JP2020110119A - Agricultural material supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an agricultural material supply device including a material tank, a take-out supply unit for taking an agricultural material out of a material tank and supplying the agricultural material taken out in a field, and an optical detection mechanism for detecting a storage amount of the agricultural material in the material tank, in which the failure of the signal processor in the optical type detection mechanism is made hard to occur, and the maintenance of the signal processor is made easier to be performed.SOLUTION: A detection unit 60A including a light projecting unit 61 and a light receiving unit 62 is provided at inside of a material tank 30A. A signal processor 60B including a light source 66 and a detection light processing unit 67 for converting and processing a detection light into an electric signal is provided at outside of the material tank 30A. Detection light transmission path parts 68A, 68B for connecting the signal processor 60B with the detection unit 60A are included. A connection part 70 for separably connecting the signal processor 60B with the detection unit 60A is included in the detection light transmission path parts 68A, 68B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

The present invention relates to an agricultural material supply device.

Agricultural material supply that is equipped with a material tank that stores agricultural materials to be supplied to the field, and an extraction supply unit that is connected to the material tank, extracts the agricultural materials from the material tank, and supplies the extracted agricultural materials to the field Some devices include an optical detection mechanism that detects the amount of agricultural material stored in a material tank.

As this type, for example, there is a fertilizer application apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1. This fertilizer application includes a fertilizer hopper for storing fertilizer and a feeding mechanism for feeding the fertilizer in the hopper. Inside the fertilizer hopper, a light-transmitting type fertilizer residual amount sensor is provided.

JP, 2007-325565, A

In order to detect the storage amount of agricultural materials in a material tank by an optical detection mechanism, generally, a detection unit including a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit is provided inside the material tank, a light source that generates detection light, and a light receiving unit. A signal processing unit including a signal processing unit that converts detection light received by the unit into an electric signal is connected to the detection unit. However, when the conventional technology is adopted, the detection unit and the signal processing unit are unitized, the signal processing unit is located inside the material tank together with the detection unit, and the signal processing unit is for storing agricultural materials such as chemicals and fertilizers. It is prone to corrosion and failure due to adhesion. Further, although it is necessary to frequently clean the signal processing unit, it is difficult to clean because it is located inside the tank. There are some cases where mounting holes are opened in the wall of the material tank and the unit is supported in the mounting holes to expose the signal processing unit to the outside of the tank, but medicines etc. may enter the signal processing unit through the mounting holes. A problem similar to that of the signal processing unit located in the tank is likely to occur.

The present invention provides an agricultural material supply device in which a failure of the signal processing unit is unlikely to occur and the signal processing unit is easily maintained.

The agricultural material supply device according to the present invention,
A material tank for storing agricultural materials to be supplied to the field, and an extraction/supply section that is connected to the material tank, extracts the agricultural materials from the material tank, and supplies the extracted agricultural materials to the field, and the agricultural material in the material tank. An optical detection mechanism that detects the amount of material stored is provided, and the optical detection mechanism includes a light projecting unit that projects detection light, and a light receiving unit that receives the detection light projected by the light projecting unit. And a light source that generates detection light, and a detection unit that is provided inside the material tank and that receives the detection light received by the light receiving unit, and converts the received detection light into an electrical signal. And a signal processing unit provided outside the material tank and connected to the signal processing unit and the detection unit to transmit the detection light generated by the light source to the light projecting unit. And a detection light transmission path portion that transmits the detection light received by the light receiving portion to the detection light processing portion, and the detection light transmission path portion includes the detection portion and the signal processing portion. A connecting portion is provided for connecting in a separable manner.

According to this configuration, even if the signal processing unit is separated from the detection unit so that the agricultural material in the material tank does not attach to the signal processing unit, the detection light generated by the light source in the signal processing unit is transmitted by the detection light. Since the route is transmitted to the light projecting unit of the detection unit, and the detection light received by the light receiving unit of the detection unit is transmitted to the detection light processing unit of the signal processing unit by the detection light transmission route unit, the agricultural material of the signal processing unit is used. It is possible to avoid corrosion and failure due to adhesion. Since the signal processing unit and the detection unit can be separated by the connection unit, it is easy to perform maintenance such as inspection of the signal processing unit with the signal processing unit separated from the detection unit.

Another agricultural material supply device according to the present invention is
A material tank for storing agricultural materials to be supplied to the field, and an extraction/supply section that is connected to the material tank, extracts the agricultural materials from the material tank, and supplies the extracted agricultural materials to the field, and the agricultural material in the material tank. An optical detection mechanism that detects the amount of material stored is provided, and the optical detection mechanism includes a light projecting unit that projects detection light, and a light receiving unit that receives the detection light projected by the light projecting unit. And a light source that generates detection light, and a detection unit that is provided inside the material tank and that receives the detection light received by the light receiving unit, and converts the received detection light into an electrical signal. And a signal processing unit provided outside the material tank and connected to the signal processing unit and the detection unit to transmit the detection light generated by the light source to the light projecting unit. And a detection light transmission path portion that transmits the detection light received by the light receiving portion to the detection light processing portion, and the detection is performed between the detection light transmission path portion and the signal processing portion. A connection unit is provided that connects the unit and the signal processing unit in a separable manner.

According to this configuration, even if the signal processing unit is separated from the detection unit so that the agricultural material in the material tank does not attach to the signal processing unit, the detection light generated by the light source in the signal processing unit is transmitted by the detection light. Since the route is transmitted to the light projecting unit of the detection unit, and the detection light received by the light receiving unit of the detection unit is transmitted to the detection light processing unit of the signal processing unit by the detection light transmission route unit, the agricultural material of the signal processing unit is used. It is possible to avoid corrosion and failure due to adhesion. Since the signal processing section and the detection light transmission path section can be separated by the connection section, the signal processing section can be separated from both the detection section and the detection light transmission path section to inspect the signal processing section. It is easy to perform maintenance such as.

In the present invention, it is preferable that a cover portion that covers the detection light transmission path portion is provided.

According to this configuration, the detection light that is transmitted to the light projecting unit and the detection light that is transmitted to the detection light processing unit are prevented from leaking during the transmission, so that the detection light is not attenuated in the light projecting unit. In addition, the detection light is transmitted to the detection light processing unit without being attenuated and is accurately detected.

In the present invention, the covering portion is preferably made of rubber.

According to this configuration, the rubber covering portion effectively prevents the detection light from leaking out during the transmission of the detection light, so that the attenuation during the transmission of the detection light can be effectively prevented.
Wear.

In the present invention, the take-out supply unit is provided inside the take-out supply case connected to the lower portion of the material tank, takes out agricultural material from the material tank, and takes out the taken-out agricultural material in the field. The signal processing unit is supported by the extraction supply case, and the detection light transmission path unit and the detection unit are located inside the material tank from below the material tank. Is preferably inserted into.

According to this configuration, the material tank can be removed from the extraction case by raising it to the supply case, and by removing the material tank from the extraction case, the detection unit and signal processing can be performed by raising the material tank. The parts and the parts are separated by the connection part, and the material tank can be removed and the detector and the signal processor can be separated at once.

It is a left side view showing the whole riding type rice transplanter. It is a top view which shows the whole riding type rice transplanter. It is a front view which shows an agricultural material supply apparatus. It is a rear view which shows an agricultural material supply apparatus. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 4. It is a VII-VII cross section arrow line view of FIG. It is a front view which shows an optical type detection mechanism. It is a side view which shows an optical detection mechanism. It is a front view which shows the optical type detection mechanism in the state which removed the material tank. It is a front view which shows the optical type detection mechanism provided with another embodiment.

An embodiment, which is an example of the present invention, will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In the following description, with respect to the traveling body of the riding type rice transplanter, the direction of the arrow F shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is “the body front”, the direction of the arrow B is “the body rear”, and the arrow U shown in FIG. Is "upper body", the direction of arrow D is "lower body", the direction of arrow L shown in Fig. 2 is "left body", and the direction of arrow R is "right body".

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the riding rice transplanter includes a traveling machine body in which a pair of left and right front wheels 1 are steerably and drivably equipped, and a pair of left and right rear wheels 2 are drivably equipped. ing. A driving unit 4 having an engine 3 is formed at the front of the traveling machine body. A driver's seat 5 and a riding-type driver 7 having a steering wheel 6 for steering the front wheels 1 are formed at the rear of the vehicle body. A seedling planting device 10 is connected to the rear part of the machine body frame 8 of the traveling machine body via a link mechanism 9. The seedling planting device 10 has a descending work state in which the grounding float 11 is grounded in the field scene by the vertical swinging operation of the link mechanism 9 with respect to the machine frame 8 and a rising non-working in which the grounding float 11 is separated upward with respect to the field scene. The elevator is operated up and down depending on the state. A fertilizer application device 20 that supplies powdered and granular fertilizer to the seedlings planted by the seedling planting device 10 is provided at the rear of the traveling machine body. A rear part of the seedling planting device 10 is provided with an agricultural material supply device 30 for spraying a powdery or granular chemical agent for weeding in the lateral direction of the traveling machine body behind the seedling planting device 10.

[Construction of seedling planting equipment]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the seedling planting device 10 includes a planting machine body 13 including four planting transmission cases 12 and the like arranged at intervals in the lateral width direction of the traveling machine body. A seedling planting mechanism 14 is drivably supported on both lateral portions of the rear portion of each of the four planting transmission cases 12. Above the planting machine body 13, one seedling mounting table 15 having eight seedling mounting portions arranged in the lateral direction of the traveling machine body is provided. The seedling placing table 15 is laterally reciprocally moved in a state interlocking with the seedling planting movement of the seedling planting mechanism 14, and the mat-like seedlings placed on the respective seedling placing portions correspond to the seedling placing portions. It reciprocates in the left-right direction with respect to the attachment mechanism 14. As a result, the pair of planting arms 14a of each seedling planting mechanism 14 alternately take out the planting seedlings from the mat-like seedlings placed on the seedling placing section, hold the taken out planting seedlings, and place them in the field. It descends and is planted in the field. The seedling planting mechanism is arranged below the planting machine body 13 in the lateral direction of the traveling machine body, supports the seedling planting device 10 in the descending work state, and sets the seedling planting position by the seedling planting mechanism 14 in the field. Five ground contact floats 11 are supported which are prepared before the 14 planting of seedlings. The seedling planting device 10 is capable of seedling planting by the eight seedling planting mechanisms 14 arranged in the lateral direction of the traveling machine body, that is, eight-row planting.

[About the structure of fertilizer application]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fertilizer application device 20 includes two fertilizer tanks 21 arranged side by side in the lateral direction of the traveling machine body, a fertilizer feeding supply unit 22 connected to the bottom of each fertilizer tank 21, and a fertilizer feeding device. And a blower blower 23 connected to the supply unit 22. Four fertilizer application hoses 24 are extended toward the seedling planting device 10 from the fertilizer feeding supply unit 22 connected to one fertilizer tank 21 of the two fertilizer tanks 21, and the other fertilizer tank of the two fertilizer tanks 21 is supplied. Four fertilizer application hoses 24 are extended toward the seedling planting apparatus 10 from the fertilizer feeding/supplying unit 22 connected to 21. The eight fertilizer hoses 24 are separately connected to a total of eight fertilizer applicators 25, one on each lateral side of each of the eight seedling planting mechanisms 14.

In the fertilizer application device 20, the fertilizer feeding/feeding unit 22 connected to each of the two fertilizer tanks 21 feeds the granular fertilizer from the fertilizer tank 21, and the fed fertilizer is fed by the wind from the blower blower 23 to the four fertilizer hoses. Supply to 24. Each fertilizer applicator 25 forms a groove in the field on the lateral side of the seedling planting position by the seedling planting mechanism 14, and supplies the fertilizer supplied by the fertilizer hose 24 to the formed groove.

[Structure of agricultural material supply device]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the agricultural material supply device 30 is supported by the support frame 16 in a state of being arranged in the central portion in the lateral direction of the seedling planting device 10 in a plan view. The support of the agricultural material supply device 30 by the support frame 16 is performed in a state in which the material tank 30A is in a forwardly tilted posture in which the material tank 30A is located more forward toward the upper end side. The support frame 16 is extended upward from the adjacent planting transmission cases 12 among the four planting transmission cases 12 with the center of the seedling planting device 10 in the left-right direction sandwiched therebetween.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the agricultural material supply device 30 includes a material tank 30A in which a powdery drug is stored, and a take-out supply unit 30B connected to a lower portion of the material tank 30A. The take-out supply unit 30B takes out the medicine from the material tank 30A, scatters the taken medicine in the left and right directions of the traveling machine body behind the seedling planting device 10, and in the lateral direction of the seedling planting device 10 in the field. The drug is supplied to the field by spraying on the part corresponding to the coverage.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the tank main body 31 of the material tank 30A is provided with a storage portion 31b for storing agricultural materials and a tubular portion 32 extending downward from the lower portion of the storage portion 31b. ing. The tubular portion 32 is integrally formed with the storage portion 31b when the tank body 31 is formed. The tank body 31 and the tubular portion 32 are made of resin. As shown in FIG. 6, a reinforcing rib 33 is integrally formed on the inner surface side of the tubular portion 32. The reinforcing ribs 33 are provided at a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 32. An annular connecting portion 41 is formed in the upper portion of the take-out supply case 40 in the take-out supply section 30B. By connecting the tubular portion 32 and the connecting portion 41 with the connecting portion 41 fitted in the tubular portion 32, the material tank 30A and the unloading supply portion 30B are connected. The material tank 30A can be removed upward from the take-out supply case 40. In the state where the tubular portion 32 and the connecting portion 41 are connected, the contact portion 33a formed at the bottom of each reinforcing rib 33 is in contact with the connecting portion 41 from above. The load of the material tank 30A is taken out and supported by the supply case 40 from below via the reinforcing rib 33. On both sides of the tubular portion 32, a snap lock 34 (see FIG. 4) for taking out the material tank 30A and fixing it to the supply case 40 is provided between the tubular portion 32 and the takeout supply case 40.

[About the configuration of the take-out supply unit]
The take-out supply unit 30B includes a take-out supply case 40 as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the take-out supply case 40 is supported by the support frame 16 via a connecting member 42 attached to the front portion of the take-out supply case 40.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, the take-out supply case 40 includes a delivery supply case portion 43 having a connection portion 41, and a driving mechanism case portion 44 connected to a lower portion of the delivery supply case portion 43. And a left spreading case portion 46 connected to the left side portion of the driving mechanism case portion 44, and a right spreading case portion 47 connected to the right side portion of the driving mechanism case portion 44. Each of the feeding supply case part 43, the driving mechanism case part 44, the left spray case part 46, and the right spray case part 47 is made of resin.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the feeding supply member 48 is housed in the feeding supply case portion 43. A vertical rotation support shaft 49 of the feeding supply member 48 is rotatably supported by the boss portion 43a of the feeding supply case portion 43 and the boss portion 50b of the sheet metal member as the metal supporting member 50. The feeding supply member 48 is supported by the metal support member 50 in a swingable state with the rotation support shaft 49 as a swing support point. The metal support member 50 is provided inside the driving mechanism case portion 44. Downward bent connecting portions 50a are provided on the left and right side portions of the front portion of the metal supporting member 50. The left and right bent connection parts 50 a are connected to the left and right lateral wall parts 51 d of the drive mechanism case part 44, and the metal support member 50 is supported by the drive mechanism case part 44. A pair of feeding supply holes 48a are opened at the free end side portion of the feeding supply member 48. The delivery supply member 48 is driven by a drive gear 52 provided on the rotation support shaft 49 in a state of reciprocally swinging in the left-right direction about a swing support point of the rotation support shaft 49, and by the pair of delivery supply holes 48a. The medicine is dispensed from the funnel portion 31a. One of the dispensing supply holes 48 a drops the dispensed medicine into the left supply hole 53 communicating with the inside of the left spray case portion 46 and supplies the drug into the left spray case portion 46. The other dispensing supply hole 48 a causes the dispensed medicine to fall into the right supply hole 54 communicating with the inside of the right spray case portion 47 and supply the inside of the right spray case portion 47. Reference numeral 38 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 denotes a shutter that opens and closes the medicine discharge port of the funnel portion 31a. The shutter 38 is opened and closed by being slid by the swinging operation of the operating lever 38a.

As shown in FIG. 6, a right scattering member 56 is rotatably housed in a portion below the right supply hole 54 inside the right spray case portion 47. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a right spray case 47a has a right spray port 47a opened downward at the bottom thereof. In the right spray case portion 47, the medicine supplied to the inside of the right spray case portion 47 by the feeding supply member 48 is supplied to the right spray member 56 and scattered inside the right spray case portion 47 by the right spray member 56. .. The sprayed medicine hits the right guide part formed inside the right spray case part 47 and is guided by the right guide part, and the right half of the planting range of the seedling planting device 10 in the field from the right spray port 47a. It is sprinkled on the part corresponding to the part.

As shown in FIG. 6, the left scattering member 55 is rotatably housed in the inside of the left dispersion case portion 46 at a position below the left supply hole 53. Similar to the right spray case part 47, a left spray port 46a is opened downward at the lower part of the left spray case part 46. In the left spray case portion 46, the medicine supplied to the inside of the left spray case portion 46 by the feeding-out supply member 48 is supplied to the left scattering member 55 and scattered inside the left spray case portion 46 by the left scattering member 55. .. The sprayed chemicals hit the left guide part formed inside the left spray case part 46 and are guided by the left guide part, and the left half of the planting range of the seedling planting device 10 in the field from the left spray port 46a. It is sprinkled on the part corresponding to the part.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the driving mechanism case portion 44 includes a bottom wall portion 44a, a left partition wall 51a protruding upward from a left end portion of a rear portion of the bottom wall portion 44a, and a bottom wall portion. The right partition wall 51b protruding upward from the right end portion of the rear portion of the 44a and the right partition wall 51b protruding from the left and right end portions of the bottom wall portion 44a in front of the left partition wall 51a and the right partition wall 51b. And a front vertical wall portion 51c projecting upward from the front end portion of the bottom wall portion 44a. In the space S surrounded by the bottom wall portion 44a, the left partition wall 51a, the right partition wall 51b, the horizontal wall portion 51d, and the front vertical wall portion 51c, power is supplied toward the feeding supply member 48, the left scattering member 55, and the right scattering member 56. An electric drive mechanism 45 for outputting is stored.

The electric motor mechanism 45 is housed in the front side portion of the space S, and the feeding electric motor 57 that outputs power to the feeding supply member 48, and the rearward portion of the space S, the left scattering member 55. And one scattering electric motor 59 that outputs power toward the right scattering member 56. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the feeding electric motor 57 is supported on the lower surface side of the metal supporting member 50. The tip end side portion of the output shaft 57 a of the feeding electric motor 57 is projected above the metal supporting member 50 from the opening of the metal supporting member 50. An output gear 58, which is provided on the tip end side portion of the output shaft 57a so as to be relatively rotatable, and a drive gear 52 are meshed with each other. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the scattered electric motor 59 is supported by the left partition wall 51a and the right partition wall 51b. The tip side portion of the left output shaft 59a of the scattering electric motor 59 is inserted into the left spreading case portion 46 through the opening of the left partition wall 51a, and the left scattering member 55 becomes relatively unrotatable at the tip side portion of the left output shaft 59a. It is supported. The tip side portion of the right output shaft 59b of the scattering electric motor 59 is inserted into the right spray case portion 47 through the opening of the right partition wall 51b, and the right scattering member 56 becomes relatively unrotatable at the tip side portion of the right output shaft 59b. It is supported.

By the feeding supply member 48, the left scattering member 55, the right scattering member 56, the feeding electric motor 57, and the scattering electric motor 59, the medicine as an agricultural material is taken out from the material tank 30A, and the taken-out supply mechanism M for supplying the taken medicine to the field. Is configured. The take-out supply mechanism M is provided inside the take-out supply case 40.

As shown in FIG. 6, the left partition wall 51 a is erected from the bottom wall portion 44 a between the motor body of the scattered electric motor 59 and the left scattering member 55. The inside of the left spray case portion 46 and the inside of the driving mechanism case portion 44 are partitioned by the left partition wall 51a. The right partition wall 51b is provided upright from the bottom wall portion 44a between the motor body of the scattering electric motor 59 and the right scattering member 56. The inside of the right spray case portion 47 and the inside of the driving mechanism case portion 44 are partitioned by the right partition wall 51b. Even if dust is generated inside the left spreading case portion 46 or the right spreading case portion 47, it is difficult for the dust to hit the left partition wall 51a or the right partition wall 51b and adhere to the scattering electric motor 59.

[Configuration of optical detection mechanism]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, an optical detection mechanism 60 is provided in the front part of the agricultural material supply device 30. Specifically, the optical detection mechanism 60 is provided across the front part of the material tank 30A and the front part of the take-out supply case 40. The optical detection mechanism 60 detects that the medicine stored in the material tank 30A has decreased to a set remaining amount, and outputs the detection result as an electric signal to a control device (not shown) to output an alarm device (Fig. (Not shown) is operated.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the optical detection mechanism 60 includes a detection unit 60A provided inside the tank body 31 and a feeding supply case unit 43 out of the material tank 30A. It has a signal processing unit 60B provided on the upper portion, and a detection light transmission unit 60C connecting the detection unit 60A and the signal processing unit 60B. The signal processing unit 60B is provided inside the delivery supply case unit 43.

As shown in FIG. 8, the detection unit 60A includes a light projecting unit 61 that projects the detection light into the tank, and a light receiving unit 62 that receives the detection light projected by the light projecting unit 61. .. The light projecting portion 61 is composed of an upper end portion of the detection light sending member 63 which is bent and formed in the horizontal direction. The light receiving portion 62 is configured by an upper end portion of the detection light returning member 64 that is bent and formed in the horizontal direction.

In the detection unit 60A, the upper surface of the accumulated drug stored in the material tank 30A is located between the light projecting unit 61 and the light receiving unit 62, and the light receiving unit 62 receives the detection light projected by the light projecting unit 61. As a result, it is detected that the storage amount of the medicine in the material tank 30A has reached the set remaining amount.

The signal processing unit 60B includes a processing unit case 65 as shown in FIG. A light source 66 that generates detection light and a detection light processing unit 67 that converts the detection light into an electric signal are provided inside the processing unit case 65.

In the signal processing unit 60B, the detection light received by the light receiving unit 62 is transmitted to the signal processing unit 60B by the detection light transmitting unit 60C, and the transmitted detection light enters the detection light processing unit 67. The detection light processing unit 67 calculates a detection result based on the detection light that has entered, and outputs the calculated detection result as an electric signal.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the detection light transmitting section 60C transmits the detection light generated by the light source 66 to the light projecting section 61 and transmits the detection light received by the light receiving section 62 to the detection light processing section 67. The detection light transmission path portion 68 and the coating portion 69 that covers the detection light transmission path portion 68 are provided. .. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the detection light transmission path portion 68 includes a detection light sending member 63 that transmits the detection light generated by the light source 66 to the light projecting portion 61, and a detection light received by the light receiving portion 62. The detection light returning member 64 that transmits the light to the detection light processing unit 67. The detection light sending member 63 and the detection light returning member 64 are made of a material such as a glass material or a resin material that allows light to pass therethrough. The covering portion 69 is made of rubber.

As shown in FIG. 8, the detection light transmission path unit 68 is provided with a connection unit 70 that separably connects the detection unit 60A and the signal processing unit 60B. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the connection unit 70 includes a detection light transmission path 68 and a transmission path portion 68A on the processing unit side of the detection light transmission path unit 68 located on the signal processing unit side. The transmission path portion 68B on the detection portion side, which is located on the detection portion side of the portion 68, is separably connected. The detection light sending member 63 is configured to be dividable into a split sending member 63a on the signal processing unit side and a split sending member 63b on the detection unit side. The detection light returning member 64 is configured to be divided into a division returning member 64a on the signal processing unit side and a division returning member 64b on the detection unit side. The transmission path portion 68A on the processing unit side includes a split feed member 63a on the signal processing unit side and a split return member 64a on the signal processing unit side. The transmission path portion 68B on the detection unit side includes a division feed member 63b on the detection unit side and a division return member 64b on the detection unit side. The connection unit 70 is provided in the middle of the detection light transmission path unit 68, and in the middle of the detection light transmission path unit 68, the detection unit 60A and the signal processing unit 60B are separably connected.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the coating portion 69 includes a processing portion-side coating portion 69A that covers the processing portion-side transmission path portion 68A of the detection light transmission path portion 68, and the detection light transmission path portion 68. It is configured to be separable into a covering portion 69B on the detecting portion side that covers the transmission path portion 68B on the detecting portion side. The coating portion 69A on the processing portion side and the coating portion 69B on the detection portion side are connected in a meshed state. In the present embodiment, the covering portion 69B on the detection unit side is configured to be divided into a portion close to the detection unit 60A and a portion far from the detection unit 60A. A portion close to the detector is configured to be divided into two in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the detection light sending member 63 and the detection light returning member 64 are arranged.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the signal processing unit 60</b>B is supported by the support unit 71 formed in the feeding supply case unit 43. The signal processing unit 60B is supported by the take-out supply case 40. The detection light transmission path portion 68 and the detection portion 60A are inserted into the tank body 31 from below the tank body 31. The covering portion 69A of the covering portion 69 on the processing portion side is supported by the feeding and supplying case portion 43 together with the signal processing portion 60B. A transmission path portion 68A of the detection light transmission path portion 68 on the processing portion side is supported by the delivery supply case portion 43 via a covering portion 69A on the processing portion side. The tank main body 31 is provided with a cover portion 72 that covers a portion of the detection light transmission path portion 68 located outside the material tank 30A and a portion of the covering portion 69 located outside the material tank 30A. .. The cover portion 72 is formed in a vertically oriented tubular shape in which the detection portion 60A and the detection light transmission portion 60C can be inserted into and removed from the cover portion 72 from below.

In the optical detection mechanism 60, the detection light generated by the light source 66 is transmitted to the light projecting portion 61 by the detection light sending member 63 of the detection light transmitting path portion 68. The detection light transmitted to the light projecting portion 61 is transmitted while being prevented from leaking to the outside from the detection light sending member 63 by the covering portion 69. When the remaining amount of the medicine in the material tank 30A reaches the set remaining amount, the light receiving unit 62 receives the detection light emitted by the light emitting unit 61, and the received detection light is the detection light returning member 64 of the detection light transmission path unit 68. Is transmitted to the signal processing unit 60B and enters the detection light processing unit 67. The detection light transmitted to the signal processing unit 60B is transmitted while being prevented from leaking from the detection light returning member 64 to the outside by the coating unit 69. When the detection light is incident on the detection light processing unit 67, the detection light that has entered is converted into an electric signal as a detection result by the detection light processing unit 67, and the electric signal as a detection result is converted to the signal processing unit 60B. Output to the control device.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the material tank 30A is lifted with respect to the supply case 40 and removed from the supply case 40, the optical detection mechanism 60 causes the signal processing unit 60B and the detection unit by the lifting force of the material tank 30A. It is separated from 60A at the connecting portion 70, and the detecting portion 60A follows the material tank 30A. Further, the detection light transmission path portion 68 is separated into the transmission path portion 68A on the processing portion side and the transmission path portion 68B on the detection portion side by the connecting portion 70, and the transmission passage portion 68B on the detection portion side is attached to the detection portion 60A. go. The covering portion 69 is also separated into the covering portion 69A on the signal processing portion side and the covering portion 69B on the detecting portion side at the connecting portion 70, and the covering portion 69B on the detecting portion side follows the transmission path portion 68B on the detecting portion side.

[Another embodiment]
(1) FIG. 12 is a front view showing an optical detection mechanism 60 including another embodiment. In the optical detection mechanism 60 including another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the connection portion 73 that separably connects the detection unit 60A and the signal processing unit 60B includes the detection light transmission path unit 68 and the signal processing unit. It is provided between 60B.

(2) In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the detection unit 60A is attached to the material tank 30A when the material tank 30A is removed above the take-out supply case 40, but the present invention is not limited to this. .. That is, when the material tank 30A is removed upward from the take-out supply case 40, the detection unit 60A comes out downward with respect to the tank body 31, and the detection unit 60A and the signal processing unit 60B are provided outside the material tank 30A. It may be separated at the connecting portion 70 or the connecting portion 73.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the covering portion 69 is provided is shown, but the covering portion 69 may not be provided because it is difficult for the detection light transmitting member to leak the detection light.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the rubber covering portion is adopted is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various covering portions such as leather can be adopted.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the agricultural material supply device 30 is equipped in a riding type rice transplanter capable of planting 8 rows is shown. However, a riding type rice planting capable of planting 7 or less rows or 9 or more rows It may be equipped in the machine.

(6) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the agricultural material supply device 30 is configured to supply a medicine has been described, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, various agricultural materials such as seeds and fertilizer may be supplied.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be applied not only to medicines but also to agricultural material supply devices for supplying various agricultural materials such as seeds and fertilizers.

30A material tank 30B unloading supply section 40 unloading supply case 60 optical detection mechanism 60A detection section 60B signal processing section 61 light projecting section 62 light receiving section 66 light source 67 detection light processing section 68 detection light transmission path section 70 connection section 73 connection section M Take-out supply mechanism

Claims (5)

A material tank that stores agricultural materials to be supplied to the field,
An extraction supply unit that is connected to the material tank, extracts the agricultural material from the material tank, and supplies the extracted agricultural material to the field.
An optical detection mechanism for detecting the storage amount of the agricultural material in the material tank is provided,
The optical detection mechanism, a projection unit for projecting detection light, and a detection unit provided inside the material tank together with a light receiving unit for receiving the detection light projected by the projection unit, A light source for generating detection light, and a detection light processing unit for receiving the detection light received by the light receiving unit and converting the received detection light into an electric signal are provided outside the material tank. A signal processing unit is connected to the signal processing unit and the detection unit to transmit the detection light generated by the light source to the light projecting unit and to process the detection light received by the light receiving unit in the detection light processing. And a detection light transmission path portion that is transmitted to the section,
An agricultural material supply apparatus, wherein the detection light transmission path section is provided with a connection section that separably connects the detection section and the signal processing section. A material tank that stores agricultural materials to be supplied to the field,
An extraction supply unit that is connected to the material tank, extracts the agricultural material from the material tank, and supplies the extracted agricultural material to the field.
An optical detection mechanism for detecting the storage amount of the agricultural material in the material tank is provided,
The optical detection mechanism, a projection unit for projecting detection light, and a detection unit provided inside the material tank together with a light receiving unit for receiving the detection light projected by the projection unit, A light source for generating detection light, and a detection light processing unit for receiving the detection light received by the light receiving unit and converting the received detection light into an electric signal are provided outside the material tank. A signal processing unit is connected to the signal processing unit and the detection unit to transmit the detection light generated by the light source to the light projecting unit and to process the detection light received by the light receiving unit in the detection light processing. And a detection light transmission path portion that is transmitted to the section,
An agricultural material supply apparatus comprising a connection unit that separably connects the detection unit and the signal processing unit between the detection light transmission path unit and the signal processing unit. The agricultural material supply apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a covering portion that covers the detection light transmission path portion. The agricultural material supply device according to claim 3, wherein the covering portion is made of rubber. The take-out supply unit is provided inside the take-out supply case connected to the lower part of the material tank and the take-out supply case, takes out the agricultural material from the material tank, and takes out the taken-out agricultural material to the field. And a supply mechanism,
The material tank is removable upward with respect to the extraction supply case,
The signal processing unit is supported by the extraction supply case,
The agricultural material supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the detection light transmission path portion and the detection portion are inserted into the material tank from below the material tank.

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