RU2850069C1 - Device for illuminating plants in protected ground conditions - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: agriculture.

SUBSTANCE: device for illuminating plants in protected ground conditions includes light sources installed above the technological passages between rows of plants and means for ensuring the reversible movement of the light sources up and down in the technological passages. The light sources contain two LED lamps, located opposite each other relative to the vertical axis, connected to each other by two cross-shaped slats connected at the intersection by a hinge joint with stoppers-fasteners at the ends, designed to be placed and moved in slit-shaped slots located on the upper surface of the body of each luminaire, and to adjust the distance between the oppositely located luminaires. The light flows of the luminaires are directed perpendicular to the leaf surface of the plants in the nearby row.

EFFECT: reduction of energy consumption and optimisation of the lighting regime, ensuring increased plant yield.

4 cl, 5 dwg

Description

The invention relates to agriculture and can be used in the field of plant growing in protected ground structures.

A device is known comprising plant trays and artificial lighting sources using water-cooled lamps (RU Patent No. 2101930 for the invention "Device for Growing Plants in a Basement or Utility Room of a Residential or Industrial Building, a Method of Operating the Device for Growing Plants in a Basement or Utility Room of a Residential or Industrial Building, and a Container for Growing Plants", IPC A01G 31/04, published 20.01.1998). A disadvantage of the known device is the mismatch of the lamps' emission spectrum with the needs of plants and the impossibility of ensuring optimal photosynthetic processes in plants.

A well-known method of growing plants in a greenhouse involves planting seedlings in rows in pots, tying them to trellises, cultivating the plants, and creating the desired climate and light conditions in the greenhouse. The desired light conditions are achieved using optical light sources placed at mid-plant height in the spaces between adjacent rows of plants in each pot. The lower ends of all the trellises are connected by hinges relative to the corresponding vegetation vessels, and the upper ends of the trellises of plants of even and odd rows of all vegetation vessels are rigidly connected, respectively, to the even and odd group rods and the latter are moved in antiphase with each other in a vertical plane perpendicular to the plane of installation of the optical radiation sources (patent No. 2062023 for the invention "Method for growing plants in a greenhouse and device for implementing it", IPC A01G9 / 26, A01G9 / 14, published 20. 06. 1996). The disadvantage of the known method is low productivity, limited by the surface area of the greenhouse complex, shading of plants when the number of tiers is more than 2, high energy and capital costs.

A device for irradiating plants in a greenhouse is known. It contains fluorescent lamps as radiation sources and a reversible drive for moving them around the plants (RU Patent No. 2015663, IPC 6 A01G 31/06, "Device for Irradiating Plants in a Greenhouse with a Multi-Tier Hydroponic System," published July 15, 1994, BI No. 13). A disadvantage of this known technical solution is that the fluorescent lamps have low mechanical strength and emit a luminous flux whose spectral composition does not correspond to the optimal one, at which the process of photosynthesis in plants occurs most intensively.

A device for growing plants in protected soil conditions is known, including rack trays with plants, light sources with a flux of optical radiation in the visible range of the spectrum, and laser radiation sources with a wavelength in the spectral range of 380 - 710 nm and / or the range of 230 - 380 nm (patent No. 2028760 for the invention "Method for growing plants in a greenhouse on racks of hydroponic installations", IPC A01G9 / 24, A01G9 / 22, A01G9 / 14, A01G31 / 02, published 20.02. 1995). A disadvantage of the known method is high energy and capital costs.

A device for illuminating plants in protected soil conditions is known, comprising: vegetation trays arranged to form vertical tiers, light sources secured with garlands and switched on for a specific duration of irradiation - a photoperiod ("day"), after which they are moved up or down between the tiers of the vegetation trays (patent No. 2084123 for the invention "Greenhouse", IPC A 01G 9/14, published on July 20, 1997). The disadvantages of this method are uneven illumination of plants and irrational use of light. Different distances of individual plants from the light sources during the irradiation period (photoperiod "day") cause different illumination intensities, the value of which, as is known, is inversely proportional to the square of the distance. A static light source during the irradiation period (the "day" photoperiod) leads to overheating and damage to individual sections of plant foliage due to heat burn. This reduces yield. Using "strings" of light sources does not ensure uniform illumination of all plants and significantly increases energy and capital costs. Energy efficiency is also low due to the large distance between the light source and the plants. Reducing this distance also leads to heat burn.

The closest known technical solution to the claimed solution in terms of its essential features and selected as a prototype is a device for lighting plants in protected soil conditions. This device includes light sources installed above the aisles between plant rows and means for reversible up-and-down movement of the light sources within the aisles. The plant rows include vertical racks. Plant irradiation lamps are used as light sources (RU Patent No. 2391812 for the invention "METHOD FOR GROWING PLANTS IN PROTECTED GROUND CONDITIONS, A DEVICE FOR GROWING PLANTS IN PROTECTED GROUND CONDITIONS AND A PREFABRICATED AND DISASSEMBLE MULTI-TIER RACK FOR GROWING PLANTS IN PROTECTED GROUND CONDITIONS", published on 20.06.2010, IPC A01G 9/00, A01G 9/24). A disadvantage of the known device is the use of plant irradiation lamps, which include, among other things, mercury, sodium, and fluorescent lamps, as a light source, which leads to high energy costs required to achieve the optimal illumination level. Furthermore, it is impossible to change the distance between the light source and the illuminated plant foliage during cultivation. As growth progresses, the volume and size of the plants change, reducing the distance between the foliage and the light source. This can lead to overheating and damage to individual sections of the plant foliage due to heat burns, resulting in reduced yields. The existing device lacks the ability to direct the light flux perpendicular to the leaf surface, which ensures maximum photosynthetic productivity. A significant portion of the light flux misses the plant foliage or "glides" across it and is not absorbed by the plants, illuminating process corridors and structures. When placed in the middle of a process corridor, the lighting efficiency is reduced due to the large distance between the light sources and the irradiated plants, and when placed directly within the phytocenosis, the photon flow to the main part of the foliage is blocked by leaves located in close proximity to the irradiators. A significant portion of the light flux glides across the leaf surface, as only a small portion falls perpendicular to the leaf surface. The direction of the light flux and the distance between the light sources and the plants are not adjustable.

The problem addressed by the claimed invention is the development of a highly efficient device for illuminating plants in protected soil conditions.

The technical result achieved through the use of the claimed invention consists in reducing energy costs and optimizing the lighting regime, ensuring an increase in plant productivity.

The stated technical results are achieved by a device for illuminating plants in protected soil conditions, including light sources installed above the passageways between plant rows and means for reversing the upward and downward movement of the light sources within the passageways. The light sources comprise two LED luminaires, each positioned opposite to the vertical axis and connected by a rigid link. The luminous fluxes from the luminaires are directed toward the leaf surface of plants in the adjacent row, and the rigid link connecting the LED luminaires allows for the adjustment of the distance between the oppositely positioned luminaires.

It is preferable that each of the LED lamps includes a longitudinally oriented housing, having a cross-sectional profile of a right-angled triangle, on the inclined surface of which a chain of light-emitting diodes is placed, and on the upper surface of which there is a device for fastening a rigid connection connecting the opposite lamps, which is used as a slit-shaped figured slot, wherein as a rigid connection connecting the opposite lamps, two cross-shaped strips with stoppers-locks at the ends, made with the possibility of placement and movement in the slit-shaped slots, are used.

It is also preferable that the means for providing the reversible movement of the lighting sources up and down include a drum driven by a reversible motor and a corresponding transmission with a cable attached to it, which is wound on the drum, and to the free end of which the lighting source is suspended.

In certain cases of execution, the drum may contain an annular partition and two cables attached to the drum on different sides of the partition, one of which is wound on the drum clockwise, and the other counterclockwise, and to the free ends of which light sources are suspended, which carry out reverse movement in adjacent process passages.

A comparative analysis of the claimed invention with the prototype showed that in all cases of implementation it differs from the known, closest technical solution:

- the presence of light sources installed above the rows of plants;

- the implementation of light sources containing two LED lamps located opposite to the vertical axis;

- the implementation of oppositely located LED lamps, connected to each other by a rigid connection;

- direction of light beams from lamps onto the leaf surface of plants;

- the implementation of LED lighting sources connected to each other by a rigid connection, designed with the ability to adjust the distance between oppositely located lighting sources.

In preferred embodiments, the claimed invention differs from the known invention indicated above, which is closest to it:

- the production of LED luminaires, including a longitudinally oriented housing, having a cross-sectional profile of a right-angled triangle, on the inclined surface of which a chain of light-emitting diodes is placed, and on the upper surface of which there is a device for fastening a rigid connection connecting opposite luminaires;

- using a slit-shaped, figured cut on the upper surface of the housing as a device for fastening a rigid connection connecting opposite lamps;

- using, as a rigid connection connecting opposite lamps, two crosswise placed and connected at the intersection by a hinged connection strips with stoppers-locks at the ends, designed with the possibility of placement and movement in slit-like openings on the upper surface of the LED lamp housing;

- by making a drum containing an annular partition;

- the presence of two cables attached to the drum on different sides of the partition

- by performing one cable wound on a drum clockwise;

- by making another cable, wound on a drum counterclockwise;

- by implementing lighting sources that perform reverse movement in adjacent technological passages, suspended from the free ends of cables.

Using LED lights reduces energy costs, provides the required range of light emission, and reduces the risk of overheating and heat burn of plants.

The implementation of a light source containing two LED lamps located opposite to the vertical axis, the light fluxes of which are directed at the leaf surface of plants, ensures an optimal lighting regime for plants.

The presence of two LED lamps in the lighting sources located above the technological passages and designed with the possibility of reversible movement, connected to each other by a rigid connection with the possibility of adjusting its length, makes it possible to change the position of the lamps relative to the leaf surface, decreasing or increasing the distance between the lamp and the leaf surface during the growth of plants, ensuring the required intensity of the luminous flux and preventing overheating and burns of plants, increasing the density of the photon flux by reducing the distance from the radiation source to the illuminated leaf surface,

The use of a reversible motor with an appropriate transmission, a drum with a cable attached to it, which is wound onto the drum, and to the free end of which a light source is suspended, ensures the reversible movement of light sources up and down in the technological passage between rows of plants and creates the best conditions for plant illumination throughout the entire depth and on both sides of the leaf surface.

The speed and power of the light source can be adjusted depending on natural light levels and/or air temperature, allowing for optimal illumination intensity and enhancing the specified technical result. All of this increases crop yields.

The design of an LED luminaire, including a longitudinally oriented housing with a cross-sectional profile of a right-angled triangle, on the inclined surface of which a chain of light-emitting diodes is placed, allows for the formation of a luminous flux and its direction perpendicular to the leaf surface of plants.

The presence on the upper surface of the housing of a device for fastening a rigid connection, for example, in the form of a slit-shaped figured slot, and the implementation of a rigid connection connecting the opposite lamps in the form of two crosswise placed and connected at the intersection by a hinged connection of strips with stoppers-locks at the ends, made with the possibility of placing and moving opposite LED lamps in the slit-shaped slots, makes it possible to adjust the distance between the latter, ensuring the necessary distance between the leaf surface of the plants and the light source, moving up and down in the process passage, thus preventing burns and ensuring an optimal light regime.

The presence of a circular partition on the drum; two cables attached to the drum on opposite sides of the partition; the installation of light sources with their free ends suspended from different cables on the drum; the installation of one of the cables wound on the drum clockwise, and the other counterclockwise, allows for the reversible movement of the light sources in opposite directions in adjacent aisles, up and down, providing illumination for plants on both sides.

All this creates the most favorable light conditions, leading to accelerated plant development and increased yields.

The proposed device for growing plants in protected soil conditions is illustrated with schematic drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic drawing of a device for lighting plants in protected ground conditions, front view.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic drawing of a device for illuminating plants in protected soil conditions, unit A in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic drawing of a device for illuminating plants in protected soil conditions, view B in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic drawing of a device for illuminating plants in protected soil conditions, view B in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic drawing of a drum for winding a cable, top view.

A device for illuminating plants in protected soil conditions includes light sources 1 _i , where i is the number of light sources, i = 1… n, installed above technological passages 2j, where j is the number of technological passages j = 1….m, between rows 3 _k , where k is the number of rows of plants k = 1…p. Reversible movement of the light sources 1i, up and down in the technological passages 2j is provided by a motor 4, which drives a drum 6 through a corresponding transmission 5 with a cable 7 attached to it, which is wound onto the drum 6. A light source 1 is suspended from the free end of the cable 7. Each light source 1 contains two LED lamps 8, 9 located oppositely relative to the vertical axis, connected to each other by a rigid connection 10, wherein the luminous fluxes of the lamps 8, 9 are directed to the leaf surface of plants located near the row of plants. Each of the LED lamps 8, 9 includes a longitudinally oriented housing 11, having a cross-sectional profile of a right-angled triangle, on the inclined surface 12 of which a chain of light-emitting diodes 13 is placed. On the upper surface 14 of the housing 11, a slit-shaped figured cut 15 is made, which serves as a device for fastening a rigid connection 10 to the housing 11. The rigid connection 10 is designed with the possibility of adjusting the distance s between the lamps 8, 9 and includes two crosswise arranged strips 16, 17, connected at the intersection by a hinged connection 18 (for example, a bolted connection). At the ends of the bars 15, 16 there are stoppers-locks 19, made with the possibility of placement in slit-like openings 15. The drum 6 can contain an annular partition 20, on different sides of which the ends of the cables 7-1, 7-2 are attached, wherein one cable (7-1) is wound on the drum 6 clockwise, and the other (7-2) is wound on the drum 6 counterclockwise. To the free ends of the cables 7-1, 7-2 there are suspended light sources 1 _i , 1 _i+1 , which perform a reverse movement in adjacent technological passages 2 _j , 2 _j+1 . The device for illuminating plants in protected soil conditions operates as follows.

Plants in greenhouses can be grown in rows of 3 in a substrate directly on beds or on racks.

Lighting sources 1i are installed above technological passages 2j, using cables 7, preferably made of composite materials. If necessary, lighting sources 1i can also be installed above rows _3k . Using cable 7, the lower end of which is attached to the center of rigid connection 10, and the upper end of cable 7, through a guide block 21, is attached to drum 6, located above row 3 of plants or above technological passage 2. Drums 6 are fixed to shafts (not shown in the drawing) with clamping bolts (not shown in the drawing) and can be moved to set any specified distance between them. In this case, cable 7-1, on which light source 1i is suspended in process passage 2j between two rows 3 _k , 3 _k+1, is wound onto drum 5 clockwise, and cable 7-2 of the adjacent process passage 2j ₊₁ is wound in the opposite direction. Both cables 7-1, 7-2 are separated from each other by an annular partition 20, which forms two winding compartments on each drum 6. The width of these compartments should ensure a single-row arrangement of the required number of turns of suspension cables 6 when used in modern high greenhouses. In smaller greenhouses, hydraulic cylinders with a shorter stroke length are used. In greenhouses where 8 rows of plants are planted in each section, two shafts with drums 6 are installed, and in wider ones (12 rows) - three. In each section of the greenhouse, all shafts are interconnected by a toothed-chain transmission, are simultaneously set in rotational motion and drive the light sources 1 suspended on cables 7 throughout the section. In small greenhouses, a reversible electric drive can be used to rotate the drums 6, while for larger areas, a hydraulic drive is more practical, reducing energy costs and noise levels and ensuring smooth speed regulation when approaching the extreme points (upper and lower) of the movement of the light sources 1. The claimed device can be used both for multi-tiered cultivation of low-growing plants and for growing, for example, cucumbers with lowered plants. The power of the light sources 1, as well as their speed of movement, are regulated depending on the degree of natural illumination, air temperature and the needs of the plants, and the spectral composition of the light is set taking into account the needs of the cultivated crop and the phases of its development. At the beginning of the daily irradiation, it is preferable to set the "sunrise" mode, and at the end - the "sunset" mode. The design of the LED illuminator sets the angle of inclination of the LEDs 13 so as to ensure the emission of a photosynthetic photon flux perpendicular to the leaf surface of the plants in rows 3. It can be adjusted within minor limits by fastening bolts located on the upper surface of the housing of each luminaire (two on the left and right at the end section). The distance from the light sources 1 to the illuminated leaf surface of the plants in rows 3 is set by adjusting the angle of inclination of the bars 16, 17 of the rigid connection 10, taking into account the power of the light sources, the speed of reverse movement, and the air temperature. Light sources 1i, 1 _i+1 in adjacent technological passages 2j, 2j+1 move in opposite directions and, upon reaching the extreme positions (upper and lower), reverse the direction of movement. At the highest point of their movement, light sources 1i are positioned above the cultivated plants in rows 3j, so as to illuminate the upper portions of the plants in the near and adjacent rows, and at the lowest point, the lower leaves of adjacent rows. Preferably, the plants in adjacent rows are staggered relative to each other. Drums 6 with lighting suspension cables 7 are attached to shafts 22 located in the upper portion of the greenhouse along the line of plant rows 3 and are driven by a reversible motor 4.

The claimed invention ensures optimization of the lighting regime, increases plant yields and reduces energy costs.

Annual energy consumption in greenhouses in Russia has exceeded 10 billion kWh and continues to grow with the commissioning of new greenhouses. The expected doubling of energy efficiency, combined with the invention's universal applicability (in existing greenhouses of any design and with any growing technology), will enable scalable production of LED illuminators of the proposed design and significantly reduce the prices of both the illuminators and greenhouse products.

LIST OF STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS:

1. light source,

2. technological passages between rows of plants,

3. rows of plants,

4. engine,

5. transmission,

6. drum,

7. cable,

7.1 wound onto the drum clockwise,

7.2 winding counterclockwise,

8. left LED lamp,

9. Right LED light,

10. rigid connection between lamps,

11. lamp body,

12. inclined surface of the lamp body,

13. light-emitting diodes,

14. upper surface of the body,

15. a slit-shaped cut on the upper surface of the body,

16. first plank,

17. second bar,

18. hinged connection of the planks,

19. stoppers-locks,

20. annular partition on the drum,

21. guide block,

22. shaft,

s - distances between lamps 8, 9,

i is the number of light sources, where i = 1, 2… n,

j - number of technological passes where j = 1, 2 …m,

k is the number of rows of plants, where k = 1…p.

Claims (4)

1. A device for illuminating plants in protected soil conditions, including light sources installed above technological passages between rows of plants, and means for ensuring the reversible movement of the light sources up and down in the technological passages, characterized in that the light sources contain two LED lamps each, located opposite to the vertical axis, connected to each other by two cross-shaped strips, connected at the intersection by a hinged connection, with stoppers-locks at the ends, made with the possibility of placement and movement in slit-shaped figured openings located on the upper surface of the body of each lamp, and adjusting the distance between the oppositely located lamps, wherein the luminous fluxes of the lamps are directed perpendicular to the leaf surface of the plants near the located row. 2. The device according to paragraph 1, characterized in that each of the LED lamps includes a longitudinally oriented housing, having a cross-sectional profile of a right-angled triangle, on the inclined surface of which a chain of light-emitting diodes is placed. 3. The device according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the means for ensuring the reversible movement of the light sources up and down include a drum driven by a reversible motor and a corresponding transmission, with cables attached to it, which are wound onto the drum and to the free ends of which the light sources are suspended. 4. The device according to paragraph 3, characterized in that the drum contains an annular partition and two cables attached to the drum on different sides of the partition, one of which is wound on the drum clockwise, and the other counterclockwise, and to the free ends of which light sources are suspended, which carry out reverse movement in adjacent process passages.