JP2017035025A - Environmental control system - Google Patents

Abstract

An environment control system capable of performing advanced environment control with a small number of sensors. An environmental control system according to the present invention includes a planter for plant cultivation (2) installed in a plant factory, a rail (6) provided along the planter, and movable along the rail. A sensor unit (8) supported by the sensor unit, environmental information detected by the sensor unit, and a control device for controlling the environment of the plant factory based on the positional information of the sensor unit. Features. [Selection] Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to an environment control system for controlling a plant growth environment such as temperature and humidity and CO ₂ concentration in a plant factory.

A plant factory is a system for controlling the internal environment and producing plants systematically. The internal environment is temperature and humidity, CO ₂ concentration, and the like. For example, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, such information is measured using a sensor. However, in order to comprehensively monitor the internal environment in the plant factory, it is necessary to install a plurality of sensors, which causes a problem of increasing costs. Patent Document 1 describes that by providing a wireless function to a sensor on which a solar cell panel is mounted, wiring such as a power cable and a signal cable connected to the sensor becomes unnecessary. However, there is a problem that it is difficult to stably supply power with a solar sensor.

  On the other hand, in the invention described in Patent Document 2, a configuration in which a plant cultivation robot that can move in the X direction and the Y direction with respect to the cultivation area is provided (see FIG. 3 of Patent Document 2). ).

JP 2011-147413 A JP 2002-15027 A

  However, the invention described in Patent Document 2 does not disclose environmental control in the plant factory where the planter is arranged. The planter is a long container of about several tens to 100 meters, and a plurality of planters are arranged in parallel at intervals in the plant factory. Therefore, when the plant cultivation robot described in Patent Document 2 that can move in the X direction and the Y direction is provided in the plant factory where the planter is arranged, it is not practical because it disturbs the operator. . In addition, the plant cultivation robot described in Patent Document 2 that can move in the X direction and the Y direction cannot finely control the environment for each planter, or means for realizing fine environmental control. Is not disclosed.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an environment control system capable of performing advanced environment control with a small number of sensors.

  The environmental control system in the present invention is a planter for plant cultivation installed in a plant factory, a travel path provided along the planter, a sensor unit supported so as to be movable along the travel path, And a control device that controls the environment of the plant factory based on environmental information detected by the sensor unit and position information of the sensor unit. Thereby, the environment of a plant factory can be line-controlled for every planter with a small number of sensors, and advanced environmental control can be performed compared with the past.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the control device divides the planter into a plurality of sections in the direction of the travel path and controls the environment for each section. Thereby, fine environmental control can be performed with a small number of sensors.

  Moreover, in this invention, it is preferable that the environmental drive apparatus which receives and drives the drive signal from the said control apparatus is arrange | positioned according to the said division.

  Moreover, in this invention, it is preferable that the said control apparatus controls natural energy so that utilization is possible. Thus, in this invention, energy cost can be reduced by utilizing natural energy.

  Moreover, in this invention, it is preferable that the said control apparatus performs environmental control according to the shipping time of the plant cultivated by the said planter. In the present invention, the environmental control for adjusting the shipping time can be automatically controlled, and the shipping time can be easily and highly adjusted as compared with the prior art.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the sensor unit includes at least a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a CO ₂ sensor, and the control device controls the temperature and humidity and the CO ₂ concentration.

  Moreover, in this invention, it is preferable that the said sensor unit is provided with the electric power feeding means from the said travel path. ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a stable power supply can be performed to a sensor unit and the omission of environmental information from a sensor unit can be prevented appropriately.

  In the present invention, the sensor unit is preferably divided into two or more sensor units that detect different environmental information, and each sensor unit is controlled to run on a different surface of the planter. .

  In the present invention, the sensor unit may be supported such that the distance from the planter is variable.

  Moreover, in this invention, it is preferable to have a culture solution pipe | tube and a water supply pipe inside the said planter, and to control the flow volume of the said culture solution pipe | tube and the said water supply pipe | tube in the said control apparatus.

  Moreover, in this invention, it is preferable that the said travel path is a rail arrange | positioned in parallel with the said planter. In this invention, it is preferable that the said rail and the said sensor unit are arrange | positioned under the said planter.

  According to the environment control system of the present invention, the environment of a plant factory can be line-controlled for each planter with a small number of sensors, and advanced environment control can be performed as compared with the prior art.

It is a conceptual diagram of the plant factory in this Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram of the planter installed in the plant factory. It is a conceptual diagram of the planter in this Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the internal structure of the planter in this Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the other example of the support structure of the sensor unit in this Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the sensor unit in this Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the environment control system in this Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the control apparatus in this Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the environmental control in this Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the other structural example of the sensor unit in this Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the other structural example of the several planter and rail in this Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the input screen of the control apparatus in this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the other example of the control apparatus in this Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter abbreviated as “embodiment”) will be described in detail. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following embodiment, It can implement by changing variously within the range of the meaning.

  The present embodiment relates to an environmental management system in a plant factory that can be harvested several times a year by increasing the growth efficiency of plants. In plant factories, unlike conventional alley cultivation, it is expected that the yield per unit area will increase, greatly contributing to the suppression of production costs. Here, in the present embodiment, the “plant” is particularly limited as long as it is a range of all plants (cereals, vegetables, fruits, etc.) grown in a plant factory and can be grown in a planter. Is not to be done.

By the way, in order to grow plants efficiently and satisfactorily, for example, it is necessary to maximize the photosynthetic rate depending on the CO ₂ concentration, temperature, and humidity. In the plant factory, the CO ₂ concentration, temperature, humidity, and the like vary depending on the position of the seedling, so it is necessary to comprehensively monitor the plant factory.

The monitoring object in this Embodiment is the planter 2 for plant cultivation installed in the plant factory 1 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the plant factory 1 is provided with a CO ₂ pipe 14, a fan 19, a lighting device 20 and the like in addition to the planter 2. Moreover, the plant factory 1 has a plurality of windows 12. In this specification, for convenience, the skylight is indicated by reference numeral 12a, and the window disposed on the wall is indicated by reference numeral 12b. First, the planter 2 will be described.

(planter)
As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of planters 2 are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals in the plant factory. The spacing between the planters 2 is large enough for the operator to move while carrying the harvesting basket. In the case of a plant factory with a scale of several ha, the planter 2 is installed in units of several hundred units. The planter 2 is formed as long as several tens to 100 m. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the elongate direction of the planter 2 is demonstrated as a Y direction, and the arrangement direction of each planter 2 is demonstrated as a X direction (direction orthogonal to a Y direction). The X direction and the Y direction indicate the same direction in the drawings other than FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the planter 2 includes a concave and long cultivation container 3 having an upper surface opened, and a plurality of support legs 4 that support the cultivation container 3 from the lower surface side. Is done. And the rock wool 5 is spread in the recessed part of the cultivation container 3, and it is set as a culture medium. On the rock wool 5, crops such as strawberries are planted.

  The internal structure of the planter 2 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, in the cultivation container 3 of the planter 2, a water supply pipe 33 and a culture solution pipe 34 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the planter 2. The rock wool 5 is spread on the water supply pipe 33 and the culture liquid pipe 34, and plants are planted on the rock wool 5.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cultivation container 3 of the planter 2 is provided with a plurality of partition plates 35, and the inside of the cultivation container 3 is divided into a plurality of sections along the longitudinal direction. Thus, by dividing | segmenting the inside of the cultivation container 3 into plurality with the partition plate 35, a plant of a different kind can be cultivated by a different division. Or the adjustment etc. which shift the shipment time of a crop in a different division can also be performed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a large number of holes 33 a and 34 a are provided on the surfaces of the water supply pipe 33 and the culture liquid pipe 34. For example, the opening / closing mechanism 36 controls the opening and closing of the plurality of holes 33 a and 34 a arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction of the tubes 33 and 34. The opening / closing mechanism 36 includes, for example, a curved plate supported so as to be slidable along the surfaces of the pipes 33, 34. The opening / closing mechanism 36 is also provided with holes at positions facing the holes 33a, 34a. Yes. If the hole of the opening / closing mechanism 36 and the holes 33a, 34a on the pipes 33, 34 side coincide with each other, water and culture solution leak into the cultivation container 3 from the holes 33a, 34a. On the other hand, the opening / closing mechanism 36 is slid along the curved surfaces of the tubes 33, 34 to make the holes of the opening / closing mechanism 36 inconsistent with the holes 33a, 34a on the tubes 33, 34 side. , 34a are blocked by the opening / closing mechanism 36, and the leakage of water and culture solution from the holes 33a, 34a into the cultivation container 3 can be stopped.

  The opening / closing mechanism 36 shown in FIG. 4 is provided for each section partitioned by the partition plate 35, and the number of holes 33a, 34a is controlled by movement of the opening / closing mechanism 36 for each section to The flow rate of the culture solution can be controlled.

(Runway)
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a rail (running path) 6 extending along the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the cultivation container 3 of the planter 2 is disposed below the cultivation container 3. The rail 6 is opposed to the cultivation container 3 with a predetermined interval on the lower surface 3a side of the cultivation container 3, and the rail 6 and the lower surface 3a of the cultivation container 3 are in a parallel positional relationship.

  A support shaft 7 extending in the X direction is provided on each of the right end portion 6 a and the left end portion 6 b of the rail 6 shown in FIG. 3, and the support shaft 7 is fixed to the support legs 4 of the planter 2.

  In the present embodiment, a movable sensor unit 8 is disposed on the rail 6. The sensor unit 8 is supported along the rail 6 so as to be movable in the Y direction, which is the long direction of the planter 2, and moves between the right end 2a and the left end 2b of the planter 2 shown in FIG. It can be done. As shown in FIG. 2, one set of the rail 6 and the sensor unit 8 is arranged in each planter 2.

  Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the traveling path 48 may be a groove or a ridge formed along the Y direction on the lower surface 3 a of the cultivation container 3 of the planter 2. The sensor unit 8 is attached to the traveling path 48 so as to be movable in the Y direction.

(Sensor unit)
The configuration of the sensor unit 8 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the sensor unit 8 includes a sensor unit 37, a drive control unit 38, a control unit 39, a power feeding unit 40, a communication unit 41, an encoder 42, and a drive device 43.

As shown in FIG. 6, the sensor unit 37 includes, for example, a temperature sensor 44, a humidity sensor 45, and a CO ₂ sensor 46. Sensors other than this may be attached, for example, a wind sensor, an illuminance sensor, a flow sensor, and a power sensor. However, the sensor unit 37 is at least a temperature sensor 44, a humidity sensor 45, and a sensor for detecting temperature, humidity, and CO ₂ concentration, which are the most important evaluation parameters for promoting photosynthesis of plants. The CO ₂ sensor 46 is preferably provided.

  The drive control unit 38 has a function of receiving a command from the control unit 39 and controlling the drive state of the drive device 43.

  The control unit 39 has a function of issuing a command to the sensor unit 37, the drive control unit 38, and the communication unit 41.

  The power feeding unit 40 has a function of feeding power for operating the sensor unit 8 through the rail 6 or a power feeding line provided in the vicinity of the rail 6. As described above, in the present embodiment, the sensor unit 8 can supply power from the rail 6, so that stable power supply can be performed and loss of sensor information can be prevented.

  The communication unit 41 has a function of transmitting sensor information to the outside or receiving command information from the outside.

  In the present embodiment shown in FIG. 6, each environmental information obtained from the sensor unit 37 is sent to the control unit 39. An encoder 42 is provided between the driving device 43 and the control unit 39, and the encoder 42 detects the position of the sensor unit 8, and the position information is sent to the control unit 39. The environmental information and the position information are subjected to signal processing by the control unit 39 and transmitted to the drive control unit 17 on the plant factory 1 side shown in FIG.

  Although the drive device 43 is not specifically limited, For example, it is a tire drive device by a motor.

  As shown in FIG. 3, one sensor unit 8 is provided for each planter 2. A plurality of sensor units 8 may be arranged on the rail 6, and the scanning distance of each sensor unit 8 may be divided on the rail 6. However, since one sensor unit 8 is superior in terms of cost and control, it is preferable to provide one sensor unit 8 for each planter 2.

(Control device)
Next, the control device will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, sensor information detected by each sensor unit 8 is sent to the control device 10. For example, the sensor information is wirelessly communicated to the control device 10. The sensor information is environmental information such as temperature / humidity and CO ₂ concentration transmitted from the communication unit 41 (see FIG. 6) of the sensor unit 8, and position information of the sensor unit 8.

The control device 10 performs environmental control in the plant factory 1 based on the environmental information from the sensor unit 8 and the position information. As shown in FIG. 7, environment information and position information are transmitted from the control device 10 to the drive control unit 17 of the plant factory 1. Then, and air conditioning 11 in the plant factory 1 from the drive control unit 17, a window 12, lighting device 20, CO ₂ pipe 14, the drive signal to the planter 2, etc. are sent. Thus, the temperature adjustment and air volume adjustment by air conditioning 11, the opening and closing adjustment of the window 12, adjusting the illumination level by the illumination device 20, adjustment of the CO ₂ concentration of CO ₂ pipe 14, and water supply pipe 33 disposed planter 2 The flow rate of the culture solution tube 34 (see FIG. 4) can be adjusted. In addition, the control apparatus 10 may be installed in a plant factory, or may be installed in a remote place.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the control device 10 includes a receiving unit 25, a position information recognizing unit 26, an environment information recognizing unit 27, a calculating unit 28, a timer 29, an input unit 30, a signal transmitting unit 31, a display unit 32, and A storage unit 47 is included.

  The receiving unit 25 has a function of receiving environmental information from the sensor unit 8, position information, and external signals other than signals from the sensor unit 8.

  The position information recognizing unit 26 has a function of recognizing the position information of the sensor unit 8 among the information received by the receiving unit 25.

  The environment information recognizing unit 27 has a function of recognizing environmental information among the information received by the receiving unit 25.

  The calculation unit 28 is a drive for driving an environmental drive device such as the air conditioner 11 and the lighting device 20 for environmental control based on information obtained from the position information recognition unit 26, the environmental information recognition unit 27, and the like. It has a function to calculate a signal.

  The signal transmission unit 31 has a function of transmitting the drive signal calculated by the calculation unit 28 to the drive control unit 17 of the plant factory 1. In addition, the calculation unit 28 can calculate a control signal for the sensor unit 8 (such as a signal for speed and detection time), and the signal transmission unit 31 can transmit the control signal to the sensor unit 8. In the sensor unit 8, a control signal can be received by the communication unit 41 (see FIG. 6). Thereby, the movement of the sensor unit 8 can be controlled.

  The timer 29 is used to acquire information about the current date and time, and to adjust calculation timing in the calculation unit 28.

  The input unit 30 has a function for an operator to input external information manually or automatically.

  The memory | storage part 47 is provided with the function which memorize | stores the database with respect to a training program, the threshold value accompanying various environmental control, and the input information from the input part 30. FIG.

  The display unit 32 is an input screen by the input unit 30, or a display screen for informing the current growth status of the plant.

  Next, an example of environmental control according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9A shows a state in which the sensor unit 8 arranged on the lower side of the planter 2 has finished moving in the Y direction along the rail 6 from the left end 2b toward the right end 2a. The environmental information obtained from the sensor unit 8 accompanying this movement depends on the configuration of the sensor unit 37 shown in FIG. 6, but here it will be described assuming that temperature information is typically obtained. The calculation unit 28 of the control device 10 acquires the position information from the position information recognition unit 26 and the temperature information from the environment information recognition unit 27, and obtains linear temperature information T as shown in FIG. 9B.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9A, the planter 2 is divided into a plurality of sections A to F in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), and as shown in FIG. Classification information can be overlaid. How to divide the planter 2 can be arbitrarily determined. For example, the number of sections, the length of the sections, etc. may be changed for each planter 2. The classification can be variously changed according to various parameters such as cultivated species, variety, season, shipping time, acquired environment information, and the like planted in the planter 2. First, after obtaining the temperature information T shown in FIG. 9B, the planter 2 can be classified based on the temperature information T. This classification information can be stored in the storage unit 47 of the control device 10, and the operator can change the classification from the input unit 30 of the control device 10 shown in FIG. Yes.

  The storage unit 47 of the control device 10 stores a threshold value L for temperature control. The threshold value L can be variously changed according to various parameters such as cultivated species, variety, season, and shipping time planted in the planter 2. The calculation unit 28 compares the temperature information T with the threshold value L. As shown in FIG. 9B, the temperature information T obtained in the sections A, C, E, and F is higher than the threshold value L. On the other hand, the temperature information T obtained in the sections B and D is lower than the threshold value L. At this time, the temperature of each of the sections A to F is averaged by the calculation unit 28 or the environment information recognition unit 27 in advance, and the average temperature of each of the sections A to F is compared with the threshold value L. And in the calculating part 28, the adjustment temperature with respect to each division AF is calculated. The average temperature is obtained by, for example, reciprocating the sensor unit 8 on the rail 6 a predetermined number of times to obtain a plurality of temperature information T shown in FIG. 9 and averaging each temperature information T for each section A to F. Can be obtained. The effect of noise can be reduced by averaging. If temperature control is performed by scanning the sensor unit 8 once, accurate temperature information is obtained by scanning the sensor unit 8 due to the operator being near the planter 2 or the movement of clouds. In some cases, the temperature information with less noise can be obtained by averaging. And the adjustment temperature with respect to each division AF can be obtained as a difference between the average temperature of each division AF and the threshold value L.

  In the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 9A, a temperature adjusting element such as a Peltier element 18 is arranged on the lower surface 3 a of the cultivation container 3 of each section A to F of the planter 2.

  The calculation unit 28 of the control device 10 generates a drive signal that calculates the current value and polarity to be applied to each Peltier element 18 based on the adjustment temperature for each of the sections A to F. And the drive signal for every division is transmitted to the drive control part 17 (refer FIG. 1, FIG. 7) of the plant factory 1 from the signal transmission part 31 of the control apparatus 10. FIG. Then, a drive signal having a current value and a polarity is transmitted from the drive control unit 17 to each Peltier element 18 arranged in the planter 2, and the temperature control is performed so that the temperature of each of the sections A to F becomes a predetermined value. .

  Temperature control can also be performed by the air conditioner 11 (refer FIG. 7) arrange | positioned in the plant factory 1. FIG. A plurality of air conditioners 11 are arranged at different locations in the plant factory 1. In the control device 10, a drive signal for each air conditioner 11 is transmitted to the drive control unit 17 based on the temperature information T and the position information from the sensor unit 8. Thereby, the temperature of the whole plant factory 1 can be comprehensively monitored, and each air conditioner 11 can control temperature appropriately. At this time, for example, the planter 2 can be divided based on the position of the air conditioner installed in the plant factory 1, and the temperature control of each section can be performed by each air conditioner 11.

  Or temperature control can be performed by opening and closing of the window 12 arrange | positioned in the plant factory 1. FIG. A plurality of windows 12 shown in FIG. 1 are arranged in the plant factory 1. For example, in FIG. 1, based on the temperature information T and position information from the sensor unit 8, the control device 10 drives and controls a drive signal that opens the skylight 12 a close to the place of the planter 2 that is determined to require temperature adjustment. To the unit 17. As described above, the temperature control is performed by the open air that is natural energy by opening and closing the window 12, thereby reducing the energy cost.

Environmental control by the control device 10 can be performed on humidity, CO ₂ concentration, air volume, flow rate of water and culture fluid flowing in the planter 2, etc., in addition to the temperature in the plant factory 1.

  The humidity can be controlled by, for example, the air conditioner 11 in the same manner as the temperature. As shown in FIG. 6, the sensor unit 8 is provided with a humidity sensor 45. For this reason, when the sensor unit 8 is scanned in the long direction (Y direction) of each planter 2, the humidity information can be obtained as line information in the long direction of the planter 2 by the humidity sensor 45. Based on the humidity information thus obtained and the position information of the sensor unit 8, the control device 10 generates a humidity control drive signal for each air conditioner 11. Then, a humidity control drive signal is transmitted from the control device 10 to the drive control unit 17 of the plant factory 1. As a result, control is performed to increase the humidity of the air conditioner 11 close to the section of the planter 2 where the humidity is low, and the humidity of the air conditioner 11 close to the section of the planter 2 is high. Control to lower. Thereby, the humidity of the whole plant factory 1 can be comprehensively monitored, and humidity control can be performed with high accuracy.

The CO ₂ concentration can be controlled by the CO ₂ pipe 14 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of CO ₂ pipes 14 are provided at different locations in the plant factory 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the sensor unit 8 is provided with a CO ₂ sensor 46. For this reason, when the sensor unit 8 is scanned in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of each planter 2, the CO ₂ sensor 46 can obtain the CO ₂ concentration as line information in the longitudinal direction of the planter 2. . Based on the CO ₂ concentration information thus obtained and the position information of the sensor unit 8, the control device 10 generates a CO ₂ concentration control drive signal for each CO ₂ pipe 14. And a drive signal of the CO ₂ concentration controlled from the control unit 10, and transmits the drive control unit 17 of the plant factory 1. As a result, the CO ₂ concentration of the planter 2 with a low CO ₂ concentration is controlled to increase the CO ₂ concentration of the CO ₂ pipe 14 close to the segment, and the planter 2 with a high CO ₂ concentration is assigned to that category. Control is performed to lower the CO ₂ concentration for the near CO ₂ pipe 14. Thus, to comprehensively monitor the CO ₂ concentration in the entire inside plant factory 1, CO ₂ can perform density control with high accuracy.

  The air volume can be controlled by, for example, the rotational speed of the fan 19 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of fans 19 are provided in the plant factory 1. By providing the air volume sensor in the sensor unit 8, when the sensor unit 8 is scanned in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of each planter 2, the air volume information is converted into line information in the longitudinal direction of the planter 2 by the air volume sensor. Can be obtained. Based on the air volume information and the position information of the sensor unit 8, the control device 10 generates a drive signal for air volume control for each fan 19. Then, a drive signal for air volume control is transmitted from the control device 10 to the drive control unit 17 of the plant factory 1. As a result, the planter 2 that requires more wind power than the planter 2 is controlled to increase the rotation speed of the fan 19 close to the planter, and the winder is lowered or the planter 2 that does not require wind power is controlled. Then, the rotation of the fan 19 close to the section is reduced or the rotation is stopped. Thereby, the air volume of the whole plant factory 1 can be comprehensively monitored, and air volume control can be performed with high precision.

  Or air volume control can be performed by opening and closing the window 12 arrange | positioned in the plant factory 1. FIG. For example, in FIG. 1, the control device 10 outputs a drive signal for opening and closing the skylight 12a near the place of the planter 2 that is determined to require airflow adjustment based on the airflow information from the sensor unit 8 and the position information. Generate with And the drive signal with respect to air volume control is transmitted to the drive control part 17, and the opening and closing of the skylight 12a is controlled. Thus, energy cost can be reduced by performing air volume control by the open air which is natural energy by opening and closing of the window 12.

  Illuminance can be controlled by, for example, each LED 55 of the illumination device 20 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the LED 55 is provided to face each section of the planter 2. When the sensor unit 8 is provided with an illuminance sensor and the sensor unit 8 is scanned in the long direction (Y direction) of each planter 2, the illuminance information is converted into line information in the long direction of the planter 2 by the illuminance sensor. Can be obtained. Based on the illuminance information and the position information of the sensor unit 8, the control device 10 generates an illuminance control drive signal for each LED 55. Then, a driving signal for illuminance control is transmitted from the control device 10 to the driving control unit 17 of the plant factory 1. As a result, for the planter 2 that needs bright illumination, the planter 2 is controlled to increase the illuminance of the LED 55 facing the segment, and the planter 2 that needs to be darkened is classified into that category. The illuminance of the LED 55 facing the LED 55 is decreased, or the illumination of the LED 55 is stopped. Thereby, the illumination intensity of the whole plant factory 1 can be comprehensively monitored, and illumination intensity control can be performed with high precision.

  Alternatively, the illuminance can be controlled by opening and closing a light-shielding curtain of the window 12b disposed in the plant factory 1. In FIG. 1, based on the illuminance information from the sensor unit 8 and the position information, the control device 10 opens or closes the light-shielding curtain of the window 12b near the planter 2 where it is determined that illuminance adjustment is necessary. The drive signal is transmitted to the drive control unit 17. Thus, energy cost can be reduced by performing illumination intensity control with sunlight which is natural energy by opening and closing the light-shielding curtain of the window 12b.

  The flow rate of water or culture solution to the planter 2 can be controlled by, for example, an opening / closing mechanism 36 for the holes 33a and 34a shown in FIG. The sensor unit 8 is provided with, for example, an ultrasonic flow meter. For this reason, when the sensor unit 8 is scanned in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of each planter 2, the flow rate information of water and culture solution is obtained by the ultrasonic flowmeter without contact with the planter 2. It can be obtained as line information in the scale direction. Based on the flow rate information thus obtained and the position information of the sensor unit 8, the control device 10 generates a flow rate control drive signal for the water supply pipe 33 and the culture solution pipe 34. And the drive signal of flow control is transmitted from the control apparatus 10 to the drive control part 17 of the plant factory 1. FIG. Accordingly, in the planter 2 section where water or culture solution is required, the opening / closing mechanism 36 of the water supply pipe 33 or the culture solution pipe 34 controls the number of the through holes 33a and 34a to be increased to increase the flow rate. In the planter 2 section where the culture medium needs to be reduced, the opening / closing mechanism 36 of the water supply pipe 33 and the culture liquid pipe 34 controls to reduce the number of the through holes 33a and 34a and reduce the flow rate. Thereby, the flow rate of the water and culture solution of the whole plant factory 1 can be comprehensively monitored, and flow rate control can be performed with high accuracy.

  Or the adjustment mechanism which can adjust the pipe diameter of the water supply pipe | tube 33 and the culture solution pipe | tube 34 may be provided in the position of the partition plate 35 shown in FIG. The adjustment mechanism is configured to be slidable along a direction parallel to the wall surface of the partition plate 35. By the slide movement of the adjustment mechanism, the diameters of the water supply pipe 33 and the culture solution pipe 34 are changed, and water or The flow rate of the culture solution can be adjusted.

  As described above, in the environmental control system of the present embodiment, the sensor unit 8 is movably supported on the traveling path provided along the planter 2, and the control device 10 detects the sensor unit 8. Based on the environment information and the position information of the sensor unit 8, the environment in the plant factory 1 is controlled. Thereby, line control can be performed for each planter 2 with a small number of sensors, and advanced environmental control can be performed as compared with the conventional case.

  In the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 9, the planter 2 can be controlled for each of a plurality of sections in the direction of the traveling path. Thereby, fine environmental control can be performed with a small number of sensors.

  By controlling the environment for each section of the planter 2 in this way, for example, it is possible to plant harvests having different shipping times in different sections and perform environmental control in accordance with each shipping time in each section.

  In the plant factory 1, it is preferable to manage the shipment time of the harvest so as to match the time when the wholesale price in the market rises. However, in this embodiment, the environment of each planter 2 can be controlled in line, and detailed environmental control is performed. It is easy to adjust the shipping time.

  In the present embodiment, the moving speed of the sensor unit 8 with respect to the plurality of sections A to F shown in FIG. 9 may be constant, or the moving speed may be changed in each section A to F as shown in FIG. 9C. You can also. For example, in FIG. 9C, in the traveling direction R1 in which the sensor unit 8 moves to the right in the figure, the moving speed of the sensor unit 8 is increased with respect to the sections A, C, and E (section S-1), and the sections B, D, and F On the other hand, the moving speed of the sensor unit 8 is slowed or the sensor unit 8 is temporarily stopped in the section (section S-2). On the other hand, in the traveling direction R2 in which the sensor unit 8 moves to the left in the figure, the moving speed of the sensor unit 8 is increased with respect to the sections B, D, and F (section S-1), and with respect to the sections A, C, and E. The moving speed of the sensor unit 8 is slowed down, or the sensor unit 8 is temporarily stopped in the section (section S-2). Here, the state in which the moving speed is slow is a speed that is equal to or lower than the sensor detection limit by the sensor unit 8, that is, sensor detection can be performed in a section in which the moving speed of the sensor unit 8 is slow. According to the speed control of FIG. 9C, while the sensor unit 8 is reciprocated once with respect to the planter 2, environmental information can be appropriately obtained in all the sections A to F, and the reciprocation time can be shortened.

  Further, the moving speed of the sensor unit 8 with respect to the sections A to F can be changed in accordance with the plant growth situation. For example, when the shipping time of the crop 54 planted in the section C is approaching, and the environment control of the section C is more focused than the other sections, the sensor unit 8 moves from the section other than the section C to the section C. When it reaches, the movement speed of the sensor unit 8 is always slowed down, or the sensor unit 8 is always stopped in the section C so that more sensor information of the section C can be obtained than the other sections. To do.

  Further, the moving speed of the sensor unit 8 can be changed depending on the time zone. For example, the movement speed of the sensor unit 8 during the day is slower than at night.

  In the present embodiment, not only the environmental information obtained from the sensor unit 8 but also the information acquired by the operator in the plant factory 1 can be used to perform environmental control on the sections A to F of the planter 2. .

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, an operator photographs a crop 54 planted in each section A to F of the planter 2 with a camera 56, and inputs image data at the input unit 30 of the control device 10. The storage unit 47 of the control device 10 stores a database capable of determining the growth status based on the image data. From the database, the growth status data is sent to the calculation unit 28 to perform more optimal environmental control. Can be done.

  Or you may comprise the sensor unit 58 which has an image pick-up element as shown to FIG. 10A. As shown in FIG. 10A, the sensor unit 58 includes a support member 59 provided in a non-contact position with the cultivation container 3 from the lower surface 3a to the side surface 3b and the upper surface 3c of the cultivation container 3 of the planter 2. A first sensor unit 60 disposed below the support member 59 and facing the lower surface 3a of the cultivation container 3, and a second sensor unit disposed above the support member 59 and opposed to the upper surface 3c of the cultivation container 3 61. The support member 59 is movably supported on a rail (not shown) disposed on the lower surface 3a side of the cultivation container 3.

The first sensor unit 60 includes, for example, a temperature sensor 44, a humidity sensor 45, a CO ₂ sensor 46, and the like as in FIG. The second sensor unit 61 includes an imaging element, an illuminance sensor, and the like. As shown to FIG. 10A, in the structure which illuminates LED55 from the upper surface 3c side of the cultivation container 3, it is suitable for the 2nd sensor part 61 to be equipped with an illumination intensity sensor. In FIG. 10A, the first sensor unit 60 is arranged on the lower surface 3a side of the cultivation container 3 and the second sensor unit 61 is arranged on the upper surface 3c side of the cultivation container 3, respectively. 3b and the upper surface 3c can be freely arranged on which surface the sensor units 60 and 61 are arranged, and the arrangement of the sensor units 60 and 61 can be determined depending on the type of the mounted sensor, the harvested product, and the like. .

  Moreover, as shown to FIG. 10B, each sensor part 60 and 61 is the distance between the 1st sensor part 60 and the cultivation container 3 which are arrange | positioned at the lower surface 3a side of the cultivation container 3, and the cultivation container 3 The distance between the 2nd sensor part 61 arrange | positioned at the upper surface 3c side and the cultivation container 3 may be variably supported. For example, the support member 59 shown in FIG. 10A can be expanded and contracted, and the distance between the second sensor unit 61 and the cultivation container 3 can be changed. Or the rail 6 shown in FIG. 3 is supported so that it can move to an up-down direction, and, thereby, the distance of each sensor part 60 and 61 and the cultivation container 3 can be fluctuate | varied. In FIG. 10B, as shown to FIG. 10A, although the sensor parts 60 and 61 showed the structure isolate | separated into two up and down, the sensor unit 8 is arrange | positioned only on the lower surface 3a side of the cultivation container 3 as shown in FIG. Even in a configuration in which the sensor unit is disposed only on the upper surface 3c side of the cultivation container 3, or in a configuration in which the sensor unit is disposed only on the side surface 3b side of the cultivation container 3, as shown in FIG. The distance between the container 3 and the container 3 can be variably supported.

  In the configuration in which the second sensor unit 61 and the sensor unit shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B are arranged on the upper surface 3c side of the cultivation container 3, the sensor position is adjusted so as not to contact the plant planted in the cultivation container 3. It is necessary to. If the plant is low in height and does not grow up in the height direction even if it grows, more accurate environmental information can be obtained by scanning the second sensor unit 61 or sensor unit as close as possible to the plant. I can do it. Further, the second sensor unit 61 and the sensor unit are adjusted so as not to contact the plant by gradually extending the support member 59 as the plant grows.

Moreover, as shown to FIG. 10C, the sensor unit 62 can also be located in the side surface 3b side of the cultivation container 3. As shown in FIG. In this Embodiment, you may arrange | position a sensor unit in any of the lower surface 3a side of the cultivation container 3, the side surface 3b side, and the upper surface 3c side. Among these, as shown in FIG. 3, by arranging the sensor unit 8 on the lower surface 3a side of the cultivation container 3, the rail 6 and the sensor unit 8 can be arranged at a position that does not interfere with the work for the operator. . In an environment control such as temperature and humidity and CO ₂ concentration, the sensor unit 8, be located on the lower surface 3a of the culture vessel 3 can be made sufficiently environmental control for each planter 2. At this time, it is possible to perform more accurate environmental accuracy by bringing the sensor unit 8 as close to the lower surface 3a of the cultivation container 3 as possible. However, in the configuration in which the sensor unit 8 is arranged on the lower surface 3a side of the cultivation container 3, since the water or the culture solution flowing in the planter 2 leaks from the lower surface 3a of the cultivation container 3, the sensor unit 8 is broken. 8 has a waterproof structure, or the sensor unit is disposed on the side surface 3b side or the upper surface 3c side of the cultivation container 3. In the configuration in which the sensor unit is arranged on the upper surface 3c of the cultivation container 3, the distance between the sensor unit and the plant planted in the cultivation container 3 can be reduced, and more accurate environmental information can be obtained. However, at this time, adjustment must be made so that the sensor unit does not come into contact with the plant.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, one rail (running path) 6 and sensor unit 8 may be arranged in each planter 2, and as shown in FIG. A common rail 63 may be meandered with respect to the planter 2. At this time, the rail 63 is disposed along the long direction (Y direction) of each planter 2. With the configuration shown in FIG. 11, the number of sensor units 8 can be reduced to one for a plurality of planters 2, and the number of sensors can be further reduced.

  An input screen (operation screen) of the display unit 32 of the control device 10 illustrated in FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the input screen 50 displays commands for selecting “cultivation species”, “variety”, “nurturing simulation”, and the like.

  For example, in the input screen 50 of FIG. 12, “strawberry” is selected as “cultivation type”, and “tochiotome”, “amao (registered trademark)”,... Are displayed as “variety”.

“Growth simulation” is, for example, divided into “early”, “general”, and “manual”. If “Early” is selected, an early breeding simulation is automatically selected, and the environment control program can be brought up earlier than the breeding simulation when “General” is selected. In the case of “Early” and “General”, the growth simulation can be automatically activated, and the environmental control in the plant factory is controlled based on the programs for the early growth simulation and the general growth simulation. Do it automatically. Even when “early” and “general” are selected, for example, the operator changes the CO ₂ concentration from the concentration automatically controlled by “early” or “general” by looking at the plant growth status. Is also possible. For example, when “Early” or “General” is selected, “temperature”, “humidity”, “CO ₂ concentration”, “air volume”, etc. as environmental control information are individually displayed. It can also be changed manually in view of plant growth. Alternatively, if “manual” is selected as “nurturing simulation”, the operator manually sets each environmental program such as “temperature”, “humidity”, “CO ₂ concentration”, “air flow”, etc. as environmental control information. You can also adjust the environment with

  As shown in FIG. 12, the input screen 50 displays a graph 51 or the like indicating a market shipping price estimate. Such information may be input by the operator from the input unit 30 shown in FIG. At this time, a page in which market information can be input is displayed in the input screen 50 of FIG. Alternatively, the market information may be controlled so that it can be automatically received from the receiving unit 25.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a PC 52 and a control center 53 are provided, and the PC 52 as the control device 10 can receive market information from the control center 53. For example, the control center 53 is connected to a plurality of plant factories, and sends market information to each plant factory, or the control center 53 receives environmental information directly from the sensor unit 8 of the plant factory 1 as the control device 10. Or environmental control for the plant factory 1 can be performed via the PC 52. The control center 53 may be installed in a plant factory or in a remote place.

  Based on the market information, an environmental control program based on a training simulation is executed so that the peak of shipment is reached when the shipment price is highest.

  As described above, in the control device according to the present embodiment, environmental control can be performed in accordance with the shipping time of the plants cultivated in the planter 2, and the shipping time can be easily adjusted to a higher level than before. is there.

  The environmental control system of the present invention can be effectively applied to a plant factory, and handles not only a plant factory that systematically produces plants in a closed or semi-closed space that handles high-quality products, but also a general vinyl. It can also be applied to houses. Since the environment of the whole plant factory can be monitored in detail, it is possible to execute a training program that matches the shipping date of the harvest with the scheduled time with high accuracy.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Plant factory 2 Planter 3 Cultivation container 5 Rock wool 6, 63 Rail 8, 62 Sensor unit 10 Control unit 11 Air conditioner 12 Window 14 CO ₂ pipe 17, 38 Drive control unit 18 Peltier element 20 Illumination device 25 Reception unit 28 Calculation unit 30 Input unit 31 Signal transmission unit 32 Display unit 33 Water supply tube 34 Culture solution tube 36 Opening / closing mechanism 37 Sensor unit 40 Power supply unit 41 Communication unit 42 Encoder 44 Temperature sensor 45 Humidity sensor 46 CO ₂ sensor 47 Storage unit 48 Traveling path 50 Input screen 52 PC
53 Control Center 54 Harvest 55 LED
60 1st sensor part 61 2nd sensor part

Claims (12)

A planter for plant cultivation installed in the plant factory,
A traveling path provided along the planter;
A sensor unit supported so as to be movable along the travel path;
Based on the environment information detected by the sensor unit, and the position information of the sensor unit, a control device for controlling the environment of the plant factory,
An environmental control system comprising:   The environment control system according to claim 1, wherein the control device divides the planter into a plurality of sections in the direction of the travel path and controls the environment for each section.   The environment control system according to claim 2, wherein an environment drive device that receives and drives a drive signal from the control device is arranged according to the section.   The environmental control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control device controls natural energy to be usable.   The environmental control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control device performs environmental control in accordance with a shipping time of a plant cultivated in the planter. 6. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit includes at least a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a CO ₂ sensor, and the control device controls the temperature and humidity and the CO ₂ concentration. Environmental control system in any one.   The environment control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sensor unit includes a power supply unit from the travel path.   The said sensor unit is isolate | separated into two or more sensor parts which detect different environmental information, and each sensor part is controlled so that it may drive | work on the different surface of the said planter. The environment control system according to claim 7.   The environmental control system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit is supported so that a distance from the planter is variable.   The planter has a culture solution pipe and a water supply pipe, and the control device controls flow rates of the culture solution pipe and the water supply pipe. Environmental control system in any one.   The environment control system according to claim 1, wherein the travel path is a rail arranged in parallel with the planter. The environment control system according to claim 11, wherein the rail and the sensor unit are disposed below the planter.

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