Patent Description:
Generally, a plant cultivation apparatus is a device cultivating plants in a seed state.

Recently, the plant cultivation apparatus has been provided in various forms that may easily cultivate plants indoors.

The indoor plant cultivation apparatus may be classified into a hydroponic cultivation apparatus and a soil cultivation apparatus.

The hydroponic cultivation apparatus is an apparatus for cultivating plants in a state in which the roots of plants are immersed in water supplied with nutrient solution. In the case of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus, when supply water in which the roots of the plant are immersed is used without continuous circulation or replacement, contamination of the supply water, such as green algae, may occur. The contamination of the supply a water may cause odor.

Further, the soil cultivation apparatus is a device using a cultivation method of planting a plant (or seeds) in soil of a pot and continuously supplying water to the pot, as proposed in <CIT> (document <NUM>), <CIT> (document <NUM>), and <CIT> (document <NUM>).

In this case, compared to the hydroponic cultivation apparatus using nutrient solution, the soil cultivation apparatus may further improve growth of a plant due to nutrients in the soil and increase the growth rate of the plant.

However, in the soil cultivation apparatus of the document <NUM> and the document <NUM> described above, feed water is supplied to soil of culture ground in a state in which the feed water is sufficiently stored in a water reservoir, rather than water is periodically supplied to the soil.

In other words, the document <NUM> and the document <NUM> only disclose a configuration for supplying water to a water reservoir and does not disclose a method of efficiently supplying water to plants at all. <CIT> relates to a domestic full-automatic vegetable planting machine. <CIT> relates to a plant growth system and a method for controlling plant growth. <CIT> relates to an automated vertical plant cultivation system. <CIT> relates to a plant watering system.

The present disclosure is devised to solve various problems according to the prior art described above, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a plant cultivation apparatus capable of efficiently supplying water to a plurality of beds and a water supply method thereof.

In addition, another object of the present disclosure is to provide a plant cultivation apparatus capable of efficiently supplying water to plants while preventing occurrence of odors and deterioration due to water or nutrient solution and a water supply method thereof.

The problems of the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned problems, and any other problems not mentioned herein will be clearly understood from the following description by those skilled in the art.

According to the invention, a plant cultivation apparatus includes a cabinet including a cultivation room in which a plurality of beds are accommodated and plants are grown, a residual water detection sensor configured to detect whether residual water of feed water supplied to the plurality of beds is present, a water supply module provided in the cultivation room to supply feed water to the plurality of beds, and a controller configured to perform a water supply process when a specified water supply cycle for the plurality of beds is reached, determine whether water is present in the plurality of beds using the residual water detection sensor when the water supply process is performed, and sequentially perform the water supply operation to one or more beds in which water is absent, among the beds, wherein the water supply operation is an operation of supplying water of a predetermined watering amount to the bed in which n water is absent, counting a number of times of water supply for the bed, and waiting for a water supply delay time.

According to the present embodiment, since the water supply module is operated to supply feed water according to whether residual water is present in each bed, only a suitable amount of moisture may be supplied to plants always, thereby preventing the occurrence of residual water.

The controller may determine whether the plant cultivation apparatus is in a state capable of performing the water supply process when the water supply cycle is reached, and perform the water supply process when the plant cultivation apparatus is in the state capable of performing the water supply process.

The state capable of performing the water supply process may include at least one of a state in which water is present in the water tank, a state in which a door of the cabinet is closed, and a state in which the water tank is mounted in place.

The water supply module may include a water tank configured to store feed water, a water pump configured to pump water from the water tank to the bed, and a flow path valve configured to be opened to supply water pumped by the water pump to the bed.

The controller repeatedly performs the water supply operation until a number of times of water supply of each of the plurality of beds reaches a specified number of times.

In the plant cultivation apparatus according to the present embodiment, water can be efficiently supplied for a plurality of beds.

The controller may drive the water pump for a predetermined time and open the flow path valve during the water supply operation.

The controller may obtain a time for which water remains in the bed when the water is present in the bed and terminate the water supply process when the obtained time is greater than a predetermined time.

The controller may terminate the water supply process regardless of the number of times of water supply when a predetermined time has elapsed from time when water is detected in each of the plurality of beds.

The controller may skip the water supply operation when the water is present in each of the plurality of beds and determine whether the water is present in the plurality of beds when the predetermined time has not elapsed.

The controller may terminate the water supply process when the number of times of water supply of each of the plurality of beds is greater than the specified number of times.

According to the invention, a water supply method for a plant cultivation apparatus, the plant cultivation apparatus including a cabinet including a cultivation room in which a plurality of beds are accommodated and plants are grown and a residual water detection sensor which detects whether residual water of feed water supplied to the plurality of beds is present, the method may include performing a water supply process when a specified water supply cycle for the plurality of beds is reached, determining whether water is present in the plurality of beds using the residual water detection sensor when the water supply process is performed, and sequentially performing the water supply operation to one or more beds in which water is absent, among the beds, wherein the water supply operation is an operation of supplying water of a predetermined watering amount to the bed in which water is absent, counting a number of times of water supply for the bed, and waiting for a water supply delay time.

The performing of the water supply process may include determining whether the plant cultivation apparatus is in a state capable of performing the water supply process when the water supply cycle is reached, and performing the water supply process when the plant cultivation apparatus is in the state capable of performing the water supply process.

The water supply method further includes repeatedly performing the water supply operation until a number of times of water supply of each of the plurality of beds reaches a specified number of times.

The water supply method may further include terminating the water supply process when the number of times of water supply of each of the plurality of beds is greater than the specified number of times.

The performing of the water supply operation may include driving the water pump for a predetermined time and opening the flow path valve during the water supply operation.

The water supply method may further include obtaining a time for which water remains in the bed when the water is present in the bed and terminating the water supply process when the obtained time is greater than a predetermined time.

The water supply method may further include skipping the water supply operation when the water is present in each of the plurality of beds and determining whether the water is present in the plurality of beds when the predetermined time has not elapsed.

The water supply method may further include terminating the water supply process regardless of the number of times of water supply when a predetermined time has elapsed from time when water is detected in each of the plurality of beds.

According to the plant cultivation apparatus having a plurality of beds according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to efficiently supply water to a plurality of beds.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to efficiently supply water to plants while preventing the occurrence of odors and deterioration due to water or nutrient solution.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the inventive concept will be described with reference to the exemplary drawings.

<FIG> is an exploded-perspective view showing the plant cultivation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a perspective view showing the plant cultivation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a perspective view showing the plant cultivation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the plant cultivation apparatus in a state in which an opening/closing door thereof is opened.

As shown in these drawings, the plant cultivation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is largely configured to include a cabinet <NUM>, a machine chamber frame <NUM>, and a bed <NUM> on which a pod is placed. In particular, the machine chamber <NUM> may be configured to be open to the front to allow air to be sucked and discharged into the machine chamber through the front of the cabinet <NUM>, enabling the machine chamber <NUM> to be mounted in a specific space like a built-in method.

The plant cultivation apparatus will be described for each configuration.

The pod <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing a pod of a plant cultivation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is a side section view showing the pot of the plant cultivation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

The pod <NUM> may be formed in an upward open container. Bed soil <NUM> containing the nutrient solution (not shown) may be filled in the pod <NUM>.

The nutrient solution may be a material containing a nutrient that is supplied to a plant to grow better. The nutrient solution may be provided in a water-soluble capsule form that gradually dissolves in water, so that the nutrient solution may be contained in the supply water while gradually dissolving every time when the supply water is supplied.

In addition, a seed paper <NUM> may be provided on an upper surface of the bed soil <NUM>. The seed paper <NUM> may be a part where seeds are planted in a predetermined arrangement, and when the supply water is supplied while the seed paper <NUM> is seated on the upper surface of the bed soil <NUM>, the seed paper <NUM> may completely dissolve and the seeds may remain on the bed soil <NUM>.

A brick <NUM> may be provided on an upper surface of the seed paper <NUM>. The brick <NUM> may be configured to control moisture and humidity of soil and to prevent mold growth, and be formed by processing mineral ore such as vermiculite into a powder form and then compresses.

An upper surface of the pod <NUM> may be covered with a protection sheet <NUM>, thereby protecting the inside thereof. In particular, a packing member <NUM> may be provided between an upper surface of the brick <NUM> and the protection sheet <NUM>, so that the brick <NUM> may be protected from the outside environment.

A type of a plant to be cultivated may be printed on a surface of the protection sheet <NUM>.

Meanwhile, a protrusion <NUM> may be formed downward on a lower surface of the pod <NUM> and the protrusion <NUM> may be formed in a container body in which a water flow hole 16a may be provided at an lower surface thereof. The protrusion <NUM> may be formed in a hollow pipe structure that is open vertically and empty inside.

Further, a first absorber member <NUM> absorbing the supply water supplied to the bed <NUM> may be provided in the protrusion <NUM>, and a flat plate shaped second absorber member <NUM> may be provided between the first absorber member <NUM> and the bed soil.

The second absorber member <NUM> may serve to uniformly supply the supply water absorbed by the first absorber member <NUM> to the entire portion of the bed soil <NUM>.

Next, the cabinet <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

The cabinet <NUM> may be a part that forms the exterior of the plant cultivation apparatus.

The cabinet <NUM> may be formed in a container body that is open frontward, and include an outer case <NUM> providing an outer wall surface thereof and an inner case <NUM> providing an inner wall surface.

Herein, the outer case <NUM> may be formed in a container body shape that is closed at an upper surface, and a lower surface and a front surface are open.

The inner case <NUM> may be positioned in the outer case <NUM> while being spaced apart from the outer case <NUM>. A foam insulation (not shown) may be filled between the inner case <NUM> and the outer case <NUM>.

The cultivation room <NUM>, <NUM> may be provided in the inner case <NUM>. The cultivation rooms <NUM>, <NUM> may be spaces provided for cultivation of plants.

The cultivation room <NUM>, <NUM> may include a upper cultivation room <NUM> and a lower cultivation room <NUM>. The two cultivation rooms <NUM> and <NUM> may be configured to have separate spaces, respectively.

The cabinet <NUM> may have an opening/closing door <NUM> at a front surface thereof.

The opening/closing door <NUM> may be configured to open and close the cultivation room <NUM>, <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>.

That is, as the opening/closing door <NUM> is provided in the cabinet <NUM>, the plant cultivation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be a closed-type cultivation apparatus. In particular, in the case of the closed-type cultivation apparatus, the plant cultivation apparatus may cultivate the plant while providing a sufficient amount of light and maintaining a predetermined temperature therein by the lighting module <NUM>, <NUM>, the circulation fan assembly <NUM>, and the temperature control module <NUM>, which will be described below.

Meanwhile, the opening/closing door <NUM> may be one of a rotary type opening and closing structure and a sliding type opening and closing structure. Further, the door <NUM> may be configured to block the front surface of the cabinet <NUM>.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the opening/closing door <NUM> is configured as the rotary type opening and closing structure.

As an embodiment, the opening/closing door <NUM> may include a door frame <NUM> having a rectangular frame structure with an empty inside portion and a sight glass <NUM> blocking the empty inside portion of the door frame <NUM>.

Preferably, the sight glass <NUM> may be formed of a transparent material, for example, may be formed of glass.

When the sight glass <NUM> is formed of glass, a protecting film (not shown) may be attached on the glass. The protecting film may be a light shading film (partially shading) that minimizes the leakage of light from the cultivation room indoors.

Instead of the protecting film, the sight glass <NUM> may have a dark color, so that the leakage of light indoors may be minimized.

In addition, the open/close door <NUM> may be composed of only a see-through window <NUM> without the door frame <NUM>.

Next, the machine chamber frame <NUM> will be described.

The machine chamber frame <NUM> may constitute a bottom portion of the plant cultivation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

The machine chamber frame <NUM> may be extended from a lower portion of the outer case <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The machine chamber frame <NUM> may include a bottom plate <NUM> constituting a bottom of the machine chamber frame <NUM>, side surface plates <NUM> constituting opposite side surfaces thereof, a rear surface plate <NUM> constituting a rear surface thereof, and an upper surface plate <NUM> constituting an upper surface thereof. That is, the machine chamber frame <NUM> may be formed in a box shaped structure that has an open front surface. In this case, the upper surface plate <NUM> may be provided as a bottom of the cultivation rooms <NUM> and <NUM> in the cabinet <NUM>.

The machine chamber frame <NUM> may be configured such that an open lower surface of the outer case <NUM> is placed thereon and is coupled thereto.

The machine chamber frame <NUM> and the inner case <NUM> may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other and the side surface plates <NUM> and the rear surface plate <NUM> of the machine chamber frame <NUM> may be respectively configured to be connected to opposite side surfaces and a rear surface of the outer case <NUM>.

The interior space of the machine chamber frame <NUM> may be provided as a machine chamber <NUM> (referring to <FIG>).

That is, the machine chamber <NUM> and the cultivation rooms <NUM> and <NUM> may be respectively formed to have a space in the inner case <NUM> and a space in the machine chamber frame <NUM> which are separate from each other, thus providing independent spaces from each other.

A part of components of the temperture control module <NUM>, which will be described below, may be provided in the machine chamber <NUM>.

Although not shown in the drawings, the inner case <NUM> and the machine chamber frame <NUM> may be formed in a singly body. In this case, a separate partition for separating two spaces may be provided between the cultivation room <NUM>, <NUM> and the machine chamber <NUM> so that the cultivation room <NUM>, <NUM> and the machine chamber <NUM> may be formed to have spaces which are independent from each other.

Further, an intake and exhaust grill <NUM> may be provided on the open front surface of the machine chamber frame <NUM> that is the front of the machine chamber <NUM>. That is, the intake and exhaust grill <NUM> may serve to guide airflow suctioned from the indoor into the machine chamber <NUM> or airflow discharged from the machine chamber <NUM> to the indoor and to block the open front surface of the machine chamber <NUM>.

In addition, the intake and exhaust grill <NUM> may have an inlet <NUM> and an outlet <NUM>. The inlet <NUM> and the outlet <NUM> may be separated from each other by being arranged at positions divided by a partition <NUM>. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the inlet <NUM> and the outlet <NUM> may be distinguished as the inlet <NUM> at the left and the outlet <NUM> at the right, when viewed from the front of the plant cultivation apparatus. This is as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Further, the partition <NUM> dividing a space inside the machine chamber <NUM> into left and right sides may be provided in the machine chamber frame <NUM>. That is, flow paths through which air flows into and is discharged from the machine chamber <NUM> may be divided by the partition <NUM>.

A flow path through which air flows into the machine chamber <NUM> may be a space on the side on which the inlet <NUM> of the intake and exhaust grill <NUM> is positioned, and a flow path through which air is discharged from the machine chamber <NUM> may be a space on the side on which the outlet <NUM> of the intake and exhaust grill <NUM> is positioned.

In addition, the opposite spaces in the machine chamber <NUM> which are separated by the partition <NUM> may be configured to communicate with each other at a rear portion of the spaces. That is, a rear end portion of the partition <NUM> may be spaced apart from a rear wall surface in the machine chamber <NUM>, not to be in contact therewith, so that the opposite spaces separated from each other may communicate with each other.

Although not shown in the drawings, an open hole (not shown) may be provided in the rear end portion of the partition <NUM> to allow the opposite spaces in the machine chamber <NUM> to communicate with each other.

Further, the partition <NUM> may be formed in a straight line shape, and may be formed in an inclined structure or a bent structure. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the partition <NUM> is formed in the bent structure. That is, by bending a part of the partition <NUM> by bending, portions in which a condenser <NUM> and a compressor that will be described later are installed may be secured to be sufficiently large, compared to other portions.

Further, a condensed water reservoir <NUM> may be provided in the machine chamber <NUM> of the machine chamber frame <NUM>. The condensed water reservoir <NUM> that is described above may be positioned at a bottom at the side where air flows into the machine chamber <NUM> through the inlet <NUM>, and may server to receive condensed water flowing down from the condenser <NUM> and to fix the condenser <NUM> in the machine chamber.

Further, a heat exhaust opening <NUM> may be formed by penetrating the rear surface plate <NUM> of the machine chamber frame <NUM>. The heat exhaust opening <NUM> may be a hole provided to discharge (or suction) air dissipating heat of the compressor. That is, the heat exhaust opening <NUM> is additionally provided, so that the discharge of air may be smoothly performed.

The bottom plate <NUM> of the machine chamber frame <NUM> may have a discharge hole (not shown) that is provided to discharge the air dissipating heat of the compressor.

Meanwhile, a rear portion of the upper surface plate <NUM> providing the machine chamber frame <NUM> may be formed to protrude upward more than other portions thereof, so that the rear portion of the inside of the machine chamber <NUM> may have a high space compared to other portions. That is, considering a protruding height of the compressor provided in the machine chamber <NUM>, the rear portion of the machine chamber <NUM> may be formed higher than the other portions thereof.

Further, a controller <NUM> (referring to <FIG>) may be provided at a front space between an upper surface of the upper surface plate <NUM> and a lower surface of the inner case <NUM>, the lower surface thereof facing the upper surface of the upper surface plate <NUM>, the controller <NUM> being provided to control operation with respect to each component of the plant cultivation apparatus. A circuit board having various control circuits may constitute the controller <NUM>.

In particular, the machine chamber <NUM> and the cultivation room <NUM> or <NUM> are configured to communicate with each other by a communication passage <NUM>. In this case, the communication passage <NUM> is formed as a tube having one end connected by passing through the upper surface plate <NUM> and connected by passing through the bottom surface of the inner case <NUM>.

That is, a part of the air in the machine chamber <NUM> may be supplied into the cultivation chamber <NUM> or <NUM> by the communication passage <NUM> described above.

Next, the bed <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> attached thereto.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing a bed of the plant cultivation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, <FIG> is a sectioned-perspective view showing the bed of the plant cultivation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is a sectioned-perspective view showing a coupled state between the bed, a bed cover, and the pod of the plant cultivation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

The bed <NUM> may be a part provided to place the pod <NUM> thereon.

The bed <NUM> may be formed in a tray structure having a flat plate shape or a circumference wall, and the bed <NUM> may be configured to store supply water on an upper surface thereof.

In particular, first guide rails <NUM> may be respectively provided on opposite wall surfaces (opposite wall surfaces in the inner case) in the cultivation room <NUM>, <NUM>. The first guide rails <NUM> may guide the bed <NUM> to be moved back and forth so that the bed <NUM> may be taken out from the cultivation room <NUM>, <NUM> in a drawer manner.

Guide ends <NUM> may be provided on opposite wall surfaces of the bed <NUM>. The guide ends <NUM> may be configured to be supported by the first guide rails <NUM>, so that the bed <NUM> may be taken out from the cultivation room <NUM>, <NUM> in the drawer manner. Through other various structures not shown, the bed <NUM> may be taken out from the cultivation room <NUM>, <NUM> in the drawer manner.

Further, a water reservoir <NUM> may be provided in a rear surface of the bed <NUM>. The water reservoir <NUM> may be a part receiving the supply water from the outside of the bed <NUM> and providing the supply water into the bed <NUM>.

The water reservoir <NUM> may protrude rearward from either side portion of the rear surface of the bed <NUM>. In addition, a bottom surface of the water reservoir <NUM> may be depressed downward thereby guiding the supply water to flow into a communicating portion with a supply water flow path <NUM>, which will be described below.

In addition, at a center portion in the bed <NUM>, a depression <NUM> that is depressed from a bottom in the bed <NUM> is provided. Thereby, the supply water supplied to the water reservoir <NUM> is guided by the supply water flow path <NUM> to be supplied to the depression <NUM>.

The supply water flow path <NUM> is formed in a groove extended from the water reservoir <NUM> to the depression <NUM>. Although not shown in the drawings, the supply water flow path <NUM> may be a separate pipe or hose from the bed <NUM>.

In particular, the supply water flow path <NUM> may be formed in an inclined or round structure, the structure being gradually inclined downward as supply water flow path <NUM> goes from the water reservoir <NUM> to the depression <NUM>. That is, by the above-described inclined or round structure, the supply of the supply water may be performed quickly and the supply water supplied to the depression <NUM> may be prevented from flowing back to the water reservoir <NUM>.

In addition, bank parts <NUM> may be provided at opposite sides of the supply water flow path <NUM>, the bank parts <NUM> being provided to precisely guide the supply water. That is, by the bank parts <NUM>, the supply water supplied along the supply water flow path <NUM> may be smoothly supplied to the depression <NUM> without deviating from the supply water flow path <NUM>.

Further, a dam part <NUM> may be formed on a center portion in the depression <NUM>, the dam part <NUM> protruding upward from a surface of the depression <NUM>. The dam part <NUM> may be formed in a long protrusion that is long in a left and right direction of the bed <NUM>. Based on the dam part <NUM>, the depression <NUM> may be divided into a front depression <NUM> and a rear depression <NUM>.

That is, when a plurality of pods <NUM> are seated in rows of the front and rear of the bed <NUM>, pods <NUM> at the front row are arranged to be in contact with the front depression <NUM> while the protrusion <NUM> of each of the front pods is positioned rearward, and pods <NUM> at the rear row are arranged to be in contact with the rear depression <NUM> while the protrusion <NUM> of each of the rear pods is positioned forward.

In particular, the dam part <NUM> may protrude from a bottom in the depression <NUM>, thus the supply water does not remain. Further, the dam part <NUM> may serve to guide the supply water to be supplied to only a portion where the protrusion <NUM> of the pod <NUM> is positioned.

Further, a flow guidance groove <NUM> may be provided in a portion of the bottom surface in the depression <NUM>, the portion communicating with the supply water flow path <NUM>.

That is, the supply water flowing along the supply water flow path <NUM> may be guided by the flow guidance groove <NUM> in the process of flowing into the depression <NUM> to flow from one side of the depression <NUM> to another side thereof.

In addition, a sensing protrusion <NUM> may protrude from the bottom surface in the depression <NUM>. An upper surface of the sensing protrusion <NUM> may be positioned higher than the bottom surface of the depression <NUM> and may be positioned lower than the bottom surface of the bed <NUM>.

Meanwhile, a plurality of beds <NUM> may be provided. In this case, the beds <NUM> may be respectively provided in the cultivation rooms <NUM> and <NUM> while being vertically spaced apart from each other. Of course, although not shown, the beds <NUM> may be installed spaced apart from each other left and right.

A vertical distance between the beds <NUM> may be set differently in response to sizes in the cultivation rooms <NUM> and <NUM> or the type of plant to be cultivated. For example, as the first guide rails <NUM> that are provided on the opposite wall surfaces in the cultivation room <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to be adjusted in vertical position, the vertical distance between the beds <NUM> may be adjusted as needed.

The bed <NUM> may have a bed cover <NUM>.

The bed cover <NUM> may be a part where the pod <NUM> is seated at a precise position thereof. An upper surface of the bed cover <NUM> has a plurality of seating depressions <NUM> and <NUM> for the seating of each of the pods <NUM>.

Each of the seating depressions <NUM> and <NUM> may have a width roughly equal to a width of the pod <NUM> and be depressed at a depth sufficient to partially receive the pod <NUM> therein. The bed cover <NUM> may be formed of a metal material, and in particular, it is preferable that the bed cover <NUM> is formed of stainless steel to prevent corrosion. The bed <NUM> may be formed of acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene (ABS) resin.

In addition, the penetration hole 351a, 352a may be provided in the seating depressions <NUM>, <NUM> to allow the protrusion <NUM> of the pod <NUM> to penetrate the seating depression <NUM>, <NUM>. That is, a user may place the pod <NUM> at the precise position thereof by checking positions of the penetration hole 351a, 352a and the protrusion <NUM>.

In particular, the seating depressions <NUM> and <NUM> may be divided into a front row seating groove <NUM> on which each of the pods <NUM> at the front row is seated and a rear row seating depression <NUM> on which each of the pods <NUM> at the rear row is seated. A penetration hole 351a of the front row seating depression <NUM> and a penetration hole 352a of the rear row seating depression <NUM> may be arranged adjacent to each other. That is, when the bed cover <NUM> is seated on the bed <NUM>, the penetration holes 351a and 352a may be respectively positioned at the front depression <NUM> and the rear depression <NUM> of the bed <NUM>.

Further, a handle <NUM> may be provided in a front surface of the bed <NUM>. The user can take out or reinstall the bed <NUM> in the drawer manner by using the handle <NUM>.

The handle <NUM> may be configured such that a front surface thereof is not in contact with an inside surface of the opening/closing door <NUM>, thus a gap may be provided between the front surface of the handle <NUM> and the opening/closing door <NUM>. That is, through the gap, air may flow between a lower cultivation room <NUM> and an upper cultivation room <NUM>, and air flowing through the lower cultivation room <NUM> may be discharged outward of the plant cultivation apparatus through the gap.

Through the flow of air passing through the gap, a surface of the open/close door <NUM> may be prevented from condensation.

Referring to <FIG> agagin, the lighting module <NUM>, <NUM> may be a part emitting light to the pod <NUM> seated on the bed <NUM> in the cultivation room <NUM>, <NUM>. That is, as the lighting module <NUM>, <NUM> is provided in the plant cultivation apparatus, the plant cultivation apparatus may continue to provide light to the plant, in spite of being the closed-type cultivation apparatus.

In the embodiment, the lighting module <NUM>, <NUM> may be a light emitting diode (LED) <NUM> and be configured to emit light.

Further, a residual water detection sensor <NUM> may be provided on the upper surface of the second lighting module <NUM>. The residual water detection sensor <NUM> may detect residual water remaining in the depression <NUM> of the bed <NUM> accommodated in a upper cultivation space.

In particular, the residual water detection sensor <NUM> may be positioned in a portion in which the sensing protrusion <NUM> is formed in a lower portion of the bed <NUM> and sense whether or not the residual water remains on the upper surface of the sensing protrusion <NUM>, thereby determining the residual water in the depression <NUM>.

The residual water detection sensor <NUM> may be configured of a capacitance-type sensor and accurately detect the residual water in the depression <NUM>.

The residual water detection sensor <NUM> may be configured of other methods not shown in the drawings. For example, the second residual water detection sensor <NUM> may be configured as a mechanical sensor such as a floating method or an electronic sensor using two electrodes.

A temperature sensor (not shown) may be provided on the upper surface of the second lighting module <NUM>. The temperature sensor may serve to detect the temperature in the cultivation room <NUM>, <NUM> and allow the air temperature to be controlled by the temperature control module (not shown).

The circulation fan assembly <NUM> may be provided to circulate air in the cultivation room <NUM>, <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the circulation fan assembly <NUM> may be provided for each of the cultivation rooms <NUM> and <NUM>, or the single circulation fan assembly <NUM> may be configured to control air circulation to all the cultivation rooms <NUM> and <NUM>.

The circulation fan assembly <NUM> may include circulation fans <NUM>, the fan guide <NUM>, and a partition wall <NUM>.

The circulation fans <NUM> may be fans driven to blow air. The circulation fans <NUM> may be radial flow fans that suction air in a shaft direction thereof and blows the air in a radial direction.

Further, the fan guide <NUM> may be a part guiding a flow of air blown by the circulation fans <NUM> as the circulation fans <NUM> is provided in the cultivation room.

The fan guide <NUM> may have an installation hole <NUM> formed by penetrating the fan guide <NUM>, the installation hole being provided to receive the circulation fans <NUM>. The shroud <NUM> may have an air guide <NUM> at a front surface thereof, the air guide <NUM> guiding air suctioned through the circulation fans <NUM> from a rear space in the cabinet <NUM> to flow into the cultivation room <NUM>, <NUM>. The air guide <NUM> may be configured to guide air blown in the radial direction of the circulation fans <NUM> to flow to the upper space in the cultivation room <NUM>, <NUM>.

Further, the partition wall <NUM> may be a part that is positioned at the front of the fan guide <NUM> and blocks the fan guide <NUM> from the cultivation room <NUM>, <NUM>.

The temperature control module may be configured to control the temperature of air circulating in the cultivation room <NUM> or <NUM> of the inner case <NUM>.

The temperature control module may include a refrigeration system including a compressor (not shown), a condenser <NUM> and an evaporator <NUM>. That is, the temperature of the air circulating in the cultivation room <NUM> or <NUM> may be adjusted by the refrigeration system.

Next, the water supply module <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

The water supply module <NUM> may be provided to supply the supply water to the bed <NUM>.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the water supply module <NUM> that stores the supply water in advance may pump enough supply water to the bed <NUM> when the water supply is needed.

That is, in the conventional cultivation apparatus, the method of supplying the supply water of the required amount is not used, but a method of storing enough supply water in a water storage and supplying the stored supply water to soil by using an absorbing member is used. Herein, the supply water is mixed with a nutrient solution, so that a problem with contamination of the supply water may occur.

However, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, nutrient components may be contained in the culture ground <NUM> of the pod <NUM>. The supply water of the required amount may be supplied to the pod to prevent residual water from existing in portions other than a water tank <NUM>, so that odor due to contamination of the supply water may be fundamentally prevented.

The water supply module <NUM> may include the water tank <NUM>, a water pump <NUM>, and an supply hose <NUM>.

The water tank <NUM> may be a part in which the supply water is stored.

The water tank <NUM> may be formed in a rectangular box structure with an open upper portion, and be positioned between the bottom of the inner case <NUM> and the bed <NUM>. That is, considering that a gap may be provided between the bottom <NUM> of the inner case <NUM> and the bed <NUM> because the upper surface plate <NUM> of the machine chamber frame <NUM> partially protrudes upward due to the height of the compressor <NUM> in the machine chamber <NUM>, the water tank <NUM> may be positioned in the gap so that the cultivation space of the cultivation room <NUM> or <NUM> may be formed to be large enough.

Further, the water tank <NUM> may be positioned in the front space in the cabinet <NUM> and be provided to be drawable from the cabinet <NUM>. That is, considering that the rear portion of the machine chamber <NUM> may be formed to be higher than the other portion due to the height of the compressor, the water tank <NUM> may be provided in a front portion of a lower portion in the inner case <NUM> provided due to the upward protruding portion of the machine chamber <NUM>. On the opposite side wall surfaces of the cabinet <NUM>, second guide rails <NUM> may be provided to guide back and forth movement of the water tank <NUM>.

In addition, the water tank <NUM> may be configured to be exposed to the indoor when the opening/closing door <NUM> is opened. That is, the open/close door <NUM> may be configured to block not only the cultivation room <NUM>, <NUM> but also the water tank <NUM>, so that the water tank <NUM> may be exposed outward when the opening/closing door <NUM> is opened. Thereby, the user can easily take out the water tank <NUM> to supply the supply water.

The water tank <NUM> may have a handle <NUM> at a front surface thereof, and the user can take out and reinstall the water tank <NUM> by using the handle <NUM> in a drawer manner.

In particular, the handle <NUM> of the water tank <NUM> may be also configured not to be in contact with the opening/closing door <NUM> like the handle <NUM> of the bed <NUM>. Thus, a gap may be provided between a front surface of the handle <NUM> and the opening/ closing door <NUM>.

Next, the water pump <NUM> may be a part pumping the supply water in the water tank <NUM>.

The water pump <NUM> may be positioned in a space on the rear side of a portion where the water tank <NUM> is installed in a lower space of the inner case <NUM>.

In particular, an installation frame <NUM> may be provided between the water tank <NUM> and the water pump <NUM>, and the water pump <NUM> may be fixed on a rear surface of the installation frame <NUM>. That is, when the water tank <NUM> is taken out, the installation frame <NUM> may prevent the water pump <NUM> from being exposed outward and allow the water pump <NUM> to be fixed in a precise position thereof. Further, a sensing part <NUM> detecting whether or not the water tank <NUM> is taken out may be provided on a front surface of the installation frame <NUM>.

In this case, a coupling hole <NUM> is formed to pass through the installation frame <NUM>, and a pump connection pipe <NUM> connecting the coupling hole <NUM> and the water pump <NUM> is provided on the rear surface of the installation frame <NUM>.

Further, the installation frame <NUM> may be provided with a sensing part <NUM> for detecting whether or not the water tank <NUM> is taken out. In this case, the mounting detection unit <NUM> may include a contact switch to determine that the water tank <NUM> is mounted when the water tank <NUM> contacts the corresponding mounting detection unit <NUM> to turn on the contact.

Of course, the mounting detection unit <NUM> may include a proximity sensor, and may be configured variously, such as, to determine that the corresponding water tank <NUM> is mounted when the water tank <NUM> is adjacent thereto.

In addition, the installation frame <NUM> is provided with a water level detection sensor <NUM> for detecting a water level of feed water in the water tank <NUM>. That is, the water level detection sensor <NUM> may allow a user to accurately recognize when to replenish the feed water.

Meanwhile, an upper surface frame <NUM> may be formed to be bent backward at the upper end of the installation frame <NUM> to cover the upper surface of the water pump <NUM>. That is, the upper surface frame <NUM> may prevent the water pump <NUM> from being damaged by blocking the upper surface of the water pump <NUM> from the bottom of the bed <NUM> in the cultivation room <NUM> or <NUM>.

In addition, a residual water detection sensor <NUM> may be mounted on the upper surface frame <NUM> to detect residual water remaining in the depression <NUM> of the bed <NUM> positioned above the upper surface frame <NUM>.

The residual water detection sensor <NUM> may be installed to protrude upward from the upper surface of the upper surface frame <NUM>. That is, the residual water detection sensor <NUM> may be installed to be as close as possible to the bed <NUM> to accurately detect the residual water in the depression <NUM> of the bed <NUM>.

In particular, the residual water detection sensor <NUM> may be positioned in a portion where a sensing protrusion <NUM> is formed in the bottom of the bed <NUM> to detect whether residual water is present on the surface of the sensing protrusion <NUM>.

This structure may allow the residual water detection sensor <NUM> to be installed as close as possible to the surface of the sensing protrusion <NUM> to more accurately determine whether to further replenish feed water based on the presence or absence of residual water on the surface of the sensing protrusion <NUM> and the water absorption amount of each pod.

Of course, the residual water detection sensor <NUM> may be configured as a mechanical sensor such as a floating method or an electronic sensor using two electrodes.

Next, the supply hose <NUM> may be a coupling hose for supplying the feed water pumped by the water pump <NUM> to the bed <NUM>.

The supply hose <NUM> may be provided such that a first end thereof is connected to the water pump <NUM> and a second end thereof is positioned directly above the water reservoir <NUM> of the bed <NUM>.

In particular, a flow path valve <NUM> may be connected between the supply hose <NUM> and the water pump <NUM>. That is, the feed water pumped by the water pump <NUM> may be selectively supplied to the water reservoir <NUM> of each bed <NUM> by the flow path valve <NUM>. The flow path valve <NUM> may be controlled to open and close electronically. The flow path valve <NUM> may be opened to supply water pumped by the water pump <NUM> to each bed <NUM>. The flow path valve <NUM> may be a solenoid valve that is controlled electromagnetically.

Meanwhile, an open upper surface of the water tank <NUM> constituting the water supply module <NUM> may be configured to be opened and closed by an opening and closing cover <NUM>.

In addition, the opening and closing cover <NUM> may be provided with a water supply connection tube <NUM> connected to the water pump <NUM> so that the supply water stored in the water tank <NUM> may be transferred to the water pump <NUM>. That is, the water pump <NUM> may be configured to be selectively connected to the water tank <NUM> by the water supply connection tube <NUM>, not configuration of being directly connected to the water tank <NUM>. Thus, only the water tank <NUM> may be taken out from the cabinet <NUM>.

The plant cultivation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a display module <NUM>.

The display module <NUM> may be provided to display each condition of the plant cultivation apparatus and to perform various controls.

Each condition displaying by the display module <NUM> may be the temperature in the cultivation room <NUM>, <NUM>, cultivation time, operational states.

Further, the display module <NUM> may be configured to be operated in a touchable manner, or may be configured to be operated by a button or a switch.

In particular, the display module <NUM> may be provided in the cabinet <NUM> or in the opening/closing door <NUM>.

However, when the display module <NUM> is provided in the opening/closing door <NUM>, the connection structure of various signal lines or power lines may be inevitably complicated.

Considering that, the display module <NUM> may be preferably provided in the cabinet <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a configuration and method for supply water to plants in the plant cultivation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure described above will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a view shoving a block configuration diagram of a plant cultivation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the plant cultivation apparatus is configured to periodically supply water to plants. Specifically, the plant cultivation apparatus may supply water to a plurality of beds <NUM> a predetermined number of times at a predetermined cycle.

To this end, the plant cultivation apparatus may include a controller <NUM>, a timer <NUM>, a residual water detection sensor <NUM>, a water pump <NUM>, a flow path valve <NUM>, and a display module <NUM>.

The water pump <NUM> is a pump that pumps water in the water tank <NUM>. The water in the water tank <NUM> may be pumped and supplied to each bed. The water pumped from the water tank <NUM> may be supplied to each bed through a flow path valve <NUM>. That is, when there are a plurality of beds, a plurality of flow path valves <NUM> may be installed respectively. The flow path valve <NUM> may be a solenoid valve that can be electromagnetically controlled by the controller <NUM>. When water is to be supplied to each bed, the controller <NUM> may open the flow path valve <NUM> so that the water pumped from the water tank <NUM> is be supplied to the bed.

As described above, the residual water detection sensor <NUM> may serve to detect the residual water remaining in the depression <NUM> of the bed <NUM>. For example, the residual water detection sensor <NUM> may determine whether water is present in the bed <NUM> and output a result of the determination to the controller <NUM>.

When a specified water supply period is reached, the timer <NUM> may inform the controller <NUM> that the specified water supply cycle is reached. For example, when the water supply cycle is reached, the timer <NUM> may inform the controller <NUM> that the cycle is reached. The timer <NUM> may be implemented by being integrated into the controller <NUM>, and is not an essential component of the present disclosure.

When the controller <NUM> is informed by the timer <NUM> that the specified water supply cycle has been reached, the control unit <NUM> may start a water supply process.

In this case, the controller <NUM> may determine whether the plant cultivation apparatus is able to perform the water supply process.

Specifically, the controller <NUM> does not perform the water supply process unless the water tank <NUM> is mounted in place.

As described above, the mounting detection unit <NUM> which detects whether the water tank <NUM> is taken out may be provided on the front side of the installation frame <NUM>. The mounting detection unit <NUM> may be configured by a proximity sensor to detect that the water tank <NUM> is mounted when the water tank <NUM> is adjacent to the mounting detection unit <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may identify whether the water tank <NUM> is mounted in place based on a result of the detection from the detection unit <NUM>. The controller <NUM> does not perform the water supply process when the water tank <NUM> is not mounted in place.

In addition, the controller <NUM> may determine whether feed water is present in the water tank <NUM>. Although not shown in <FIG>, a water sensor capable of detecting whether water is present in the water tank <NUM> may be installed in the water tank <NUM>. The water sensor may detect whether water that is to be supplied to the bed <NUM> is present in the water tank <NUM>. The water sensor may output a result of the detection to the controller <NUM>. Also, the controller <NUM> does not perform the water supply process no water is present in the water tank <NUM>.

In addition, the controller <NUM> may determine whether the opening/closing door <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM> is closed. Although not shown in the drawings, a sensor capable of determining whether the opening/closing door <NUM> is open or closed may be provided on the opening/closing door <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> does not perform the water supply process when the opening/ closing door <NUM> is opened.

In a case where the controller <NUM> is to perform the water supply process since a specified water supply cycle is reached, the display module <NUM> may display a cause why the water supply process is not to be performed when a condition for performing the water supply process is not satisfied.

The user may check the cause why the water supply process is not to be performed through the display module <NUM> and remove the cause.

The controller <NUM> may perform the corresponding water supply process when the cause why the water supply process is not to be performed is removed.

When the water supply process is performed, the controller <NUM> may identify the position of a bed on which water supply is to be performed. When there are a plurality of beds, the controller <NUM> may perform a water supply operation on the plurality of beds sequentially. For example, when there are a first bed and a second bed, the controller <NUM> may perform the water supply operation on the first bed and then perform the water supply operation to the second bed.

When the bed to be watered is identified, the controller <NUM> may determine whether no water is present in the bed, and determine whether there is a water supply delay. The water supply delay may include a case where water supply is in progress to the bed.

In addition, the controller <NUM> may determine whether the number of times of water supply for the corresponding bed, which is counted is less than or equal to a predetermined value.

That is, the number of times of water supply may be fixed for each bed. The number of times of water supply may vary depending on which plants are grown and may be not a fixed value. When the water supply operation has been performed on the corresponding bed the specified number of times, the controller <NUM> does not perform the water supply operation on the bed.

When the water supply operation has been performed on the bed less than the specified number of times, the controller <NUM> may perform the water supply operation on the bed.

The water supply operation will be described as follows.

When the water supply operation is started, the controller <NUM> may perform the water supply operation once for a predetermined bed. When the water supply operation is performed, the controller <NUM> may turn on the water pump <NUM> and also open the flow path valve <NUM> installed in the bed to be watered to supply water to the bed.

The controller <NUM> may adjust a watering amount by a driving time of the water pump <NUM> and an opening time of the flow path valve <NUM>.

A single watering amount may be, for example, <NUM>. In this case, the controller <NUM> may drive the water pump <NUM> for <NUM> seconds and open the flow path valve <NUM> when the water pump <NUM> is driven. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the single watering amount may vary according to various conditions.

The controller <NUM> may wait for a water supply delay time each time the water supply operation is performed. The water supply delay time may correspond to, for example, a time during which at least one pod located in the corresponding bed is able to absorb water. For example, the water supply delay time may be <NUM> seconds. In addition, when the water supply operation is performed once, the controller <NUM> may increase the number of times of water supply by adding one to the number of times of water supply for the bed.

Subsequently, the controller <NUM> may identify a position of a bed for which the next water supply operation is to be performed after performing a water supply operation for a predetermined bed.

The controller <NUM> may terminate the water supply process when a condition for terminating the water supply process is satisfied. For example, the controller <NUM> may terminate the water supply process when the water supply operation has been performed for the plurality of beds a specified number of times.

Alternatively, when a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when water is detected in each bed, the controller <NUM> may terminate the water supply process even though the water supply operation has not been performed the specified number of times. To this end, when water is detected in a predetermined bed, the controller <NUM> may obtain a time which has elapsed from the time point when water is detected. When the obtained time is, for example, <NUM> minutes or more, the controller <NUM> may terminate the water supply process for the bed.

The controller <NUM> may perform the water supply operation for each bed until a condition for terminating the water supply process is satisfied.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method of determining whether a plant cultivation apparatus is in a state capable of performing a water supply process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the plant cultivation apparatus may start a water supply process when a specified water supply cycle is reached. In this case, the plant cultivation apparatus may determine whether or not plant cultivation apparatus is able to perform the water supply process before starting the water supply process.

First, the plant cultivation apparatus may determine whether the water tank <NUM> is mounted in place in step S110.

As described above, the plant cultivation apparatus may determine that the water tank <NUM> is mounted in place through the mounting detection unit <NUM> installed on the front surface of the installation frame <NUM> to detect whether the water tank <NUM> is taken out. When the water tank <NUM> is not mounted in place, the plant cultivation apparatus may terminate the water supply process in step S150.

When the water tank <NUM> is mounted in place, the plant cultivation apparatus may determine whether water is present in the water tank <NUM> in step S120. When no water is present in the water tank <NUM>, the water supply process is terminated in step S150.

When water is present in the water tank <NUM>, the plant cultivation apparatus may determine whether the opening/closing door <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM> is closed in step S130. When the opening/closing door <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM> is opened, the water supply process is terminated in step S150.

The plant cultivation apparatus does not perform the water supply process when the water tank <NUM> is not mounted in place, no water is present in the water tank <NUM>, or the opening/closing door <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM> is opened.

In a case where the plant cultivation apparatus is to perform the water supply process since a specified water supply cycle is reached, the plant cultivation apparatus may display a cause why the water supply process is not to be performed, through the display module <NUM> when the plant cultivation apparatus is disable to perform the water supply process.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a water supply process performed in a plant cultivation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the plant cultivation apparatus first may determine whether a water supply start condition is satisfied in step S210. The water supply start condition may be, for example, a condition that a specified water supply cycle has been reached. Alternatively, the user may instruct to perform a water supply process. For example, the user may first place seeds or seedlings in the plant cultivation apparatus and instruct the execution of the water supply process.

When the water supply start condition is satisfied, the plant cultivation apparatus may identify the position of a bed on which the water supply process is to be performed in step S220. When there are a plurality of beds, the plant cultivation apparatus may sequentially perform a water supply operation on the plurality of beds. For example, when there are a first bed and a second bed, the plant cultivation apparatus may perform the water supply operation on the first bed and then perform the water supply operation to the second bed.

When the bed to be watered is identified, the plant cultivation apparatus may determine whether no water is present in the bed in step S230, and determine whether there is a water supply delay. The water supply delay may include a case in which the water supply operation is in progress on the bed.

When water is present in the bed, the plant cultivation device does not perform the water supply operation on the corresponding bed. That is, the plant cultivation apparatus may skip the water supply operation for the corresponding bed, and change the position of the bed to be watered in step S260. In addition, the plant cultivation apparatus proceeds to step S260 when the water supply delay occurs for the bed.

When no water is present in the bed and there is no water supply delay, the plant cultivation apparatus may determine whether the number of times of water supply is less than or equal to a predetermined value in step S240.

As described above, the number of times of water supply is determined for each bed. The number of times of water supply may vary depending on which plants are grown and may be not a fixed value. When the water supply operation has been performed on the corresponding bed the specified number of times, the plant cultivation apparatus does not perform the water supply operation on the bed.

When the water supply operation has been performed on the bed less than the specified number of times, the plant cultivation apparatus may perform the water supply operation on the bed. The specified number of times may be <NUM> times.

The water supply operation will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a water supply operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

When the water supply operation is started, the plant cultivation apparatus may supply water to a bed once, the bed being determined as described above in step S310. In the case of water supply, the plant cultivation apparatus may turn on the water pump <NUM> and also open the flow path valve <NUM> installed in the bed to be watered to supply water to the bed. For example, water supply may mean supplying water of a predetermined watering amount, for example, water of a single watering amount to the bed <NUM>.

Subsequently, the plant cultivation apparatus may determine whether watering is completed once in step S320.

The plant cultivation apparatus may adjust a watering amount by a driving time of the water pump <NUM> and an opening time of the flow path valve <NUM>.

The single watering amount may be, for example, <NUM>. In this case, the plant cultivation apparatus may drive the water pump <NUM> for <NUM> seconds and open the flow path valve <NUM> when the water pump <NUM> is driven. Therefore, the single water supply operation may take a predetermined time. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the single watering amount may vary according to various conditions.

The plant cultivation apparatus may control the water pump <NUM> and the flow path valve <NUM> for a predetermined period of time to supply a desired amount of water to a corresponding bed.

The plant cultivation apparatus may wait for a water supply delay time in step S330 when watering is completed once. Specifically, the plant cultivation apparatus may wait for the water supply delay time each time the water supply operation is performed once. The water supply delay time may correspond to, for example, a time during which at least one pod located in the corresponding bed is able to absorb water. For example, the water supply delay time may be <NUM> seconds.

Thereafter, when the water supply operation is performed once, the plant cultivation apparatus may increase the number of times of water supply by adding one to the number of times of water supply for the bed in step S340. That is, the number of times of water supply may be increased by one.

The plant cultivation apparatus may perform the water supply operation according to the flowchart of <FIG>.

Referring back to <FIG>, after performing the water supply operation on the corresponding bed, the plant cultivation apparatus may determine a position of the bed on which the next water supply operation is to be performed in step S260.

Then, the plant cultivation apparatus may terminate the water supply process when the condition for terminating the water supply process is satisfied in step S270.

For example, the plant cultivation apparatus may terminate the water supply process when the water supply operation has been performed for the plurality of beds a specified number of times. Alternatively, when a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when water is detected in each bed, the plant cultivation apparatus may terminate the water supply process even though the water supply operation has not been performed the specified number of times.

When the condition for terminating the water supply process is not satisfied, the plant cultivation apparatus may return to step S220 and perform a water supply operation for each bed until the condition for terminating the water supply process is satisfied.

In this way, the water supply operation may be performed a plurality of times for each of the plurality of beds.

Claim 1:
A plant cultivation apparatus comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>) including a cultivation room (<NUM>, <NUM>) in which a plurality of beds (<NUM>) are accommodated and plants are grown;
a residual water detection sensor (<NUM>) configured to detect whether residual water of feed water supplied to the plurality of beds (<NUM>) is present;
a water supply module (<NUM>) provided in the cultivation room (<NUM>, <NUM>) to supply feed water to the plurality of beds (<NUM>); and
a controller (<NUM>) configured to perform a water supply operation when a specified water supply cycle for the plurality of beds (<NUM>) is reached, determine whether water is present in the plurality of beds (<NUM>) using the residual water detection sensor (<NUM>) when the water supply operation is performed, and sequentially perform the water supply operation to one or more beds (<NUM>) in which water is absent, among the beds (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the water supply operation is an operation of supplying water of a predetermined watering amount to one or more of the beds (<NUM>) in which water is absent, counting a number of times of water supply for the bed (<NUM>), and waiting for a water supply delay time,
wherein the controller (<NUM>) is configured to repeatedly perform the water supply operation until a number of times of water supply of each of the plurality of beds (<NUM>) reaches a specified number of times.