TW201800006A - A reflector, a plant cultivating device including the same, and the use of the reflector - Google Patents

Abstract

A reflector, a plant cultivating device including the same, and the use of the reflector are provided. The reflector includes a reflecting film, wherein the reflectivity of the reflecting film and the reflector with respect to the light having 400-780nm wavelength are respectively higher than 90% and 92.5%. The plant cultivating device includes a water vessel, the reflector, and a light source. The water vessel is filled with water which is essential to the plant. The reflector is disposed above the water vessel. The light source is disposed on the other side of the reflector with respect to the water vessel. The reflector can be used in a plant cultivating plant and/or to restrain the growth of algae in the process of aquafarming.

Description

Reflex, hydroponic plant culture device containing reflector and application of reflector

The invention relates to the use of a reflector, a hydroponic plant culture device comprising the reflector and a reflector, in particular to the reinforcement of the artificial light source and the inhibition of algae growth caused by the hydroponic method.

In response to the increasing public attention to the factors such as food supply and food safety in recent years, plant factories can strictly control the plant growth environment and stable output from the effects of climate and natural disasters, making their related research and plant settings increasingly popular.

Among them, "lighting" is one of the key elements needed for plant growth. In general plant factories, artificial light sources are often used as light supply sources, such as high-pressure sodium lamps and LEDs. In order to achieve better light efficiency (eg PPFD/W), the light source reflector is also optimized to optimize the design. For example, the US patent No. US Pat. No. 3,829,677 discloses an optimized design of the light source of the plant illumination system to increase the plant's Direct light intensity. However, this general design is mostly used for "direct" illumination of plants. That is to say, under this design, most of the sources of light absorption of plants are only from "direct" illumination, and only a small part comes from "indirect". Reflected light.

In order to make the absorbed light of the plant reach the recommended value, it is common practice to increase the number of light sources or increase the power of the light source. However, this method will lead to the purchase of light sources and increase the cost of energy consumption. And the problem of rising ambient temperature. If the reflected light can be effectively utilized, the number of light sources and energy consumption can be improved. For example, the Chinese patent No. CN102342240A discloses the use of additional "diffuse" or "specular reflection" objects to increase the amount of light that plants can obtain. However, since the position of the light source is generally concentrated, it is often difficult to use the most reflected light using a "diffuse" or "specular reflection" reflective material having only a single characteristic. Furthermore, the general reflective object is a glass mirror or a metal plate member, and the shape is fixed, so that it is easily restricted and cannot be applied or inconvenient.

In addition, we also noticed that the composition of the light radiation spectrum has a great influence on the growth of plants. For example, the photosynthesis of plants depends mainly on chlorophyll a, b and carotene in the chloroplast, and the intensity of the illumination spectrum at 430-520 nm and 630-680 nm will be the key.

On the other hand, the hydroponic method is a common planting method in plant factories. Compared with soil-planting, it requires less space and is less favored than the negative factors of no pests. However, because it needs to supply plant nutrients with nutrient solution, it is often found that algae breed in the nutrient solution. The breeding of algae will affect the nutrient absorption of the plant, so the planter needs to clean it up, resulting in an increase in overall production costs. If the administration of the drug inhibits the growth of algae, there is an additional cost of the drug and the drug may cause safety concerns in the plant.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a reflector for use in a plant factory.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a use of a reflector in a plant factory.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hydroponic plant culture apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a reflector in the process of hydroponic cultivation The application of inhibiting algae growth.

The reflector for the plant factory of the present invention comprises a reflective film, wherein the reflectance of the reflective film for light having a wavelength of 400 to 780 nm is greater than 90%, and the reflectance of the reflector for light having a wavelength of 400 to 780 nm is greater than 92.5%.

In an embodiment of the invention, the reflector comprises a laminate of two reflective films bonded together by an adhesive.

In an embodiment of the invention, the reflective film is a Multilayer Polyester-based Film.

In an embodiment of the invention, the reflective film is selected from the group consisting of ESR, ESR-80, ESR2 or a combination thereof of "Enhanced Specular Reflector" manufactured by 3M Company of the United States.

In an embodiment of the invention, the average reflectance of the reflector to light having a wavelength of 400 to 780 nm is greater than 98.9%.

In an embodiment of the invention, the reflector further comprises a light blocking layer disposed on one side of the reflective film stack.

In an embodiment of the invention, the light blocking layer has a light transmittance of less than 1% for light having a wavelength of 400 to 780 nm.

In an embodiment of the invention, the reflector further comprises a retroreflective layer disposed in the first region of the reflective film stack opposite to the other side of the light blocking layer.

In an embodiment of the present invention, for producing retroreflective layer is selected from the 3M Company, U.S. ^{"3M TM Diamond Grade TM Flexible Work Zone} Sheeting " ^{Series 3910,3M TM Flexible Prismatic Reflective Sheeting Series} 3310,3M TM Scotchlite TM Flexible High Intensity Work Zone Sheeting Series 3810 or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first region is folded toward the side of the retroreflective layer such that the retroreflective layer has an angle with respect to the second region of the reflective film stack adjacent the first region.

The hydroponic plant culture apparatus of the present invention is used for hydroponic cultivation of hydroponic plants, which comprises a water holding device, a reflector, and a light source. The water device holds the water body needed for hydroponic plants. The reflector is placed above the water holding device. The light source is disposed on the other side of the reflector opposite the water holding device.

In an embodiment of the invention, the root of the hydroponic plant can pass through the reflector into the water containing device to contact the body of water.

In an embodiment of the invention, the reflector comprises a light blocking layer, wherein the light blocking layer faces the water holding device, and the root of the hydroponic plant can pass through the reflector into the water holding device to contact the water body.

In an embodiment of the invention, the reflector comprises a light blocking layer and a retroreflective layer, wherein the light blocking layer faces the water holding device, and the retroreflective layer is disposed on the other side of the reflective film layer opposite to the light blocking layer. region. The hydroponic plant is disposed in an area other than the first region of the reflective film laminate, and the root of the hydroponic plant can pass through the reflector into the water holding device to contact the water body.

The application of the reflector of the present invention for inhibiting the growth of algae in the hydroponic cultivation process uses the above-mentioned reflector to prevent the growth of algae in the water body by using one side of the light blocking layer toward the water body used in the hydroponic cultivation process.

100‧‧‧Reflective film

200‧‧‧Adhesive

300‧‧‧Light barrier

410‧‧‧First area

420‧‧‧Second area

500‧‧‧Retroreflective layer

600‧‧‧Water device

610‧‧‧ water body

666‧‧‧ Hydroponic plants

667‧‧‧ root

700‧‧‧Light source

800‧‧‧Hydrocultivation plant cultivation device

900‧‧‧Refl

Θ‧‧‧ angle

1A is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a reflector composed of a double-layered reflective film of the present invention.

1B is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a reflector composed of a single reflection film according to the present invention; Figure.

Fig. 2 is a graph showing the results of reflectance measurement of an embodiment of a reflector composed of a single reflection film of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a graph showing reflectance measurement results of an embodiment of a reflector composed of a double-layered reflective film of the present invention.

4 is a comparison diagram of reflectance measurement results of different embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the reflector of the present invention further comprising a light blocking layer.

Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the reflector of the present invention further comprising a retroreflective layer.

Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a first region folded in a reflector of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a hydroponic plant culture apparatus of the present invention.

9 to 11 are schematic views showing different embodiments of the hydroponic plant culture apparatus of the present invention.

The reflector for the plant factory of the present invention comprises a reflective film, wherein the reflectance of the reflective film for light having a wavelength of 400 to 780 nm is greater than 90%, and the reflectance of the reflector of the present invention for light having a wavelength of 400 to 780 nm is greater than 92.5%.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the reflector 900 comprises a laminate of two reflective films 100 bonded together via an adhesive 200. However, in various embodiments, the reflector may be a laminate of three or more reflective films bonded together by adhesive or other means, or may be formed from a single reflective film 100 as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B. Composition. Among them, the reflective film is preferably a Multilayer Polyester-based Film. More specifically, the reflective film is preferably selected from the United States ESR, ESR-80, ESR2 or a combination thereof of "Enhanced Specular Reflector" manufactured by 3M Company of the United States.

[Test sample one]

The reflector consists of a single reflective film. The reflective film is ESR. Measurements were made using a Lambda 950 instrument from PerkinElmer, USA, and the results are shown in Figure 2. As can be seen from Fig. 2, in this embodiment, the reflector has a wavelength of 400 to 780 nm [from the newly provided Figs. 2-3, the reflectance of the reflective film at a wavelength of 380 nm is less than 90%, so it is recommended to modify this here to The reflectance of light of 400~780nm] is greater than 92.5%. According to the above results, the reflector of the present invention has a good reflection effect on light having a wavelength of 400 to 780 nm, and is suitable for use in a plant factory, and effectively utilizes reflected light. More specifically, when photosynthesis of plants is mainly determined by chlorophyll a, b and carotene in the chloroplast, the reflectance of the reflector of the present invention is greater than that of the light spectrum of 430-520 nm and 630-680 nm. 92.5%, therefore, can effectively increase the reflection of light spectrum in the light of 430 ~ 520nm, 630 ~ 680nm, to meet the light intensity required for the action of chlorophyll a, b and carotene.

[Test sample 2]

The reflector consists of a double-layered reflective film. The reflective film was bonded using two ESRs and 3M 8146 optical glue. Measurements were made using a Lambda 950 instrument from PerkinElmer, USA, and the results are shown in FIG. As can be seen from Fig. 3, in this embodiment, the reflector has a wavelength of 400 to 780 nm [from the newly provided Figs. 2-3, the reflectance of the reflective film at a wavelength of 380 nm is less than 90%, so it is recommended to modify this here to The reflectance of light of 400~780nm] is greater than 98.9%.

As shown in FIG. 4, for a light having a wavelength of 400 to 780 nm, the reflectance of a reflector composed of a double-layered reflective film is higher than that of a reflector composed of a single reflective film, which is surprising and unpredictable. , the difference between the reflectivity of the two in the light of 630 ~ 680nm wavelength The distance is significantly larger than the other wavelength ranges. More specifically, for light having a wavelength of 400 to 620 nm and 680 to 780 nm, the reflectance of the reflector composed of the double-layered reflective film is only slightly higher than the reflectance of the reflector composed of a single reflective film; For the light of 630~680nm, the reflectivity of the reflector composed of the double-layered reflective film is significantly higher than the reflectivity of the reflector composed of a single reflective film. According to this, the reflector composed of the double-layered reflective film can remarkably improve the reflectance of the light composed of the single reflection film at a wavelength of 630 to 680 nm.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the reflector 900 further includes a light blocking layer 300 disposed on one side of the laminate of the reflective film 100. The light blocking layer 300 has a light transmittance of less than 1% for light having a wavelength of 400 to 780 nm (modified as 400 to 780 nm as described above). Among them, the light blocking layer is preferably urethane. By the arrangement of the light blocking layer 300, light reflected by the laminate of the reflective film 100 can be further reduced from passing through the reflector 900.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the reflector 900 further includes a retroreflective layer 500 disposed on the first region 410 of the reflective film 100 stack opposite to the other side of the light blocking layer 300. Among them, the retroreflective layer 500 has a characteristic of reflecting incident light back to the direction of the light source. More specifically, the retroreflective layer selected from the ^{"3M TM Diamond Grade TM Flexible Work Zone} Sheeting " of US manufacturing company 3M ^{Series 3910,3M TM Flexible Prismatic Reflective Sheeting Series} 3310,3M TM Scotchlite TM Flexible High Intensity Work Zone Sheeting Series 3810 or a combination thereof. Further, by the arrangement of the retroreflective layer 500, in addition to "diffuse" and "specular reflection", the reflective object can also be "retroreflected" to improve light utilization efficiency.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the first region 410 is folded toward one side of the retroreflective layer 500, such that the retroreflective layer 500 is opposite to the reflective film 100 adjacent to the first region 410. The second region 420 of the laminate has an included angle θ. By the setting of the retroreflective layer 500 and the characteristic of reflecting the incident light back to the light source, and controlling the magnitude of the angle θ, the path of the light reflected by the first region 410 can be further adjusted to improve the utilization efficiency of the light. After the first region 410 is folded toward one side of the retroreflective layer 500, it is not limited to a straight plane as shown in FIG. 7, and may be a curved surface according to the use or manufacturing requirements.

The reflector of the present invention consists essentially of a film and has flexibility. Therefore, it is easy to be placed in the vicinity of a plant, and it is less likely to be affected by a fixed shape like glass or metal reflection, and it is impossible or inconvenient to apply.

As shown in the embodiment of Fig. 8, the hydroponic plant cultivation apparatus 800 of the present invention is used for hydroponic cultivation of hydroponic plants, which comprises a water holding device 600, a reflector 900, and a light source 700. The water holding device 600 holds the water body 610 required for the hydroponic plant 666. The reflector 900 is disposed above the water holding device 600. The light source 700 is disposed on the other side of the water holding device 600 of the reflector 100. Among them, there are different embodiments based on whether the reflector 900 has a light blocking layer and a retroreflective layer.

As shown in the embodiment of Figure 9, the root 667 of the hydroponic plant 666 can pass through the reflector 900 into the water-filled device 600 to contact the body of water 610.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 10, the reflector 900 includes a light blocking layer 300, wherein the light blocking layer 300 faces the water holding device 600, and the root portion 667 of the hydroponic plant 666 can pass through the reflector 900 and enter the water holding device 600 to contact the water body. 610.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 11, the reflector 900 includes a light blocking layer 300 and a retroreflective layer 500, wherein the light blocking layer 300 faces the water holding device 600, and the retroreflective layer 500 is disposed on the reflective film 100 stack relative to the light blocking layer. The first area 410 on the other side of 300. The hydroponic plant 666 is disposed in a region other than the first region 410 of the laminate of the reflective film 100, and the root portion 667 of the hydroponic plant 666 can pass through the reflector 900 enters the water holding device 600 to contact the water body 610.

As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 , the application of the reflector 900 of the present invention to inhibit algae growth during hydroponic cultivation is to use the reflector 900 to face one side of the light blocking layer 300 in hydroponic cultivation. The water body 610 used in the process is to inhibit the growth of algae in the water body. More specifically, based on the good reflectivity of the reflective film 100 to the light, and the light blocking layer 300 further reduces the light that is not reflected by the reflective film 100 to pass through the reflective object 900, it is difficult for the light to pass through the reflective object 900. In the absence of light for photosynthesis, the growth of algae in the water is inhibited.

While the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the embodiments of the invention The spirit and scope of the principles of the invention. Modifications of many forms, structures, arrangements, ratios, materials, components and components can be made by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims, and the legal equivalents thereof are not limited to the foregoing description.

100‧‧‧Reflective film

200‧‧‧Adhesive

300‧‧‧Light barrier

410‧‧‧First area

420‧‧‧Second area

500‧‧‧Retroreflective layer

900‧‧‧Refl

Θ‧‧‧ angle

Claims (15)

A reflector for a plant factory, comprising a reflective film, wherein the reflective film has a reflectance of more than 90% for light having a wavelength of 400 to 780 _nm , and a reflectance of the light for a light having a wavelength of 400 to 780 nm is greater than 92.5%. The reflector according to claim 1, comprising a laminate comprising two of the reflective films bonded together by an adhesive. The reflector of claim 1, wherein the reflective film is a Multilayer Polyester-based Film. The reflector according to claim 1, wherein the reflective film is selected from the group consisting of ESR, ESR-80, ESR2 or a combination thereof of "Enhanced Specular Reflector" manufactured by 3M Company, USA. The reflector of claim 1, wherein the reflectance of the reflector to light having a wavelength of 400 to 780 nm is greater than 98.9%. The reflector according to claim 2, further comprising a light blocking layer disposed on one side of the reflective film stack. The reflector of claim 6, wherein the light blocking layer has a light transmittance of less than 1% for light having a wavelength of 400 to 780 nm. The reflector of claim 6, further comprising a retroreflective layer disposed on the first region of the reflective film stack opposite to the other side of the light blocking layer. The reflector of claim 8, wherein the retroreflective layer is selected from the group consisting of "3M ^TM Diamond Grade ^TM Flexible Work Zone Sheeting" Series 3910, 3M ^TM Flexible Prismatic Reflective Sheeting Series 3310, 3M ^TM Scotchlite ^TM manufactured by 3M Company, USA. Flexible High Intensity Work Zone Sheeting Series 3810 or a combination thereof. The reflector of claim 8, wherein the first region faces one of the retroreflective layers The side folds are such that the retroreflective layer has an included angle with respect to a second region of the reflective film stack adjacent to the first region. The use of the reflector of any one of claims 1 to 10 in a plant factory. A hydroponic plant cultivation apparatus for hydroponic planting a hydroponic plant, comprising: a water holding device for containing a water body required for the hydroponic plant; the reflector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, Provided above the water holding device, wherein the root of the hydroponic plant can pass through the reflector into the water device to contact the water body; and a light source disposed on the other side of the reflector, and the water holding device relatively. A hydroponic plant cultivation apparatus for hydroponic planting a hydroponic plant, comprising: a water holding device for containing a water body required for the hydroponic plant; and the reflector according to any one of claims 6 to 7, Above the water holding device, wherein the light blocking layer faces the water holding device, the root of the hydroponic plant can pass through the reflecting object to enter the water holding device to contact the water body; and a light source is disposed on the reflecting object The other side is opposite the water holding device. A hydroponic plant cultivation apparatus for hydroponic planting a hydroponic plant, comprising: a water holding device for containing a water body required for the hydroponic plant; the reflector according to any one of claims 8 to 10, Provided above the water holding device, wherein the light blocking layer faces the water holding device, and the hydroponic plant is disposed in an area outside the first region of the reflective film stack, and the root of the hydroponic plant can pass through the reflection The object enters the water holding device to contact the water body; and a light source is disposed on the other side of the reflector opposite to the water holding device. The use of the reflector according to any one of claims 6 to 10 for inhibiting the growth of algae in a hydroponic planting process, wherein the reflector is oriented one side of the light blocking layer toward a hydroponic planting process The water body used to suppress the growth of algae in the water.