail part of each corresponding stage in the position of each stage,
In a predetermined period necessary for germinating seeds sown in a plant cultivation container to be loaded on the plurality of pallets arranged on at least one rail portion on the lower side of the plurality of rail portions constituting the transport unit Comprises a light-shielding means for shielding an internal space of at least one stage on the lower stage side where the plant cultivation container is disposed from the outside,
The predetermined period necessary for germinating the seeds sown in the plant cultivation container is allowed to pass in the light-shielded internal space of at least one stage on the lower stage side, and thereafter, the first and second An apparatus for cultivating plants, wherein a pallet containing the plant cultivation container is operated so as to be movable to at least one stage on the upper stage side where the light hits. 前記搬送部を構成する複数段のレール部の少なくとも１つのレール部の上方側に、搬送する前記パレット内の植物に栽培養液を散布するための散水機構を備えたことを特徴とする請求項１に記載の植物栽培装置。   The watering mechanism for spraying cultivation nutrient solution on the plant in the pallet to convey is provided in the upper part of at least one rail part of a plurality of steps of rails which constitute the conveyance part. The plant cultivation apparatus according to 1. 前記搬送部を構成する複数段のレール部の少なくとも１つのレール部の上方側に、搬送する前記パレット内の植物を殺菌消毒するための紫外線照射部を備えたことを特徴とする請求項１に記載の植物栽培装置。   The ultraviolet irradiation part for disinfecting the plant in the said pallet to convey is provided in the upper side of the at least 1 rail part of the multistage rail part which comprises the said conveyance part, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. The plant cultivation apparatus as described. 多段の植物栽培棚における上段部と下段部それぞれに、植物の種子や苗を育成するための少なくとも１つの植物栽培容器を収容したパレットを所定数ずつ、水平方向の一進行方向に一列状に並べて配設し、かつ前記上段部及び下段部の各段部に一列状に配設した前記所定数のパレットを前記上段部及び前記下段部間でパレット単位で循環移動させるように構成した植物栽培装置であって、
前記少なくとも１つの植物栽培容器を収容可能で、かつ左右両側に移動用の車輪を備えた前記所定数のパレットを水平方向の一進行方向に順次に連続的に移動可能とする下段側搬送路としての第１のレール部と、
前記所定数のパレットを前記水平方向の一進行方向とは反対の進行方向に順次に連続的に移動可能とする上段側搬送路としての第２のレール部と、
前記下段部の前記第１のレール部の進行方向の終端部と前記上段部の前記第２のレール部の進行方向の始端部との間で前記パレットを搬送可能に設けられ、前記パレットを収容して前記上下段部間を昇降移動させる動作を行うと共に前記上下段部の各段部の位置にて前記パレットを引き出しまたは押し出しする動作を行う第１の駆動台を備えた第１の駆動部と、
前記上段部の前記第２のレール部の進行方向の終端部と前記下段部の前記第１のレール部の進行方向の始端部との間で前記パレットを搬送可能に設けられ、前記パレットを収容して前記上下段部間を昇降移動させる動作を行うと共に前記上下段部の各段部の位置にて前記パレットを引き出しまたは押し出しする動作を行う第２の駆動台を備えた第２の駆動部と、
前記搬送部を構成する上下段のレール部のうちの下段側の前記第１のレール部に配置される前記所定数のパレットに積み込む植物栽培容器内に播いた種子を発芽させるのに必要な所定期間においては、前記植物栽培容器が配置された前記下段側の内部空間を外部と遮断するための遮光手段と、を具備し、
前記下段側の遮光された内部空間内で、前記植物栽培容器内に播いた種子を発芽させるのに必要な前記所定期間を経過させ、その後は、前記第１及び第２の駆動部を動作させて前記植物栽培容器を収容したパレットを光の当たる上段側に移動可能に構成したことを特徴とする植物栽培装置。 A predetermined number of pallets containing at least one plant cultivation container for growing plant seeds and seedlings are arranged in a row in one horizontal direction in each of the upper and lower stages of the multi-stage plant cultivation shelf. A plant cultivation apparatus configured to circulate and move the predetermined number of pallets arranged in a row on each of the upper and lower tiers in units of pallets between the upper and lower tiers. Because
As a lower-stage side conveyance path that can accommodate the at least one plant cultivation container and can move the predetermined number of pallets, which are provided with wheels for movement on the left and right sides, sequentially and sequentially in one advancing direction in the horizontal direction. A first rail portion of
A second rail portion as an upper conveyance path that allows the predetermined number of pallets to be sequentially and continuously moved in a traveling direction opposite to the one traveling direction in the horizontal direction;
The pallet is provided so as to be transportable between a terminal portion in the moving direction of the first rail portion in the lower step portion and a starting end portion in the moving direction of the second rail portion in the upper step portion, and accommodates the pallet And a first drive unit including a first drive base that performs an operation of moving up and down between the upper and lower stepped portions and an operation of pulling out or pushing out the pallet at a position of each stepped portion of the upper and lower stepped portions. When,
The pallet can be transported between the terminal end of the upper rail in the direction of travel of the second rail portion and the start end of the lower rail of the first rail portion in the direction of travel, and accommodates the pallet And a second drive unit including a second drive base for performing an operation of moving up and down between the upper and lower stepped portions and performing an operation of pulling out or pushing out the pallet at the position of each stepped portion of the upper and lower stepped portions. When,
Predetermined necessary for germinating seeds sown in a plant cultivation container to be loaded on the predetermined number of pallets arranged on the first rail part on the lower side of the upper and lower rail parts constituting the transport part In the period, comprising a light-shielding means for shielding the internal space on the lower stage side where the plant cultivation container is arranged from the outside,
The predetermined period necessary for germinating the seeds sown in the plant cultivation container is allowed to elapse within the light-shielded internal space on the lower side, and thereafter, the first and second driving units are operated. A plant cultivation apparatus characterized in that the pallet containing the plant cultivation container is configured to be movable to the upper side where the light hits. 前記第１の駆動部における昇降動作及び引き出し／押し出し動作と、前記第２の駆動部における昇降動作及び引き出し／押し出し動作とのタイミングを制御する制御部を
さらに具備したことを特徴とする請求項４に記載の植物栽培装置。 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a control unit that controls a timing of the raising / lowering operation and the drawing / pushing operation in the first driving unit and the raising / lowering operation and the drawing / pushing operation in the second driving unit. The plant cultivation apparatus described in 1. 多段の植物栽培棚における上段部と下段部それぞれに、植物の種子や苗を育成するための少なくとも１つの植物栽培容器を収容したパレットを所定数ずつ、水平方向の一進行方向に一列状に並べて配設し、かつ前記上段部及び下段部の各段部に一列状に配設した前記所定数のパレットを前記上段部及び下段部間でパレット単位で循環移動させるように構成した植物栽培装置であって、
前記少なくとも１つの植物栽培容器を収容可能で、かつ左右両側に移動用の車輪を備えた前記所定数のパレットを、前記下段部の水平方向に配設された平行レール上に移動可能に載置して、これら所定数のパレットを前記水平方向の一進行方向に順次に連続的に移動可能とする下段側搬送路としての第１のレール部と、
前記所定数のパレットを、前記上段部の水平方向に配設された平行レール上に移動可能に載置して、これら所定数のパレットを前記水平方向の一進行方向とは反対の進行方向に順次に連続的に移動可能とする上段側搬送路としての第２のレール部と、
前記下段部の前記第１のレール部の進行方向の終端部と前記上段部の前記第２のレール部の進行方向の始端部との間で前記パレットを搬送可能に設けられ、前記パレットを収容して前記上下段部間を昇降移動させる動作を行うと共に前記上下段部の各段部の位置にて前記パレットを引き出しまたは押し出しする動作を行う第１の駆動台を備えた第１の駆動部であって、前記第１の駆動台は、前記第１のレール部にガイドされて前記下段部を水平移動してきたパレットが前記第１のレール部の進行方向の終端部に到達したとき、更に該パレットが後続のパレットに押されるタイミングで該パレットを第１の駆動空間に引き出し、該第１の駆動空間に引き出したパレットを前記上段部の前記第２のレール部の進行方向の始端部に対応する高さ位置にまで上昇移動させた後、その上昇移動させた位置で該パレットをパレット１つ分だけ前記一進行方向に押し出して移動させる第１の駆動部と、
前記上段部の前記第２のレール部の進行方向の終端部と前記下段部の前記第１のレール部の進行方向の始端部との間で前記パレットを搬送可能に設けられ、前記パレットを収容して前記上下段部間を昇降移動させる動作を行うと共に前記上下段部の各段部の位置にて前記パレットを引き出しまたは押し出しする動作を行う第２の駆動台を備えた第２の駆動部であって、前記第２の駆動台は、前記第２のレール部にガイドされて前記上段部を水平移動してきたパレットが前記第２のレール部の進行方向の終端部に到達したとき、更に該パレットが後続のパレットに押されるタイミングで該パレットを第２の駆動空間に引き出し、該第２の駆動空間に引き出したパレットを前記下段部の前記第１のレール部の進行方向の始端部に対応する高さ位置にまで下降移動させた後、その下降移動させた位置で該パレットをパレット１つ分だけ前記一進行方向とは反対の前記進行方向に押し出して移動させる第２の駆動部と、
前記搬送部を構成する上下段のレール部のうちの下段側の前記第１のレール部に配置される前記所定数のパレットに積み込む植物栽培容器内に播いた種子を発芽させるのに必要な所定期間においては、前記植物栽培容器が配置された前記下段側の内部空間を外部と遮断するための遮光手段と、を具備し、
前記下段側の遮光された内部空間内で、前記植物栽培容器内に播いた種子を発芽させるのに必要な前記所定期間を経過させ、その後は、前記第１及び第２の駆動部を動作させて前記植物栽培容器を収容したパレットを光の当たる上段側に移動可能に構成したことを特徴とする植物栽培装置。 A predetermined number of pallets containing at least one plant cultivation container for growing plant seeds and seedlings are arranged in a row in one horizontal direction in each of the upper and lower stages of the multi-stage plant cultivation shelf. A plant cultivation apparatus configured to circulate and move the predetermined number of pallets arranged in a row on each of the upper and lower tiers in units of pallets between the upper and lower tiers. There,
The predetermined number of pallets, which can accommodate the at least one plant cultivation container and are provided with wheels for movement on both the left and right sides, are movably placed on parallel rails arranged in the horizontal direction of the lower stage. A first rail portion as a lower-stage side conveyance path that allows the predetermined number of pallets to be sequentially and continuously moved in the horizontal direction in one traveling direction;
The predetermined number of pallets are movably mounted on parallel rails disposed in the horizontal direction of the upper stage portion, and the predetermined number of pallets are moved in a traveling direction opposite to the one traveling direction in the horizontal direction. A second rail portion as an upper conveyance path that is capable of continuously moving sequentially,
The pallet is provided so as to be transportable between a terminal portion in the moving direction of the first rail portion in the lower step portion and a starting end portion in the moving direction of the second rail portion in the upper step portion, and accommodates the pallet And a first drive unit including a first drive base that performs an operation of moving up and down between the upper and lower stepped portions and an operation of pulling out or pushing out the pallet at a position of each stepped portion of the upper and lower stepped portions. When the pallet that has been guided by the first rail portion and horizontally moved in the lower step portion reaches the end portion in the traveling direction of the first rail portion, The pallet is pulled out to the first drive space at the timing when the pallet is pushed by the succeeding pallet, and the pallet pulled out to the first drive space is used as the starting end of the upper rail in the traveling direction. Corresponding height position After raising it moved to a first driving unit that moves by extruding the pallets only one minute the one direction of travel at the raised travel position,
The pallet can be transported between the terminal end of the upper rail in the direction of travel of the second rail portion and the start end of the lower rail of the first rail portion in the direction of travel, and accommodates the pallet And a second drive unit including a second drive base for performing an operation of moving up and down between the upper and lower stepped portions and performing an operation of pulling out or pushing out the pallet at the position of each stepped portion of the upper and lower stepped portions. When the pallet that has been guided by the second rail portion and horizontally moved on the upper stage portion reaches the end portion in the traveling direction of the second rail portion, The pallet is pulled out to the second driving space at the timing when the pallet is pushed by the subsequent pallet, and the pallet pulled out to the second driving space is set at the start end of the lower rail portion in the traveling direction. Corresponding height position After moved down to a second drive unit that moves extruded into the traveling direction opposite to the pallet one minute only the one direction of travel of the pallet in position by the downward movement,
Predetermined necessary for germinating seeds sown in a plant cultivation container to be loaded on the predetermined number of pallets arranged on the first rail part on the lower side of the upper and lower rail parts constituting the transport part In the period, comprising a light-shielding means for shielding the internal space on the lower stage side where the plant cultivation container is arranged from the outside,
The predetermined period necessary for germinating the seeds sown in the plant cultivation container is allowed to elapse within the light-shielded internal space on the lower side, and thereafter, the first and second driving units are operated. A plant cultivation apparatus characterized in that the pallet containing the plant cultivation container is configured to be movable to the upper side where the light hits. 前記第１の駆動部における昇降動作及び引き出し／押し出し動作と、前記第２の駆動部における昇降動作及び引き出し／押し出し動作とのタイミングを制御する制御部を
さらに具備したことを特徴とする請求項６に記載の植物栽培装置。 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a control unit that controls timings of the raising / lowering operation and the drawing / pushing operation in the first driving unit and the raising / lowering operation and the drawing / pushing operation in the second driving unit. The plant cultivation apparatus described in 1. 前記第１の駆動台は、前記パレットを前記第２のレール部の進行方向の始端部に対応する高さ位置にまで上昇移動した位置で該パレットをパレット１つ分だけ水平方向の前記一進行方向に押し出して移動させた後は、前記第１のレール部の進行方向の終端部に対応する高さ位置にまで下降移動させることを特徴とする請求項６又は７に記載の植物栽培装置。   The first drive base moves the pallet in the horizontal direction by one pallet at a position where the pallet is moved up to a height position corresponding to the start end of the second rail portion in the moving direction. The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the plant cultivation device is moved down to a height position corresponding to a terminal portion of the traveling direction of the first rail portion after being pushed and moved in the direction. 前記第２の駆動台は、前記パレットを前記第１のレール部の進行方向の終端部に対応する高さ位置にまで下降移動した位置で該パレットをパレット１つ分だけ水平方向の前記一進行方向とは反対の進行方向に押し出して移動させた後は、前記第２のレール部の進行方向の終端部に対応する高さ位置にまで上昇移動させることを特徴とする請求項６又は７に記載の植物栽培装置。   The second drive base moves the pallet in the horizontal direction by one pallet at a position where the pallet is moved down to a height position corresponding to the end portion of the first rail in the moving direction. 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the second rail portion is moved up to a height position corresponding to the end portion in the traveling direction after being pushed and moved in the traveling direction opposite to the direction. The plant cultivation apparatus as described. 前記第１の駆動台の上昇下降動作と前記第２の駆動台の上昇下降動作とは対応して同期的に行われ、また前記第１の駆動台におけるパレットの引き出し動作及び押し出し動作の各動作に対応して、前記第２の駆動台におけるパレットの押し出し動作及び引き出し動作が同期的に行われることを特徴とする請求項６又は７に記載の植物栽培装置。   The ascending / descending operation of the first driving table and the ascending / descending operation of the second driving table are performed in synchronization with each other, and each operation of the pallet pulling-out operation and pushing-out operation in the first driving table The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a pallet push-out operation and a pull-out operation are performed synchronously in the second drive base. 前記第１の駆動台は、前記パレットを前記第１の駆動空間で昇降動作させる第１の駆動源としての第１のモータと、前記パレットを前記第１の駆動空間で引き出し動作及び押し出し動作させる第２の駆動源としての第２のモータとを備え、
前記第２の駆動台は、前記パレットを前記第２の駆動空間で昇降動作させる第３の駆動源としての第３のモータと、前記パレットを前記第２の駆動空間で押し出し動作及び引き出し動作させる第４の駆動源としての第４のモータとを備えることを特徴とする請求項６又は７に記載の植物栽培装置。 The first driving base causes a first motor as a first driving source for moving the pallet up and down in the first driving space, and pulls out and pushes out the pallet in the first driving space. A second motor as a second drive source,
The second drive base causes a third motor as a third drive source to move the pallet up and down in the second drive space, and pushes and pulls out the pallet in the second drive space. The plant cultivation device according to claim 6 or 7, comprising a fourth motor as a fourth drive source. 前記第１の駆動台における前記押し出し動作は、前記第１の駆動台の第２の駆動源に連接して設けられた当接板が、押し出し予定のパレットの当接側端部に当接して該当接側端部を押し出すことによって行われ、
前記第１の駆動台における前記引き出し動作は、前記第１の駆動台の第２の駆動源に連接して設けられた前記当接板の付近に形成した係合片が、引き出し予定のパレットの前記当接側端部の一部に係合することによって行われ、
前記第２の駆動台における前記押し出し動作は、前記第２の駆動台の前記第４の駆動源に連接して設けられた当接板が、押し出し予定のパレットの当接側端部に当接して該当接側端部を押し出すことによって行われ、
前記第２の駆動台における前記引き出し動作は、前記第２の駆動台の前記第４の駆動源に連接して設けられた前記当接板の付近に形成した係合片が、引き出し予定のパレットの前記当接側端部の一部に係合することによって行われることを特徴とする請求項１１に記載の植物栽培装置。 The push-out operation in the first drive base is performed by the contact plate provided in connection with the second drive source of the first drive base being in contact with the contact side end of the pallet to be pushed out. This is done by extruding the abutting side end,
The pull-out operation in the first drive base is performed by an engagement piece formed in the vicinity of the abutting plate connected to the second drive source of the first drive base in the pallet to be pulled out. It is performed by engaging a part of the abutting side end,
In the push-out operation of the second drive base, the contact plate provided in connection with the fourth drive source of the second drive base comes into contact with the contact-side end of the pallet to be pushed out. Is performed by extruding the corresponding tangent end,
The pull-out operation in the second drive base is performed by a pallet to be pulled out by an engagement piece formed in the vicinity of the contact plate provided in connection with the fourth drive source of the second drive base. The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the plant cultivation apparatus is performed by engaging with a part of the abutting side end portion.
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CN114303744A (en) * 2021-12-13 2022-04-12 星光农机股份有限公司 Plant three-dimensional cultivation system
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