U.S. patent application number 11/202098 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-08 for plant cultivating method, cultivating device, and its lighting device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Cosmo Plant Co. Ltd.. Invention is credited to Uchiyama, Hisakazu.
Application Number | 20050268547 11/202098 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18704107 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050268547 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Uchiyama, Hisakazu |
December 8, 2005 |
Plant cultivating method, cultivating device, and its lighting
device
Abstract
A plant cultivating device (A), comprising aluminum long square
pipe trays (5) for storing plants (35) together with culture
solution, a conveyor device (2) for feeding the trays (5) in order
in lateral direction, and a lighting device (3), having a number of
light-emitting diodes disposed thereon, located over the conveyor
device (5), the lighting device (3) being disposed so as to be
higher gradually from the upstream side to the downstream side of
the conveyor device (2), wherein a funnel-shaped holder (30)
holding the upper part of the plant (35) is provided on the upper
surface of the tray (5), and a planting conveyor (6) and a
harvesting conveyor (7) for supply and retrieval, a reflecting wall
(8) provided between these conveyors and the conveyor device (2),
and transfer bars (41) for transferring the trays (5) between the
conveyor device (2) and the planting and harvesting conveyors (6,7)
are installed on the upstream and downstream sides of the conveyor
device (2).
Inventors: |
Uchiyama, Hisakazu;
(Fukuroi-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RADER FISHMAN & GRAUER PLLC
LION BUILDING
1233 20TH STREET N.W., SUITE 501
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Assignee: |
Cosmo Plant Co. Ltd.
Fukuroi-shi
JP
437-0064
|
Family ID: |
18704107 |
Appl. No.: |
11/202098 |
Filed: |
August 12, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11202098 |
Aug 12, 2005 |
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10332033 |
Jan 6, 2003 |
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10332033 |
Jan 6, 2003 |
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PCT/JP01/03010 |
Apr 17, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
47/64 ;
257/E33.059; 257/E33.072 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 33/60 20130101;
H01L 2224/49107 20130101; A01G 9/249 20190501; A01G 7/045 20130101;
H01L 33/486 20130101; H01L 2224/45144 20130101; H05K 3/341
20130101; H01L 33/54 20130101; H01L 2224/48091 20130101; Y02P 60/14
20151101; H01L 2924/1815 20130101; H05K 1/056 20130101; H05K 1/053
20130101; A01G 31/042 20130101; Y02P 60/21 20151101; H01L
2224/48091 20130101; H01L 2924/00014 20130101; H01L 2224/45144
20130101; H01L 2924/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
047/064 |
International
Class: |
A01G 023/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 7, 2000 |
JP |
2000-207334 |
Claims
1-13. (canceled)
14. A light-emitting unit, comprising; a circuit board having a
circuit pattern; number of lamps aligned and fixed with a
conductive adhesive, wherein the lamps are enclosed in a package
together with a reflecting plate, a light-emitting element, a
bonding wire, and an electrode using a translucent molding
material.
15. A lighting-emitting unit according to claim 14, further
comprising; circuit board of aluminum; and an insulation layer
provided on the circuit board, wherein a circuit pattern is formed
on the insulation layer.
16. A light-emitting unit according to claim 14, further
comprising; a layer of soldering cream on which the circuit pattern
is formed, wherein the layer is heated after mounting of the lamps
so as to melt, and then cooled down naturally for solidifying,
thereby fixing the lamps on the circuit pattern.
17-20. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to a plant cultivating
method, a cultivating device, and its lighting device, and more
particularly to a so-called industrial cultivating method, a
cultivating device, and its suitable lighting device, wherein seeds
or seedlings are planted in trays to which culture solution
containing water and nutriments supplied through a feed-water pipe,
trays being carried by a conveyor device and illuminated by
artificial daylight (in some cases, natural daylight).
[0002] In addition, plants described herein include vegetables,
fruits, and mushrooms etc.
DESCRIPTION OF BACKGROUND ART
[0003] This kind of plant cultivating device has been invented by
the applicant. For example, in the Japanese Unexamined Patent
Publication No. 245646/1994, a multistory work bench as a plant
cultivating device is disclosed. The bench has a number of trays
hanged by a chain conveyor circulating in a building, wherein the
cultivating process of plants is so automated that only supply and
retrieval of trays to and from the conveyor is done by workers,
seedlings being planted in the trays. And in the Japanese
Unexamined Patent Publication No. 136790/1998, a cultivating shelf
is disclosed. The shelf employs a fixed shelf frame, a cultivating
vessel placed on the shelf frame, and a light source equipped with
light-emitting diodes etc. located over the each vessel. Further,
in the Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 106757/2000,
another plant cultivating device is disclosed. The device employs a
plurality of conveyors above and below, up and down mechanism for
supply and retrieval located at each input side and output side of
the conveyor.
[0004] The multistory work bench type plant cultivating device has
complicated drive mechanisms and requires complex supporting
methods. Since the trays are aligned with relatively large
intervals, the spaces between trays are useless when the plants are
in their stage of being seeds or seedling. The useless spaces
require longer water-supply pipes and also cause low illumination
efficiency due to longer intervals between the light sources. In
the cultivating shelf, it is possible to move the vessel to a
larger shelf depending on the growth of the plants, but it involves
great difficulties. In the Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication
No. 106757/2000, a particularly large space is required in the
grown stage of the plants causing insufficient efficiency of the
illumination.
[0005] It is known in the field of hothouse cultivation of
vegetables to employ lighting devices such as fluorescent lamps for
illuminating the plants in order to get the effects similar to
prolonged daylights. Particularly in industrial cultivation of
vegetables, the cultivating vessels are placed on the several
tiered shelf and illuminated by lighting devices to secure
sufficient cultivating area.
[0006] In this case, it is disclosed to use a lighting-emitting
panel on which a number of light-emitting diodes (LED) are arranged
as a lighting device for the illumination of plants (for reference:
the Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 275779/1997 etc.).
Such a lighting panel comprises a circuit pattern formed on a
aluminum board, and a number of LED arranged on the circuit
pattern, the LED being enclosed on the pattern using a translucent
synthetic resin, wherein a reflecting plate is sometimes inserted
between the LED and the board in order to increase light
volume.
[0007] Conventional lighting devices such as fluorescent lamps
consume a large amount of electric power causing high electricity
charges, and their large amount of heat emission requires a
measurable amount of power consumption in the air conditioners. On
the other hand, the lighting panel using LED has a problem that it
has no advantage over the fluorescent lamps in the durability
because of probable degradation in high environmental humidity.
Further, it has other problems that in the case of using large
number of LED the manufacturing process takes a great deal of
labor, and that the light volume of the panel is insufficient. The
process is as follows: a LED is soldered on the circuit pattern
formed on the base, an electrode is soldered on the circuit
pattern, the LED and the electrode are bonded using a gold wire,
and then a metal mold is mounted on the circuit pattern into which
melted translucent synthetic resin such as epoxy resin is poured to
enclose them within the mold. In the case that a reflecting plate
is employed, the LED is soldered on the dish reflecting plate
first, and then soldered on the circuit pattern of the base, wire
bonded, and finally enclosed with the resin.
[0008] The present invention is directed to save the useless space
and to increase the lighting efficiency of the conventional plant
cultivating devices, and also directed to provide a lighting panel
having the feature of low electric power consumption, low heat
emission, and high durability. In addition, another object of the
invention is to provide a lighting panel having large light volume
and easy to manufacture.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The first aspect of the present invention is the cultivating
method provided by setting seedlings in a tray filled with culture
solution; carrying the trays by mean of a conveyor device; and
illuminating the seedlings by lighting device located over the
conveyor device; wherein the lighting device illuminates the
seedlings from gradually higher position with the growing of the
plants.
[0010] The second aspect of the cultivating method is provided by
soaking roots of seedlings in a tray filled with culture solution;
providing a funnel-shaped holder on the upper surface of the tray
for holding the upper part of the plants; carrying the trays by
conveyor device; and illuminating the plants by lighting device
which is located over the conveyor device.
[0011] The present invention of the cultivating device comprises a
conveyor device to carry plants; and a lighting device located over
the conveyor device; wherein the lighting device is disposed so as
to be gradually apart from the conveyor device along with the
upstream side to downstream side of the conveyor device.
[0012] The second aspect of the cultivating device comprises a tray
to hold the stub of plants, in which the root of seedlings is
soaked in filled culture solution; a conveyor device to carry the
trays; a lighting device located over the conveyor device; and a
funnel-shaped holder on the upper surface of the tray for holding
the upper part of the plant.
[0013] The third aspect of the cultivating device comprises a tray
to hold the stub of plants, in which the root of seedlings is
soaked in filled culture solution; a conveyor device to carry the
trays; a lighting device located over the conveyor device; an up
and down conveyor for supply and retrieval respectively located
apart from the each end of the conveyor device; a partitioning
provided between these conveyors and the conveyor device; and a
transfer bar for transferring trays between the conveyor device and
the up and down conveyors, the bar being movable in both ways along
the extension line of the conveyor device; wherein the partitioning
has a opening for enabling the transfer bar to go in and out along
the extension line of the conveyor device.
[0014] In this cultivating device, it is preferable to provide a
door so as to be capable of closing and opening the opening located
on the partitioning.
[0015] And also, it is preferable to provide a reflecting surface
to reflect the light from the lighting device inside of the
partitioning and the door.
[0016] Further, it is preferable in this invention to provide an up
and down conveyor with an up and down arm to hold the tray, the arm
being equipped with a horizontal portion extended toward the
conveyor device and also equipped with a finger extended downward
from the front end of the horizontal portion and further extending
in the direction opposite to the conveyor device.
[0017] The forth aspect of the cultivating device comprises a tray
to hold the stub of plants in which the root of seedlings is soaked
in culture solution; a conveyor device to carry the trays; a
lighting device located over the conveyor device; wherein the
culture solution being in its temperature of 10 to 20.degree. C.;
and the tray being made of aluminum or aluminum alloy.
[0018] According to the cultivating method, the plants being
carried by the conveyor grows under the illumination by a lighting
device, and become higher as they move to the down stream side of
the conveyor. In the first aspect of the cultivating method, since
the lighting device is disposed so as to be gradually apart from
the conveyor device along with the upstream side to downstream side
of the conveyor, the distance between the lighting device and the
upper end of the seedlings is kept about the same, thereby enabling
nearby illumination of the plants to get higher illumination
efficiency.
[0019] The first aspect of the plant cultivating device is
preferable to the above cultivating method.
[0020] In the second aspect of the cultivating method, the upper
part of the stub of plants is held by a funnel-shaped holder
located at the upper surface of the tray, thereby the green
vegetables such as lettuces being bundled upward. Therefore, even
in the smaller intervals between the adjacent plants, the leaves do
not intertwine, and the upward-directed leaves are illuminated
sufficiently by the lighting devices, whereby the many stubs of
plants can be accommodated in a tray with efficient illumination by
the lighting devices.
[0021] Because the leaves of plants are bundled upward with the
funnel-shaped holder, the height of plants becomes higher. For that
reason, it is preferable for the second cultivating method to be
combined with the first cultivating method so as to illuminate the
plants from a higher position.
[0022] The second aspect of the cultivating device can carry out
the second cultivating method efficiently.
[0023] In the third aspect of a cultivating device, a partitioning
is provided between the conveyor device and the up and down
conveyor, whereby the partitioning prevents the light of the
lighting device from spreading outside and make easy to control the
temperature inside. Handling of trays between the conveyor device
and the up and down conveyor is easily done through the opening
provided on the partitioning. In the case that a door is provided
so as to be capable of closing and opening the opening, the door
closes the opening all times except when the trays are transferred
through the window, shutting off the light of the lighting device
at the window and enabling easier control of the temperature. In
the case that a reflecting surface to reflect the light of the
lighting device is provided inside of the partitioning and the
door, the efficiency of the lighting is further increased.
[0024] In the forth aspect of the cultivating device, the
transferring between the up and down conveyor and the transfer bar
can be done through the opening preventing the interference between
the door and the finger. Further, the opening and closing movement
of the door is connected with the forward and backward movement of
the transferring bar so as to simplify the drive and control
mechanism.
[0025] In the fifth aspect of the cultivating device, the culture
solution is kept in optimum temperature range for the plants being
prevented from excessive growth. Further, the trays being made of
aluminum or aluminum alloy, the outside of the trays can be cooled
to moderate the temperature rise due to the lighting device, and
the ambient temperature can be kept within a optimum range.
[0026] A lighting-emitting panel of this invention comprises a base
plate, a circuit board mounted on the base plate, a light-emitting
unit provided with a number of lamps arranged and fixed on the
circuit pattern of the circuit board, a translucent cover placed
with a space adjacent to the base plate, a sealing material
sandwiched between the base plate and the cover to keep the space
airtight, and the lamps being fixed on the circuit board using a
conductive adhesive.
[0027] In these light-emitting panel, it is preferable that a frame
is sandwiched between the base and the cover, wherein a sealing
material is packed around the frame, the space is filled with
inactive dry gas, and a desiccant and/or deoxidizer is accommodated
inside of the frame.
[0028] Further, it is preferable that the lamp is provided with a
concave reflecting plate, a light-emitting element mounted on the
reflecting plate, a bonding wire to bond the light-emitting element
and an electrode, and a translucent molding material of synthetic
resin to enclose the above described part, and that the conductive
adhesive is composed of soldering cream a kind of heat setting
adhesive.
[0029] The light-emitting unit of this invention comprises a
circuit board having a circuit pattern, a number of lamps arranged
and fixed with a conductive adhesive, wherein the lamps are
enclosed in a package together with a reflecting plate, a
light-emitting element, a bonding wire, and an electrode using a
translucent molding material.
[0030] In this light-emitting unit, it is preferable that the
circuit board is made of aluminum, forms an insulation layer on the
circuit board of aluminum, wherein a circuit pattern is formed on
the insulation board. And further it is preferable that a layer of
soldering cream is formed on the circuit pattern, wherein the layer
is heated after mounting of the lamps so as to be melted and then
be cooled down naturally for solidifying, thereby fixing the lamps
on the circuit pattern. In addition, the base can be served as a
circuit board.
[0031] The light-emitting panel of this invention employs
light-emitting elements as a light source, it consumes relatively
small amount of electric power compared with conventional light
sources as fluorescent lamps, and it has small amount of heat
emission which reduces the power required for the air conditioning.
Further, the selection of a light-emitting element having a
specific wavelength allows composition of a light-emitting panel
well suited for any object.
[0032] The light-emitting panel provided with light-emitting
elements is accommodated in a space between the base and the
translucent cover. Since the space is made airtight with a sealing
material, it shuts off the humidity incoming from the outside and
decreases degradation of the light-emitting elements due to the
humidity achieving high durability.
[0033] Because the space is hermetically sealed, heat coming up
with the light-emission is inclined to be accumulated in the space.
However, the heat is radiated outside through the base plate
keeping the heat accumulation relatively low. Furthermore, since
the lamps manufactured separately are mounted and fixed to the
circuit board with adhesive, in the case of using many lamps, it is
easy to control the quality of the whole manufacturing process and
each lamp.
[0034] The light-emitting panel with its frame sandwiched between
the base and the cover, a sealing material being packed around the
frame, the space being filled with dry gas, and a desiccant and/or
a deoxidizer being accommodated in the frame, has accurate spacing
between the base plate and the cover and has large unit strength.
Further, because the sealing material is needed only to seal the
gap between the frame, the base plate, and the cover, it has large
efficacy in sealing. Furthermore, by the effect of the desiccant
and the deoxidizer, the amount of humidity and/or oxygen contained
in the space is very low, thereby the light-emitting elements such
as light-emitting diodes being protected against the degradation
due to humidity and/or oxygen.
[0035] In the case that the lamp is provided with a concave
reflecting plate, a light-emitting element mounted on the
reflecting plate, a bonding wire to bond the light-emitting element
and an electrode, and a translucent molding material of synthetic
resin to enclose the above described part, a relatively large
amount of light is obtained by the reflection of light from the
light-emitting element. Further, since the light-emitting element,
an electrode, and a bonding wire are enclosed in a package using a
molding material, a number of lamps are easily handled in an
automatic mounting process of the light-emitting panel
manufacturing, thereby the panels being manufactured
efficiently.
[0036] In the case that, as the conductive adhesive, soldering
cream a kind of heat setting adhesive is used, a large number of
lamps can be fixed on the circuit board at a time only by a heating
process after mounting of the lamps on the circuit board.
[0037] In the light-emitting unit of this invention, the employment
of the lamp in which a reflecting plate, a light-emitting element,
a bonding wire, and an electrode are enclosed using a translucent
molding material, allows easy handling of a number of the lamps. In
the case that the insulation layer is formed on the circuit board
of aluminum and a circuit pattern is formed on the insulation
layer, the circuit board weighs light enabling easy manufacturing.
Moreover, in the case that the base plate can be served as a
circuit board, number of necessary parts becomes fewer enabling the
further easy manufacturing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] FIG. 1 is a rough cross sectional view of the cultivating
device of this invention;
[0039] FIG. 2 is a side view of a cultivating device of this
invention showing the device wholly;
[0040] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the cultivating device;
[0041] FIG. 4A is a perspective view with a fragmentary sectional
view showing an embodiment of a tray of the cultivating device, and
FIG. 4B is a cross sectional view of the main part of the tray;
[0042] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a transfer
mechanism of the cultivating device of this invention;
[0043] FIGS. 6 and 7 are process drawings of the transfer
mechanism;
[0044] FIG. 8 is a rough cross sectional view showing an embodiment
of the transfer mechanism in harvesting conveyor side;
[0045] FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a
lighting device of this invention;
[0046] FIG. 9B is a cross sectional view of the main part of the
lighting device;
[0047] FIG. 10 is a perspective view with a fragmentary sectional
view showing the other embodiment of a light-emitting panel
wholly;
[0048] FIG. 11A is a cross sectional view of the main part of the
light-emitting panel showing its other embodiment; and FIG. 11B is
a main part of a light-emitting unit used in the above
light-emitting panel;
[0049] FIG. 12A is a cross sectional view of the light-emitting
unit showing a manufacturing method of the unit; and FIG. 12B is a
plan view of the main part of FIG. 12A.
[0050] FIG. 13A,B,C are rough process drawings showing the
manufacturing method of the light-emitting panel of this
invention;
[0051] FIG. 14A,B,C are rough process drawings of the showing the
other embodiment of the manufacturing method of the light-emitting
panel;
[0052] FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view showing the other
embodiment of the lamps related to this invention;
[0053] FIG. 16A,B,C are expanded cross sectional views showing an
embodiment of the light-emitting element of the lighting
device;
[0054] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a
control circuit of the light-emitting panel;
[0055] FIG. 18A,B,C are schematic diagrams showing the other
embodiment of the control circuit of the each light-emitting
panel;
[0056] FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an
indicating panel using the light-emitting panel of this
invention;
[0057] FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a
cultivating shelf using the light-emitting panel of this
invention;
[0058] FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view showing the other
embodiment of the light-emitting panel of this invention; and
[0059] FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view showing the other
embodiment of the light-emitting panel of this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0060] The plant cultivating device is wholly described herein
referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. A plant cultivating device A shown
in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 comprises multistage conveyor device 2, 2 . .
. assembled in a building 1, a lighting device 3 fit under each
conveyor device 2, a fix planting conveyor 6 to supply a tray 5, a
harvesting conveyor 7 to retrieve the tray to conveyor device 2.
The fix planting conveyor 6 and the harvesting conveyor 7 move up
and down respectively. Further, the plant cultivating device
comprises pipes for cooling water to cool the lighting device 3, a
water supply facility to supply solution to the tray 5 on the
conveyor device 2 for hydroponics, and incidental facilities such
as drainage facility to drain water from the tray 5. In this
embodiment, each stage of the conveyor device 2 has practically the
same composition, wherein the same or different plants can be
cultivated in the each stage.
[0061] The size of the building 1 is, for example, 10 m high, 12 m
long, and 10 m width with heat-insulated wall of 10 cm thickness,
wherein the size is changeable according to the kind of plants to
be cultivated.
[0062] Further, in this embodiment, reflecting walls 8
(partitioning) to reflect lights from the lighting device 3 are
provided between the fix planting conveyor 6 and the conveyor
device 2, and between the conveyor device 2 and the harvesting
conveyor 7. The reflecting wall 8 can be provided so as to surround
the conveyor device 2. A heat insulation material can be used as
the reflecting wall 8. For example, white foam polystyrene has both
effects. Light-reflective metal films such as aluminum films can be
attached to inside of the reflecting wall 8 in order to reflect
lights.
[0063] In the lower part of the building 1, a work room 10 is
provided for workers 9 to put the tray 5 on the fix planting
conveyor 6 and to retrieve the tray from the harvesting conveyor 7.
Over the work room, the conveyor device 2 of, for example, about 10
stages is provided. The central part of the work room 10 is a
seeding area 10a, the near part of the fix planting conveyor 6 is a
breeding area 10b, and the near part of the harvesting conveyor 7
is a harvesting area 10c to harvest plants by unloading the trays 5
from the conveyor device 2.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 3, the every stage of the conveyor device 2
is located at right and left side of the building 1, wherein the
conveyor device 2 supports the tray 5 at somewhat inside from the
right and left end of the tray 5 which is long in the crosswise
direction.
[0065] Moreover, a plurality of the rail 11 is provided between the
near part of the right and left end of the conveyor device 2, and
between the conveyor device 2 to slidably support the tray 5.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the lighting device 3 having
a plane surface is supported by a stay 12 under the bottom of the
conveyor device 2 with some space in between, wherein the lighting
device 3 is disposed so as to be lower in the upstream side and
higher in the down stream side illuminating the tray 5 of one stage
under.
[0067] The reason for the lighting device 3 is inclined is that, in
early stage of the plant growth, it is necessary to bring the
lighting device 3 near to the plants in order to illuminate the
plants because of the relatively lower height of the plants.
[0068] Under the bottom of the lowest stage conveyor device 2, the
lighting device 3 is omitted, but a lighting device 3 to illuminate
the tray 5 on the highest conveyor device 2 is provided near the
ceiling of the building.
[0069] As the lighting device 3 a fluorescent lamp or an electric
lamp is usable, but a light-emitting diode (LED) which emits a
light whose wave length is optimum for the plant cultivation is
preferable.
[0070] In the case that a number of light-emitting diode is used in
a panel like arrangement, as the lighting device 3, selection of
different color diodes depending on the kind of plants is possible.
For example, two third of each light-emitting panel is occupied by
red color light-emitting diodes, one third is by blue color
light-emitting diodes. The total luminous intensity of the
light-emitting panel is preferable to be from 2000 to 3000 lux.
However, it can be set at preferred intensity depending on the
plants to be illuminated, and also the intensity can be arbitrarily
time controlled.
[0071] The Reference Numeral 13 in FIG. 2 shows a fan to circulate
air in the building 1 which is provided with an air conditioner for
temperature, humidity, and CO.sub.2 control. In the case that the
environment of the plant growth is preferred to be changed in the
midway of the conveyor device 2, a translucent synthetic resin
sheet can be used as a partition.
[0072] In addition, it is preferable to automatically control the
various environmental factors by continuous monitoring of the gas
density, temperature, and humidity with each sensor.
[0073] The conveyor device 2 is described herein referring to FIG.
1 and FIG. 3.
[0074] The conveyor device 2 located at right and left side can be
composed of one belt conveyor each. The belt conveyor comprises a
rotary drive drum 14 located at the end, a large number of an idler
15 between the drum 14, a belt 16 circulating around them, and a
motor (Reference Numeral M in FIG. 5) to drive the drum 14. The
drive drum 14 of the right and left conveyor device 2 is coupled
each other by a drive axis (Reference Numeral 17 in FIG. 5). Such a
circulating conveyor device as a chain conveyor can be used in lieu
of the belt conveyor. The conveyor device can be composed of a
chain of a plurality of small independent conveyors from the fix
planting conveyor 6 to the harvesting conveyor 7, wherein the
carrying speed of the every conveyor can be varied each other.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 2, the fix planting conveyor 6 is
constructed so that four sprockets 20 located at the upper and
lower end hold the endless chain 21, which is like a chain conveyor
set in a vertical direction. The chain 21 is provided with a
receptacle 22 to hold the tray 5 at an interval fitted to that of
the conveyor device 2. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the
receptacle 22 has, in relation to the transfer mechanism described
later, horizontal portion 23 extending forward and L-shape finger
24 which extends downward from the front edge of portion 23 and
further extends backward from the lower end. On the edge of the
finger 24, a hook 25 is provided.
[0076] The chain 21 is driven circularly by a motor (not shown in
the figure.) so that the front side goes up with the back side
going down. Since the harvesting conveyor 7 is substantially the
same as the fix planting conveyor 6, descriptions are abbreviated
by assigning the same reference numerals to the same portions.
[0077] FIG. 4A shows a preferable embodiment of the tray 5. The
tray 5 is made of aluminum or aluminum alloy with its both ends
closed by a cover 5a etc. The upper surface is provided with
openings for cultivating plants at an interval of 50.about.300 mm.
Like showed in FIG. 4B, the tray 5 has a liquid filled structure
contains culture solution 27. On the one end of the upper surface
of the tray 5, there is a opening 5b for supplying culture
solution, and on the bottom of the another end, there is a drain
pipe 5c passing through the bottom for draining culture solution.
The height of the drain pipe defines the upper limit of the
solution level, thereby culture solution exceeding the level being
drained through the drain pipe 5c. The temperature of the culture
solution is maintained in temperature around 10.about.20.degree. C.
usually, or more preferably in temperature around
15.about.16.degree. C. Since the tray 5 is made of aluminum or
aluminum alloy, it can cool the surrounding air, thereby preventing
plants from hazards of excess growth etc. by withholding
temperature rise caused by the room temperature of
22.about.23.degree. C. or the lighting devices 3 in not only the
root of but also stems and leaves of plants
[0078] In this embodiment, the opening 26 of the tray 5 is circular
in which a funnel-shaped holder 30 is mounted. On the upper inside
of the central part of the tray 5, there is a rib 5d projecting
downward, and the opening 26 is located zigzag avoiding the rib 5d.
The holder 30 is composed of a cylindrical base 31 set in the
opening 26 and of the conical holding part 33 extending upward from
the base 31.
[0079] The upper edge of the holding part 33 has a fold 32 to
reinforce the holding part 33. The holding part 33 has no
preference of cylinder type or square type. The tray 5 can be
wholly molded integrally using synthetic resin etc. For example, it
can be manufactured as follows; a synthetic resin sheet is molded
into the holing part 33 and the bottomed base 31 by hot pressing;
the outskirt of the fold 32 is finished by trimming; and the bottom
of the base 31 is punched out. It is preferable for the holding
part 33 to be transparent or half transparent so as to let through
lights. When the holder 30 is set in the opening 26 as shown in
FIG. 4B, the base 31 touches the inside wall of the tray 5 or the
rib 5d preventing the holder 30 from falling down. However, it is
allowable to provide a collar on the boundary of the base 31 and
the holding part 33.
[0080] The use of such holder 30 enables to hold the leaves of
plants 35 such as green vegetables called "sunny lettuces" without
spreading.
[0081] When the plants 35 are planted directly in the opening 26,
the leaves of the plants 35 spread in the lateral direction with
their growth as shown by the imaginary line. When the leaves spread
wide as shown in the figure, they interfere each other with the
leaves of the adjacent plant 35 and sometimes ripped in harvesting.
Furthermore they become poorly illuminated due to shadowing by the
leaves of adjacent plants, thereby necessitating larger interval of
the opening 26.
[0082] However, as shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B the tray 5 has the
holding part which bundles the leaves of plants upward, thereby
preventing the leaves from spreading as shown by the imaginary line
and avoiding interference of the adjacent leaves each other.
Resultantly, the interval of the openings can be reduced to about
50.about.200 mm, which increases gather per unit area. Furthermore,
the plants can be fully illuminated by the lighting devices.
[0083] The fix planting conveyor 6 is located so as to avoid
interference with the carrying conveyor device 2. For this reason,
as shown in FIG. 5, a transferring mechanism 40 for transferring
the tray 5 between these two conveyors are provided. The
transferring mechanism 40 is a combination of transfer bar 41
moving back and forth and the fix planting conveyor 6 moving up and
down. The transfer bar 41 is, for example, a flat board or a pipe
with an upward hook 42 on its front edge for holding the tray 5
stably. The transfer bar 41 is supported by a guide 43 so as to be
movable back and forth, and is driven back and forth by a
underneath rack 44 and a pinion 45 driven by a motor M2.
[0084] Multiple, for example two to three, transfer bar 41 are
provided in parallel for enabling stable transfer of the tray 5
which is long from side to side. The pinions 45 driving the
transfer bar 41 are driven by each motor M2 synchronously, thereby
being capable of synchronous operation. In addition, other types of
direct drive actuators such as air cylinders or hydraulic cylinders
can be used as the driving device, but the motor drives are
preferable.
[0085] As described previously, the reflecting wall 8 is provided
between the fix planting conveyor 6 and the carrying conveyor
device 2. The reflecting wall 8 has a opening 50 or a window for
enabling the transfer bar 41 to go through. In this embodiment, a
door 51 is provided on the front edge of the transfer bar 41 to
close the opening 50. The door 51 can be composed of white foam
polystyrene which is the same as the reflecting wall, or can be
composed of aluminum foil attached on the inner surface.
[0086] Since the location of the receptacle 22 of the fix planting
conveyor 6 and the transfer bar 41 can be staggered from side to
side, originally the tray 5 can be transferred to the transfer bar
41 when the transfer bar 41 goes ahead and the fix planting
conveyor 6 goes down. However, in this embodiment, because the door
51 is provided on the front edge of the transfer bar 41, it is
necessary to avoid interference between the door 51 and the
receptacle 22. As described previously, it is for this reason that
the receptacle 22 is provided with the finger 24 which takes out
the tray 5 backward. Followings are the description of the
transferring procedures from the receptacle 22 to the transfer bar
41 referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. The motor of the fix
planting conveyor 6 and the motor M2 of the transfer bar 41 are
controlled so that the following procedures are carried out in the
sequence.
[0087] At the start, as shown in FIG. 1, the receptacle 22 is
standing at the position where it does not interfere with the door
51 and upper than the opening 50 of the reflecting wall 8. In this
condition, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 6, the transfer bar
41 is moved toward the fix planting conveyor 6 and the hook 42 is
positioned at the back of the tray 5(Step 1). Then the fix planting
conveyor 6 is driven to lower the receptacle 22 and the tray 5 is
put down lightly on the transfer bar 41(Step 2). Subsequently, the
transfer bar 41 is moved backward to be able to hold the tray 5
with the hook 42 (Step 3).
[0088] Continuously, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 7, the
receptacle 22 is slightly lowered and the transfer bar is again
moved forward (step 4). Next, in this condition the receptacle 22
is elevated to the position where it does not interfere with the
door 51 (Step 5). Further, the transfer bar 41 is moved backward to
transfer the tray 5 to the conveyor 5. After that, the transfer bar
is moved backward to close the opening 50 of the reflecting wall 8
with the door 51.
[0089] Operation of the receptacle 22 and the transfer bar 41 in
the sequence described above prevents the interference between the
door 51, the tray 5 and the receptacle 22.
[0090] The provision of the door 51 allows automatic close of the
opening 50 without provision of other drive sources, and also
allows to secure reflection and thermal insulation of the
reflecting wall 8.
[0091] Other driving source such as motors or air cylinders can be
used with upper part of the door 51 being hinge-jointed to the
reflecting wall 8. In this case, the receptacle 22 can be provided
only with an upward projection for hooking the tray 5 on the front
edge of the horizontal portion 23. And, after the tray 5 is
transferred to the transfer bar 41 by lowering the receptacle 22,
it is not necessary for the receptacle 22 to be elevated, and only
necessary to make an escape downward.
[0092] The tray 5 can be transferred to the conveyor all together
from the receptacle 42 of each stage of the fix planting conveyor
6, or can be transferred with respect to each stage of the fix
planting conveyor 6. The emptied fix planting conveyor 6 is loaded
with the next planted tray 5 by a worker 9 as shown in FIG. 2.
[0093] As the fix planting conveyor 6 and the transfer mechanism
40, not limited to the above devices, various devices such as those
used in multi story warehouses can be employed. For example, the
transfer bar 41 described above can be such a device which goes up
and down by itself to the chain. In this case, the slight lowering
of the front side of the fix planting conveyor becomes unnecessary,
and the transfer from the transfer bar 44 to the carrying conveyor
2 becomes smooth.
[0094] As the harvesting conveyor 7 shown in FIG. 8, substantially
the same device with the fix planting conveyor 6 can be employed,
in which only the circulation and the sequence of operation is
reversed.
[0095] However, when the tray 5 is taken out from the conveyor
device 2, tangling of leaves of plants to those of the next tray
sometimes occurs. It is preferable to provide a shoulder near the
front edge of the transfer bar 41 for hooking the tray 5 so as to
prevent the tangling.
[0096] The tray 5 retrieved from the harvesting conveyor 7 is
brought down to a working area 10c by the worker and the plants
only are harvested.
[0097] The emptied tray 5 is used again in a planting area 10a so
as to be planted seeds. The tray 5 is generally filled with water,
nutriment, substance retentive of water, and seeds only; in other
words, cultivation by hydroponics. Soil can be put in the tray and
seeds are planted in the soil. Seedlings can be planted in the tray
from the first.
[0098] Next, a preferable embodiment of the lighting device 3
employing light-emitting diodes is described. Luminous efficiency
of light emitting-diodes is degraded by temperature rise due to the
light-emission In addition, in the building 1, the indoor air is
maintained at high temperature and humidity, causing further
degradation of the luminous efficiency.
[0099] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9A, the base plate of
the lighting panel P, on which a number of light-emitting diode is
mounted, is made from a metal plate such as aluminum having high
thermal conductivity. The rear side of the light-emitting panel P
is provided with a piping 56 to pass through cooling water. As for
the metal plate, other plates such as ceramics having high heat
conductivity can be used.
[0100] In the light-emitting panel P of FIG. 9B, the piping 56 is
made from rectangular pipes, wherein a stud bolt 57 is projected
from the rear of the light-emitting panel P; and a folded metal
mounting plate 58 and nuts 59 fix the piping 56. The use of such
rectangular pipes is preferable because it enhances heat
conduction.
[0101] Furthermore, the light-emitting panel P comprises a base
plate 60 of aluminum etc., a frame 61 made from aluminum
rectangular pipe etc. located at the bottom of the panel, a cover
62 laid on the undersurface of the frame 61, a sealing material 63
such as silicone resin packed around the periphery of the frame
61.
[0102] On the undersurface of the base plate 60, a circuit board 65
on which a number of lamps 64 having a light-emitting element such
as a light-emitting diode is arranged. Inside of the frame 61, a
desiccant 66 is accommodated. The space N between the base plate 60
and the cover 62 is filled with inactive gas such as nitrogen gas
reducing the degradation due to oxidation of the light-emitting
diode. Dry air can be used in place of the gas. The space N can be
vacuumized to the degree of 0.about.0.3 atm. In this case, not only
the degradation due to oxygen or humidity is reduced, but also the
heat conduction due to convection from the cover 62 side is
reduced. A sealing material such as butyl putty 67 is sandwiched
between the frame 61 and base plate 60, the frame 61 and the cover
62 for maintaining the air-tightness of the space N together with
the silicone resin sealing material 63.
[0103] As shown in FIG. 1 etc., the lighting-emitting panel P is
set at a slant. Cooling water is circulated in the piping 56
located at the rear surface of the light-emitting panel P, and the
piping 56 being also set at a slant for enhancing the circulation
of the water.
[0104] In addition, the light-emitting panel P can be set in
step-wise with its piping also being set in step-wise on the rear
surface. As well, dry air in its temperature of about -40.degree.
C..about.-80.degree. C. can be fed in the piping 56 for cooling the
lighting device 3 directly or indirectly through cooling plates.
Hot air after cooling the lighting device 3 can be recovered by
ducts directly or discharged into the room.
[0105] Further, a light source such as light-emitting diode can be
enclosed in such as a heat-insulated box and cooled by cold dry air
or cold water, wherein the light is guided by optic fivers from the
light source to the undersurface of the conveyor device 2 (upper
side of the tray). In this case, the light source can be cooled
sufficiently and condensation can also be prevented resulting in
protection of the light source. Furthermore, exterior natural light
can be guided by optic fibers to the undersurface of the conveyor
device 2 in the building.
[0106] As shown in FIG. 10, the light-emitting panel P is basically
the panel on which the above described board 65 and the
light-emitting unit 69 composed of the lamp 64 are set in array; a
plurality of the board and dozens or several hundred of the unit
throughout the length and breadth of the panel respectively. The
board 65 of the light-emitting unit 69 can be about the same in
size as the base plate 60. Further, the base plate 60 can be served
as the board 65 (refer to FIG. 22). Such light-emitting panel P is
also used as a message board for spreading prescribed message by
connecting the terminal of the circuit pattern to a computer
controlled circuit and making light emission of many light-emitting
diodes in sequence.
[0107] The use of light-emitting diodes whose color is red, green,
violet etc. allows color screen image display. Since such
light-emitting panels have large light volume, large message
impress can be expected. Additionally, simplicity of the
manufacturing process allows low cost manufacturing in the case
that it is used in a large scale light-emitting panel of the size
from scores of centimeter to about 5 m.
[0108] The kind of the light-emitting element used in this
invention is not limited particularly, and generally light-emitting
diodes are used. It is preferable to use red light of wave length
600 nm which has the highest efficiency in photosynthetic reaction
in plants. The circuit pattern 70 can be formed by a wiring pattern
connecting each light-emitting diode in series or in parallel or by
a matrix wiring pattern. Discrete wiring by connecting each wire
can also be done otherwise.
[0109] The wiring between the each board 65 is sealed off using a
sealant described later after completion of the each wiring and
drawing out of the wire from the corner of the light-emitting unit
69.
[0110] The light-emitting panel P shown in FIG. 11A comprises the
base plate 60 composed of a metal plate having high heat
conductivity such as aluminum and the cover 62 made of glass
located with a space H facing the base plate 60. The base plate 60
and the cover 62 are rectangular respectively with the sandwiched
frame 61 in between. The frame 61 is a rectangular pipe made by
folding, for example thin metal plate, into a shape like C or into
a square in cross section, inside of which there is a mating face
68 among the edges. In the frame 61, a desiccant is filled in. A
deoxidizer can be filled in together with the desiccant. The frame
61 can be made of synthetic resin.
[0111] In the space N between the base plate 60 and the cover 62 as
shown in FIG. 11A, dry gas such as dry air is filled in. Around the
frame 61, the sealing material 63 such as silicone sealant is
applied to seal off the space N between the base plate 60 and the
cover 62.
[0112] A method to fill in dry air in the space N is only to
assemble the base plate 60, the frame 61 in which a desiccant is
accommodated, and the cover 62 in a dry room. Even if the
assembling is done in ambient air, the air becomes dry air by the
influence of the desiccant 66 through the mating face 68. In the
case that inert gas such as nitrogen gas is used, one of the method
to fill in the gas can be as following; let the air out of the
space on the one side, and the gas is filled in on the other side.
In order to assemble the panel, the frame 61 and the base plate 60
or the cover 62 are tacked temporarily using double-stick tapes
etc., and they can be integrated by applying sealing material
63.
[0113] The size of the base plate 60 and the cover 62 is not
limited particularly, and various sizes of them ranging from 10 cm
to about 5 m a side can be used. However, the sizes from 50 cm to 1
m a side, and particularly 1 m a side are preferable from the
aspect of easiness in assembling, transportation, and high
efficiency. Further, those of rectangular-shaped or stripe-shaped
can also be used. It is preferable for the base plate 60 to be of
the thickness ranging from 0.3 to 3 mm and for the cover 62 to be
of the thickness ranging from 1 to 5 mm. The space H between the
base plate 60 and the cover 62 are preferable to be in the range of
3 to 20 mm and particularly in the range of 5 to 10 mm, though it
is different depending upon the panel size.
[0114] On the base plate 60 of the light-emitting panel P shown in
FIG. 11A, heat radiation fins 104 can be mounted as shown in the
imaginary line.
[0115] The fin 104 can be manufactured from a thin metal plate
having high thermal conductivity such as aluminum and folded into
C-shape. The fin 104 is preferable to be blown by an air
blower.
[0116] Inside of the base plate 60, the light-emitting unit 69 are
set in array, wherein a number of the lamps 64 is arranged on the
surface of the board 65 made of thin aluminum plate etc. and the
board 65 is tightly connected to the base plate 60 by brazing etc.
so as to assure high thermal conductivity.
[0117] As shown in FIG. 11B and FIG. 12, the light emitting unit 69
is manufactured as follows; an insulation layer 65a made of
inorganic material or organic material is laid on the board 65, on
which a circuit pattern 70 is formed, and the lamp 64 is mounted in
place after applying soldering cream 71 (soldering paste). Other
metal plates can be used in lieu of the board 65 made of aluminum.
Although, the insulation layer 65a is laid on all over the board
65, it can be laid only on the circuit pattern 70. The circuit
pattern 70 is formed by plating the whole area with copper and
removing unnecessary parts through an etching process. The
soldering cream 71 is coated efficiently by making and printing the
proof. Further, the board 65 can be made of insulating material, in
which case the insulating layer 65a is not necessary.
[0118] The lamp 64 comprises a reflecting plate 73 made from thin
copper metal shaped into dish by press work with its concave side
72 aluminized, a LED (Light-Emitting Diode) 74 mounted on the
concave side 72 of the reflecting plate 73, an electrode 75 located
on the same surface as that of the reflecting plate 73, a bonding
wire 76 for bonding the LED 74 and the electrode 75, and a molding
material 77 of epoxy resin etc. for enclosing the above described
parts. In the reflecting plate 73, there is a residual circular
projection 78 which spring up in the process of progressive casting
in the press work. The lower edge of the circular projection 78 can
be used as the bottom for mounting the lamp 64 by leaving the edge
as flat plane. Moreover, through the bottom part, the electrode 75
and the reflecting plate 73 of the other light-emitting unit can be
left undivided and being cut off after enclosing with the molding
material 77.
[0119] The molding material 77 is formed using translucent
synthetic resin, especially thermosetting resin such as epoxy
resin.
[0120] The molding material 77 has a spherical surface on its upper
surface 77a facing the light-emitting diode (LED) 74, thereby
increasing the light volume due to the lens action of the molding
material 77. Furthermore, aluminizing of the concave side 72 of the
reflecting plate 73 allows concentrated reflection of the light
from the LED 74 increasing the light volume to the front
direction.
[0121] The reflecting plate 73 and the electrode 75 can be made by
integral forming using an insulating material such as a sheet of
synthetic resin. In this case, a piece of copper plate etc.
penetrating the upper and lower surface is inserted in each part
before the molding process. As well, following processes of making
electrical pass can be employed; a pass-through slot being made in
each part and a electrically conductive material being filled in
the slot, gold plated, or a combination of these processes.
[0122] The soldering cream 71 is a creamy micronized solder
dissolved in a solvent and is publicly known. When heated, the
solvent disappears into the air and the solder is melt down by
heat, filling the space between the reflecting plate 73, electrode
75, and the circuit pattern 70 and hardened with fall of
temperature. On these occasions, the lamp 64 is fixed on the board
65 firmly. As an electrically conductive adhesive, a material other
than the soldering cream can be used.
[0123] FIG. 13A.about.D shows other methods to manufacture the
light-emitting panel P. At first, a backing material 80 of metal
long plate having high electrical conductivity such as a copper
plate is pressed to form arrays of the area 81 where the lamp 64 is
placed. In the press work, feed holes 82 such as perforation in
photographic films are formed at the beginning, thereby enabling
high feeding accuracy. Next, the transverse slit 83 at given
interval is formed to allow easy press work between the slit
83.
[0124] Further, as shown in FIG. 13B, the circular projection 78
whose inside surface is the concaved (mark 72) is formed. The
reference numeral 75a is a part which becomes the electrode
described above. The reference numeral 84a is an area removed later
by the etching process and the reference numeral 84b is an area
left intact. After the press work and masking, the concave side 72
is plated with white metal such as aluminum to form mirror surface
for reflecting lights.
[0125] Then, as shown in FIG. 13C, the light-emitting diode 74 is
fitted on the bottom of the concave side 72, and the electrode 75
is fitted on the area 75a. Further, the light-emitting diode 74 and
the electrode 75 are bonded with the bonding wire 76, wherein the
reflecting plate 73 is made to be electrically conductive so as to
be the electrode of the light-emitting diode 74. Then, the molding
material 77 is built in. The masking is done on the rear surface
and the area 84a of copper is removed, thereby cutting off the
light-emitting diode 74 side and the electrode 75 side and also
cutting off the area 81 composing each lamp unit to get the lamp
64. The long sheet can be cut off in a line previously at suitable
process. After the each lamp 64 is made, as shown in FIG. 13D, it
is mounted at a proper position on the base plate 60 which also
serves as a circuit board by a mounter, wherein the reflecting
plate 73 and the electrode 75 are jointed directly by the method
using soldering cream described above. In the case that the base
plate 60 made from an aluminum plate etc. is used, an insulation
layer and a circuit pattern are previously formed.
[0126] High precision working is required for the process of
mounting the light-emitting diode and the electrode 75 and for the
process of wiring with the bonding wire. However, since the area 81
for mounting the lamp can be positioned with relatively high
precision, the work can be automated. Further, when the reflecting
plate 73 and the electrode 75 are jointed to the base plate 60
after once each lamp 64 is manufactured, it does not require such a
high precision work. So it can be mounted directly on the base
plate 60 of the size about 1 m square. Therefore, any circuit board
is not necessary to be provided separately enabling efficient
manufacturing (Refer to FIG. 2).
[0127] In the lamp 64 shown in FIG. 15, the reflecting plate 73 on
which the light-emitting diode 74 is mounted and the circuit is
insulated each other, and the two electrode 75a and 75b are exposed
on the undersurface of the lamp 64, wherein the light-emitting
diode 74 and the each electrode 75a and 75b is wired with the
bonding wire 76a and 76b. These compositions are used for blue
light-emitting diodes 74. Other compositions are same as described
above.
[0128] FIG. 16a.about.f show an embodiment of light-emitting
element using a light-emitting diode mounted on the undersurface of
the light-emitting panel P. As shown in FIG. 16a, the lamp 64
comprises the light-emitting diode 74 fixed on the circuit board 65
made of aluminum etc., and the molding material 77 made of
translucent, thermo-stable synthetic resin such as epoxy resin
heaped up on the diode like semi-sphere or like convex lens 79.
Further, in this embodiment, doubled layers of the second convex
lens layer 79 and the third convex lens layer 79 are provided,
wherein the reference numeral 75 shows a electrode, 76 shows a
bonding wire, and 85 shows a kind of ring like a tundish 85 for
preventing the molding material 77 to flow out.
[0129] The heaping up of the molding material 77 of the lamp 64
prevents the light from the light-emitting diode 74 to spread, and
allows to emit straightforward, perpendicular to the base plate
65.
[0130] The second convex lens layer 79 and the third convex lens
layer 79 also converges the light allowing strong illumination of
plants with the lights. Resultantly, employment of this
light-emitting panel P as a lighting device 3 enables further
efficient plant cultivation.
[0131] The lamp 64 in FIG. 16b is provided with a concave of about
0.9 mm depth on the board 65, wherein the concave is mirror
finished to reflect lights and the upper surface of the molding
material 77 filled in the concave is heaped up like convex
lens.
[0132] Concerning inside of the concave 72, the bottom 86 is plane
to mount the electrode 75, while the side 87 is curved like concave
mirror. The light emitted from the light-emitting diode 74 is
reflected by the inside face and converged at some level and
further converged by the convex lens function of the molding
material 77.
[0133] The lamp 64 shown in FIG. 16c is a combination of the three
layer convex lens structure shown in FIG. 16a and the inside
reflecting mirror structure shown in FIG. 16b, thereby achieving
both functions. The lamp 64 shown in FIG. 16d has about the same
structure as that shown in FIG. 16c. However it differs in the
point that the depth of the concave is a little shallow, the
electrode 75 is provided on the surface of the board 65, and that
the molding material 77 has wider area than the concave so as to
cover the electrode 75. This has substantially the same function as
that shown in FIG. 16c and further provides easy bonding with the
bonding wire 76.
[0134] The lamp 64 shown in FIG. 16e is the same as the
light-emitting element shown in FIG. 16b.about.10d except for the
point that the upper surface of the molding material 77 is in plane
with the surface of the board 65. Although this has no lens
function, the light is converged at some level by the concave
mirror function of the concave 72 allowing a enough light strength
to reach the plants
[0135] FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of an electrical circuit to make
a number of light-emitting diodes. The Reference Numeral 1,2,3 . .
. show positive pole wires and the Reference Alphabet a, b, c, d .
. . show negative pole wires. The positive pole wires 1,2,3 . . .
and negative pole wires a, b, c intersect like a grid pattern to
compose a matrix circuit 92 in which each cross way has a
light-emitting element 1a, 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b, 2c and so on. Based on a
signal generated from a control which is not shown in the figure, a
voltage is applied to the positive poles selectively and the
corresponding negative poles are grounded, which make the light
being emitted from the light-emitting elements on the cross way of
the working positive pole wires and the negative pole wires.
Arbitrary setting of the positive pole wire voltage enables to
increase or decrease illumination intensity of the light-emitting
diode in a given location, which allows display of letters or
specified patterns.
[0136] When light-emitting elements in a particular area are
degraded due to the humidity and temperature causing decrease in
illumination intensity, it is possible to increase illumination
intensity of those elements to make the whole intensity flat.
[0137] In this case, a feedback control circuit to obtain flat
intensity on a steady basis is composed as follows; sensors using a
photo transistor for detecting the intensity in the specified area
are provided in several locations, and an arithmetic circuit such
as a central processor (micro processor) applies a suitable voltage
to each positive pole wire based on the output of those sensors,
thereby nearly flat intensity being secured over the whole
light-emitting panel. In the case of a light-emitting panel for use
as plant cultivation, precise control such as partial increase of
the illumination intensity around the plants or nearby area can be
performed.
[0138] In the case that such a precise illumination intensity
control is not needed, a publicly known series circuit 93 shown in
FIG. 18A can be used. The Reference Numeral 94 in FIG. 18A is
referred to a DC power source, 95 to a fuse, and 14a to a
light-emitting element such as a light-emitting diode etc. Such a
series circuit has a simple print pattern with short wiring.
However, when conduction of a light-emitting diode becomes broken
away, whole span of the light-emitting panel or the light-emitting
unit goes out. Additionally, a parallel circuit 96 shown in FIG.
18B can be used in which broken away of a light-emitting element
14a does not have any effect on other light-emitting elements.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 18C, a control wire 97 can be
connected to every light-emitting diodes arranged in matrix and the
each wire is on-off controlled or illumination intensity
controlled. In this case also, micro-computers etc. can be used for
performing precise control so as to make the illumination intensity
flat or to change the illumination intensity by each block.
[0139] The light-emitting panel P composed as described above is
used not only for plant cultivations but also for display panels 98
such as brake lights shown in FIG. 19 in single use or in
combination use with multiple panels. The Reference Numeral 99 is
referred to the control. The display panel 98 is scarcely degraded
in a high humidity environment because of the lamp 64 being
hermetically sealed.
[0140] Heat generated by the lamp 64 is efficiently radiated
through the base plate 60 preventing the heat accumulation in the
panel, which enhances durability of the light-emitting element
resulting in long and stable operation of the display panel 98.
[0141] FIG. 20 shows the other embodiment of the light-emitting
panel P. In this embodiment, the light-emitting panel P is located
over the upper side of each shelf 102 of a stacked shelf 101. On
the each shelf 102, a cultivating vessel 103 for plants to be
cultivated is arranged. By this arrangement, the light from the
lamp 64 is illuminated to the plants, and together with the supply
of moisture and nutriment, temperature control, growth of the
plants is promoted enabling efficient harvest. In the case that the
light-emitting panel is used as a lighting device for plant
cultivation like above, the humidity is high in a room where the
plant cultivating vessel 103 of the stacked shelf 101 is located.
However, since the lamp 64 is hermetically sealed between the base
plate 60 and the cover 62 and the inner side is very dried with the
desiccant 66, the lamp 64 is protected against the degradation due
to humidity. Although, the amount of heat radiation from the lamp
64 is relative small compared with conventional fluorescent lamps,
some amount of heat is radiated from the lamp 64 with its
light-emission accumulating heat in the light-emitting panel P. But
then, high heat conductivity of the base plate 60 brings efficient
heat radiation from the upper side of the light-emitting panel P,
protecting the lamp 64 also against the degradation due to
heat.
[0142] The light-emitting panel P in FIG. 21, the frame 61 made of
synthetic resin is used in lieu of the frame accommodating a
desiccant, which lowers the heat conduction from the cover 62 to
base plate 60.
[0143] Furthermore, in the light-emitting panel P, the piping 56
for passing through cooling medium such as cooling water is closely
in contact with the upper surface of the base plate 60. Cooling
medium such as alternatives for chlorofluorocarbon or alcohol can
be used, and cooling air can otherwise be passed through the piping
or the duct. As well, in the light-emitting panel P of FIG. 10 and
in the light-emitting panel P of FIG. 21, the board 65 is
preferable to be closely in contact with the base plate 60, which
conducts generated heat in the lamp 64 from the board 65 to the
base plate 60 for efficient radiation.
[0144] Forced cooling of the base plate 60 by providing; good heat
conduction from the board 65 to the base plate 60 enhancing heat
radiation from the lamp 64; and the piping 56 for cooling medium,
enables the more secure temperature control of the lamp 64. It is
preferable for the light-emitting elements such as light-emitting
diodes to be in a temperature as low as possible in order to
achieve high efficiency.
[0145] In addition, when the shelf 102 in FIG. 20 is composed of a
pipe, it is possible to run the cooling medium through the pipe
into the piping 56.
[0146] In the light-emitting panel P3 of FIG. 22, the lamp 64 is
directly mounted on the base plate 60, in which the base plate 60
serves also as the board 65. Further in this embodiment, the frame
sandwiched between the base plate 60 and the cover 62 is omitted
and simply the sealing material 63 sustains the space in
between.
[0147] This omission of the board (or the base) or the frame can be
applied not only to relatively small light-emitting panels but also
to panels about 1 m square by making the base plate 60 to serve as
the board.
[0148] However, same as FIG. 11, the frame 61 can be provided. In
addition, the light-emitting elements described herein include
semi-conductor LASER and other illuminant various semiconductor
devices as well as light-emitting diodes.
[0149] All the light emitting panel P employ the cover 62 made from
a glass plate, but a cover made from a translucent synthetic resin
plate such as an acrylic plate, and a laminated panel made from
glass and synthetic resin plate or synthetic resin film can be
employed.
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