KR102613457B1 - Automated system for unmanned cultivation of sprout crops - Google Patents

Abstract

An automated system for unmanned cultivation of sprout crops has been disclosed.
The disclosed invention includes a frame; A plurality of seeding trays installed between the left and right sides of the frame, inclined diagonally from one side to the other, and circulated in the vertical direction in an endless track by a transport means; A seeding unit that moves along the longitudinal direction of each seeding tray and sows seeds of sprout crops into the seeding trays; A nutrient solution supply unit installed on the frame and supplying an appropriate amount of nutrient solution to one side of each seeding tray so that it flows down to the other side; A nutrient solution receiver installed at the lower part of the other side of each seeding tray and receiving the nutrient solution discharged through the other side of each seeding tray; A cultivation environment controller that monitors the cultivation environment of sprout crops grown in each seeding tray and controls the set cultivation environment to be maintained; An inversion unit disposed at the rear of the frame and sequentially overturning the seeding trays moving downward so that the sprout crops that have completed their growth pour out from the seeding trays; And a collection conveyor that collects and transports the sprout crops spilled from the seeding tray;
The inversion unit includes a fixing plate provided at the bottom of the frame; An anteroposterior plunger that moves forward and backward while being supported on a fixed plate; An anteroposterior flow plate located on a fixed plate and advanced and retracted in the anteroposterior direction by an anteroposterior plunger; Left and right plungers moving forward and backward in the left and right directions while supported on the front and rear flow plates; Left and right flow plates located on the front and back flow plates and advanced and retreated in the left and right directions by left and right plungers; A lifting plunger that is supported on the left and right moving plates and moves up and down in the vertical direction; and a pin block located on the left and right flow plates and provided with ring pins that are selectively recessed into rings provided in the lower part of the seeding tray. After the front and rear plungers operate to retract the front and rear flow plates, the left and right plungers operate to Move the left and right moving plates toward the ring of the seeding tray so that the ring pin is recessed into the ring, and as the front and rear plungers retreat again, the ring pin pulls the ring, forcing the seeding tray to rotate and turn over, so that the sprout crops in the seeding tray are This further includes allowing it to fall onto the collection conveyor.

Description

Automated system for unmanned cultivation of sprout crops}

The present invention relates to an automated system for unmanned cultivation of sprout crops that enables unmanned cultivation by automating all processes for hydroponic cultivation of sprout crops.

Hydroponics refers to growing plants without using soil, using a culture medium that contains the nutrients necessary for plant growth.

This type of hydroponic cultivation is done by supplying the plants with a culture medium containing various nutrients dissolved in water. In other words, it is cultivated by floating the plant roots in a fertilizer containing nutrients.

In addition, plants that can be grown hydroponically include tulips with beard roots, daffodils, taro, sweet potatoes, onions, lucky trees, and ginseng, and hydroponic cultivation can increase production dozens of times compared to growing plants on regular land. It can be easily grown at home.

Hydroponic cultivation was invented by W.F. Gericke in the United States in the 1930s, and consists of a cultivation tank, a reservoir, circulation pipes, and a liquid delivery pump, and also requires an oxygen supply device.

In order to respond to the decrease in farmland due to recent industrial development and the tendency to consume agricultural products in all four seasons regardless of the production period (season), a hydroponic cultivation method that promotes mass production of agricultural products through cultivation in all seasons, pollution-free cultivation, and maintenance of freshness has been developed. It is spreading.

Among hydroponic cultivation methods, there are various methods of nutrient solution cultivation, such as liquid culture, spray culture, medium culture, and thin film hydroponics. Except for culture culture, all other methods are cultivation methods using only nutrient solution and water.

The immersion system is a method of submerging hydroponic plants in water and blowing oxygen into them using an oxygen generator, while the spray system is a method of spraying the nutrient solution like a mist using a mini sprinkler. In addition, thin film hydroponics is a method of continuously flowing a small amount of water near the roots of hydroponic plants.

As an example of a conventional hydroponic cultivation device, Registered Patent Publication Nos. 1317371 and 1457118 filed and registered by the present applicant have been disclosed.

However, the conventional hydroponic cultivation device only has a configuration for supplying and recovering nutrient solution to the tray, so the operator is required to perform other tasks, such as seed sowing, cultivation process, and crop harvesting by supplying seeds of sprout crops to the tray. Since it had to be carried out directly, the relevant manpower was absolutely necessary, and if the supply of manpower was not sufficient, difficulties arose in the cultivation work.

Registered Patent Publication No. 1317371 (registered on October 4, 2013) Registered Patent Publication No. 1457118 (registered on October 27, 2014)

The present invention is intended to solve the above-described conventional problems, and the main purpose of the present invention is to provide an automated system for unmanned cultivation of sprout crops that can be cultivated unmanned by automating all processes for hydroponic cultivation of sprout crops.

The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is not limited to the technical problem mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. There will be.

For the purposes of the present invention, a frame; A plurality of seeding trays installed between the left and right sides of the frame, inclined diagonally from one side to the other, and circulated in the vertical direction in an endless track by a transport means; A seeding unit that moves along the longitudinal direction of each seeding tray and sows seeds of sprout crops into the seeding trays; A nutrient solution supply unit installed on the frame and supplying an appropriate amount of nutrient solution to one side of each seeding tray so that it flows down to the other side; A nutrient solution receiver installed at the lower part of the other side of each seeding tray and receiving the nutrient solution discharged through the other side of each seeding tray; A cultivation environment controller that monitors the cultivation environment of sprout crops grown in each seeding tray and controls the set cultivation environment to be maintained; An inversion unit disposed at the rear of the frame and sequentially overturning the seeding trays moving downward so that the sprout crops that have completed their growth pour out from the seeding trays; And a collection conveyor that collects and transports the sprout crops spilled from the seeding tray;
The inversion unit includes a fixing plate provided at the bottom of the frame; An anteroposterior plunger that moves forward and backward while being supported on a fixed plate; An anteroposterior flow plate located on a fixed plate and advanced and retracted in the anteroposterior direction by an anteroposterior plunger; Left and right plungers moving forward and backward in the left and right directions while supported on the front and rear flow plates; Left and right flow plates located on the front and back flow plates and advanced and retreated in the left and right directions by left and right plungers; A lifting plunger that is supported on the left and right moving plates and moves up and down in the vertical direction; and a pin block located on the left and right flow plates and provided with ring pins that are selectively recessed into rings provided in the lower part of the seeding tray. After the front and rear plungers operate to retract the front and rear flow plates, the left and right plungers operate to Move the left and right moving plates toward the ring of the seeding tray so that the ring pin is recessed into the ring, and as the front and rear plungers retreat again, the ring pin pulls the ring, forcing the seeding tray to rotate and turn over, so that the sprout crops in the seeding tray are An automated system for unmanned cultivation of sprout crops is provided, further comprising allowing them to fall onto a collection conveyor.

Preferably, the transfer means includes a pair of drive chain gears installed on the front left and right sides of the frame to be rotated interlocked by a drive shaft; A drive motor that rotates the drive shaft; Driven chain gears installed on the rear left and right sides of the frame to rotate interlocked with the driven shaft; A first chain connecting one of each pair of driving chain gears and driven chain gears and the driven chain gear, and being connected to one side at the high point of each seeding tray; and a second chain that connects the remaining drive chain gear and the driven chain gear that are not connected by the first chain, and is connected to the other side at the low point position of each seeding tray.

Preferably, one side of each seeding tray and the first chain are connected by a first connecting member, and the other side of each seeding tray and the second chain are connected by a second connecting member, and the first connecting member is connected to the first chain. A first chain side coupling block coupled to; A first tray-side coupling block coupled to one side of the seeding tray; A first rotation block rotatably coupled to the first tray-side coupling block; It consists of a first connection bolt connecting the first chain side coupling block and the first rotation block, and the second connecting member includes: a second chain side coupling block coupled to the second chain; A second tray-side coupling block coupled to the other side of the seeding tray; A vertical link of a predetermined length installed vertically with the upper end coupled to the second chain side coupling block; It consists of a second connection bolt connecting the lower end of the vertical link and the second tray-side connection block, and the second connection bolt is rotatable with respect to the second tray-side connection block.

The seeding unit of one embodiment includes a seeding unit main body movable in the longitudinal direction of the seeding tray; A seed container that is installed to be liftable on the main body of the seeding unit and accommodates seeds of sprout crops; A stirrer that agitates the seeds in the seed container; And it may be composed of a carrying out member that carries out the seeds in the seed container to each seeding tray.

The seeding unit of another embodiment includes a rail installed to have the same inclination as the inclination of the inclined seeding tray; A station frame disposed on the low point side of the inclined rail and on which a seed container containing the seeds of the sprout crop is installed on the upper side; A seeding hopper that receives seeds from a seed container while stopped at a station frame and then moves on rails by a guide roller and a drive motor to sow seeds inside the seeding tray; A pick plate that is installed at the front and rear of the seeding hopper so that it can be raised and lowered, and smoothes out the sown seeds; and a watering hose installed at the front and rear of the seeding hopper and spraying water on the arranged seeds.

Preferably, the pus plate is composed of a front pus plate installed in front of the seeding hopper and a rear pus plate installed at the rear of the seeding hopper. When the seeding hopper advances, the rear pus plate descends and the front pus plate rises. , When the seeding hopper is retracted, the rear pus plate can rise and the front pus plate can descend.

Preferably, the water spraying hose is composed of a front watering hose installed in front of the seeding hopper and a rear watering hose installed in the rear of the seeding hopper, but when the seeding hopper moves forward, water is sprayed only from the rear watering hose. When the seeding hopper moves backwards, watering can only be done with the front watering hose.

Preferably, the cultivation environment controller can monitor the amount of nutrient solution supply, the temperature around the seeding tray, and the degree of drying of the sprout crops in real time and control them to maintain the set level.

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According to the solution to the problem, unmanned cultivation is possible by automating all processes for hydroponic cultivation of sprout crops.

High-quality sprout crops can be obtained by systematically unmanned management from sowing to management and harvesting.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and should be understood to include all effects that can be inferred from the configuration of the invention described in the detailed description or claims of the present invention.

1 is an overall perspective view of an automated system for unmanned cultivation of sprout crops according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a front view of an automated system for unmanned cultivation of sprout crops according to the present invention;
Figure 3 is a side view of an automated system for unmanned cultivation of sprout crops according to the present invention;
4 is a conceptual diagram of a transportation means according to the present invention;
5 is a configuration diagram of a first connecting member according to the present invention;
6 is a configuration diagram of a second connecting member according to the present invention;
Figure 7 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the seeding unit according to the present invention;
Figure 8 is a configuration diagram of another embodiment of the seeding unit according to the present invention;
Figure 9 is a photograph of the lower structure of the seeding unit shown in Figure 8;
Figure 10 is a diagram of the installation state of the seeding unit of Figure 8;
11 is a configuration diagram of a reversal unit according to the present invention;
Figure 12a is a state diagram before operation of the reversal unit according to the present invention;
Figure 12b is a state diagram after operation of the reversal unit according to the present invention.

The present invention may be implemented in many different forms and is therefore not limited to the embodiments described herein. In order to clearly explain the present invention in the drawings, parts that are not related to the description are omitted, and similar parts are given similar reference numerals throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "connected (connected, contacted, combined)" with another part, this means not only "directly connected" but also "indirectly connected" with another member in between. "Includes cases where it is. Additionally, when a part is said to “include” a certain component, this does not mean that other components are excluded, but that other components can be added, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

The terms used herein are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but are not intended to indicate the presence of one or more other features. It should be understood that this does not exclude in advance the possibility of the existence or addition of elements, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

The attached Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of the automated system for unmanned cultivation of sprout crops according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a front view of the automated system for unmanned cultivation of sprout crops according to the present invention, and Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the automated system for unmanned cultivation of sprout crops according to the present invention. A side view of an automated system for cultivation, Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram of a transportation means according to the present invention, Figure 5 is a configuration diagram of a first connecting member according to the present invention, Figure 6 is a configuration diagram of a second connecting member according to the present invention, Figure 7 is a configuration diagram of a seeding unit according to the present invention, Figure 8 is a configuration diagram of another embodiment of the seeding unit according to the present invention, Figure 9 is a photograph of the lower structure of the seeding unit shown in Figure 8, and Figure 10 is a diagram of the lower part of the seeding unit shown in Figure 8. A drawing of the installation state of the seeding unit, Figure 11 is a configuration diagram of the inversion unit according to the present invention, Figure 12a is a state diagram before operation of the inversion unit according to the present invention, and Figure 12b is a state diagram after operation of the inversion unit according to the present invention.

Referring to the drawings above, the automated system for unmanned cultivation of sprout crops according to the present invention (hereinafter abbreviated as 'automated system': 100) includes a frame 200, a seeding tray 300, a transport means 400, and a seeding unit. It includes (500), a nutrient solution supply unit (110), a nutrient solution receiver (120), a cultivation environment controller (600), an inversion unit (700), and a collection conveyor (800).

The frame 200 is intended to support the transport means 400 that substantially circulates the seeding tray 300.

The seeding tray 300 is a cultivation container with an open top for hydroponic cultivation of sprout crops.

A plurality of seeding trays 300 are horizontally installed between the left and right sides of the frame 200 and are circulated in an endless orbit by the transport means 400.

The reason for the circulation is to ensure that sowing is carried out sequentially in each seeding tray (300), that nutrient solution can be supplied sequentially, and that sprout crops can be collected sequentially. This is essential for automation of cultivation and mass production.

Here, each seeding tray 300 may be installed to be inclined diagonally from one side to the other side, as shown in FIG. 2 . This is to ensure that the nutrient solution supplied to the seeding tray does not accumulate inside but flows down naturally due to the gradient angle, so that the nutrient solution is spread and supplied throughout the seeding tray.

The flowing nutrient solution is discharged through an outlet (not shown) provided on the other side of the seeding tray 300. The discharged nutrient solution is recovered by the nutrient solution receiver 120 disposed below the outlet, and the recovered nutrient solution is collected and seeded for each seeding. It can be re-supplied to the tray 300.

Meanwhile, the transport means 400 may be a belt, chain, etc. in consideration of the infinite orbital movement of the seeding tray 300. However, in this embodiment, a chain will be used as an example.

That is, the transport means 400 of this embodiment includes a pair of drive chain gears 410 installed on the front left and right sides of the frame 200 to rotate interlocked by the drive shaft 411, as shown in FIG. 4, and a drive shaft ( A driving motor 420 that rotates 411), a driven chain gear 430 installed on the rear left and right sides of the frame 200 to rotate interlocked with the driven shaft 431, and a pair of driving chain gears each. A first chain 440 that connects one of the driving chain gears and the driven chain gear and is connected to one side at the high point of each seeding tray 300, and the remainder not connected to the first chain. It may be composed of a second chain 450 that connects the driving chain gear and the driven chain gear and is connected to the other side at the low point of each seeding tray 300.

On the other hand, each seeding tray 300 must circulate while connected to the first and second chains 440 and 450 while maintaining an inclined state, and must pass through the front and rear curved sections of the first and second chains 440 and 450 without being overturned. As it poses a design challenge, a connecting member is needed to satisfy this challenge.

In this embodiment, one side (high point position) of each seeding tray 300 and the first chain 440 are connected by the first connecting member 310, and the other side (low point position) of each seeding tray 300 is connected to the first chain 440. 2 Chains 450 are connected by a second connecting member 320. Since the first connecting member 310 and the second connecting member 320 must be connected so that one side and the other side of the seeding tray 300 have a difference in position, it is natural that there is a difference in configuration.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first connecting member 310 includes a first chain side coupling block 311 coupled to the first chain 440, and a first tray side coupling block coupled to one side of the seeding tray 300. (312), the first rotation block 313 rotatably coupled to the first tray-side coupling block, and the first connection connecting between the first chain-side coupling block 311 and the first rotation block 313. It may be composed of bolts 314.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the second connecting member 320 has a second chain side coupling block 321 coupled to the second chain 450 and a second tray side coupled to the other side of the seeding tray 300. The coupling block 322 and the vertical link 323 of a predetermined length installed vertically, the upper end of which is coupled to the second chain-side coupling block, connect the lower end of the vertical link and the second tray-side coupling block 322. It may be composed of a second connection bolt 324. Here, the second connection bolt 324 is rotatable with respect to the second tray side coupling block 322.

The second connecting member 320 serves to position the other side of the seeding tray 300 downward relative to one side by the length of the vertical link 323, thereby enabling the installation of the seeding tray 300 at a gradient. 1 The rotation block 313 is rotatable with respect to the first tray-side coupling block 312, and the second connection bolt 324 is rotatable with respect to the second tray-side coupling block 322, so the seeding tray 300 When passing through the front and rear curved sections of the first and second chains 440 and 450, they can pass without turning over while maintaining a horizontal state. Therefore, stable circulation is possible while the seeding tray 300 maintains its basic posture (horizontal posture).

As an embodiment, the seeding unit 500 is for sowing the seeds of sprout crops evenly within the seeding tray 300 while moving along the longitudinal direction of each seeding tray 300, as shown in FIG. 7. The seeding unit main body ( 510), a seed container 520, a stirrer 530, and a carrying member 540.

The seeding unit main body 510 includes a base panel 511 forming the bottom surface, an upper panel 512 disposed on the upper side of the base panel, a vertical guide rod 513 connecting the base panel and the upper panel, and , It may be composed of a screw shaft 514 rotatably disposed vertically between the base panel and the upper panel, and a shaft rotation motor 515 that rotates the screw shaft forward and backward.

Here, the seeding unit main body 510 has a caster 516 installed at its lower portion, so that it can be moved manually while moving along the longitudinal direction of the seeding tray 300. In contrast, the seeding unit main body 510 is moved electrically by installing an electric wheel. It can be controlled as much as possible, or it can be controlled to move automatically by the rail and rail guide. You can select any of these and apply them.

The seed container 520 is installed to be liftable on the sowing unit main body 510, and contains seeds of sprout crops. The seed container 520 is guided by the guide rod 513 when being lifted and lowered, and the lift and lowering is controlled by the rotation of the screw shaft 514.

In a supplementary explanation, a flange portion 521 is provided at the outer bottom of the seed container 520, a guide rod 513 is installed through each corner of the flange portion, and a screw shaft 514 is fastened through the flange portion. An arm screw block 522 is installed. Accordingly, the arm screw block 522 engaged with the screw shaft 514 is lifted and lowered by rotation of the screw shaft 514, so that the flange portion 521 and the seed tube 520, which are integrally connected to the arm screw block, can be raised and lowered. The raising and lowering of the seed container 520 is used to adjust the height of the carrying member 540, which will be described later.

As another embodiment, the seeding unit 500 includes a rail 550 installed to have the same inclination as the inclination of the inclined seeding tray 300, and is disposed at the low point of the inclined rail and has an upper side, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10. A station frame 560 on which a seed container 561 containing the seeds of sprout crops is installed, and a guide roller 571 and a drive motor (not shown) after receiving seeds from the seed container 561 while stopped at the station frame. A seeding hopper (570) that moves on rails and sows seeds inside the seeding tray (300), and a seeding hopper (570) that is installed in an elevable manner at the front and rear of the seeding hopper and smoothes out the sown seeds. It may be composed of plates (581, 582) and water spray hoses (591, 592) installed at the front and rear of the seeding hopper and spraying water on the arranged seeds.

Here, a load cell (not shown) is installed in the seed supply port 561a provided at the bottom of the seed container 561, so that seeds of a set weight can be uniformly supplied through the seed supply port.

In addition, the seeding hopper 570 is equipped with a seed discharge roller 573 with a seed discharge groove on the surface of the seed discharge port 572 provided at the bottom, and the seed discharge roller is rotated by the motor 574. It is possible to ensure that the seeds in the seeding hopper 570 are uniformly discharged in an appropriate amount through the discharge groove.

As shown in FIG. 10, the seeding unit 500 of another embodiment having the above configuration drives the guide roller 571 by a drive motor (not shown) from the state in which the seeding hopper 570 is stopped at the station frame 560. It moves along the rail 550 as instructed.

During the movement process, the seed discharge roller 573 of the seeding hopper 570 rotates to sow an appropriate amount of seeds into the inside of the tray 300. At the same time, the pick plate 581 installed at the rear of the seeding hopper 570 descends to evenly stop the seeds sown in a disorderly manner.

Afterwards, when the seeding hopper 570 reaches the opposite end of the tray 300, it is stopped by a limit sensor (not shown), and the driving motor (not shown) is immediately driven backwards, causing the seeding hopper 570 to move backwards. . In this process, the rear pus plate 581 rises, and the front pus plate 582 descends to stop the sown seeds once again.

Next, the seeding hopper 570 reciprocates along the rail 550 with both the front and rear pus plates 581 and 582 raised. In this process, when moving forward, water is sprayed on the sown seeds through the rear watering hose (591), and when moving backward, water is sprayed on the sown seeds again through the front watering hose (592).

Meanwhile, reference numeral 900 shown in FIG. 10 is a water supply device that periodically sprays water for the growth of sprout crops when the tray 300 moves in an endless orbit.

The stirrer 530 serves to prevent agglomeration by stirring the seeds in the seed container 520 and helps the seeds to be smoothly discharged through the discharge member 540, and can rotate within the seed container 520. It may be composed of a stirring blade 531 that is installed and a stirring motor 532 that rotates the stirring blade.

The carry-out member 540 is for supplying the seeds of the sprout crop stored in the seed box 520 to the seeding tray 300, and is a carry-out tube connecting between the outlet of the seed box 520 and the seeding tray 300 ( 541), a discharge screw 542 rotatably installed within the discharge tube, and a screw drive motor 543 that rotates the discharge screw.

The nutrient solution supply unit 110 automatically supplies nutrient solution to each seeding tray 300. It is installed on one side of the frame 200 and supplies an appropriate amount of nutrient solution to each circulating seeding tray 300. The supply amount of nutrient solution can be controlled by the cultivation environment controller 600.

The cultivation environment controller 600 monitors the cultivation environment of sprout crops grown in each seeding tray 300 in real time and controls it to maintain the set cultivation environment (growth conditions).

For monitoring, a photography camera (not shown) that photographs the seeding tray 300, a temperature sensor (not shown) that detects the temperature near the seeding tray 300, etc. may be installed, and the Based on the transmitted data, the current cultivation environment is identified.

Specifically, the cultivation environment controller 600 detects color changes in the sprout crops by analyzing photographic data of the sprout crops captured by the photographing camera. For example, if the color of the sprout crop is lighter than the specified color, the moisture is insufficient, that is, in a low humidity condition, so the nutrient solution or moisture must be supplemented to prevent drying out, so the nutrient solution supply unit 110 is controlled to operate.

In addition, the cultivation environment controller 600 determines whether the temperature value transmitted from the temperature sensor is higher than the specified temperature, and considering that the sprout crop may wilt if the temperature is higher than the specified temperature, the cultivation environment controller 600 controls the sprout crop by a blower (not shown). By blowing wind, wilting of new sprouts can be prevented in advance.

The inversion unit 700 is disposed at the rear of the frame 200 and serves to sequentially turn over the seeding trays 300 moving downward so that the sprout crops that have completed growth pour out from the seeding trays 300.

As shown in FIGS. 11, 12a and 12b, the inversion unit 700 includes a fixed plate 710 provided at the lower portion of the frame 200, and a forward and backward plunger ( 720), a front and rear flow plate 730 located on the fixed plate 710 and advanced and retracted in the front and rear direction by the front and rear plungers 720, and a left and right moving plate 730 that moves forward and backward in the left and right directions while being supported on the front and rear flow plates. A plunger 740, a left and right flow plate 750 located on the front and rear flow plates 730 and advanced and retreated in the left and right directions by the left and right plungers, and a lifting and lowering operation in the up and down direction while supported on the left and right moving plates. It may be composed of a plunger 760 and a pin block 770 located on the left and right moving plates 750 and provided with a ring pin 771 that is selectively recessed into the ring 301 provided at the bottom of the seeding tray.

According to this configuration, as shown in Figures 9a and 9b, the front and rear plungers operate to retract the front and rear flow plates, and then the left and right plungers operate to move the left and right flow plates toward the rings of the seeding tray so that the ring pins are recessed into the rings. , As the front and rear plungers retract again, the ring pin pulls the ring, forcing the seeding tray to rotate and turn over. The sprout crops that fall from the overturned seeding tray (300) fall onto the collection conveyor (800) and are moved to a predetermined location.

Meanwhile, the reversal unit 700 can be returned to its original position by reversing the previous order.

The automated system 100 for unmanned cultivation of sprout crops described above can obtain large quantities of high-quality sprout crops by systematically and automatically managing everything from sowing to management and harvesting of sprout crops.

Although the above examples describe preferred embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention.

100: Automated system for unmanned cultivation of sprout crops
200: Frame 300: Seeding tray
301: Ring 310: First connecting member
320: second connecting member 400: transportation means
410: driving chain gear 430: driven chain gear
440: first chain 450: second chain
500: seeding unit 510: seeding unit body
520: seed container 530: stirrer
540: Carry-out unit 600: Cultivation environment controller
700: Inversion unit 800: Collection conveyor

Claims (9)

frame; A plurality of seeding trays installed between the left and right sides of the frame, inclined diagonally from one side to the other, and circulated in the vertical direction in an endless track by a transport means; A seeding unit that moves along the longitudinal direction of each seeding tray and sows seeds of sprout crops into the seeding trays; A nutrient solution supply unit installed on the frame and supplying an appropriate amount of nutrient solution to one side of each seeding tray so that it flows down to the other side; A nutrient solution receiver installed at the lower part of the other side of each seeding tray and receiving the nutrient solution discharged through the other side of each seeding tray; A cultivation environment controller that monitors the cultivation environment of sprout crops grown in each seeding tray and controls the set cultivation environment to be maintained; An inversion unit disposed at the rear of the frame and sequentially overturning the seeding trays moving downward so that the sprout crops that have completed their growth pour out from the seeding trays; And a collection conveyor that collects and transports the sprout crops spilled from the seeding tray;
The inversion unit includes a fixing plate provided at the bottom of the frame; An anteroposterior plunger that moves forward and backward while being supported on a fixed plate; An anteroposterior flow plate located on a fixed plate and advanced and retracted in the anteroposterior direction by an anteroposterior plunger; Left and right plungers moving forward and backward in the left and right directions while supported on the front and rear flow plates; Left and right flow plates located on the front and back flow plates and advanced and retreated in the left and right directions by left and right plungers; A lifting plunger that is supported on the left and right moving plates and moves up and down in the vertical direction; and a pin block located on the left and right flow plates and provided with ring pins that are selectively recessed into rings provided in the lower part of the seeding tray. After the front and rear plungers operate to retract the front and rear flow plates, the left and right plungers operate to Move the left and right moving plates toward the ring of the seeding tray so that the ring pin is recessed into the ring, and as the front and rear plungers retreat again, the ring pin pulls the ring, forcing the seeding tray to rotate and turn over, so that the sprout crops in the seeding tray are An automated system for unmanned cultivation of sprout crops, further comprising allowing them to fall onto a collection conveyor.
In claim 1,
The means of transportation is,
A pair of drive chain gears installed on the front left and right sides of the frame to rotate interlocked by a drive shaft;
A drive motor that rotates the drive shaft;
Driven chain gears installed on the rear left and right sides of the frame to rotate interlocked with the driven shaft;
A first chain connecting one of each pair of driving chain gears and driven chain gears and the driven chain gear, and being connected to one side at the high point of each seeding tray; and
a second chain that connects the remaining drive chain gear and the driven chain gear that are not connected by the first chain, and is connected to the other side at the low point of each seeding tray;
An automated system for unmanned cultivation of sprout crops, characterized in that it consists of:
In claim 2,
One side of each seeding tray and the first chain are connected by a first connecting member, and the other side of each seeding tray and the second chain are connected by a second connecting member,
The first connecting member includes a first chain side coupling block coupled to the first chain; A first tray-side coupling block coupled to one side of the seeding tray; A first rotation block rotatably coupled to the first tray-side coupling block; It consists of a first connection bolt connecting the first chain side coupling block and the first rotation block,
The second connecting member includes a second chain side coupling block coupled to the second chain; A second tray-side coupling block coupled to the other side of the seeding tray; A vertical link of a predetermined length installed vertically with the upper end coupled to the second chain side coupling block; An automated system for unmanned cultivation of sprout crops, which consists of a second connection bolt connecting the lower end of the vertical link and the second tray-side connection block, wherein the second connection bolt is rotatable with respect to the second tray-side connection block.
In claim 1,
The seeding unit is
A seeding unit main body movable in the longitudinal direction of the seeding tray;
A seed container that is installed to be liftable on the main body of the seeding unit and accommodates seeds of sprout crops;
A stirrer that agitates the seeds in the seed container; and
A carrying member that carries out the seeds in the seed container to each seeding tray;
An automated system for unmanned cultivation of sprout crops, characterized in that it consists of.
In claim 1,
The seeding unit is
Rails installed to have the same inclination as the inclination of the inclined seeding tray;
A station frame disposed on the low point side of the inclined rail and on which a seed container containing the seeds of the sprout crop is installed on the upper side;
A seeding hopper that receives seeds from a seed container while stopped at a station frame and then moves on rails by a guide roller and a drive motor to sow seeds inside the seeding tray;
A pick plate that is installed at the front and rear of the seeding hopper so that it can be raised and lowered, and smoothes out the sown seeds; and
An automated system for unmanned cultivation of sprout crops, comprising a watering hose installed at the front and rear of the seeding hopper and spraying water on the arranged seeds.
In claim 5,
The seeding hopper is composed of a front seeding plate installed in front of the seeding hopper and a rear seeding plate installed in the rear of the seeding hopper. When the seeding hopper moves forward, the rear seeding plate descends and the front seeding plate rises, and the seeding hopper moves forward. An automated system for unmanned cultivation of sprout crops, characterized in that the rear pus plate rises and the front pus plate descends when the is retracted.
In claim 5,
The watering hose is composed of a front watering hose installed in front of the seeding hopper and a rear watering hose installed in the rear of the seeding hopper. When the seeding hopper moves forward, watering is done only with the rear watering hose, and when the seeding hopper is advanced, watering is done only with the rear watering hose. An automated system for unmanned cultivation of sprout crops, characterized in that water is sprayed only from the front water spray hose when the hopper moves backwards.
In claim 1,
The cultivation environment controller is an automated system for unmanned cultivation of sprout crops, which monitors the amount of nutrient solution supply, the temperature around the seeding tray, and the degree of drying of the sprout crops in real time and controls them to maintain the set level.
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