Apparatus for cultivating plants

An apparatus for cultivating plants includes a cabinet having a cultivation space, a temperature control device provided in the cabinet to adjust a temperature of the cultivation space, a door configured to open and close the cultivation space, a cultivation shelf provided in the cabinet and configured to seat a seed package, a lighting device provided in the cabinet to radiate light onto the cultivation shelf, and a water supply pipe provided in the cabinet to supply water to the cultivation shelf. The cultivation shelf includes a shelf tray that supports the seed package, a shelf base provided under the shelf tray to accommodate the water supplied from the water supply pipe, and a shutter provided to be openable on the seat. The water accommodated into the shelf base is introduced to the inside of the seat by passing through the shutter when the shutter is opened.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 and 35 U.S.C. 365 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0086320, filed on Jul. 13, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for cultivating plants.

In general, an apparatus for cultivating plants, which provides a predetermined cultivation chamber having environments that are appropriate to grow the plants so that the plants are stored in the predetermined cultivation chamber. A configuration for supplying light energy required for the plant growth is provided in the apparatus for cultivating the plants, and the plats are grown by the supplied nutrients and light energy.

In recent years, an apparatus for cultivating plants, which is provided with a cultivation space capable of being controlled in light, temperature, and moisture and a door opening and closing the cultivation space so that the plants are capable of being grown in the home, is being developed.

A structure in which a multi-stage tray is disposed inside a cabinet, light is radiated from a light radiation portion to the tray, a nutrient solution is supplied to the tray through a nutrient solution collection box, and the inside of the cabinet is maintained to a set temperature by an air cooling device and an air circulation fan to cultivate the plants is disclosed in Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1240375.

However, according to the related art having the above-described structure, a structure in which the nutrient solution is supplied to the inside of the entire tray when the plants are cultivated may be provided, and also, the nutrient solution is also supplied to the entire tray even when the plants are partially cultivated in the tray. Thus, there is a limitation that mold or green algae are grown in an empty space.

In addition, there is a problem in that the nutrient solution supplied to the plants is exposed through the entire tray, and thus, when a lighting device operates, an environment under which generation of green algae or contaminants due to fur or mold is easy is provided to allow a user to feel discomfort.

A plant cultivator, in which a capsule containing seeds is seated in a case that defines a cultivation space opened and closed by a door, and light, moisture, and temperature are capable of being respectively controlled by a light source module, a culture solution module, and an air conditioning module, is disclosed in Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1954251.

However, according to the related art having the above-described structure, a structure in which the culture solution is supplied to the entire tray may be provided, and also, the culture solution may be injected to a portion, on which the capsule is not mounted, so that the culture solution is exposed to the outside and thus is contaminated.

Particularly, when a closed environment is provided in a temperature region in which the plants are grown, the culture solution may be very easily contaminated, and thus, there is a limitation that, when mold or green algae are generated due to the contamination of the culture solution, user's dissatisfaction is caused.

SUMMARY

Embodiments provide an apparatus for cultivating plants, in which the inside of a cultivation space shielded by a door is improved in sanitation.

Embodiments also provide an apparatus for cultivating plants, in which the outside of a cultivation shelf is prevented from being contaminated by water.

Embodiments also provide an apparatus for cultivating plants, in which water is selectively supplied to a portion of an entire cultivation shelf, at which the plants are cultivated.

Embodiments also provide an apparatus for cultivating plants, in which water is selectively supplied to an area on which a seed package is mounted without an electrical device is not disposed on a cultivation shelf.

In an apparatus for cultivating plants according to an embodiment, a cultivation shelf on which a seed package is seated is provided in a cultivation space which is opened and closed by a door and controlled in temperature by a temperature adjustment device, and a shutter that is opened to supply and drain water when the seed package is seated is provided in the cultivation shelf.

An apparatus for cultivating plants according to an embodiment includes a shelf tray on which a cultivation shelf is seated to be accessible to a cultivation space, a shelf base in which supplied water is stored, and a shutter configured to open and close a communication hole defined in the shelf tray according to whether a seed package is mounted, wherein the shutter is opened to supply the water of the shelf base to the seed package when the seed package is opened.

In an apparatus for cultivating plants according to an embodiment, a cultivation shelf is disposed to be accessible to a cultivation space, and a plurality of seats that are partitioned so that a seed package is selectively seated is disposed on the cultivation shelf, wherein a shutter opened when the seed package is seated is provided on each of the plurality of seats to supply water to only the seat of the seats, on which the seed package is seated.

In an apparatus for cultivating plants according to an embodiment, a cultivation shelf is disposed to be accessible to a cultivation space, and a seat on which a seed package is seated is disposed on the cultivation shelf, wherein a shutter opened by a weight of the seed package when the seed package is seated is provided on the bottom of the seat so that water is supplied to the seed package.

In one embodiment, an apparatus for cultivating plants includes: a cabinet having a cultivation space; a temperature control device provided in the cabinet to adjust a temperature of the cultivation space; a door configured to open and close the cultivation space; a cultivation shelf which is provided in the cabinet and on which a seed package containing plants to be cultivated is seated; a lighting device provided in the cabinet to radiate light onto the cultivation shelf; and a water supply pipe provided in the cabinet to supply water to the cultivation shelf, wherein the cultivation shelf includes: a shelf tray provided with a seat on which the seed package is seated; a shelf base provided under the shelf tray to accommodate the water supplied from the water supply pipe; and a shutter provided to be openable on the seat, wherein the water accommodated into the shelf base is introduced to the inside of the seat by passing through the shutter when the shutter is opened.

The shutter may include: a pressing member protruding to the inside of the seat, the pressing member moving downward by the seed package when the seed package is mounted; a communication member which is provided under the pressing member and in which a communication hole, through which the water moves between the shelf base and the seat, is defined; and a shutter member coupled to the pressing member to move vertically together with the pressing member, the shutter member being configured to open and close the communication hole.

The communication member may be mounted on a communication member mounting hole that passes through the shelf tray.

The pressing member may be supported by a spring, and in a state in which the seed package is not mounted, the communication hole may be maintained in a closed state through the shutter member by the spring.

The shutter member may be disposed under the communication member, and when the water is filled in the shelf base, the shutter member may move upward to maintain the closed state of the communication hole.

At least a portion of the shutter member may be made of a material that is floated on water.

In a state in which the water is not filled in the shelf base, each of the shutter member and the pressing member may move downward by its own weight to maintain an opened state of the communication hole.

A through-hole through which a boss portion configured to connect the pressing member to the shutter member passes may be defined in the communication member, and the communication hole may be arranged to be rotatable around the through-hole.

A sealing member that is in contact with the communication member at the outside rather than the communication hole may be provided on the shutter member, and the sealing member may be in close contact with the communication member when the shutter member moves upward to block the introduction of the water.

A central portion of the communication member may further protrude, and the communication hole may be opened along a circumferential portion of the communication member.

The pressing member may have a size greater than that of the communication member, and the communication hole may be opened to lateral and upper sides.

The seat may be provided in plurality, which are independently recessed from the shelf tray, a plurality of base seats recessed in a shape corresponding to each of the seats to accommodate the seats may be provided in the shelf base, and each of the base seats may be further recessed than a bottom surface of the seat to accommodate water to be supplied.

A shutter accommodation portion into which the supplied water is introduced and in which a downward movement space of the shutter when the shutter moves downward is defined may be recessed from the bottom surface of the base seat.

A water supply portion to which the water is supplied from the water supply pipe may be disposed at a rear end of the shelf base, and a base passage configured to connect the water supply portion to the plurality of base seats so that the water of the water supply portion may be supplied to the base seats is recessed from the shelf base.

A drain hole which is opened at a rear end of the shelf base connected to the base passage and through which the water in the shelf base is drained may be defined, and an opening/closing member configured to open and close the drain hole may be provided on the shelf base.

The opening/closing member may be coupled to the shelf base to open and close the drain hole through rotation thereof, and a driving device configured to press the opening/closing member so that the opening/closing member rotates may be provided above the cultivation shelf.

The apparatus may further include: a water tank provided in the cabinet to store water to be supplied to the seed package; a pump provided between the water supply pipe and the water tank to supply the water of the water tank to the cultivation shelf; and a drain pipe provided in the cabinet to guide the water drained from the cultivation shelf to the water tank, wherein the water of the water tank and the cultivation shelf may be circulated to be supplied.

The water tank may include: a tank body mounted to be accessible to the inside of the cabinet and configured to define a space in which water is accommodated; and a tank cover configured to open and close an opened top surface of the tank body to additionally supply water or nutrient.

The pump may be driven so that water is supplied up to a set water level higher than a bottom surface of the seat.

A floater moving vertically according to a water level may be provided on the shelf base, a water level detection device configured to detect a change in magnetic field due to a magnet within the floater may be provided at a lower side spaced apart from the cultivation shelf, and when it is determined that the water is supplied over a set water level by the water level detection device, the driving of the pump may be stopped.

A drain portion which is disposed at a height between a bottom surface of the seat and an upper end of the shelf base and is opened to a lower side of the shelf base to drain the water of the cultivation shelf may be provided in the shelf base.

The cultivation shelf may be provided in plurality, which are disposed to be vertically spaced apart from each other, and each of the pump and the water supply pipe may be provided in number corresponding to the number of cultivation shelves so that the water is independently supplied to each of the cultivation shelves.

The seed package may include: a container configured to communicate with the seat and define an accommodation space into which the water is introduced from the seat; a container cover configured to shield an opened top surface of the container; and a seed accommodation member provided in the accommodation space and made of an absorbent material to supply the water to a seed accommodated therein, wherein a water inflow portion recessed to accommodate the shutter may be provided in a bottom surface of the container, and a plurality of container openings through which the water is introduced into the container may be defined around the water inflow portion.

The shelf tray may be made of a stainless material.

The shelf base may be made of a plastic material.

The seat may be provided in plurality, which are independently recessed from the shelf tray, and one shutter may be provided for each of the plurality of seats, and the plurality of shutters may be disposed on the same extension line.

The shutter may be disposed at a center of the seat, and a region in which the plants are cultivated in the seed package may be symmetrically disposed with respect to the seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, detailed embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to proposed embodiments of the present invention, and other regressive inventions or other embodiments included in the scope of the spirits of the present disclosure may be easily proposed through addition, change, deletion, and the like of other elements.

A direction will be defined prior to the explanation. In an embodiment that will be described below, a direction facing a front surface of a door illustrated inFIG.1may be defined as a front direction unless the direction is separately defined, a direction facing the inside of a cabinet with respect to the front surface of the door will be defined as a rear direction, a direction facing a bottom surface on which an apparatus for cultivating plants is installed will be defined as a downward direction, and a direction that is away from the bottom surface will be defined as an upward direction.

FIG.1is a perspective view of an apparatus for cultivating plants according to an embodiment. Also,FIG.2is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a door of the apparatus for cultivating plants is opened.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, an apparatus1for cultivating plants according to an embodiment may be provided in a hexahedral shape. In addition, the apparatus1for cultivating plants may be installed alone in an indoor space or may have a size and structure that is capable of being mounted in a built-in manner in furniture together with other electronic products if necessary. For example, the apparatus1for cultivating plants may have a relatively low height and may be installed to define a portion of an island table or a storage cabinet installed on a wall. Of course, unlike this embodiment, the apparatus1for cultivating plants may have a higher height in a vertical direction, and three or more cultivation shelves30may be disposed vertically in the apparatus1for cultivating plants.

Also, the apparatus1for cultivating plants may be referred to as a plant cultivator or may be referred to as a plant cultivation refrigerator because a temperature inside the apparatus1for cultivating plants is controlled to a temperature less than room temperature as necessary.

The apparatus1for cultivating plants may have an outer appearance that is defined by a cabinet10defining a cultivation space, in which plants are cultivated, and a door13that opens and close the cabinet10. Here, the plants to be cultivated, such as leaves, herbs, etc. that are capable of being used for wraps or salads, may be easily eat and cultivated by the user, and also, plants that occupy a large space may be cultivated.

The cabinet10may define a cultivation space100with an opened front surface, and the door13that opens and closes the cultivation space100may be provided in the front surface of the cabinet10. The door13may upper and lower ends, which are respectively connected to the cabinet10by an upper hinge136aand a lower hinge136b, and the cultivation space100may be opened and closed by rotation of the door13.

Also, the door13may define an outer appearance of a front surface of the apparatus1for cultivating plants when the front surface is closed. A see-through portion132athrough which the inside of the cultivation space100is visibly recognized may be provided in the front surface of the door13.

Also, the door13may include a front panel132and a rear panel133, which define front and rear surfaces of the door13, and a door frame131defining a circumferential surface of the door13.

Each of the front panel132and the rear panel133may be mad of a material capable of visibly recognizing the cultivation space100. For example, each of the front panel132and the rear panel133may be made of a tempered glass or insulating glass material. Also, an insulating panel134(seeFIG.6) may be further provided between the front panel132and the rear panel133, and a gas for thermal insulation may be injected between the front panel132and the rear panel133by the insulating panel134, or a space between the front panel132and the rear panel133by the insulating panel134may be vacuumized to improve insulation performance of the door13.

The door frame131may connect the front panel132to the rear panel133and may define the circumferential surface of the door13. Also, the front surface of the door frame131may be completely covered by the front panel132, and the entire outer appearance of the front surface of the door13may be defined by the front panel132when viewed from a front side. Also, the upper hinge136aand the lower hinge136bmay be respectively coupled to the upper and lower ends of the door frame131. In addition, a gasket135may be provided along a circumference of the rear surface of the door frame131so that the door13is in close contact with the front surface of the cabinet10in a closed state.

A machine room module20may be provided below the cabinet10. Components for controlling a temperature inside the cultivation space100may be disposed in the machine room module20, and the machine room module20may provide a space in which a plurality of electrical components including a compressor241and a condenser242constituting a refrigeration cycle are provided. The machine room module20may be coupled to a bottom surface of the cabinet10in an assembled state to define the integrated outer appearance of the cabinet10as a whole. Also, if necessary, the machine room module20may be disposed on an inner bottom surface of the cabinet10.

Since the apparatus1for cultivating plants is installed in a built-in manner, the machine room module20may have a structure in which air for cooling and heat dissipation inside the machine room200is introduced and discharged forward.

That is, a front cover22may be disposed on the front surface of the machine room200. The front cover22may be exposed forward below the door13to define the front surface of the machine room200. The front cover22may have a shape of which a front surface protrudes and may have the same plane as the front surface of the door13when the door13is closed.

A grill portion221in which a plurality of openings is defined may be provided on the front cover22. The grill portion221may be disposed over the entire front surface of the front cover22. Also, air may be introduced into the machine room200, and the air inside the machine room200may be discharged.

The cabinet10may be constituted by an outer case11defining an outer appearance thereof and an inner case12defining the cultivation space100, and an insulator101may be disposed between the outer case11and the inner case12to thermally insulate the cultivation space100. Thus, the cultivation space100may be maintained at a set temperature.

Each of the outer case11and the inner case12may be made of a metal material and may be provided by coupling a plurality of plate-shaped materials to each other. Particularly, the inner case12may have both side surfaces, a rear surface, and a top surface, each of which is provided in a metal plate shape, and may be coupled to each other to define the cultivation space100.

A plurality of cultivation shelves30may be arranged vertically in the cabinet10. In this embodiment, two upper and lower cultivation shelves30may be provided and may have the same structure. The cultivation shelves30may be respectively referred to as an upper cultivation shelf30aand a lower cultivation shelf30bfor convenience of explanation and understanding. Alternatively, two or more cultivation shelves30may be further provided according to a size of the cabinet10. Also, the cultivation shelf30may be configured to be inserted into and withdrawn from the inside of the cabinet10in a front and rear direction, and mounting of the seed package90including seeds of plants for cultivation and management and harvest of the plants may be easy.

The cultivation shelf30may have a structure in which a plurality of seed packages90are mounted. Also, the cultivation shelf30may have a structure in which a plurality of the seed packages90are disposed in independent regions, respectively, so that the cultivation and harvest of the plants are possible.

For example, a plurality of seats320recessed in a shape corresponding to the seed package90may be disposed on the top surface of the cultivation shelf30, and the seed package90desired by the user may be seated on the seat320to cultivate the plants.

Also, water may be supplied to the cultivation shelf30from the water tank70, and the water supplied to the cultivation shelf30may be selectively supplied from the seat320, on which the seed package90is disposed, of the plurality of seats320to the seed package90.

Also, the water supplied to the cultivation shelf30may be completely drained after being sufficiently supplied to the seed package90. Thus, the cultivation shelf30may be emptied for the rest of a time excluding a water supply time so as to be maintained in a clean state.

The water tank70may be disposed further below the cultivation shelf30and may be disposed at the lowermost side of the cultivation space100. The water tank70may store water supplied to the cultivation shelf30, and the water discharged from the cultivation shelf30may be collected. That is, a water supply module and a drain module may be provided between the water tank70and the cultivation shelf30so that water is circulated.

The water tank70may be exposed when the door13is opened so that a water level of the water tank70is checked from the outside. Also, the water tank70may be exposed to the front surface of the cultivation space100and be withdrawn out to supplement water. If necessary, nutrients required for growing plants may be put into the water tank70. For example, the nutrients may be provided in a solidified form and thus may be gradually dissolved in water for a predetermined time and then supplied to the seed package90while maintaining an appropriate concentration of water in the water tank. Therefore, the water supplied from the water tank70may be a culture solution containing nutrients.

Also, a lighting device40for radiating light toward the top surface of the cultivation shelf30may be provided above the cultivation shelf30. Also, a blower50for circulating internal air in the cultivation space100may be provided on the rear wall of the cultivation space100.

A display14may be provided in the cultivation space100. The display14may be configured to display an operating state of the apparatus1for cultivating plants and be provided at the front end of the lighting device40, which is disposed at a lower side, of the plurality of lighting devices40. Thus, the display14may be disposed at a position facing the rear surface of the door13. Also, information output from the display14may be recognized through the door13and be identified at the outside even when the door13is closed.

The seed package90may be selected by a user, and the user may select and purchase a desired type of crop through aftermarkets. Also, the seed package90may be supplied in the form of delivery according to a user's order or may be supplied regularly by a manager. If necessary, the user may directly place and use seeds for cultivation in the seed package90provided.

The seed package90may be supplied not only in a shape accommodated in the seed, but also in a state in which the seed is germinated and sprouted, or a state in which a plant after a certain time elapses after the germination is disposed.

The user may cultivate the seed package90, in which the desired crop is contained, by seating the seed package90on the cultivation shelf30, and also may cultivate a different type of plant by placing different types of seed packages90on one cultivation shelf30. Also, when the cultivation is completed or when replacement with another crop is desired, the seed package90may be removed or replaced from the seat320.

Hereinafter, the structure of the seed package90will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG.3is an exploded perspective view of the seed package that is put into the apparatus for cultivating plants. Also,FIG.4is a cutaway perspective view taken along line IV-IV′ ofFIG.2.

As illustrated in the drawings, the seed package90may include a container91that defines a recessed accommodation space900, a container cover92that shields an opened top surface of the container91, and a plurality of seed accommodation members93provided in the accommodation space900to accommodate seeds.

In detail, the container91has a circumferential surface914extending upward along a circumference of a flat container bottom surface911and a container edge913bent outward from an upper end of the container circumferential surface914.

The container bottom surface911may have a size corresponding to that of the seat320, and thus, the container bottom surface911may be supported by a seat bottom surface322. Also, the container circumferential surface914has a height greater than a depth of the seat320so that the container cover92shielding the container91is disposed above the top surface of the cultivation shelf30.

A water inlet912may be provided on the bottom surface911of the container. The water inlet912may be recessed from the bottom surface of the container91to protrude from the container bottom surface911when viewed from the inner surface. The water inlet912may be provided at a center of the container91and be disposed at a position corresponding to the shutter33. Therefore, when the seed package90is seated on the seat320, the shutter33may be accommodated inside the seat320, and water may be supplied into the seed package90.

In detail, the water inlet912may include an inlet top surface912adisposed above the container bottom surface911and an inlet circumferential surface912bextending along a circumference of the inlet top surface912ato extend up to the container bottom surface911. A plurality of container openings912cmay be defined along the inlet circumferential surface912b.

The inlet circumferential surface912bmay be inclined toward the outside as it extends downward. Also, the inlet circumferential surface912bmay have a height at which the inlet top surface912ais capable of pressing the shutter33to open the shutter33when the seed package is seated on the seat320.

The container cover92may include a plate-shaped cover plate921that shields the opened top surface of the container91. Also, an accommodation member mounting portion923to which the seed accommodation member93is fixedly mounted may be disposed on a bottom surface of the cover plate921. The accommodation member mounting portion923may protrude downward from the bottom surface of the container cover92, and an opened insertion hole923amay be defined in a lower end of the accommodation member mounting portion923so that an upper end of the seed accommodation member93is inserted. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the insertion hole923amay correspond to a shape of a top surface of the seed accommodation member93.

The seed accommodation member93may be provided in plurality, and the plurality of the seed accommodation members93may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the accommodation space900of the container91. The seed accommodation member93may accommodate seeds932of plants to be cultivated and may absorb water supplied into the seed package90to supply the water to the seeds.

The seed accommodating member93may have a porous material or a network structure to facilitate the water absorption, and the water absorbed from the bottom by a capillary phenomenon may be transferred to the seeds. The seed accommodation member93may be made of various materials capable of absorbing moisture and maintaining a shape. For example, the seed accommodation member93may be made of a sponge material such as an oasis.

The cross-sectional shape of the seed accommodation member93may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the accommodation member mounting portion923. The seed accommodation member93may be provided in a hexahedral shape and have an upper end inserted into the accommodation member mounting portion923and a lower end configured to be supported by the bottom surface911of the container.

Also, an accommodation groove931recessed downward may be defined in the top surface of the seed accommodation member93. The seeds932may be accommodated inside the accommodation groove931, and a recessed lower end of the accommodation groove may be defined at one side that is away from the container bottom surface911. The accommodation groove931may be recessed downward, but may be defined higher than a maximum level of the water accommodated in the container91. Thus, the seeds inside the accommodation groove931may be prevented from being immersed in water. Also, when the seeds932are germinated, the plants may be grown along the accommodation groove931, and roots may be grown to pass through the seed accommodation member93.

That is, soil or medium containing nutrients may not be accommodated in the container91, and only water containing nutrients may be supplied into the seed package90after the seed package90is mounted on the cultivation shelf. Thus, the inside of the seed package90may be prevented from being contaminated by mold or green algae.

Also, the inside of the seed package90may be maintained in a state in which water does not exist in the seed package90by draining the water through the cultivation shelf30. Thus, contamination does not occur in the seed package90and the cultivation shelf30.

As described above, components such as medium or soil for supplying the nutrients may not be filled inside the seed package90. Also, the seed accommodation members93may be spaced apart from each other in the container91so that a corresponding portion of the accommodation space900in the container91is empty. Thus, both a flow of water supplied into the inside of the container and a flow of the water discharged from the inside of the container91may be smoothly performed.

Also, a shielding member96may be provided on the water inlet912. The shielding member96may be made of a material such as fabric or paper or may be made of a net material such as mesh to allow the water to pass therethrough. The shielding member96may be provided to cover the water inlet912, thereby preventing the root of the plant growing through the seed accommodation member93from blocking the water container opening912c.

A cover hole924may be defined in the container cover92corresponding to the accommodation groove931. The cover hole924may be disposed inside the accommodation member mounting portion923, and the accommodation groove931and the cover hole924may communicate with each other. Thus, a stem germinated from the seed may pass through the cover hole924via the accommodation groove931and then be exposed to the outside of the container cover92.

The container91may be divided into both sides based on the water inlet912, and different crops may be cultivated at both sides. Both the sides of the water inlet912may have a symmetrical shape, and the seed accommodation member93may also have a symmetrical arrangement.

Also, the container cover92may be divided into both sides based on a center thereof and may have a shape in which both the sides are symmetrical with respect to the center of the container cover92. Thus, when viewed from above, it is possible to confirm that the seed package90is divided into two areas.

A cover edge922may be disposed along a circumference of the cover plate921of the container cover92, and the cover edge922may be in contact with the container edge913to couple the container cover92to the container91. Also, the container cover92may also be divided into two areas based on the center, and the cover edge922may extend along the two areas divided by the container91. Thus, the container cover92may define a space that is partitioned into both the sides by the cover edge922.

A reflective sheet94may be attached to the top surface of the container cover92. The reflective sheet94may be provided in the form of a sheet capable of reflecting light radiated from the lighting device40, and the seed package90may be prevented from increasing in temperature through the reflection of the light. Also, a sheet hole941which is cut or penetrated at a position corresponding to the cover hole924may be defined in the reflective sheet94. Thus, the stem from which the seed is germinated may be exposed to the outside through the container cover92and the sheet hole941.

Also, the cover sheet95may be attached to the top surface of the container cover92. The cover sheet95may be disposed above the reflective sheet94and be attached to the cover edge922or adhere to the reflective sheet94.

The cover sheet95may seal the top surface of the container cover92when packaging and transporting the container91to prevent the seed package90from being damaged, prevent the seeds accommodated in the seed package90from being discharged to the outside, prevent the inside of the seed package90from being contaminated due to the introduction of the external contaminants.

Also, the type of crops to be cultivated and related cultivation information may be printed on the cover sheet95. Thus, the user may acquire information necessary for cultivation of the plant by using the information displayed on the cover sheet95. For example, the information may be displayed in a manner such as a barcode or QR-code, and the information may be obtained through a mobile phone or a reader of the apparatus1for cultivating plants itself.

To cultivate the plants using the apparatus1for cultivating plants, the cover sheet95of the seed package90may be removed, and the seed package90may be seated on the seat320of the cultivation shelf30. Also, an operation of the apparatus1for cultivating plants may be set using the information on the cover sheet95, and the operation of the apparatus1for cultivating plants may be controlled according to the setting.

The seed package90may be disposed so that both sides thereof are symmetrical with respect to the center thereof. Thus, it is possible to cultivate different types of crops at both the sides of the seed package90based on the water inlet912. That is, it is possible to cultivate different types of crops within one seed package90.

Also, in the state in which the seed package90is seated on the cultivation shelf30, the shutter33may be disposed at the center of the seed package90. That is, the accommodation space900may be disposed on both the sides of the seed package90with respect to the shutter33. Thus, areas on which plants are grown on the seed package90may be disposed on both sides of the shutter33. Due to this structure, water may be uniformly supplied to both the sides of the seed package90through one shutter33.

Also, since the shutter33is disposed at a position corresponding to the center of the seed package90, the seed package90may be mounted in a desired direction regardless of the mounted direction of the seed package90, and when seated, water may be uniformly supplied to cultivation areas at both the sides thereof.

Also, the container cover92may also be divided into both sides based on the center and be provided in a symmetrical shape. Also, the cover sheet95may be provided in two and be attached to both the sides of the container cover92, respectively. Therefore, the user may check the crops grown by using the cover sheet95.

Hereinafter, the internal structure of the apparatus1for cultivating plants will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG.5is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus for cultivating plants. Also,FIG.6is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of the apparatus for cultivating plants.

As illustrated in the drawings, an evaporator243that generates cool air may be provided on a rear wall of the cultivation space100, and a blower50may be provided in front of the evaporator243. Thus, air within the cultivation space100may be circulated by an operation of the blower50, and thus, the inside of the cultivation space100may be maintained to a set temperature.

In detail, the internal temperature of the cultivation space100may be controlled by a refrigeration cycle. Here, the evaporator243may be disposed on an inner rear wall of the cultivation space100. The evaporator243may be provided with a roll bond-type heat exchanger and may be referred to as a heat exchanger. The evaporator243may have a plate-shaped structure that is easily attached to the rear wall of the cultivation space100. Also, the evaporator243may minimize a loss of the cultivation space100due to the plate-like structure and also may be close to the cultivation space100to effectively control a temperature of the cultivation space100.

A heater19may be provided on one wall surface of the cultivation space100. Thus, heating and cooling of the cultivation space100may be performed. The inside of the cultivation space100may be maintained to a temperature that is suitable for the growth of plants (e.g., about 18° C. to about −28° C.) by the evaporator243and the heater19. If necessary, a configuration for heating other than the heater19may be provided, and various heating methods such as the heating structure using a hot gas through a direction change of the refrigeration cycle may be performed. The temperature inside the cultivation space100may be sensed by an internal temperature sensor and may be maintained to a temperature that is suitable for crops to be cultivated.

As described above, components including the evaporator243, the compressor241, and the condenser242, which are configured to control the temperature of the cultivation space100, may be referred to as a temperature control device. The temperature control device may further include the heater19.

The inside of the cultivation space may be divided into an upper space, in which an upper blower50ais disposed, and a lower space, in which a lower blower50bis disposed. Here, the inside of the cultivation space may be dived by the cultivation shelf30. The blowers50that are vertically disposed have the same structure and shape, but only different from each other in their mounted positions. That is, the blower50may be provided as many as the number corresponding to the number of the cultivation shelves30and may blow air forward from a rear side of the cultivation shelf30. Thus, the air may be independently circulated in the spaces inside the cultivation space100by being partitioned by the cultivation shelf30.

As illustrated inFIG.6, the air inside the cultivation space100may be circulated by the blower50, and in particular, the circulated air may pass through the rear wall surface of the evaporator243, and thus, the entire inside of the cultivation space100may have a uniform temperature and be quickly controlled in temperature. Also, the air circulated by the blower50may flow while passing through the top surface of the cultivation shelf30and the bottom surface of the lighting device40.

The air flowing by the blower50may pass through the top surface of the cultivation shelf30to allow respiration of the plants grown on the cultivation shelf30to be smoother and also allows the plants to be properly shaken, thereby controlling stress so that an optimum airflow required for growth is provided. Also, the air flowing by the blower50may pass through the bottom surface of the lighting device40to prevent the lighting device40from being overheated.

The blower50as a whole may include a blowing guide51mounted in front of the evaporator243, a blowing fan52mounted on the blowing guide51, and a cover plate53covering the blowing guide51.

The blowing fan52may be mounted at a center of the blowing guide51, and when the blowing fan52is driven, air may flow smoothly from the bottom to the top. Also, a lower end of the blowing guide51may be spaced apart from the top surface of the cultivation shelf30, and an upper end of the blowing guide51may be spaced apart from a bottom surface of the lighting device40. Thus, when the blower fan52is driven, the blowing guide51may guide air so that the air is suctioned along the top surface of the cultivation shelf30and discharged along the bottom surface of the lighting device40.

Also, a deodorizing member54may be provided on a lower end of the blowing guide51. The deodorizing member54may be provided as a filter made of a deodorant material or may be made of a porous material through which air passes. In addition, the deodorizing member54may be provided on a path through which air is suctioned to remove and collect odor generating factors in the air of the cultivation space100. An odor may not be generated in the cultivation space100by the deodorizing member54, and a continuous deodorizing action may be achieved when the blower50is driven.

The blowing fan52may be provided in a box fan shape and may be configured to blow the cooled or heated rear air forward through the evaporator243.

Also, the cover plate53may be disposed in front of the blowing guide51to shield the blowing guide51, thereby preventing the blowing guide51from being exposed to the outside. The cover plate53may be coupled to the blowing guide51, and the upper and lower ends of the cover plate53may be spaced apart from the lighting device40and the cultivation shelf30, respectively, to provide an air inlet and an air outlet.

The cover plate53may define an inner surface of the cultivation space100exposed when the door13is opened. Also, an additional sub-plate15may be further provided at the rear side of the cultivation shelf30to prevent the evaporator243from being exposed when the cultivation shelf30is withdrawn.

The lighting device40may be provided above the cultivation shelf30. The lighting device40may radiate light toward the cultivation shelf30to provide light that is necessary for plants. Here, an amount of light radiated by the lighting device40may be set similar to sunlight, and an amount of light and a radiation time optimized for the plant to be grown may be set.

The lighting device40may be provided in number corresponding to the number of cultivation shelves30and may be provided above each cultivation shelf30. For example, the lighting device40may include an upper lighting device40aprovided in an upper space partitioned by the cultivation shelf30and a lower lighting device40bprovided in a lower space partitioned by the cultivation shelf30. The upper lighting device40amay be mounted on the top surface of the cultivation space100, and the lower lighting device40bmay be mounted on the bottom surface of the upper cultivation shelf30a.

That is, the upper lighting device40aand the lower lighting device40bmay be disposed vertically above the cultivation shelf30, which are disposed therebelow, to radiate light toward the cultivation shelf30, thereby controlling the growth of the cultivated plants.

The lighting device40may include an LED module42including a plurality of LEDs421(seeFIG.17), a light case41on which the LED module42is mounted, and a light cover43which shields the LED module42and through which light is transmitted. The plurality of LEDs421may be provided so as to provide a sufficient amount of light to the cultivation shelf30and may be widely distributed above the cultivation shelf30. The LED module42may be configured in a state in which the plurality of LEDs421are mounted on a substrate, and the plurality of LED modules42including the plurality of LEDs421may be disposed.

Also, the plurality of LEDs421may be disposed to provide a uniform amount of light to the entire top surface of the cultivation space100in consideration of the reflection from the inside of the cultivation space100. Therefore, intervals between the LEDs421may not be all the same.

Also, the plurality of LEDs421may be shielded by the light cover43, and the light radiated from the LEDs421may be diffused in a process of passing through the light cover43. As a result, the lighting device40may emit light in the form of surface plate, and bright spots such as light condensation at a portion corresponding to the LEDs21may be prevented from occurring.

The water tank70may be provided on a bottom surface inside the cabinet10. The water tank70may store water supplied to the cultivation shelf30and water collected from the cultivation shelf30. The water tank70may be disposed below the cultivation shelf30, which is disposed at the lowermost side, among the plurality of the cultivation shelves30and may be disposed in front of a position corresponding to the front end of the cultivation shelf30.

A length of the water tank70in a horizontal direction may correspond to a width of the inner space of the cabinet10. Also, a length of the water tank70in a vertical direction may correspond to a distance between the cultivation shelf30, which is disposed at the lowermost side, and the bottom surface of the cultivation space100. That is, the water tank70may be provided to fill an entire space below the lower cultivation shelf40bdisposed at the lowermost side, and a space behind the water tank70may be covered by the water tank70.

A pump cover81may be provided in the rear space covered by the water tank70. A pump83supplying water of the water tank70to the cultivation shelf and a sub tank provided between the water tank70and the pump83may be further provided in the pump cover81.

The pump83may be configured to supply water to the cultivation shelf30and be connected to an outlet of the sub tank82. Also, the pump83may be provided as many as the number corresponding to the cultivation shelf30. That is, the pump83may include an upper pump83asupplying water to the upper cultivation shelf30aand a lower pump83bsupplying water to the lower cultivation shelf30b. Also, the upper pump83aand the lower pump83bmay be connected to water supply pipes84that are directed to the upper cultivation shelf30aand the lower cultivation shelf30bto independently supply water to the upper cultivation shelf30aand the lower cultivation shelf30b, respectively.

Alternatively, only one pump83may be provided. In this case, the pump83may be connected to a switching valve so that the water discharged from the pump83is selectively supplied to the upper cultivation shelf30aand the lower cultivation shelf30b.

The sub tank82may be disposed at a side of the pump83to connect the water tank70to the pump83. The sub tank82may be disposed on a path through which water of the water tank70is supplied to the pump83and may be always maintained at a constant water level. Thus, an accurate operation of the pump83may be ensured, and a quantity of water may be supplied to the cultivation shelf30.

The water tank70may be disposed to be able to be withdrawn and inserted, and thus, the water tank70and the sub tank82may be separated from each other when the water tank70is withdrawn. In a state in which the water tank70is completely mounted, the water tank70and the sub tank82may be connected to each other to supply water.

Also, although not shown, a water supply module supplying water to the cultivation shelf30and a drain module draining the water of the cultivation shelf30to the water tank70may be disposed at both left and right surfaces of the cabinet10. The water circulation between the water tank70and the cultivation shelf30may be possible by the water supply module and the drain module.

The water tank70may be provided inside the cultivation space100so as to be accessible in the front and rear directions. Also, the water tank70may include a tank body71defining a space in which water is stored and a tank cover72that opens and closes a top surface of the tank body71. Thus, the water tank70may have a structure in which the water tank70is opened in the withdrawn state to allow additional water supply.

Also, nutrients required for the plant cultivation may be supplied to the water tank70by opening the tank cover72, and thus, the nutrients together with water may be supplied to the cultivation shelf30. Therefore, even if the seed package90itself does not contain the nutrients, the nutrients may be effectively supplied to the seeds. Thus, the water circulated between the water tank70and the cultivation shelf30may be water that is in a state containing the nutrients and thus may be referred to as a nutrient solution or a culture solution.

The display14may be provided on the front surface of the cultivation space100. The display14may be provided with a manipulation portion through which a user's manipulation is input to set or input an overall operation of the apparatus1for cultivating plants.

A machine room module20may be provided below the cabinet10. The machine room module20may be coupled to the bottom surface of the cabinet10, and components including the compressor241and the condenser242constituting the refrigeration cycle may be disposed therein.

The machine room module20may be coupled to the cabinet10in a state in which the compressor241and the condenser242are installed therein. Also, in a state in which the machine room module20and the cabinet10are coupled to each other, a pipe connecting the evaporator243to the compressor241, which are provided inside the cabinet10, may be connected to each other to allow the refrigeration cycle to operate.

Hereinafter, the structure of the machine room200will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG.7is a perspective view of the seed package that is put into the apparatus for cultivating plants.

As illustrated in the drawings, the machine room module20may be mounted on the bottom surface of the cabinet10to define a space of the machine room200, which is independent from the cultivation space100under the cabinet10. The machine room module20may be constituted by a machine room lower plate211defining a bottom surface, a pair of machine room side plates212defining both side surfaces, and a machine room rear plate213defining a rear surface.

The machine room lower plate211, the machine room side plate212, and the machine room rear plate213may be coupled to each other to constitute a single module, which may be referred to as a machine room frame. A space defined by the machine room frame may be defined so that a top surface and a front surface thereof are opened. Thus, the machine room frame may be coupled to the bottom surface of the cabinet10to define the machine room200under the cabinet10. That is, the bottom surface of the cabinet10and the top surface of the machine room200may be shared.

The inside of the machine room module20may be partitioned by a barrier231. The barrier231may extend backward from the opened front end of the machine room module20. The condenser242may be provided in a left space partitioned by the barrier231, and a compressor241may be provided in a right space partitioned by the barrier231. Also, a heat dissipation fan233for forcibly flowing air from the left side to the right side may be provided on a rear end of the barrier231.

A front cover22may be provided on the opened front surface of the machine room module20. The front cover22may shield the opened front surface of the machine room module20, and a grill portion221may be disposed on the front surface of the front cover22. The grill portion221may define an opening, through which air is injected and discharged, such as a grill.

Thus, when the heat dissipation fan233is driven, external air may be suctioned to flow to the left space of the machine room module20through a left side of the grill portion221, and the suctioned air may pass through the condenser242and then be heat-exchanged with a refrigerant in the condenser242to dissipate heat of the condenser242. Also, the air passing through the heat dissipation fan233may cool the compressor241while passing through the compressor241. Also, the air passing through the compressor241may be discharged forward through the right side of the grill portion221.

That is, while the apparatus1for cultivating plants is installed, external air may be suctioned, and the air inside the machine room module20may be discharged at the front side while passing through the front cover22. Thus, the apparatus1for cultivating plants may be installed in a space in which both the left and right sides and the rear surface are blocked. Particularly, even if the apparatus1for cultivating plants is installed in a furniture such as a sink, the cooling and heat exchange of the compressor241and the condenser242in the machine room module20may be effectively performed.

The evaporator243constituting the refrigeration cycle may be provided inside the cabinet10and also be disposed vertically on the rear surface of the cultivation space100so as to be easily connected to the components inside the machine room module20by a refrigerant pipe.

A condensed water receiver232from which condensed water generated in the evaporator243or defrosting water generated during defrosting is discharged may be provided in the machine room module20. Also, at least a portion of the condenser may be disposed inside the condensed water receiver232, or the refrigerant pipe connected to the condenser242may be disposed inside the condensed water receiver232to evaporate water inside the condensed water receiver232.

Hereinafter, the internal structure of the cabinet10will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Also,FIG.8is a cutaway perspective view illustrating the internal structure of the apparatus for cultivating plants.

As illustrated in the drawing, the cabinet10may define the cultivation space100by an inner case12.

The inner case12may include a bottom plate121defining a bottom surface of the cultivation space100, a pair of side plates122defining left and right surfaces of the cultivation space100, a top plate123defining a top surface of the cultivation space100, and a back plate124defining a rear surface of the cultivation space100.

The inner case12may be provided by at least one or more metal plates, for example, the inner case12may be made of an aluminum material. The inner case12may be provided by coupling the bottom plate121, the side plate122, the top plate123, and the back plate124to each other.

The bottom plate121may define the bottom surface of the cultivation space100and have a shape of which a rear portion is stepped with a higher height. The rear portion of the bottom plate121, which has a relatively high height, may be a portion corresponding to an arrangement position of the compressor241to secure an installation space of the compressor241inside the machine room200.

Also, the sub tank82and the pump83may be disposed in the first half of the bottom plate121having the relatively low height and may be shielded by the pump cover81. A ventilation fan171may be provided in a space inside the pump cover81, and an exhaust duct172through which a bottom surface of the cultivation space100and the machine room200communicate with each other may be provided under the ventilation fan171. Thus, air inside the cultivation space100may be exhausted to the machine room200, and external air may be introduced into an inlet provided in the other wall of the cabinet10to supply carbon dioxide required for the plant growth.

The water tank70may be disposed in front of the pump cover81. The water tank70may be disposed to be accessible inside the cultivation space100. For this, a tank rail79for the accessible water tank70may be provided on each of both sides of the side plate122. The tank rail79may have a structure extending in multiple stages, and when the water tank70is completely withdrawn, the tank cover72may be withdrawn by a distance at which the tank cover72is capable of being opened and closed. Also, when the water tank70is completely inserted, the water tank70may be connected to the sub tank82and the drain module.

A water supply pipe guide portion122amay be disposed on the side plate122at the right side of the side plate122. The water supply pipe guide portion122amay be configured to guide the water supply pipe84that is directed to the cultivation shelf30and may be provided to be recessed so that the water supply pipe84is accommodated.

The water supply pipe guide portion122amay extend backward along a lower end of the side plate122and may extend upward from a rear end of the side plate122. Also, a guide portion cover122bmay be disposed on the water supply pipe guide portion122ato shield a portion of an opened front surface of the water supply pipe guide portion122a. The guide portion cover122bmay be configured to shield the water supply pipe guide portion122aextending in the vertical direction along the rear end of the side plate122, and the water supply pipe84accommodated therein may not be exposed to the outside.

Also, a water supply pipe fixing portion may be further disposed on the guide portion cover122b. The water supply pipe fixing portion may fix an end of the water supply pipe84through which water is discharged so as to be disposed on the water supply portion316of each of the upper and lower cultivation shelves30aand30b. Thus, the position of the outlet of the water supply pipe84may be fixed, and water may be supplied to the cultivation shelf30at an accurate position.

The water supply pipe84may have a metal tubular shape and include an upper water supply pipe84a, which is connected to the upper pump83ato supply water to the upper cultivation shelf30a, and a lower water supply pipe84b, which is the lower pump83bto supply water to the lower cultivation shelf30b.

The sub tank82, the pump83, and the water supply pipe84, which are disposed to supply water to the cultivation shelf30, may be referred to as a water supply module, and the water supply module may be provided in the inner space and the sidewall of the cultivation space100so as not to be exposed to the outside in a normally used state.

Particularly, the water supply pipe84may be in a state of being accommodated in the water supply pipe guide portion122adisposed on the side surface of the cultivation space100and may not be exposed to the outside by the guide portion cover122b. Also, an end of the water supply pipe84adjacent to the cultivation shelf30may be covered by the cover plate53of the blower50.

Also, a drain module may be disposed at the other side facing one side of the cultivation space100in which the water supply module is disposed. That is, the water supply module and the drain module may be disposed on both left and right sides based on the cultivation shelf30, respectively.

The evaporator243may be mounted on the back plate124. The evaporator243may be provided in a plate shape and may be disposed to occupy most of the rear wall surface of the cultivation space100. Also, the blower50may be provided in front of the evaporator243.

Also, the lighting device40may be provided on the bottom surface of the top plate123. The upper lighting device40adisposed at the uppermost side of the lighting device40may be fixedly mounted on the bottom surface of the top plate123. Also, the lower lighting device40bmay be disposed below the upper cultivation shelf30a.

The cultivation shelf30may be disposed so as to be accessible to the side plates122disposed at both sides thereof. The side plate122may be provided with a shelf rail16extending in multiple stages, and each of both side surfaces of the cultivation shelf30may be coupled to the shelf rail16. Thus, the cultivation shelf30may be accessible in the front and rear direction, and thus, it is easy to harvest and manage the plants grown on the cultivation shelf30, and it is easy to install and remove the seed package90.

Hereinafter, the arrangement of the cultivation shelf30and the water supply module and the drain module will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG.9is a perspective view illustrating the cultivation shelf and the water supply and drain modules, each of which is one component of the apparatus for cultivating plants. Also,FIG.10is a perspective view of the water supply module and the drain module. Also,FIG.11is a view illustrating a flow state of water between the cultivation shelf and the water tank.

As illustrated in the drawings, the plurality of cultivation shelves30may be arranged vertically. For example, the cultivation shelf30may include an upper cultivation shelf30adisposed at an upper side and a lower cultivation shelf30bdisposed at a lower side. The upper cultivation shelf30amay be referred to as a first cultivation shelf, and the lower cultivation shelf30bmay be referred to as a second cultivation shelf.

The upper cultivation shelf30aand the lower cultivation shelf30bmay be spaced a set interval from each other, and a space above the upper cultivation shelf30aand a space above the lower cultivation shelf30bmay be spaced apart from each other to secure a sufficient height at which so that plants are capable of being grown.

Also, the water supply module and the drain module, which are respectively disposed on both left and right sides of the cultivation shelf30, may be connected to the water tank70. Thus, as water is circulated between the water tank70and the cultivation shelf30, the seed package90may be supplied with an appropriate amount of water and nutrients in time.

The water supply module may be disposed at the right side of the cultivation shelf30on which the water supply portion316is disposed. Also, the water supply module may include the pump83and the water supply pipe84. The pump83and the water supply pipe84may be configured to provide independent water supply to the upper cultivation shelf30aand the lower cultivation shelf30b. For example, the pump83may include an upper pump83aand a lower pump83b, and the water supply pipe84may include an upper water supply pipe84aand a lower water supply pipe84b.

The pump83may adjust an amount of water supplied to the cultivation shelf30through control, and thus, a quantity of water may be supplied. For example, the pump83may operate 8 times per day, that is, at a time period of about 3 hours. Thus, when water is supplied once, about 1 liter of water may be supplied. Here, an amount of water supplied may be controlled through a driving time of the pump83. If necessary, the water supply module may include a flow sensor, and as a flow rate is sensed through the flow sensor, the pump83may be driven to be controlled to provide a quantitative water supply.

At least a portion of the water supply pipe84may be provided as a metal pipe. Particularly, an end of the outlet-side water supply pipe84adjacent to the cultivation space100may be bent to be maintained in its position and shape. Thus, when water is supplied to the cultivation shelf30, an accurate water supply position may be maintained to prevent the water from leaking or splashing outside the cultivation shelf30.

An end of the water supply pipe84may extend toward the water supply portion316disposed at the rear end of the cultivation shelf30. The water supply portion316may protrude backward from the rear end of the cultivation shelf30and have an opened top surface. Also, the end of the water supply pipe84may be disposed above the opened top surface of the water supply portion316and be bent to face the opened top surface of the water supply portion316.

The water supply module may include the sub tank82. The sub tank82may be disposed at a side of the pump83and be disposed behind the water tank70. The sub tank82may be connected to the water tank70and the pump83so that the water in the water tank70is supplied to the pump83.

Also, the sub tank82may be configured to be always maintained at a set water level. Thus, when the pump83is stopped and restarted, air may be prevented from being introduced, and water may be always filled in the inlet side of the pump83. Thus, the pump83may ensure that an accurate amount of water is supplied through the time control. Also, even if the small pump83is used repeatedly for a long time, a reliable operation may be secured.

The drain module may be disposed at the left side of the cultivation shelf30on which the opening/closing member36is provided. The drain module may include a drain tray85and a drain pipe89. The drain tray85may be disposed below the opening/closing member36that opens and closes a drain hole319of the cultivation shelf30to receive water from the cultivation shelf30, which is drained from the drain hole319.

The opening/closing member36may be configured to open and close the drain hole319by rotation thereof and may operate by a driving device86provided above the opening/closing member36. The driving device86may include an upper driving device86afor opening the opening/closing member36of the upper cultivation shelf30aand a lower driving device86bfor opening the opening/closing member36of the lower cultivation shelf30b.

For example, the driving device86may have a structure in which a rod moves vertically by driving a motor, and when moving downward, the drain hole319may be opened by pressing the opening/closing member36to rotate. Also, when the rod moves upward, the opening/closing member36may be returned to its original position to close the drain hole319again.

That is, water of the cultivation shelf30may be drained by the operation of the driving device86. The driving device86may operate after a set time elapses after water is supplied to the cultivation shelf30. The set time may be set to a time at which water supplied to the cultivation shelf30and supplied to the seed package90is sufficiently supplied as the seeds. The seeds or plants inside the seed package90may absorb a sufficient amount of water within the set time after water is supplied into the seed package90.

For example, the set time may be set to about 1 hour to about 1 hour 30 minutes. Therefore, the cultivation shelf30may be maintained in water supply state for at least the set time, and after the set time elapses, all the water inside the cultivation shelf30may be drained by driving the driving device86. Thus, the inside of the cultivation shelf30and the seed package90may be maintained in empty state of water until resupplying of water starts, and mold or green algae may be prevented from occurring in the cultivation space100.

Particularly, the blower50may be driven inside the cultivation space100, and the water inside the cultivation shelf30may be more effectively removed due to the air circulation by the blower50. Thus, the contaminated environment of the cultivation space100may be eliminated during a time period until the resupplying of water starts after the drain is completed.

The set time may be adjusted according to the type of crops. When the amount of water suitable for cultivated plants is large, the set time may be adjusted so that the water supply time increases, or water is more frequently supplied.

When a water level inside the cultivation shelf30exceeds an appropriate water level, the driving device86may be driven to forcibly drain the water from the cultivation shelf30regardless of the set time to prevent the water within the cultivation shelf30from overflowing.

The drain tray85may be connected to the drain pipe89. The drain tray85may serve as a buffer for primarily accommodating water discharged from the cultivation shelf30. Also, the drain tray85may have a predetermined area to prevent the falling water from being splashing or overflowing while the water is drained. Also, the water discharged from the cultivation shelf30may be guided toward the drain pipe89without overflowing.

The drain tray85may include an upper drain tray85aprovided below the upper cultivation shelf30aand a lower drain tray85bprovided below the lower cultivation shelf30b. Also, the upper drain tray85aand the lower drain tray85bmay be connected to the drain pipe89.

The drain pipe89may be configured to guide water from the drain tray85to the water tank70and may include a connection pipe87connected to the drain tray85and a drain tube88connecting the connection pipe87to the water tank70.

The connection pipe87may be connected to both the upper drain tray85aand the lower drain tray85band may extend in the vertical direction. The connection pipe87may have a sufficient inner space so as not to overflow or backflow even when a large amount of water is supplied from the drain tray85and may have a cross-sectional area greater than that of the drain tube88.

An upper end of the connection pipe87may be connected to the upper drain tray85aand may extend further downward than the lower drain tray85b. Also, a lower end of the connection pipe87may be bent forward and may extend forward.

The connection pipe87may be disposed inside the side surface of the cultivation space100. That is, the connection pipe87may be accommodated in a portion recessed in the side plate122so that the connection pipe87protrudes to the inside of the cultivation space100or is not exposed when viewed from the front side.

The drain tube88may be connected to a lower end of the connection pipe87. The drain tube88may be provided in a tube shape having a diameter less than the cross-sectional area of the connection pipe87and may be made of a flexible material. Thus, the drain tube88may extend from an end of the connection pipe87to the water tank70and may be disposed inside the pump cover81.

A drain valve881may be provided at the extending end of the drain tube88. The drain valve881may be exposed to the outside of the pump cover81and be connected to the water tank70when the water tank70is mounted.

In detail, the drain valve881has the same structure as a check valve and may be opened while being connected to the water tank70when the water tank70is mounted. Due to the opening of the drain valve881, the drain pipe89and the water tank70may communicate with each other, and water drained from the cultivation shelf30may be introduced into the water tank70.

Also, when the water tank70is withdrawn, the drain valve881may be closed by releasing contact with the water tank70to prevent the water in the drain pipe89from being drained. Thus, the inside of the cultivation space100may be prevented from being contaminated by the drained water while the water tank70is withdrawn.

As described above, the water tank70may be connected to the water supply module and the drain module. Thus, the water of the water tank70may be supplied to the upper cultivation shelf30aand the lower cultivation shelf30bby the water supply module, and the water from the upper cultivation shelf30aand the lower cultivation shelf30bmay be collected to the water tank70by the drain module. That is, as illustrated inFIG.11, water may be circulated between the water tank70and the cultivation shelf30.

Hereinafter, the structure of the cultivation shelf30will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. Since the cultivation shelf30has the same structure regardless of the vertical position, only one cultivation shelf30will be described below, and the upper cultivation shelf30aand the lower cultivation shelf30bmay have exactly the same structure.

FIG.12is a perspective view of the cultivation shelf. Also,FIG.13is an exploded perspective view of the cultivation shelf.

As illustrated in the drawings, the cultivation shelf30may be configured so that the plurality of the seed packages90are seated, and the water supplied from the water tank70may be supplied to the seed packages90.

In detail, the cultivation shelf30may include a shelf tray32on which the seed package90is mounted, and a shelf base31accommodating water supplied to the seed package90. Also, the shelf tray32may be seated on the shelf base31to define an outer appearance of the top surface of the cultivation shelf30.

The shelf tray32may be made of a metal material to have an excellent and clean outer appearance. For example, the shelf tray32may be made of a stainless material to be resistant to contamination and to facilitate cleaning and management.

The shelf tray32may be mounted in a state of overlapping a top surface of the shelf base31and may be provided in a shape corresponding to the top surface shape of the shelf base31. Also, when the shelf tray32is mounted, a front surface and left and right surfaces of the shelf base31may be exposed, and the water supply portion316and the opening/closing member36, which are disposed on a rear surface of the shelf base31, may also protrude to a rear side of the shelf tray32.

The shelf tray32may be provided in a rectangular shape when viewed from above. Also, the shelf tray32may include a tray top surface321that defines an outer appearance of the top surface as a whole and a seat320recessed from the tray top surface321. The seat320may be referred to as a tray seat to be distinguished from a base seat310of the shelf base31.

The top surface of the tray321may define an outer appearance of the top surface of the shelf base31except for the seat320and may be provided in a planar shape. Also, a tray edge321abent or curved in a round shape may be disposed around the top surface of the tray321.

The seat320may be recessed in a shape corresponding to the seed package90so that the seed package90is seated. A plurality of seats320may be provided so that the plurality of the seed packages90are seated in separate spaces, respectively. For example, three seats320may be arranged side by side in the left and right direction.

The seat320may accommodate the entire bottom surface of the seed package90and may be recessed to accommodate at least a portion of upper and lower heights. Here, the seat bottom surface321may have a size and shape corresponding to those of the container bottom surface911of the seed package90. Thus, when the seed package90is seated on the seat320, the container bottom surface911may be in surface contact with the seat bottom surface321. In this state, even if water is supplied by opening the shutter33, the water may not be permeated between the bottom surface911of the container and the bottom surface322of the seat.

Also, the shutter33may be provided at a center of the bottom surface322of the seat. One shutter33may be provided for each of the plurality of seats320. Also, the shutter33may be mounted on a communication member mounting hole323passing through the bottom surface322of the seat. The shutter33may move vertically to allow the water accommodated in the shelf base31to be selectively introduced. The shutter33may be referred to as a water supply member because of enabling the selective water supply to the seat320.

The shutter33may be disposed at the center of each of the plurality of seats320, and the plurality of shutters33may all be disposed in the same extension line. For example, the shutters33may be disposed in the same extension line in the horizontal direction (left and right direction inFIG.12). Therefore, when water is supplied, the water may be supplied at the same position in each of the seats320, and also, the water may be accurately supplied regardless of the mounted positions of the seed package90on the plurality of seats320.

The shutter33may operate according to the mounting of the seed package90. That is, the shutter33may be maintained in closed state inside the seat320, on which the seed package90is not mounted, among the plurality of seats320and may be maintained in opened state at the seat320, on which the seed package90is mounted, so that the water is introduced to be supplied to the seed package90.

That is, the shutter33may be configured to selectively supply the water to the seat320, on which the seed package90is mounted, among the plurality of seats320according to whether the seed package90is mounted.

The shutter33may be disposed at a position facing the water inlet912of the seed package90, and when the seed package90is seated on the seat320, a portion of the shutter33may be accommodated inside the water inlet912, and a bottom surface of the water inlet912may press a top surface of the shutter33so that the shutter33operates. The structure of the shutter33and the interaction between the shutter33and the water inlet912will be described in more detail below.

The shelf base31may be provided below the shelf tray32. The shelf base31may be configured to allow water supplied from the water tank70to flow and be stored and may have a top surface shape corresponding to a bottom surface shape of the shelf tray32so that the shelf tray32is seated.

The shelf base31may be made of a plastic material and may be provided in a square shape corresponding to the shelf tray32when viewed from above. Also, the shelf base31may include a base top surface311on which the shelf tray32is mounted and a base seat310. Also, a handle312for the withdrawal of the cultivation shelf30may be provided on a front surface of the shelf base31, and a base side surface coupled to the shelf rail for the withdrawal of the cultivation shelf30may be provided at each of both left and right sides of the shelf base31.

Also, a shutter accommodation portion315in which the shutter33is accommodated and a base passage317connecting the shutter accommodation portion315to the water supply portion316and the drain hole319may be provided inside the shelf base31. Also, the shelf base31may be provided with an opening/closing member36that opens and closes the drain hole319and the floater34sensing a water level of the shelf base31.

Hereinafter, the structure of the shelf base31will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG.14is a lower perspective view of the shelf base that is one component of the cultivation shelf.FIG.15is a plan view of the shelf base.

As illustrated in the drawings, the shelf base31may have an outer appearance of a top surface appearance, which is defined by the base top surface311. Also, the base top surface311may support the tray top surface321of the shelf tray32.

Also, the handle312may be disposed on a front surface of the shelf base31. The handle312may define the front surface of the shelf base31and may extend from a left front end to a right end of the shelf base31and also may extend downward from the base top surface311.

The handle312may protrude downward so that the user pulls the handle by putting his or her hand into a lower front of the shelf base31. The user may hold the handle312to manipulate the withdrawal of the cultivation shelf30.

Also, the base side surfaces313may be defined on both left and right sides of the shelf base31, respectively. The base side surface313may extend downward from each of both left and right ends of the top surface311of the base311.

A front coupling portion313aand a rear coupling portion313bcoupled to the shelf rail16may be disposed on the base side surfaces313. The front coupling portion313amay be provided in the first half of the base side surface313and may be provided in a groove shape with a lower end recessed. Also, the rear coupling portion313bmay be provided at a rear end of the base side surface313and may be provided in a groove shape that is recessed forward.

Thus, to mount the cultivation shelf30, that is, the shelf base31on the shelf rail16, the shelf base31may first move backward to restrict the rear end of the shelf base31so that one side of the shelf rail16is inserted into the rear coupling portion313b. Then, a front end of the shelf base31may move downward so that the other side of the shelf base31is inserted into the front coupling portion313ato restrict the front end of the cultivation shelf30to the shelf rail16, thereby coupling the shelf base31to the shelf rail16.

A shelf detection member35may be provided at one side of the bottom surface of the shelf base31. The shelf detection member35may be configured to detect that the cultivation shelf is completely inserted and may be provided at a position corresponding to the shelf detection device49disposed below the cultivation shelf30. For example, the shelf detection member35may be made of a magnetic material and may be exposed downward from the cultivation shelf30.

In this embodiment, the lower lighting device40bmay be provided below the upper cultivation shelf30a, and the shelf detection device49may be disposed on the lower lighting device40b. Also, the water tank70and the pump cover81may be provided below the lower cultivation shelf30b, and the shelf detection member35may be disposed on a top surface of the pump cover81, which is a position corresponding to the shelf detection member35. That is, the shelf detection device49may be disposed at a position corresponding to the position of the shelf detection member35among the constituents disposed below the cultivation shelf30.

The shelf detection device49may be configured as a hall sensor that detects a magnet and be configured to detect the shelf detection member35when the cultivation shelf30is completely inserted. The cultivation shelf30has to be disposed in a state of being inserted to an accurate position. Due to the characteristics of the cultivation shelf30having the structure in which the cultivation shelf30is inserted and withdrawn, if the cultivation shelf30is not disposed at the correct position, the water supply pipe84and the water supply portion316may not be aligned with each other, and thus, water may leak or overflow during the water supply process. Also, during the draining process, water may leak out of the drain tray85.

Thus, in this embodiment, the shelf detection device49may detect whether the cultivation shelf30has reached the correct position, and when the cultivation shelf30is not disposed at the correct position, the information, in which the cultivation is not disposed at the correct position, may be informed to the outside so that the user manipulates the cultivation shelf30to be disposed at the correct position.

The base seat310may be disposed inside the base top surface311. The base seat310may have a shape corresponding to that of the seat320, and a bottom surface of the base seat310, that is, the base bottom surface314may be in surface contact with the seat bottom surface322. Thus, the base seat310and the seat320may be in a state in which the bottom surfaces are in close contact with each other to be maintained in stably mounted state, and thus, the water may be effectively supplied to the seed package90.

Also, a shutter accommodation portion315may be provided at an inner center of the base seat310. The shutter accommodation portion315may be disposed at a position corresponding to the shutter33in a state of being mounted on the shelf tray32, and the shutter accommodation portion315may be provided for each of the plurality of base seats310.

Also, the shutter accommodation portion315may have a size capable of accommodating the shutter33therein. The shutter accommodation portion315may be provided in a circular shape to accommodate a lower portion of the shutter33. Also, the shutter accommodation portion315may define a recessed space having a set height H1so as to ensure vertical movement of the shutter33without interfering with the shutter33when the shutter33moves vertically. The shutter accommodation portion315may be recessed to a height at which the shutter accommodation portion is in contact with the lower end of the shutter33when the shutter33moves to the lowermost position. For example, the set height H1may be approximately 14 mm.

The water supply portion316may be disposed at one side (right side inFIG.15) of the left and right sides of the rear end of the shelf base31. The water supply portion316may protrude backward and be recessed to receive water supplied through the water supply pipe84.

Also, the drain hole319and the opening/closing member36that opens and closes the drain hole319may be provided on the other side (left side inFIG.15) of the left and right sides of the rear end of the shelf base31. The opening/closing member36may have a shape capable of surrounding and shielding the drain hole319and an area adjacent to the drain hole319and may protrude backward to rotate according to the operation of the driving device86, thereby opening and closing the drain hole319. For example, the opening/closing member36may include a cover, a plate, or the like.

The shelf base31may be provided with a base passage317, through which water flows, on the shelf base31. The base passage317may be provided to connect all of the water supply portion316, the shutter accommodation portion315, the water level detection portion317f, the drain hole319, and the drain portion318to each other. In addition, the base passage317may guide the water supplied to the shelf base31so as to be effectively supplied to the seed package90and drained after the water supply is completed.

The base passage317may include a water supply guide portion317a, a branch portion317b, a connection portion317c, and a drain guide portion317d.

In detail, the water supply guide portion317amay be configured to connect the water supply portion316to the branch portion317band may extend from one end of the water supply portion316to the branch portion317b. Here, each of the water supply portion316and the water supply guide portion317amay be disposed at a position higher than the branch portion317b. Also, a bottom surface of the water supply guide portion317amay have an inclination that gradually decreases toward the branch portion317b. Thus, the water supplied to the water supply portion316may flow toward the branch portion317b.

In addition, the branch portion317bmay be disposed along the rear ends of the seats320disposed on the shelf base31. The branch portion317bmay pass through all of the plurality of seats320disposed on the shelf base31, and one end of the branch portion317bmay be connected to the drain guide portion317bconnected to the drain hole319.

Also, the drain guide portion317dmay be connected from one end of the branch portion317bto the drain hole319. The drain hole319may be defined in an end of the drain guide portion317d, and the drain hole319may be defined at the lowest position of the bottom surface of the drain guide portion317d. Thus, water passing through the branch portion317bmay be naturally discharged to the drain hole319through the drain guide portion317d.

A plurality of connection portions317cmay be disposed on the branch portion317b. The plurality of connection portions317cmay be provided for each of the base seats310and may be connected to the shutter accommodation portion315of the base seat310. Thus, the water supplied to the water supply portion316may flow in order to the water supply guide portion317aand the branch portion317band then may be supplied into all the shutter accommodation portions315on the shelf base31through the plurality of connection parts317cconnected to the branch portion317b.

While water is supplied to the water supply portion316and until the set time elapses before the start of the drainage, the opening/closing member36may be closed, and the drain hole319may be maintained in the closed state. Thus, a state in which the base passage317including the shutter accommodation portion315is filled with water may be maintained.

The base passage317may further include a water level detection portion317f. The water level detection portion317fmay be configured to prevent water supply above a full water level H2into the shelf base from occurring and may be configured so that the floater34is disposed in the water level detection portion317f.

Hereinafter, the water level detection device48will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG.16is a cutaway perspective view taken along line XVI-XV1′ ofFIG.12. Also,FIG.17is a view illustrating a state in which a water level in the shelf is detected by the floater of the cultivation shelf.

As illustrated in the drawings, the water level detection portion317fmay extend from one side of the branch portion317b. Also, the branch portion317bmay be disposed at a position facing the extending end of the water supply guide portion317a.

Thus, when water is first supplied from the water supply portion316, the water supplied to the branch portion317bmay be directed to the water level detection portion317fat the same time. Thus, when an excessive amount of water is supplied to increase in water level of the cultivation shelf30, the excessive water supply may be detected first.

In detail, when the shelf tray32is mounted, the water level detection portion317fmay be disposed at a position that does not interfere with the seat320. Therefore, the water level detection portion317fhas to be disposed at one side of the top surface311of the base and also has to be close to the water supply portion316to immediately detect that water is supplied above the full water level. Thus, the water level detection portion317fmay be disposed at a position that is close to the water supply portion316in a space between the base mounting portions310.

If the water level detection portion317fis disposed at the leftmost base seat310, when the water level detection portion317fdetects a water level above the full water level, the rightmost base seat310may be already reached the full water level, and thus, the water may overflow to the outside of the cultivation shelf30as it goes over. Thus, the water level detection portion317fmay be disposed at a position facing the water supply guide portion317ato enable more accurate detection of the water level, thereby preventing water from overflowing from the cultivation shelf30.

Also, the water level detection portion317fmay extend forward and also may extend to a position at which the water level detection device48disposed on the lighting device40under the cultivation shelf30is disposed. Thus, when the floater34is disposed at an end of the water level detection portion317f, the floater34may be disposed at a position facing the water level detection device48to accurately determine the water level of the cultivation shelf30.

In addition, a floater guide343that guides the position of the floater34may protrude from the water level detection portion317f. The floater guide343may be disposed at a position spaced apart from an end of the water level detection portion by a length of the floater34and may extend upward from a bottom surface of the water level detection portion317f. Also, both sides of the floater guide343may be spaced apart from an inner wall surface of the water level detection portion317f, and thus, water may be introduced up to the end of the water level detection portion317fat which the floater34is disposed.

The floater34may include a floater case341and a magnet342. The floater case341may define an outer shape of the floater34and may be made of a material having buoyancy capable of floating in water. That is, the floater34may be made of a sponge or foam material to be floated in water, and a magnet342may be accommodated therein. Also, the magnet342may be disposed on an inner bottom surface of the floater case341. Thus, when the water level detection portion317fis filled with water, the floater34may rise as the water level increases due to the buoyancy.

A water level detection device48may be disposed below the cultivation shelf30. In this embodiment, the lower lighting device40bmay be provided below the upper cultivation shelf30a, and the water level detection device48may be disposed on the lower lighting device40b. Also, the water tank70and the pump cover81may be provided below the lower cultivation shelf30b, and the water level detection device48may be disposed on a top surface of the pump cover81, which is a position corresponding to the floater34. That is, the water level detection device48may be disposed at a position corresponding to the position of the floater34among the constituents disposed below the cultivation shelf30.

InFIG.17, a state in which the water level detection device is disposed in the lighting device is illustrated. As illustrated in the drawing, when the cultivation shelf30is completely inserted, the water level detection device18may be disposed below the floater34.

The lighting device40may include the light case41on which the LED module42is mounted, and the light cover43that shields the LED module42and transmits light radiated from the LED. Also, the lighting device40may include a cover plate53that is coupled to the light case41to define a top surface of the lighting device40. The cover plate53may be disposed to face the bottom surface of the cultivation shelf30and may be disposed adjacent to the bottom surface of the cultivation shelf30.

The water level detection device48may be provided at one side of the light case41. The water level detection device48may be disposed vertically below the floater34in a state in which the cultivation shelf30is inserted. Also, the water level detection device48may be disposed as close to the cover plate53as possible and may be configured to effectively detect the floater34.

The water level detection device48may be configured to detect a change in magnetic field and may be configured to determine a vertical height of the floater34. That is, the water level detection device48may detect a change in magnetic field by the magnet of the floater34to detect a distance to the floater34, thereby determining a water level of the cultivation shelf30.

For example, when water is not supplied to the cultivation shelf30, the floater34may be disposed on a bottom surface of the water level detection portion317f. Here, the position of the floater34may be disposed at the closest position to the water level detection device48, and in the water level detection device48, the water level of the water level detection portion317fmay be determined to be lowest through strength of the strongest magnetic field. In this state, when the set time condition is satisfied, water may be supplied to the cultivation shelf30.

Also, when water is supplied to the cultivation shelf30, the floater34may move upward according to the water level of the cultivation shelf30and then gradually move away from the bottom surface of the water level detection portion317f. Also, the water level detection device48may detect that the strength of the magnetic field gradually decreases as the floater34moves away.

Here, when an amount of water exceeding the full water level H2is supplied to the cultivation shelf30, the water level detection device48may detect the excessive water supply. The amount of water supplied to the cultivation shelf30may be controlled by the driving time of the pump83, but the water level of the cultivation shelf30may be above the full water level due to other factors such as abnormality of the pump83or poor drainage.

When the water level detection device48detects that the water level of the cultivation shelf30is above the abnormal water level H3that is equal to or higher than the full water level H2, the water to the cultivation shelf30may be stopped. That is, when the water level of the cultivation shelf30rises more than necessary, since the water overflows to the outside of the cultivation shelf30, or the drainage and water supply are not smoothly performed, the driving of the pump83may be stopped, or the driving device86may be driven to forcibly drain the water of the cultivation shelf30.

The abnormal water level H3detected by the water level detection device48may be set somewhat higher than the full water level H2. The set abnormal water level H2may be set to a specific height between the full water level H2and a limit water level H4in consideration of residual water remaining on the cultivation shelf30or an error in amount of water, which occurs during the water supply process. For example, the abnormal water level H3may be set between about 20 mm and about 28 mm.

Also, the base passage317may further include a drain guide portion317e. The drain guide portion317emay be disposed at one side of the shelf base31and be configured to prevent the water level of the shelf base31from exceeding the limit water level H4.

Hereinafter, the drain guide portion317ewill be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG.18is a view illustrating a state in which water overflows in a cross-section taken along line XVIII-XVIII′ ofFIG.15. Also,FIG.19is a view illustrating a state of a water level in a cross-section taken along line XIX-XIX′ ofFIG.15.

As illustrated in the drawings, the base passage317may include the drain guide portion317e. The drain guide portion317emay connect the branch portion317bto the drain portion318.

The drain guide portion317emay be provided at the same height as the limit water level H4. The limit water level H4may be higher than the abnormal water level H3detected by the floater34and lower than the height of the top surface311of the base of the shelf base31. For example, the limit water level H4may be set to about 38 mm.

The drain guide portion317emay be disposed at a position above the bottom surface of the branch portion317bby the limit water level H4. Also, the drain guide portion317emay extend backward, and the drain portion318may be disposed on a rear end of the drain guide portion317e.

The drain portion318may extend downward from the rear end of the drain guide portion317eand may be provided in a tubular shape with opened top and bottom surfaces. The drain portion318may extend downward and may extend toward the drain tray85. Here, the lower end of the drain portion318may be disposed higher than the bottom surface of the shelf base31so that when the cultivation shelf30is withdrawn, the lower end of the drain portion318does not interfere with the drain tray85.

Thus, even if the water level detection device48fails to detect the abnormal water level H3due to a failure or the like, the pump83may abnormally operate, or water of the inside of the cultivation shelf30may not be smoothly drained, and thus, the resupply of water may be performed. Here, when the water level inside the shelf base31reaches the limit water level H4, the water may be discharged through the drain portion318naturally.

The water level of the cultivation shelf30may not rise above the limit water level H4in any case, and the phenomenon in which the water supplied to the cultivation shelf30overflows to flow down or contaminates the cultivation space100may be prevented fundamentally.

As described above, even if an abnormal water supply situation occurs in the cultivation shelf30, but a normal water supply state, an occurrence of the water overflow situation in the cultivation shelf30may be prevented from occurring by the water level detection device48and the drain portion318.

As illustrated inFIG.19, in the normal water supply situation, when the pump83is driven for a set time or longer, the water supplied to the cultivation shelf30may be fully filled into the shutter accommodation portion315having the set height H1and also be supplied until the full water level H2is reached. Here, the water supplied to the cultivation shelf30may be approximately 1 L.

When water is supplied to the full water level H2, the water level may be higher than the bottom surface322of the seat, and when the seed package90is mounted in this state, the shutter33of the seat320may be opened so that water is supplied into the seed package90. Also, among the plurality of seats320, the seat320to which the seed package90is not mounted may be blocked by the shutter33so that water is not supplied to the seat320.

Also, even if an excessive water supply situation occurs due to an abnormal operation of the pump83or erroneous detection of the water level detection device48during the water supply process, the water may be forcibly drained through the drain portion318to prevent the water level of the cultivation shelf30from exceeding the limit water level H4.

Hereinafter, the shutter33will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG.20is a cutaway perspective view taken along line XX-XX′ ofFIG.12. Also,FIG.21is an enlarged view illustrating a portion A ofFIG.20. Also,FIG.22is a cutaway perspective view taken along line XXII-XXII′ ofFIG.12. Also,FIG.23is a perspective view of the shutter that is one component of the cultivation shelf. Also,FIG.24is an exploded perspective view illustrating a state in which the shutter is disassembled when viewed from the above.FIG.25is an exploded perspective view illustrating a state in which the shutter is disassembled when viewed from the below.

As illustrated in the drawings, water supplied to the water supply portion316may flow through the base passage317and then be supplied into the shutter accommodation portion315via the water supply guide portion317a, the branch portion317b, and the connection portion317c.

Here, the bottom surfaces of the branch portion317b, the connection portion317c, and the shutter accommodation portion315may be the same height, and the supplied water may be filled at the same time into the branch portion317b, the connection portion317c, and the shutter accommodation portion315. Also, the plurality of connection portions317cand the shutter accommodation portions315connected to the branch portion317bmay also be filled with water at the same time. Also, to realize the vertical movement of the shutter33, the shutter accommodation portion315may be recessed by a distance at which the lower end of the shutter33is movable downward.

Also, the shutter33may be provided inside the seat320that is recessed in the shelf tray32. Also, the shutter33may be disposed at a position corresponding to the shutter accommodation portion315disposed on the shelf base31.

Thus, the constituents of the shutter33, which are disposed at the lower side with respect to the seat bottom surface322, may be disposed inside the shutter accommodation portion315, and the constituents of the shutter33, which are disposed at the upper side with respect to the seat bottom surface322, may protrude to operate due to the contact with the seed package90seated on the seat320.

The shutter33may be maintained in a state mounted on the seat320and may operate according to the mounting of the seed package90so that water supplied to the shelf base31is selectively supplied to the seat320and the seed package90. Since the shutter33determines water supply into the seat, the shutter33may be referred to as a water supply device or an opening/closing device.

That is, according to the operation of the shutter33, the communication hole334edefined in the bottom surface322of the seat may be opened and closed. That is, when the communication hole334eis closed, the water supply to the seat320may be blocked, and when the communication hole334eis opened, the water supply to the seat320and the seed package90may be enabled. Here, the operation of the shutter33may be configured to be opened while being pressed by the seed package90when the seed package90is mounted. Thus, the cultivation shelf30may be configured to provide the selective water supply by the operation of the mechanically configured shutter33without an electrical device requiring a separate power supply.

In the detailed structure of the shutter33, the shutter33may include a shutter member331that moves vertically inside the shutter accommodation portion315, a communication member334in which an opening opened and closed by the shutter member331is defined, and a pressing member336protruding from the seat bottom surface322and elevated by the contact with the seed package90.

In detail, the shutter member331may have a size that is capable of being accommodated inside the shutter accommodation portion315to cover a plurality of communication holes334edefined in the communication member334from below.

The shutter member331may be provided in a disk shape when viewed from above, and a screw hole331cmay be defined in a center of the shutter member331. A screw337may be coupled to the screw hole331c, and the screw337may pass through the shutter member331and be coupled to the boss portion336bof the pressing member336. Thus, the shutter member331and the pressing member336may be integrally coupled to each other and may move vertically together.

The shutter member331may have a flat bottom surface. Thus, when the shutter accommodation portion315is filled with water, the bottom surface of the shutter member331may be in contact with a water surface, and thus, the buoyancy may be effectively applied upward. Particularly, the shutter member331may be made of a material having buoyancy by which the shutter member331is capable of being floated in water, and when the shutter accommodation portion315is filled with water, the shutter member331may move upward according to the water level. For example, the shutter member331may be made of a foam material such as Styrofoam.

Further, a shutter member protrusion331aprotruding upward may be disposed on an upper side of the shutter member331. The shutter member protrusion331amay protrude upward from a position that is separated a predetermined distance from the center of the shutter member331.

Also, a sealing member mounting portion331don which the sealing member332is mounted may be recessed in an outer surface of a shutter member protrusion portion331a. The sealing member332may be provided in a shape such as an O-ring and may be made of a material having elasticity. Also, the sealing member332may be provided to be in contact with the bottom surface of the communication member334when the shutter member331moves upward.

Here, all of the communication holes334edefined in the communication member334may be defined in an inner region of the sealing member332. That is, the sealing member332may be provided in an O-ring shape, and a diameter of the sealing member332may be greater than a distance between the communication holes334e. Thus, when the shutter member331moves upward so that the sealing member332is in contact with the communication member334, water supplied to the shelf base31may not be supplied to the seat320.

Also, a shutter member recess portion331bon which the communication member guide portion334bof the communication member334protruding downward is seated may be disposed on an inner surface of the shutter member protrusion portion331a. Thus, when the shutter member331moves upward, a top surface of the shutter member331and a bottom surface of the communication member334may be maintained to be in close contact with each other.

That is, when the shutter accommodation portion315is filled with water, the shutter member331may move upward so that the sealing member332is in close contact with the communication member334, and the communication member guide portion334band the shutter member recess portion331bare in close contact with each other to maintain the closed state of the shutter member331. In this state, the communication hole334emay be covered by the shutter member331to prevent the water supplied to the shelf base31from flowing toward the seat320.

The communication member334may be disposed at the center of the seat320. The communication member334may be mounted on a communication member mounting hole323defined to pass through the seat320. Here, a circumference of the communication member mounting hole323may be provided to be stepped and may be configured to support the circumference of the communication member334. Also, a sealing member332may be further provided between the circumference of the communication member mounting hole323and the circumference of the communication member334. Thus, in the state in which the communication member334is mounted, leaking of water between the circumference of the communication member mounting hole323and the circumference of the communication member334may be prevented.

The communication member334may be injection-molded using a plastic material. Thus, a relatively complex and three-dimensional structure may be provided. The communication member334may include a communication member guide portion334b, a communication member circumferential portion334aspaced apart from the communication member guide portion334band connected to the communication member mounting hole323, and a plurality of openings defined between the circumferential portion334aand the communication member guide portion334b.

The communication member guide portion334bmay be defined at a central portion of the communication member334. Also, a bottom surface of the communication member guide portion334bmay protrude downward and may be provided in a corresponding shape to be seated in the shutter member recess portion331b.

Also, a top surface of the communication member guide portion334bmay include a spring groove334frecessed downward. The spring groove334fmay be a portion into which a lower end of the spring335penetrated by a boss portion336bis accommodated and may support the spring335from below. Also, an upper end of the spring335may be supported on a bottom surface of the pressing member336.

Therefore, the spring335may maintain the closed state of the shutter33even when water is not accommodated inside the shutter accommodation portion315, and when the pressing member336moves downward, the spring335may be compressed. That is, when the seed package90is removed from the seat320in the state in which the seed package90is seated, the pressing member336may move upward due to restoring force of the spring335, and the shutter33may be maintained in the closed state.

If it is not necessary to maintain the closed state of the shutter33in a state in which the seed package90is not mounted, the spring may be omitted.

Also, a through-hole334cthrough which the boss portion336bof the pressing member336passes may be defined in the communication member guide portion334b. The communication member guide portion334bin which the through-hole334cis defined may be bent in a shape such as a boss. Thus, the pressing member336may move vertically while passing through the through-hole334c, and the shutter member331may also move vertically together with the pressing member336.

The communication member circumferential portion334amay be connected to the communication member mounting hole323, and the sealing member332may be disposed along an outer end of the communication member circumferential portion334a. An inner diameter of the communication member circumferential portion334amay be larger than an outer diameter of the communication member guide portion334b, and the communication member circumferential portion334aand the communication member guide portion334bmay be spaced apart from each other. Also, the communication member334may further include a communication member connection portion334dthat connects the communication member circumferential portion334ato the communication member guide portion334b, which are spaced apart from each other.

A plurality of communication member connection portions334dmay be arranged at regular intervals along the communication member guide portion334band the communication member circumferential portion334a. Thus, a space between the communication member connection portions334dmay be defined as the communication hole334e.

The communication member connection portion334dmay connect the whole portion between the communication member guide portion334band the communication member circumference portion334a. In this case, the communication holes334emay be defined at regular intervals along the communication member connection portion334d.

Therefore, when the shutter33is opened, the water of the shelf base31may be transferred inside the seat320through the communication hole334edefined between the communication member guide portion334band the communication member circumferential portion334a.

The communication member guide portion334bmay protrude further upward than the communication member circumferential portion334a, and thus, the communication member connection portion334dmay be formed to be inclined or rounded. The communication hole334edisposed on the communication member connection portion334dmay also be opened upward to the outside, and the water discharged when the shutter33is opened may be directed laterally to more smoothly flow to the seed package90.

Thus, even in the state in which the pressing member336is pressed by the seed package90to move downward, the communication hole334emay not be blocked or covered, and thus, the water introduced or discharged through the communication hole334emay smoothly flow radially with respect to the center of the communication member334.

Also, when the shutter33is closed, the shutter member protrusion331amay be accommodated in a space below the communication member connection portion334d.

The pressing member336may include a contact portion336athat protrudes from the inside of the seat320and is in contact with the seed package90and a boss portion336bextending downward from a center of the contact portion336a.

The contact portion336amay be provided in a disk shape and may have a size corresponding to a top surface of the water inlet912of the seed package90. Thus, when the seed package90is mounted, the contact portion336amay be pressed by the top surface of the water inlet912from the inside of the water inlet912.

A size of the contact portion336amay correspond to that of the communication member334, and thus the communication member334may be configured to be covered by the contact portion336awhen viewed from above.

Also, a contact portion groove336cmay be defined in a bottom surface of the contact portion336a. The contact portion groove336cmay be defined along a circumference of a bottom surface of the contact portion336aand may be recessed at a position facing the communication hole334eof the communication member334. Thus, when water is supplied through the communication hole334e, a space may be secured between the communication hole334eand the bottom surface of the contact portion336ato facilitate the flow of the supplied water.

Also, the boss portion336bmay extend downward from the center of the contact portion336aand may extend downward to pass through the through-hole334c. Also, a screw hole336dmay be defined on a bottom surface of the boss portion336bso that the screw337passing through the shutter member331is coupled to the bottom surface of the boss portion336b. Thus, the shutter member331and the pressing member336may be integrally coupled to each other by the screw337.

As described above, the pressing member336and the shutter member331may open and close the communication hole334ewhile moving in the vertical direction based on the communication member334in a fixed state and also may selectively supply water to the seed package90.

Also, although this embodiment discloses the structure in which the communication member334is mounted on the communication member mounting hole323opened in the seat320, the separate communication member334may not be mounted, and when the seat bottom surface322is molded, a structure corresponding to the communication member334may be molded together.

Hereinafter, the operation of the shutter33for selectively supplying water and a water supply/drain structure will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG.26is a view illustrating a state of the shutter when water is not supplied to the cultivation shelf.

As illustrated in the drawings, when water is not supplied to the cultivation shelf30, or when the water in the cultivation shelf30is fully drained, there is no water in the shutter accommodation portion315.

When there is no water inside the shutter accommodation portion315, the buoyancy for moving the shutter33upward is not applied. Also, the shutter33may move downward by its own weight, and the bottom surface of the shutter member331may be supported on the bottom surface of the shutter accommodation portion315.

Also, in this state, the shutter33may be in an opened state in which the shutter moves downward. Also, since the shutter33moves downward, the contact portion336aof the pressing member336may shield a portion in which the communication hole334eis defined, and when viewed from the outside, an area of the contact portion336a, which corresponds to the communication member334may be covered.

FIG.26illustrates a structure in which the communication member334is integrated with the seat320of the shelf tray32. Thus, although the communication member334is not directly illustrated, the communication member guide portion334b, the communication member circumference portion334a, and the communication member connection portion334d, which correspond to the communication member334, may be shielded by the contact portion336a. Here, although the shutter33is in an opened state, since there is no water in the shutter accommodation portion315, water may not be supplied to the inside of the seat320.

In this state, the water in the water tank70may be supplied to the cultivation shelf30through the water supply pipe84by driving the pump83.

FIG.27is a view illustrating a state of the shutter when water is supplied to the cultivation shelf.

As illustrated in the drawing, when water is supplied to the water supply portion316of the cultivation shelf30, the water may be supplied along the base passage317of the shelf base31. In this case, water may be supplied to all the shutter accommodation portions315provided in the cultivation shelf30. That is, regardless of whether the seed package90is mounted, water may be supplied to all the shutter accommodation portions315of the cultivation shelf30.

Water W supplied to the shutter accommodation portion315may be supplied to a set amount according to the operation time of the pump83, and the amount of water W capable of reaching the full water level H2may be supplied. Alternatively, the water supply may be stopped by the floater34during this process.

All of the plurality of shutter accommodation portions315may be filled by driving the pump83, and the shutter33may move upward by the water W filled in the shutter accommodation portions315. In detail, the shutter member331may generate buoyancy due to the water W filled in the shutter accommodation portion315, and thus, the shutter33may move upward.

In this case, the shutter member331may have the buoyancy by which the shutter member331is capable of being floated in the water W and thus may move upward as the shutter accommodation portion315is filled with the water W. The shutter member331may not be entirely made of a material having the buoyancy, and as illustrated inFIGS.25to28, a floating portion338made of a material having buoyancy may be coupled to the bottom surface of the shutter member331. That is, the shutter member331may be made of a plastic material, and the floating portion338may be made of a material having buoyancy to be floated in water, thereby increasing in durability of the shutter member331and providing the buoyancy for the operation of the shutter member331.

When the shutter accommodation portion315is fully filled with water, the shutter member331may be raised to a maximum height, and as illustrated inFIG.27, the sealing member332may be in contact with the communication hole334e, and thus, the shutter33may be in the closed state. When the shutter33is closed, a circumferences of the communication holes334emay be airtight by the sealing member332, and thus, the water inside the shutter accommodation portion315may not be supplied.

Also, when the shutter33is closed, the pressing member336may protrude to the maximum height to protrude from the bottom surface322of the seat. In the state in which the seed package90is not mounted on the cultivation shelf30, the shutter33may be maintained in the closed state, and water may not be supplied to the inside of the mounting portion320.

The seed package90may be mounted on the cultivation shelf30for cultivation of the plants. Also, water may be supplied into the seat320and the seed package90when water is supplied to the seat320, on which the seed package90is seated, among the plurality of seats320.

FIG.28is a view illustrating a state of the shutter and a water supply state in a state in which the seed package is seated on the cultivation shelf. Also,FIG.29is a plan view illustrating a state of a shelf water supply portion of the cultivation shelf when water is supplied. Also,FIG.30is a plan view illustrating a state of a shelf water supply portion of the seed package when water is supplied.

As illustrated in the drawings, the seed package90may be seated on the cultivation shelf30. When the seed package90is seated on the seat320, the pressing member336of the shutter33may be disposed inside the water inlet912of the seed package90, and the pressing member336may be pressed by a top surface of the water inlet912.

The pressing member336may be pressed by a weight of the seed package90to move downward. As the pressing member336moves, the shutter member331connected to the pressing member336may also move downward, and the shutter33may be opened. That is, the shutter member331may move to a bottom surface of the shutter accommodation portion315, and the sealing member332may be spaced apart from the communication member334so that the water supplied to the cultivation shelf30is introduced into the seat320through the communication hole334e.

In detail, the water supplied to the cultivation shelf30may be guided to the shutter accommodation portion315along the base passage317. Here, the supplied water may be introduced to the inside of the seat320on which the seed package90is mounted, and the shutter33is opened.

Here, the communication hole334emay be provided in a shape of which side and top surfaces are opened, and thus, even when the pressing member336move downward, the water may be effectively discharged. Water passing through the communication hole334edefined in the seat bottom surface322may be radially discharged from the center of the shutter33. Also, the container bottom surface911of the seed package90may be in contact with the seat bottom surface322. Thus, water discharged through the communication hole334emay be supplied into the seed package90through the container opening912cdefined along the circumference of the water inlet912.

The container opening912cmay be disposed at a side that is spaced apart from the communication hole334eand may be defined along the circumference of the communication hole334e. Thus, the water discharged radially through the communication hole334emay be supplied into the container91through the container opening912c.

The water supplied to the cultivation shelf30may be supplied to the full water level H2when a set amount of water is supplied. The full water level H2may be set at least higher than the container opening912c. Thus, when the water supply to the cultivation shelf30is completed, the water may be filled up to a top surface of the water inlet912inside the seed package90.

The water introduced into the seed package90may be supplied to the seed accommodation member93disposed to be in contact with the container bottom surface911of the seed package90, and the seed accommodation member93may absorb the supplied water to supply the water to seeds or plants inside the seed accommodation member93. Here, the water supplied to the seeds or plants may contain nutrients input from the water tank70, and thus, even in the state without providing a separate medium or soil inside the seed package90, the nutrients required for the growth of the seed or plant may be supplied.

In the state in which the water is supplied to the cultivation shelf30, the opening/closing member36may be maintained in the closed state for a set time. Also, after the time for which a sufficient amount of water is absorbed into the seeds or plants elapses, the driving device86may operate to open the opening/closing member36, and the water of the cultivation shelf30may be discharged through the drain hole319.

FIG.31is a view illustrating a state of the shutter and a water drain state in a state in which the seed package is seated on the cultivation shelf.

As illustrated in the drawing, when a set time elapses after the water supply in the state in which the seed package90is mounted on the seat320, the water inside the cultivation shelf30may be drained. The opening/closing member36may open the drain hole319by the driving of the driving device86, and the water inside the cultivation shelf30may be discharged through the drain hole319.

In detail, the water inside the cultivation shelf30may be drained by the opening of the drain hole319. Here, the water inside the shutter accommodation portion315may flow toward the drain hole319along the base passage317.

Here, since the seed package90is mounted, the shutter33may be maintained in the opened state as ever. Thus, the water inside the seed package90may be drained through the container opening912cof the water inlet912to flow into the shutter accommodation portion315through the communication hole334eof the seat320.

As a result, the water inside the cultivation shelf30as well as the water inside the seed package90may be discharged through the base passage317to the drain hole319. Also, the water discharged through the drain hole319may be collected to the water tank70through the drain tray85and the drain pipe89.

Also, when the drainage inside the cultivation shelf30is completed, the opening/closing member36may be returned to its initial position by the operation of the driving device86to close the drain hole319.

When the water of the cultivation shelf30is fully drained, no water exists inside the cultivation shelf30, and the water inside the seed package90as well as the cultivation shelf30may be fully drained.

Alternatively, most of the water may be drained even if water does not exist completely inside the cultivation shelf30and the seed package90, and the remaining water may also be removed by the operation of the blower50.

As described above, the inside of the seed package90as well as the cultivation shelf30may be maintained without water except for a certain time period after the water supply. Thus, the mold or green algae may be prevented from being generated on the cultivation shelf30, and thus, the clean state may be maintained.

Particularly, the water supplied to the seat320, on which the seed package90is mounted, as well as the seat320, on which the seed package90is not mounted, may not be exposed. That is, when the seed package90is mounted, the inside of the seat320may be filled by the seed package90, and water passing through the shutter33may be supplied to the seed package90m, and thus, the water supplied to the outside may not be exposed.

In addition, when the seed package90is not mounted, the shutter33may be maintained in the closed state so that the water in the shelf base31is not exposed to the seat320. Therefore, since the cultivation shelf30is not expose the supplied water to the outside in any case regardless of whether the seed package90is mounted, the contamination due to the water exposed to the outside may be fundamentally prevented to allow the inside of the cultivation space100to be maintained in the clean state.

The apparatus for cultivating plants according to an embodiment may be implemented in various other embodiments in addition to the foregoing embodiment. According to another embodiment, there is a difference in arrangement structure of a seat of a cultivation shelf, and thus, there is a difference in structure of a base seat and a base passage of a shelf base. Also, other structures except for the structure of the shelf tray and the shelf base constituting the cultivation shelf are the same as the above-described embodiment, and thus, the same reference numerals are used to avoid duplication of descriptions for the same configuration, and detailed descriptions and illustrations thereof will be omitted.

FIG.32is a perspective view of a cultivation shelf according to another embodiment. Also,FIG.33is a plan view of a shelf base that is one component of the cultivation shelf.

As illustrated in the drawings, an apparatus1for cultivating plants according to another embodiment may include a cultivation shelf30′. The cultivation shelf30′ may be configured so that the plurality of the seed packages90are seated, and the water supplied from the water tank70may be supplied to the seed packages90′.

Here, the seed package90′ has a relatively small size compared to the above-described embodiment and may have a structure including only one type of plant. That is, the seed package90′ may have about half the size of the seed package90according to the above-described embodiment.

The cultivation shelf30′ may include a shelf tray39on which the seed package90′ is mounted, and a shelf base38accommodating water supplied to the seed package90′. Also, the shelf tray39may be seated on the shelf base38to define an outer appearance of the top surface of the cultivation shelf30′.

The shelf tray39may be made of a metal material to have an excellent and clean outer appearance. For example, the shelf tray39may be made of a stainless material to be resistant to contamination and to facilitate cleaning and management.

The shelf tray39may be mounted in a state of overlapping a top surface of the shelf base38and may be provided in a shape corresponding to the top surface shape of the shelf base38. Also, when the shelf tray39is mounted, a front surface and left and right surfaces of the shelf base38may be exposed, and the water supply portion316and the opening/closing member36, which are disposed on a rear surface of the shelf base38, may also protrude to a rear side of the shelf tray39.

The shelf tray39may be provided in a rectangular shape when viewed from above. Also, the shelf tray39may include a tray top surface391that defines an outer appearance of the top surface as a whole and a seat390recessed from a top surface. A plurality of seats390may be provided in a horizontal and vertical direction, and as illustrated inFIG.32, six seats may be provided in a left and right direction, three seats may be provided in a horizontal direction, and two seats may be provided in a vertical direction.

The seat390may be recessed in a shape corresponding to the seed package90′ so that the seed package90′ is seated. Here, a seat bottom surface392defining an inner bottom surface of the seat390may have a size and shape corresponding to those of a bottom surface of the seed package90′. Thus, when the seed package90′ is seated on the seat390, the bottom surface of the seed package90′ may be in surface contact with the seat bottom surface392.

Also, the shutter33may be provided at a center of the bottom surface392of the seat. One shutter33may be provided for each of the plurality of seats390. Also, the shutter33may be mounted to pass through the bottom surface392of the seat. The shutter33may move vertically to allow the water accommodated in the shelf base38to be selectively introduced.

The shutter33may operate according to the mounting of the seed package90′. That is, water may not be introduced into the seat390, on which the seed package90′ is not mounted, among the plurality of seats390, and water may be introduced into the seat390, on which the seed package90′ is mounted, so that the water may be supplied to the seed package90′.

That is, the shutter33may selectively supply water to the seat390, on which the seed package90′ is mounted, according to whether the seed package90′ is mounted, among the plurality of seats390.

The shutter33may be disposed at a position facing the water inlet912of the seed package90′, and when the seed package90′ is seated on the seat390, a portion of the shutter33may be accommodated inside the water inlet912, and a top surface of the water inlet912may press a top surface of the shutter33so that the shutter33operates. A structure and operation of the shutter33may be the same as in the above-described embodiment.

The shelf base38may be provided below the shelf tray32. The shelf base38may be configured to allow water supplied from the water tank70to flow and be stored and may have a top surface shape corresponding to a bottom surface shape of the shelf tray39so that the shelf tray39is seated.

The shelf base38may be made of a plastic material and may be provided in a square shape corresponding to the shelf tray39when viewed from above. Also, the shelf base38may include a base top surface381on which the shelf tray39is mounted and a base seat380. Also, a handle382for the withdrawal of the cultivation shelf30may be provided on a front surface of the shelf base38, and a base side surface383coupled to the shelf rail for the withdrawal of the cultivation shelf30may be provided at each of both left and right sides of the shelf base38.

Also, a shutter accommodation portion315in which the shutter33is accommodated and a base passage317connecting the shutter accommodation portion315to the water supply portion316and the drain hole319may be provided inside the shelf base38. Also, a water supply portion316through which water is supplied to the shelf base38may be provided at one side of a rear end of the shelf base38. Also, an opening/closing member36that opens and closes the drain hole319may be provided at the other side of the rear end of the shelf base38, and the floater34that detects a water level of the shelf base38may be provided at one side of the shelf base38.

The base mounting portion380may be provided in a shape corresponding to the mounting portion390. That is, six base seats380may also be provided inside the shelf base38.

Also, a shutter accommodation portion315may be provided at an inner center of the base seat380. The shutter accommodation portion315may be disposed at a position corresponding to the shutter33in a state of being mounted on the shelf tray39, and the shutter accommodation portion315may be provided for each of the plurality of base seats380.

Also, the shutter accommodation portion315may have a size capable of accommodating the shutter33therein. The shutter accommodation portion315may be provided in a circular shape to accommodate a lower portion of the shutter33and may be recessed to a set height to secure vertical movement of the shutter33without interfering with the shutter33when the shutter33moves vertically and secures. The shutter accommodation portion315may be recessed to a height at which the shutter accommodation portion is spaced somewhat apart from the lower end of the shutter33when the shutter33moves to the lowermost position. For example, the set height may be approximately 14 mm.

The shelf base38may be provided with a base passage317, through which water flows, on the shelf base38. The base passage317may be provided to connect all of the water supply portion316, the shutter accommodation portion315, the water level detection portion317f, the drain hole319, and the drain portion318to each other. In addition, the base passage317may guide the water supplied to the shelf base38so as to be effectively supplied to the seed package90and drained after the water supply is completed.

The base passage317may include a water supply guide portion317a, a water supply guide portion317a, a branch portion317b, a connection portion317g, and a drain guide portion317d.

In detail, the water supply guide portion317amay be configured to connect the water supply portion316to the branch portion317band may extend from one end of the water supply portion316to the branch portion317b. In addition, the branch portion317bmay be disposed along the rear ends of the seats320disposed on the shelf base38. The branch portion317bmay pass through all of three base seats380disposed on a rear portion of the shelf base38, and one end of the branch portion317bmay be connected to the drain guide portion317bconnected to the drain hole319.

The drain guide portion317dmay be connected from one end of the branch portion317bto the drain hole319. Also, the drain hole319may be defined in an end of the drain guide portion317d, and the drain hole319may be defined at the lowest position of the bottom surface of the drain guide portion317d. Thus, water passing through the branch portion317bmay be naturally discharged to the drain hole319through the drain guide portion317d.

A plurality of connection portions317gmay be disposed on the branch portion317b. The plurality of connection portions317gmay be provided for each of the base seats380and may be connected to the entire shutter accommodation portion315disposed on the shelf base38.

In detail, the connection portion317gmay include a front connection portion317g″ and a rear connection portion317g′. The rear portion connection portion317g′ may connect the branch portion317bto the shutter accommodation portion315inside the base seat380disposed at the rear portion of the shelf base38. Also, the front portion connection portion317g″ may connect a shutter accommodation portion315inside the base seat380disposed at a front portion of the shelf base38to the shutter accommodation portion315inside the base seat380disposed at the front portion of the shelf base38.

Thus, water supplied through the water supply portion316may flow sequentially to the water supply guide portion317aand the branch portion317b. Also, the water flowing along the branch portion317bmay be first supplied to the shutter accommodation portion315inside the base seats380disposed at the rear portion through a plurality of the rear portion connection portions317g′ and then may be supplied to the shutter accommodation portion315inside the base seats380disposed at the front portion connected through the front portion connection portion317g″. That is, the water may be supplied to all the shutter accommodation portions315through the branch portion317b, the front connection portion317g′, and the rear connection portion317g″.

While water is supplied to the water supply portion316and until a set time elapses before the start of the drainage, the opening/closing member36may be closed, and thus, the drain hole319may be in the closed state. Thus, the water supply into the shutter accommodation portion315may be maintained.

The base passage317may further include a water level detection portion317f. The water level detection portion317fmay be configured to prevent water supply above a full water level into the shelf base38from occurring and may be configured so that the floater34is disposed in the water level detection portion317f.

Also, the base passage317may further include a drain guide portion317e. The drain guide portion317emay be disposed at one side of the shelf base38and be configured to prevent the water level of the shelf base38from exceeding the limit water level.

The apparatus for cultivating the plants according to the embodiment may expect the following effects.

The apparatus for cultivating the plants according to the embodiment may be sealed by the door, and the cultivation space may be controlled in temperature by the temperature adjustment device to create the environment that is easy to cultivate the plants. However, the environment of the cultivation space may be provided as the environment under which the mold and the green algae are easily generated. Thus, the water may be selectively supplied to only the area on which the seed package is disposed, and after the set time elapses after the water is supplied, the cultivation shelf may be emptied to minimize the inside of the cultivation space from being contaminated, thereby improving the sanitation in the cultivation space.

Particularly, the cultivation shelf may include the shelf tray, on which the seed package is mounted, and the shelf base disposed under the shelf tray to accommodate the water. In addition, the shelf tray may have the structure that shields the shelf base from above to prevent the water supplied to the cultivation shelf from being directly exposed to the outside.

Therefore, the inside of the cultivation space may be prevented from being contaminated by the supplied water to prevent the green algae from be generated by supplying the light to the water of the cultivation shelf, thereby maintaining the sanitation states of the cultivation shelf and the cultivation space.

In addition, the plurality of seats on which the seed package is seated may be disposed on the cultivation shelf, and the shutter that is opened when the seed package is seated may be provided on each of the seats. The shutter may enable the selective water supply to only the seat, on which the seed package is seated, among all the seats of the cultivation shelf, and thus, the water may not be supplied to the seat, on which the seed package is not mounted, to prevent the supplied water from being exposed to the outside, thereby preventing the occurrence of the contamination.

That is, when the seed package is mounted, the seat may be shielded by the seed package, and the water passing through the shutter may be supplied to the seed package to prevent the water supplied to the outside from being exposed. In addition, when the seed package is not mounted, the shutter may be maintained in the closed state so that the water in the shelf base is not exposed to the seat. Therefore, since the cultivation shelf does not expose the supplied water to the outside in any case regardless of whether the seed package is mounted, the water contamination may be fundamentally prevented to allow the inside of the cultivation space to be maintained in the clean state.

In addition, the cultivation shelf may be configured to provide the quantitative water supply by the pump, thereby preventing the water from overflowing due to the excessive supply of the water. Also, the water level in the cultivation shelf may be detected by the water level detection device, and thus, when the water level in the cultivation shelf increases above the set level due to the malfunction of the pump or the problem during the drainage, the increase in water level may be detected to stop the water supply, thereby preventing the water from overflowing. In addition, even if the water is supplied in the situation in which the water level detection is impossible due to the malfunction of the water level detection device, the drain portion may be disposed in the cultivation shelf to drain the water that is above the limit water level when the water is supplied above the limit water level, thereby preventing the cultivation space from being contaminated.

In addition, the cultivation shelf may be provided with the base passage through which the water to be supplied is directed to the plurality of base seats to realize the uniform water supply to the cultivation shelf. In addition, the water in the cultivation shelf and the seed package may be completely drained through the drain hole connected to the base passage. Therefore, when the set time elapses enough to allow the plants to absorb the water after the water is supplied, the water in the cultivation shelf is completely drained so that there is no water inside the cultivation shelf to prevent the mold or the green algae from being generated, thereby preventing the odor in the cultivation space from occurring and improving the sanitation.

In addition, the cultivation shelf may have the structure that is accessible and also may have a structure that does not interfere with the water supply pipe and the drain pipe even when the cultivation shelf is inserted and withdrawn. Therefore, the water may be automatically supplied and drained by the user, and simultaneously, the seed package may be easily detached, and the plants may be easily managed through the insertion and withdrawal of the cultivation shelf, thereby improving the convenience in use.

In addition, the electrical device for detecting the water level and the position of the shelf may not be disposed on the cultivation shelf, and the water level and the position of the shelf may be respectively detected through the water level detection device and the shelf detection device at the outside of the cultivation shelf. As a result, since the electric wire and the power supply structure are not disposed on the cultivation shelf having the accessible structure, the cultivation shelf may be simplified in structure.

In addition, the shutter may be opened by the weight of the seed package without providing the electrical device or supplying the power and be closed by the buoyancy of the shutter due to the supplied water to secure the operational reliability, and the cultivation shelf may be more simplified in configuration.