JP3431492B2 - Nursery box separation device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a nursery box separating device used in a nursery facility for intensively growing planted seedlings for rice transplanters.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a seedling raising facility, as a seedling raising form, first, seeded seedling raising boxes are mounted in a germination cart in a stacked state in which they are stacked in multiple stages, and then the seedling cart is carried into the germination room. The seedlings in each seedling box are subjected to a sprouting process, and then the seedling boxes after the sprouting are transposed into a shelf state in which a predetermined interval is vertically provided from the sprouting dolly to the greening dolly. After making the ventilation and daylighting of the larvae good, a method is adopted in which the foliage is carried into the greening room together with the trolley and subjected to a greening process to green the buds.

In a seedling raising facility employing the above method, a seedling raising box block is formed by stacking seedling raising boxes in multiple stages during the germination process. Therefore, when transferring from multi-layered seedling raising boxes to a shelving state in which they are vertically separated by a predetermined distance, it is necessary to separate the seedling raising boxes from the seedling raising box block one by one as the germination process shifts to the greening process. There is. Therefore, in the above-mentioned seedling raising facility, by deploying a seedling raising box separating device that separates the seedling raising boxes one by one from the seedling raising box blocks that have been carried into the separation work position, the efficiency of the seedling raising box separation work is improved. ing.

Conventionally, the nursery box separating device 70 as described above is used.
As shown in FIG. 24, a hydraulic cylinder 71 for moving up and down a mounting table 74 on which the seedling raising box blocks 1A in which the seedling raising boxes 1 are stacked in multiple stages and a seedling raising box block 1A at a holding height position are provided.
The nursery box block 1 is provided with left and right locking claws 72 that are opened and closed to support and not support the seedlings.
From A, the nursery boxes 1 were configured to be separated one by one in order from the lowest one. Incidentally, reference numeral 73 in FIG.
Is a roller-type transport mechanism that carries in the seedling-raising-box block 1A to the separating work position, and carries out the seedling-raising box 1 separated from the seedling-raising-box block 1A by the seedling-raising-box separating device 70 from the separating work position.

[0005]

According to the above-mentioned prior art, when the nursery box 1 is separated from the nursery box block 1A, first of all, the nursery box block 1A is locked and supported by the locking claws 72. 24 raises the placing table 74, and after receiving and supporting the seedling raising box block 1A by the placing table 74, as shown in FIG. 1A is released and the hydraulic cylinder 71 is actuated to lower the seedling raising box block 1A, and then, as shown in (b) of FIG. 24, the lowermost seedling raising box 1 has a predetermined holding height. From the position to the separation height position, the locking claw 72 is closed and locked to the second seedling growing box 1 from the bottom, and the second or more seedling growing boxes 1 from the bottom are supported by the locking claw 72. While continuing to lower the hydraulic cylinder 71, The lowermost seedling raising box 1 is lowered to separate the lowermost seedling raising box 1 from the seedling raising box block 1A, and after the separation, as shown in FIG. The seedling raising box 1 placed on the transport mechanism 73 is moved from the separating work position by the transport mechanism 73 by performing a series of separating operations such as placing the lowermost seedling raising box 1 on the transport mechanism 73 by lowering it. It is designed to be repeated each time it is taken out.

In other words, from the nursery box 1A to the nursery box 1
Since the boxes are separated one by one from the bottom, the locking claws 72 are separated every time the seedling box 1 is separated.
It becomes necessary to re-support the seedling raising box block 1A by means of the above, and the lowering operation of the hydraulic cylinder 71 for placing the separated seedling raising box 1 on the transport mechanism 73, the work for separating the seedling nursery box 1 placed on the transport mechanism 73 Transport mechanism 73 to carry out from position
Unloading operation and raising seedling box block 1A again on mounting table 7
While raising the hydraulic cylinder 71 to be received and supported by No. 4, the locking claw 72 is used to raise the nursery box block 1A.
There is room for improvement in order to increase the efficiency of the seedling raising box separation work, because the support work cannot be redone and the separation work is substantially suspended.

By the way, it is possible to increase the efficiency of the seedling raising box separating work by increasing the operating speed of the seedling raising box separating device. The soil's soil will be biased or collapsed, which will have an adverse effect on the young shoots, so it was impossible to unnecessarily increase the operating speed.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to make it possible to improve the efficiency of the nursery box separation work performed when the germination process is changed to the greening process without adversely affecting the buds in the nursery box. .

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention, in a seedling raising box separating device, a seedling raising box block in which germination-treated seedling raising boxes are stacked in multiple stages is provided. A carry-in mechanism that carries in a predetermined separating work position, a lift mechanism that raises the seedling raising box block at the separating work position, and the seedling raising boxes are separated upward from the raised seedling raising box block one by one in order from the top stage. And a separating mechanism, and on both sides of the lift mechanism, a pair of first guide members extending from the carry-in mechanism to the separating mechanism are disposed, and a distance between upper ends of the pair of first guide members is set to a distance. Along with the raising of the nursery box block, it is set to a distance that corrects a lateral positional deviation of the nursery box located at the top with respect to the separating mechanism, and the lower parts of the pair of first guide members are separated from each other. The distance was set to a larger distance than the distance of the upper ends, above the separation mechanism,該分
A carry-out guy who has laterally extended the nursery box separated by the separating mechanism.
It also has a carry-out mechanism that places it on the rail and carries it out.
The transfer start end of the carry-out guide rail to the seedling raising box.
To the carry-out mechanism of the nursery box when heading to the carry-out mechanism
As a guide part that corrects the positional deviation in the carrying-out direction
Bent to work .

[Operation] According to the invention described in claim 1, the separating mechanism separates the seedling raising boxes from the seedling raising box block, which is lifted by the operation of the lift mechanism, one by one in order from the uppermost one, and the carry-out mechanism comprises: The separated nursery boxes are carried out toward the shelf elevator, and the shelf elevator holds the carried-out nursery boxes in the vertical direction at the same vertical intervals as the shelf intervals of the green truck, and the pushing mechanism holds them in the shelf elevator. The set number of nursery boxes will be inserted into the greening cart all at once and placed.

That is, since the seedling raising boxes are separated from the seedling raising box block one by one in order from the uppermost one, every time the seedling raising boxes are separated, which occurs when the lowermost one is separated one by one. It will be possible to eliminate the waste of re-supporting the nursery box blocks. In addition, the raising operation of the nursery box block by the lift mechanism for separating the next-stage nursery box by the separating mechanism, immediately after separating the previous-stage nursery box (when the lift mechanism is intermittently driven),
Alternatively, perform the work while separating the nursery box in the previous stage by the separating mechanism (when the separating speed of the nursery box from the nursery box block by the separating mechanism is set faster than the rising speed of the nursery box block by the lift mechanism). Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience that occurred when separating the boxes one by one from the bottom one, in which the separation work was substantially suspended until the separated nursery boxes were taken out. become able to. As a result, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the nursery box separation work without unnecessarily increasing the operation speed of the nursery box separation device. By increasing the speed, it is possible to avoid inconvenience such that the soil is biased or collapsed in the nursery box to adversely affect the shoots.

Moreover, the pair of first guide members disposed on both sides of the lift mechanism causes the lateral displacement of the nursery box located at the uppermost stage with respect to the separating mechanism as the nursery box block is lifted by the lift mechanism. Since it is possible to correct, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of separation failure due to the positional deviation. In addition, the lift mechanism for positioning the uppermost nursery box at the predetermined separation height position is effectively used to move the nursery box laterally with respect to the separating mechanism by the guide member. Since the correction is performed, it is not necessary to provide the pusher for correcting the positional deviation driven by the actuator. Moreover, when such a pusher is provided, the lift mechanism is operated to position the uppermost nursery box at a predetermined separating height position and then the pusher is operated to position the nursery box laterally relative to the separating mechanism. Since it will come to correct the gap,
Although an extra operation time for correcting the positional deviation is required, the work efficiency of the seedling raising box separating work is reduced, but in the invention according to claim 1, the uppermost seedling raising box is used. Since it is possible to correct the lateral misalignment of the nursery box with respect to the separating mechanism while performing the raising operation to position the seedling at the predetermined separating height position, the work efficiency of the nursery box separating work is reduced due to the positional misalignment correction. It becomes possible to avoid such inconvenience.

Moreover, since the distance between the lower parts of the pair of first guide members is set to be larger than the distance between the upper ends, the distance between the lower parts of the pair of first guide members is set to the upper end. Compared with the case where the distance is set to be the same as the distance between the seedlings, the carry-in mechanism makes it easier to carry the nursery box blocks to a predetermined separation work position.

Incidentally, it is possible to provide a guide for correcting the positional deviation of the whole nursery box block with respect to the separating mechanism when the nursery box block is carried into the predetermined separating work position by the carrying-in mechanism, but in this case, Since it is necessary to correct the positional deviation with respect to the separation mechanism from the lowermost nursery box where the total load of the stacked nursery boxes is applied, a considerable amount of operating force is required to correct the positional deviation. In the invention described in claim 1, since only the uppermost seedling raising box is displaced and corrected with respect to the separating mechanism, the operation force required therefor can be reduced, whereby the lift mechanism can be reduced. It is possible to correct the positional deviation of the nursery box with respect to the separating mechanism that effectively utilizes the upward movement of the nursery box block due to.

Further, according to the invention of claim 1, the separation
The nursery box separated by the mechanism was placed above the separation mechanism.
When supplying to the unloading mechanism,
Since the transport start end of the tool functions as a guide,
The misalignment of the nursery box with respect to the transport mechanism
You will be able to correct it. This enables the nursery box to be carried out.
The feeding direction to the feeding mechanism of the nursery box.
Due to the misalignment of the
You can avoid inconveniences such as being caught
Growls Moreover, it guides the transport start end of the guide rail.
Since it is designed to function as a part, the guide part
Is newly provided, and its guide part is
It is necessary to newly construct a support structure for supporting.
The point is unnecessary.

[Effects] Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the seedling raising box separation work that is performed at the time of shifting from the germination process to the greening process without adversely affecting the buds in the seedling raising box, and simplify the configuration. In addition, it is possible to improve the certainty of the work for separating the nursery box while reducing the manufacturing cost.

Further , the structure is simplified and the manufacturing cost is reduced.
The separated seedling raising boxes are handed over to the carry-out mechanism.
It became possible to improve the certainty when doing.

According to the second aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to claim 1, a second guide member that restricts a lateral displacement of the uppermost seedling raising box with respect to the separation mechanism from the upper ends of the pair of first guide members to the separation mechanism. Was arranged.

[Operation] According to the invention described in claim 2, since the lateral displacement of the uppermost nursery box with respect to the separating mechanism can be reliably regulated by the second guide member, the separating mechanism prevents the nursery box block from separating. The separation of nursery boxes can be performed more reliably.

[Effect] Therefore, it has become possible to further improve the certainty of the work for separating the nursery box.

In the invention according to claim 3 of the present invention,
The invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a lifting mechanism is provided above the separating mechanism for lifting the nursery boxes separated by the separating mechanism, and the separating mechanism causes the uppermost stage from the nursery box block. The third guide member for correcting the lateral displacement of the nursery box with respect to the feeding mechanism when separating the nursery box from above.

[Operation] According to the invention described in claim 3, since the positional deviation of the nursery box separated by the separating mechanism in the lateral direction with respect to the lifting mechanism can be corrected by the third guide member, the separating by the lifting mechanism is performed. It is possible to reliably carry out the carry-out and carry-out from the separated height position of the nursery box.

[Effect] Therefore, it has become possible to improve the reliability of the lifting and carrying-out work.

In the invention according to claim 4 of the present invention,
In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the lift mechanism is a mounting table on which the seedling raising box block is placed, a receiving position for receiving the seedling raising box block from the carry-in mechanism, and the seedling raising box. The seedling raising box located at the lowest stage of the block is composed of an endless rotating chain that raises and lowers the placing table over a delivery position where it is transferred to the separating mechanism, and a single cover attached to the endless rotating chain. From a detection tool, a lower limit sensor that detects the arrival of the lower limit position of the mounting table by detecting the detection tool, and an upper limit sensor that detects the arrival of the upper position of the mounting table by detection of the detection tool A sensor unit for outputting the operation stop information of the lift mechanism is configured.

[Operation] According to the invention described in claim 4 , a sufficient raising / lowering stroke is ensured for raising all the nursery boxes of the nursery box block in which the nursery boxes are stacked in multiple stages to a predetermined separation height position. However, the installation space of the lift mechanism can be kept low compared to the case where the lift mechanism is configured as a cylinder drive type that raises and lowers the mounting table with a hydraulic cylinder, thus reducing the size of the whole seedling box separating device. Can be achieved. or,
In configuring the sensor section, since the detected tool detected by the lower limit sensor and the detected tool detected by the upper limit sensor are combined into a single detected tool, As compared with the case where both upper limit detection objects are provided, the configuration can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[Effects] Therefore, the size of the nursery box separating device can be reduced, and the configuration can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be further reduced.

In the invention according to claim 5 of the present invention,
In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , a locking tool that locks the separation mechanism to a flange of the uppermost seedling raising box, and the locking tool from below the outside of the flange. A locking separation band composed of an endless rotation band that is rotated in a direction to be engaged with the flange of the seedling raising box at the next stage is arranged so as to face the seedling raising box, and the locking separation is performed. The distance between the bands was set to be narrower on the nursery box block side.

[Operation] According to the invention described in claim 5 ,
At the time of locking the flange of the uppermost seedling raising box by engaging with the flange of the next stage seedling raising seedling from below the flange in the uppermost seedling raising box located at the predetermined separation height position,
Since it is possible to bring the state closer to the uppermost seedling raising box, the locking mechanism of the separating mechanism can be more reliably locked to the flange of the seedling raising box.

By the way, in order to ensure the locking of the locking tool to the flange of the nursery box, a separating mechanism is used to displace the locking tool to the nursery box side in the locking region to the flange, It can be considered to be composed of a separating actuator that separates the nursery box by raising the locking device displaced to the nursery box side, but in this configuration, the configuration becomes complicated and the manufacturing cost rises. In addition, since it is necessary to actuate the locking actuator and the separation actuator stepwise, it is possible to smoothly perform the locking operation of the locking tool and the separating operation of the nursery box. It gets harder.

That is, according to the invention described in claim 5 , the structure can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and the locking operation of the locking tool and the separating operation of the seedling raising box can be performed around the locking tool. By doing so smoothly and quickly, it is possible to improve work efficiency.

[Effect] Therefore, while simplifying the configuration and reducing the manufacturing cost, it is possible to ensure the locking of the locking tool with respect to the flange of the seedling-growing box to be separated, so that the seedling-seed box separating work can be reliably performed. In addition to improving the productivity, it has become possible to further improve the efficiency of the seedling raising box separation work.

[0031]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the entire plan view of the automatic shelving unit A of the seedling raising box 1 used when shifting from emergence processing to greening treatment in a seedling raising facility for intensively growing seedlings for rice transplanters. There is. In addition, the seedling raising facility in which this automatic shelving device A is installed has a predetermined number (for example, four) of seedling raising box blocks 1A in which seedling raising seedlings 1 are stacked in multiple stages (for example, thirty stages). After being mounted on the germination cart 2, the germination cart 2 and the germination cart 2 are carried into a germination chamber (not shown) to perform a germination process for germination of the seeds of each nursery box 1, and then each nursery box after this germination process. By carrying out a shelf insertion process in which 1 is transferred from the germination trolley 2 to the greening trolley 8 so as to be in a shelving state in which it is vertically separated by a predetermined interval, ventilation and daylighting of the sprouted seedlings 1 can be improved. After being
The seedling raising form is adopted such that the entire greening cart 8 is carried into a greening room (not shown) and subjected to a greening process for greening the shoots. Therefore, the automatic shelving unit A is shown in FIG.
As shown in ~ 8, a predetermined uptake position A from the germination chamber
a forklift mechanism 3A that takes in two seedling raising box blocks 1A in each of which a germination-treated seedling raising box 1 is stacked in multiple stages from a germination cart 2 that has been carried into a through the first transport route a;
Intake device 3 consisting of left and right two conveyors 3B on which one nursery box block 1A taken in by forklift mechanism 3A is placed, and one nursery box block 1A is received and temporarily accommodated from corresponding conveyor 3B. Two left and right stock conveyors 4 forming a stock section, two left and right nursery box separating devices 5 for separating one nursery box 1 from each nursery box block 1A carried in from the corresponding stock conveyor 4, left nursery box Two seedling raising boxes 1 are carried out in a butt state by engaging with the seedling raising box 1 separated by the box separating device 5 and carrying out in the direction of the seedling raising box 1 separated by the right seedling growing device 5 The carry-out conveyor 14 as a carry-out mechanism, and the two carried-out seedling raising boxes 1 are arranged in the vertical direction with the same vertical spacing as the shelf spacing of the greening carts 8 in a butt state. Consists of a shelf elevator 6 to be held, and a pushing mechanism 7 that pushes out the set number of seedling raising boxes 1 arrayed and held by the shelf elevator 6 from the shelf elevator 6 all at once, and inserts them into each shelf 8a of the greening cart 8. Has been done.

That is, the automatic shelving unit A can supply two seedling raising boxes 1 to the shelf elevator 6 for each separation and carrying-out step, and the set number of seedling raising boxes 1 obtained thereby can be fed at once. In this way, it can be placed on the greening cart 8 and placed, so that even if the processing speed of the seedling raising box separating device 5 is not unnecessarily increased, one seedling raising box 1 can be provided for each separation and carry-out step. Since the processing capacity of the automatic shelving apparatus A as a whole can be improved almost twice as compared with that supplied to the shelf elevator 6, it was caused by unnecessarily increasing the processing speed of the nursery box separating apparatus 5, The processing capacity of the automatic shelving device A can be improved without causing unevenness or collapse of the soil in the nursery box 1 which adversely affects the larvae. In addition, by installing two automatic shelving devices configured to supply one seedling raising box 1 to the shelving elevator 6 for each separation and unloading process at the seedling raising facility, the automatic shelving device A as a whole is provided. Compared to the case of doubling the processing capacity of, since there are many shared mechanisms, the size of the automatic shelving apparatus A as a whole is significantly increased while improving the processing capacity of the automatic shelving apparatus A. In addition to being able to suppress it, it is possible to easily secure the installation space in the seedling raising facility.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, each nursery box separating device 5 receives the nursery box block 1A from the stock conveyor 4 and carries it into a predetermined separating work position by a roller type carry-in conveyor 11, A lift mechanism 12 for intermittently raising the seedling raising box block 1A carried into the separation work position at the stacking pitch of the seedling raising boxes 1, and a lift mechanism 12.
By the operation of the above, the separating mechanism 13 for separating the uppermost stage nursery box 1 located at a predetermined separating height position, and the like. A separating mechanism 13 is provided above each seedling box separating device 5.
A pumping mechanism 18 for pumping the seedling raising box 1 separated in step 1 and the carry-out conveyor 14 described above are provided. The lift mechanism 12 includes a pair of endless rotation chains 15 vertically arranged in a pair on both sides of the carry-in conveyor 11 so as to face each other with the carry-in conveyor 11 interposed therebetween, and an endless turn chain arranged along the carrying direction of the carry-in conveyor 11. A mounting table 16 composed of a support rod 16a laid across the movable chains 15 and a plurality of support plates 16b laid across the support rods 16a, and an endless rotary chain 15 interlocking mechanism (not shown). ), An electric motor (not shown) that is intermittently driven via the), etc., and until the seedling raising box block 1A is carried into the separating work position by the carry-in conveyor 11, the mounting table 16 is carried in. After the seedling raising box block 1A is brought into the separating work position, the endless rotating chain 15 is located at the lower limit position which is lower than the conveying surface of
Is driven to rotate normally and the mounting table 16 moves upward toward the upper limit position, whereby the seedling raising box block 1A as a whole is raised. Further, when the mounting table 16 reaches the upper limit position, the endless rotation chains 15 are reversely driven by the operation of the electric motor, so that the mounting table 16 moves downward to the lower limit position.

Each separating mechanism 13 is a pair of locking and separating devices arranged in parallel so as to face each other with the seedling raising box 1 located at a predetermined separating height position sandwiched therebetween in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the carry-in conveyor 11. It is composed of a band 13A. Each locking separation band 13A is a pair of endless rotation chains (an example of an endless rotation band) in which a plurality of locking tools 13a made of a plate material having an L-shaped cross section are vertically rotated by the operation of an electric motor (not shown). )
It is constituted by being attached to 13b so as to extend over them and be spaced a predetermined distance in the circumferential direction.
In addition, the locking separation bands 13A facing each other correspond to the corresponding locking tools 13.
It is set so that a rotates in synchronization with each other. That is, by rotating the opposing locking separation bands 13A in the inward rising direction in which the sides facing each other rise, the pair of locking tools 13a are moved to a predetermined separation height position by the lifting operation of the lift mechanism 12. Between the flange 1a of the uppermost seedling raising box 1 and the flange 1a of the next seedling raising box 1 in the seedling raising box block 1A located at (in the case where the seedling raising box 1 is the lowermost one, a mounting table 16 is provided). Between the uppermost stage seedling raising boxes 1 from below and outside, and is locked to the long side portion of the flange 1a of the uppermost stage seedling raising boxes 1, and then the uppermost stage seedling raising boxes 1 are separated by a predetermined distance. It is designed to be lifted from the height position and separated from the nursery box block 1A.

On the other hand, each of the lifting mechanisms 18 is connected to the carry-in conveyor 1
It is composed of a pair of rotating bodies 18A arranged in parallel so as to face each other with the seedling raising box 1 lifted from the predetermined separation height position by the separating mechanism 13 in the direction along the transport direction of 1. Each rotating body 18A includes a plurality of lifting tools 18a made of a round bar and a pair of curved radial arms 18
It is configured by horizontally straddling the front end portions of b, and the operation is performed by an electric motor (not shown) around the horizontal axis along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the carry-in conveyor 11. The lifting tools 18a are intermittently rotated and driven in synchronization with each other. In other words, the pair of lifting tools 18a are lifted from the predetermined separating height position by the separating mechanism 13 by rotating the facing rotating bodies 18A in the inward rising direction in which the sides facing each other rise. After receiving and supporting the short side portion at the bottom of the seedling from below, the seedling raising box 1 is largely lifted and positioned at a predetermined carry-out height position.

That is, since each separating mechanism 13 is configured to separate the nursery box 1 from the nursery box block 1A one by one in order from the uppermost one, the lowermost ones are sequentially separated one by one. Nursery box 1 that occurred when
Re-support the nursery box block 1A every time
It is possible to eliminate such waste. Moreover, the nursery box block 1 by the lift mechanism 12 for positioning the second or lower nursery box 1 at a predetermined separation height position.
Since the raising operation of A can be performed immediately after separating the seedling-growing box 1 in the previous stage, it takes place when the separated seedling-growing box 1 is carried out, which occurred when the boxes were sequentially separated from the lowermost one. In the meantime, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience that the separation work is substantially suspended.

The operating speed of the separating mechanism 13 is set to a speed that synchronizes with the operating speed of the lift mechanism 12, whereby the uppermost seedling raising box 1 from the seedling raising box block 1A can be accurately engaged at an appropriate timing. It can be separated. On the other hand, the operating speed of the lifting mechanism 18 is set to a speed faster than the operating speed of the separating mechanism 13, so that the seedling raising box 1 separated by the separating mechanism 13 is quickly moved to a predetermined carry-out height position. It can be moved to.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the carry-out conveyor 14
Is a first carrying-out mechanism 21 for carrying out the nursery box 1 separated by the left separating mechanism 13 to a standby position provided between the left and right separating mechanisms 13, and a separating mechanism for the right side nursery box 1 at the waiting position. Thirteen
The second carrying-out mechanism 22 is brought into contact with the seedling-raising box 1 separated in step 2 and carries out the two seedling-raising boxes 1 in the abutting state to the upper part of the shelf elevator 6. The first unloading mechanism 21 has sprockets 42 fixed to both ends of a drive shaft 41 arranged at the end of the conveyance and sprockets 44 fixed to both ends of a driven shaft 43 arranged at the start of the conveyance.
Two rows of endless swivel chains wound sideways across
It is configured by mounting a plurality of locking and transporting claws 21b on the la 1a at a predetermined interval. When the drive shaft 41 is intermittently driven at low speed by the electric motor M1, a predetermined feeding mechanism 18 on the left side is provided. The seedling-raising box 1 lifted to the carry-out height position is horizontally transported at a low speed toward a standby position which is the transport start end of the second carry-out mechanism 22. The second unloading mechanism 22 has sprockets 46 fixed to both ends of a drive shaft 45 arranged at the end of the conveyance.
And a plurality of locking conveyance pawls 22 on the two rows of endless rotation chains 22a wound sideways over the sprocket 47 loosely fitted to both ends of the drive shaft 41 located at the conveyance start end.
It is configured by mounting b in a state of being separated by a predetermined distance, and by driving the drive shaft 45 at high speed intermittently by the electric motor M2, after receiving the nursery box 1 from the first carry-out mechanism 21, the nursery box 1 is received. And the nursery box 1 lifted to a predetermined carry-out height position by the right-hand lifting mechanism 18 in a state of being abutted against each other in the carrying direction, and the shelf elevator 6
It is designed to be horizontally conveyed at a high speed to the upper part of.

That is, from the above structure, the first carry-out mechanism 2
In No. 1, unloading can be performed according to the operation timing of the left separation mechanism 13 on the upper side in the unloading direction and the lifting mechanism 18, and in the second unloading mechanism 22, the right separation mechanism 13 on the lower side in the unloading direction. In addition to being able to carry out according to the operation timing of the lifting mechanism 18, the two nursery boxes 1 can be carried out efficiently at one time. Therefore, the two separating mechanisms 13 can move from the separating mechanism 13 to the shelf elevator 6. The nursery box 1 can be carried out smoothly and quickly.

In the transport path of the carry-out conveyor 14, the nursery boxes 1 carried out by the carry-out conveyor 14 are placed between the left and right separating mechanisms 13 and between the right separating mechanism 13 and the shelf elevator 6, respectively. A pair of carry-out guide rails 48 for placing and guiding, and a pair of horizontal guide rails 49 for slidingly guiding the lateral side surfaces of the nursery box 1 along the transport direction to correct the lateral displacement of the nursery box 1 are provided. There is. The transport start end portion 48A of each carry-out guide rail 48 and the transport end portion 48B of each carry-out guide rail 48 at the standby position have a predetermined carry-out height of the nursery box 1 separated by the separating mechanism 13 by the lifting mechanism 18. When it is lifted to the position, it is bent and formed so as to function as a guide portion b that corrects the positional deviation of the nursery box 1 in the carry-out direction with respect to the carry-out conveyor 14. As a result, when the seedling raising box 1 separated by the separating mechanism 13 is fed by the lifting mechanism 18 and supplied to the carry-out conveyor 14, the carry-out guides are moved due to the positional deviation of the nursery box 1 in the carry-out direction with respect to the carry-out conveyor 14. It is possible to avoid inconvenience such as catching on the transport start end portion 48A or the transport end portion 48B of the rail 48 without newly providing a guide member having a different configuration, and thus the separated nursery box 1 is carried out by the carry-out conveyor 14 It is designed to improve the certainty when handing over to people.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 and 8, the shelf elevators 6 are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the carrying direction of the carry-out conveyor 14 so as to face each other with the seedling-raising box 1 carried out above therebetween. It is composed of a pair of shelf rotation mechanisms 6A provided. Each shelf rotating mechanism 6A includes a pair of endless rotating chains 23, which are intermittently rotated vertically by an electric motor (not shown) and driven, and a plurality of shelf members 24 each made of a plate material having an L-shaped cross section. It is configured to be attached over the endless rotation chain 23 and in the state of being spaced in the circumferential direction at the same vertical interval as the shelf interval of the greening cart 8. The facing shelf rotating mechanism 6A is set so that the corresponding shelf members 24 rotate in synchronization with each other. In other words, the opposite shelf rotation mechanism 6A is installed in the pair of shelf members 2 located at the uppermost stage.
2 seedling raising boxes 4 conveyed by the carry-out conveyor 14
Each time the receiving side is received in the abutting state, the seedling raising boxes 1 delivered two by two by the delivering conveyor 14 are abutted by rotating in an inward downward direction in which the opposite sides are lowered by the arrangement pitch of the shelf members 24. In this state, the green truck 8 is arranged and held in the vertical direction at the same vertical interval as the rack interval.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the second unloading mechanism 22 of the unloading conveyor 14, the locking and transporting claw 22b for locking and transporting the seedling raising box 1 reaches the predetermined position s on the linear movement path, and the two transporting claws 22b. The nursery box 1 is a pair of shelf members 24 on the uppermost stage of the shelf elevator 6.
The endless rotation chain 22a is temporarily stopped when it is placed on the upper side, and then the uppermost pair of shelf members 24 is lowered to disengage the two seedling raising boxes 1 from the linear movement path of the locking and conveying claws 22b. The endless rotation chain 22a is re-driven at that time. That is, for example, the second unloading mechanism 2
When the conveying end of No. 2 is set to the predetermined position s and the wrap-around area of the locking conveying claw 22b is also included in the conveying area of the seedling raising box 1, the tip of the locking conveying claw 22b in this wrap-around area. The peripheral speed of the seedlings increases, and the nursery box 1 is pushed out onto the pair of shelf members 24 at a high speed. Therefore, the distance by which the nursery box 1 inertially moves on the shelf members 24 increases and the distance of the distance increases. The variation also becomes large, and the placement positions of the seedling raising box 1 on the pair of shelf members 24 are likely to be uneven. However, as described above, the locking conveyance is performed when the predetermined position s on the linear movement path is reached. Nail 22
By stopping b and ending the transportation of the nursery box 1, it becomes possible to prevent the nursery box 1 from being pushed out onto the pair of shelf members 24 at a high speed. This makes it possible to reduce the distance by which the nursery box 1 inertially moves on the shelf member 24 and also reduce the variation in the distance, so that the two nursery boxes 1 are paired with a pair of shelf members. It can be stably fed to an appropriate position on 24.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the first carry-out mechanism 21 of the carry-out conveyor 14 has a first speed range (for example, around 190 mm / s) lower than a predetermined carrying speed (for example, 405 mm / s) V1. Separation mechanism 1 on the left in the velocity range Va
It is set so as to engage with the nursery box 1 separated in 3 (see FIG. 9). On the other hand, the second unloading mechanism 22 engages with the nursery box 1 at the standby position in the first speed range (for example, a speed range around 220 mm / s) Vb that is lower than the predetermined transfer speed (for example, 615 mm / s) V2. , And its first speed range Vb
From the first speed range Vb to the predetermined transfer speed V2, the second speed range changing at a speed increase rate lower than the speed increase rate from the first speed range Vb to the predetermined transfer speed V2 (for example, 25
In a velocity range (Vc) where the velocity is constant around 5 mm / s) Vc, the nursery box 1 at the standby position is brought into contact with the nursery box 1 separated by the separating mechanism 13 on the left side on the right side to reveal a butt state. (See FIG. 10). Further, the first carry-out mechanism 21 decelerates the transport speed from the predetermined transport speed V1 to zero speed when the seedling raising box 1 is positioned at the standby position VB.
Is provided with a third speed range (for example, a speed range in which the speed is constant around 135 mm / s) Vd that changes at a deceleration rate lower than the predetermined transfer speed V1 to zero speed (FIG. 9). reference). On the other hand, the second unloading mechanism 22 reduces the transfer speed from the predetermined transfer speed V2 to zero in the deceleration region VC where the transfer speed is reduced from the predetermined transfer speed V2 to the zero speed when the two seedling raising boxes 1 are transferred to the shelf elevator 6. A third speed range (for example, a speed range where the speed is constant around 180 mm / s) Ve that changes at a speed reduction rate lower than the speed deceleration rate Ve is provided (see FIG. 10).

That is, the speed at which the first carry-out mechanism 21 and the second carry-out mechanism 22 are engaged with the seedling raising box 1 is set to the first speed range Va, which is lower than the respective predetermined carrier speeds V1, V2.
By setting Vb, the speedup rate when the second carry-out mechanism 22 abuts the two nursery boxes 1 is set to a speedup rate lower than the speedup rate from the first speed range Vb to the predetermined transport speed V2. By setting, the impact when the first carry-out mechanism 21 and the second carry-out mechanism 22 are engaged with the nursery box 1, and
It is possible to prevent the soil from deviating or collapsing in the seedling raising box 1 which adversely affects the larvae due to the impact when the two seedling raising boxes 1 are butted against each other. Further, in the deceleration region VB when the first carry-out mechanism 21 positions the nursery box 1 at the standby position, the third speed region Vd that changes at a deceleration rate lower than the deceleration rate from the predetermined transport speed V1 to zero speed is provided. Due to the provision, the deceleration area VC when the second carry-out mechanism 22 delivers the two seedling raising boxes 1 to the shelf elevator 6 has a deceleration rate lower than the deceleration rate from the predetermined transport speed V2 to zero speed. By providing the third speed range Ve that changes with the rate, the inertia of the seedling raising box 1 can be killed in the third speed range Vd, Ve, so that the seedling raising position is at the standby position or the transfer position to the shelf elevator 6. The box 1 can be stopped more accurately, and at the same time, it is possible to prevent the soil from being displaced or collapsed in the seedling raising box 1 which adversely affects the young shoots.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a brake 17 for stopping the seedling-growing box 1 at the standby position is provided at the end of conveyance of the first carry-out mechanism 21. The brake 17 has a sliding contact tool 17A provided with a downward contact slanting surface 17a located on the side of the nursery box 1 at the standby position toward the lower side in the conveying direction, and the sliding contact tool 17A is directed downward toward the nursery box 1 side. The spring 17B for urging and projecting is configured to permit the second carrying-out mechanism 22 to carry out the nursery box 1 from the standby position. That is, by the action of the brake 17, the nursery box 1 carried out by the first carry-out mechanism 21 can be reliably stopped at the standby position, and thus the nursery box 1 carried out by the first carry-out mechanism 21 and It is possible to prevent the occurrence of a problem such that the raising box 18 on the right side, which is the lower side in the direction, and the seedling raising box 1 that is fed to a predetermined carry-out height position are vertically overlapped with each other. ing.
In the brake 17, the sliding contact member 17A has the first unloading mechanism 21.
By receiving the nursery box 1 carried out by evacuating it, it is possible to absorb and reduce the impact when the nursery box 1 abuts, so when receiving the nursery box 1, it adversely affects the shoots. It is possible to avoid the occurrence of unevenness or collapse of the soil in the nursery box 1 which causes When the second carry-out mechanism 22 carries out the nursery box 1 from the standby position, the sliding contact device 17A receives the carry-out force and retracts.
It can also be carried out smoothly from the standby position.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the push-out mechanism 7 is provided between the lift mechanism 12 and the shelf elevator 6, and is installed in all the nursery boxes 1 vertically arranged in the shelf elevator 6. A vertically-long pressing member 25 for acting, a pantograph-type link mechanism 26 for moving the pressing member 25 in and out, a drive mechanism 19 for bending and extending the link mechanism 26, and an output for guiding the pressing member 25 in the withdrawal direction. By the retreat guide mechanism 20, etc., the pressing member 25 is moved from the left outside position of the shelf elevator 6 to the left outside position of the greening carriage 8 waiting on the exit (right outside) side of the shelf elevator 6 inside the shelf elevator 6. It is configured to move in and out while being inserted. That is, since the push-out mechanism 7 is configured in a pantograph format, a sufficient stroke for pushing out the set number of seedling-raising boxes 1 held by the shelf elevator 6 from the shelf elevator 6 and inserting and placing it in the greening cart 8. It is possible to significantly reduce the installation space of the push-out mechanism 7 as compared with the case where the push-out mechanism 7 is configured by a push-pull cylinder having the same stroke length while securing the length. The overall size of the automatic shelving device A can be reduced.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 8 and 11 to 13, between the pressing member 25 and the link mechanism 26, the link mechanism 2 in the support frame 32 that supports the pressing member 25 is provided.
As a sliding contact tool that is installed so as to sandwich the guide rails 31A vertically paired at each moving end of the link mechanism 26 from the both lateral sides, and the vertically-long guide rails 31A that are respectively mounted at the connection points with the guide rails 6. A regulation guide mechanism 31 including a guide roller 31B is interposed. Each of the guide rails 31A is formed in a tapered shape in which both lateral side edges 31a become thinner toward the tip end side. On the other hand, each guide roller 31B is formed with a circumferential groove 31b that engages with one lateral side edge 31a of each guide rail 31A. The circumferential groove 31b is formed in a tapered shape in which the groove width becomes narrower toward the bottom side. In other words, the restriction guide mechanism 31 allows the relative vertical movement of the link mechanism 26 with respect to the pressing member 25 when the pressing member 25 is moved in and out, and the pressing member 25.
It is configured to regulate the displacement in the front-rear direction (withdrawal direction) and the left-right direction (the lateral direction orthogonal to the withdrawal direction) between the link mechanism 26 and the link mechanism.

By allowing the relative vertical movement of the link mechanism 26 with respect to the pressing member 25 as described above, the link mechanism 26 associated with the bending / extending drive of the link mechanism 26 is allowed.
The pressing member 25 can be smoothly moved in and out by the bending movement of the link mechanism 26 irrespective of the fluctuation of the vertical width of the link mechanism 26. It is possible to prevent the pressing member 25 from moving up and down under the influence of the change in the vertical width of the mechanism 26. Further, by restricting the displacement in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction between the pressing member 25 and the link mechanism 26, the pressing member 2 is moved when the pressing member 25 moves in and out.
5 can be prevented from fluctuating in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, whereby the set number of seedling-growing boxes 1 arrayed and held in the shelf elevator 6 by the push-out mechanism 7 is inserted and placed in the greening cart 8. At that time, the seedling raising boxes 1 are moved along with the movement of the pressing member 25, so that the respective seedling raising boxes 1 are misaligned with respect to the shelves 8a of the greening cart 8, or the seedlings in the seedling raising box 1 are adversely affected. Inconveniences such as unevenness and collapse of soil, and a pressing member 25 that is tilted back and forth with respect to the group 1 of nursery boxes in which the pressing member 25 is inserted and placed. Any seedling box 1
It is possible to prevent the occurrence of inconveniences such as the fact that it is not completely inserted into the green truck 8.

By the way, as shown in FIG.
In advance, on the side opposite to the side on which the group of nursery boxes 1 is to be inserted, a drop-off prevention rod 9 for preventing the seedling box 1 from falling off from that side is inserted and mounted from the upper frame 8A toward the lower frame 8B. Has been done. On the other hand, on the side surface of the greening cart 8 on which the group of nursery boxes 1 is to be inserted, after the group of group 1 of nursery boxes has been inserted and placed, each nursery box 1 from that side is placed.
A drop-off prevention rod 9 for preventing the drop-off is inserted and mounted from the upper frame 8A toward the lower frame 8B. Then, as described above, in this configuration, when the seedling raising box 1 group is inserted from the shelf elevator 6 into the greening cart 8 by the pushing mechanism 7 and placed, either one of the upper and lower end sides of the seedling raising box 1 group. Since it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the box 1 cannot be completely inserted into the greening cart 8, it is possible to easily and quickly mount the drop prevention rod 9 on the side surface on the insertion end side.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 11, 12 and 14, the drive mechanism 19 includes a support member 27 having a substantially U-shaped cross section and supported by a fixed frame 30 so as to be vertically swingable. A rack 28 slidably fitted in the rack 28,
A pinion 29 that meshes with the pinion 29, an electric motor M3 that drives the pinion 29 forward and backward, and a chain that extends from the electric motor M3 to the drive shaft 29a of the pinion 29 via the swing fulcrum shaft 27a of the support member 27. Type transmission mechanism 3
3, etc., the link mechanism 26 is driven to extend and retract by the power from the electric motor M3 via the rack 28, the pinion 29, etc.
It occurs when the structure is expanded and contracted by the fluid cylinder.
It is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the stroke length of the pushing mechanism 7 changes due to the change of the fluid temperature and the pushing load. That is, the stroke length of the push-out mechanism 7 can be stabilized regardless of changes in temperature and push-out load, whereby the seedling raising box 1 from the shelf elevator 6 to the green truck 8 by the push-out mechanism 7 can be stabilized.
The group can be inserted and placed with high accuracy.
Reference numeral 27b in FIG. 14 is a guide groove formed on both lateral inner surfaces of the support member 27 along the expansion / contraction direction, and reference numeral 2
8a is provided on the rack 28 so as to engage with each guide groove 27b.
The guide rails are mounted on both side surfaces of the guide rails, and the guide grooves 27b and the guide rails 28a enable smooth stable expansion and contraction operation.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 11 and 15, the retracting guide mechanism 20 includes a pair of guide rails 20A extending in the retracting direction of the pressing member 25 and a supporting frame 32 for supporting the pressing member 25. Of the rear rollers 20B, two pairs of which are arranged so as to sandwich the guide rails 20A from above and below in a portion on the retreat side of the lower portion of the pressing member 25, and a portion of the lower portion of the support frame 32 on the protruding side of the pressing member 25. It is composed of a front roller 20C arranged so as to act on the upper surface of each guide rail 20A. On the upper surface of each guide rail 20A, the ridges 20 along the direction of movement
a is attached. On the other hand, the upper rear rollers 20B
A peripheral groove 20b that engages with the protrusion 20a is formed in each of the front rollers 20C. That is, by the rear roller 20B and the front roller 20C, the pressing member 25 formed in a vertically long shape for inserting and placing the seedling raising group 1 group vertically arranged and held in the shelf elevator 6 into the greening cart 8 all at once, When the group of nursery boxes 1 is inserted from the shelf elevator 6 into the greening cart 8 and placed, it is possible to prevent tilting in the protruding movement direction with the rear roller 20B as a fulcrum, whereby the pressing member 25 can be prevented. Rear roller 20B
Misalignment with respect to each shelf 8a of the greening cart 8 of each nursery box 1 caused by tilting in the protruding movement direction with the fulcrum as a fulcrum, and a piece of soil in the nursery box 1 that adversely affects the shoots. It is possible to prevent leaning or collapse, or improper insertion of the nursery box 1 into the green truck 8.
In addition, the protrusion 20a of each guide rail 20A and the rear roller 2
0B and the peripheral groove 20b of the front roller 20C enable a stable withdrawal operation that restricts the lateral displacement of the pressing member 25.

As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the pressing member 25
Is constituted by two long rectangular pipe members 25A supported on the front side of the support frame 32 along both lateral side edges, and the upper and lower ends of the rectangular pipe members 25A are at both ends. It is screwed and connected to the support frame 32 via bolts 34 having screw parts opposite to each other, and the posture of the pressing member 25 with respect to the support frame 32 can be corrected by operating each bolt 34. . In other words, each bolt 34 functions as an adjusting mechanism that corrects the posture of the pressing member 25, so that the posture of the pressing member 25 is set to the seedling raising group 1 group due to a manufacturing error or an assembly error. Even if the rack elevator 6 is tilted from the vertical posture suitable for inserting and mounting it on the green truck 8, it can be easily corrected to the vertical posture by operating each bolt 34.

As shown in FIGS. 11, 12, 16 and 17, in the link mechanism 26, the support shaft 26a at the base end is fixedly supported by the fixed frame 30, and the link mechanism 26 is vertically supported on the base end side. Each support shaft 26b is guided and supported by a guide mechanism 40 disposed on both sides of the link mechanism 26.
The guide mechanism 40 includes a pair of first guide rails 40A, which are arranged in the lower portions of both sides of the link mechanism 26 along the moving direction of the pressing member 25, and two pairs of the first guide rails 40A sandwiching each first guide rail 40A from above and below. First guide roller 40 arranged
B, a pair of second guide rails 40C extending from the first guide roller 40B to the upper support shaft 26b via the lower support shaft 26b, and the second guide rail 40.
The second guide roller 40D is attached to each of the support shafts 26b located above and below the base end so as to be inscribed in C. Each first guide rail 40A has upper and lower side edges 40a.
Is formed in a tapered shape in which the thickness becomes thinner toward the tip side. On the other hand, each first guide roller 40B is formed with a circumferential groove 40b that engages with one of the upper and lower side edges 40a of each first guide rail 40A. Each second guide rail 40
C is a pressing member 25 for pressing the upper and lower second guide rollers 40D corresponding to the smooth surface 40c and the tapered contact edge 40d.
It is configured so as to be sandwiched from the direction of movement. on the other hand,
Each second guide roller 4 has a corresponding second guide rail 4
A peripheral groove 40e that engages with the sliding contact edge 40d of 0C is formed. Each circumferential groove 40b, 40e is formed in a tapered shape in which the groove width becomes narrower toward the bottom side. In other words, the guide mechanism 40 moves in the front-rear direction (withdrawal direction) integrally with the upper and lower support shafts 26b on the base end side during bending and stretching operations of the link mechanism 26, and at the same time, the upper and lower support shafts on the base end side. 26b is configured to allow relative vertical movement and to restrict displacement in the left-right direction (lateral direction orthogonal to the outgoing / retracting direction), so that the flexing movement of the link mechanism 26 can be performed smoothly without lateral shake. It can be done.

As shown in FIG. 1, since the green truck 8 is equipped with a pair of shelving members 24 vertically arranged on the front and rear portions thereof, the shelving members 24 on the front side thereof are first arranged. A group of nursery boxes 1 group is inserted and placed by the first pushing mechanism 7, and then the greening cart 8 is advanced by one row of shelves, and then the second pushing mechanism 7 is pushed to each shelf member 24 on the rear side. A group of nursery boxes are to be inserted and placed. Then, when the group of seedling raising boxes 1 is inserted and placed twice, it is carried out from the exit portion of the shelf elevator 6 at the stage of being fully loaded, and the empty greening carriage 8 is carried into the exit portion of the shelf elevator 6. It is like this.

As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 and FIG. 8, loading and unloading of the greening carriage 8 with respect to the exit portion of the shelf elevator 6 is carried out by the operation of the carriage transport mechanism 35 arranged on the transporting path. It is designed to be carried out along a pair of guide rails 36 into which the eight wheels 8b are engaged.
In addition, the green truck 8 located on the exit side of the shelf elevator 6
The upper frame 8A of the fixed frame 3 is
The guide roller 38 mounted on the roller 0 is slidably guided. As a result, due to the load when the pushing-up mechanism 7 inserts and mounts the group of nursery boxes 1 from the shelf elevator 6 to the greening carriage 8, the greening carriage 8
Can be prevented from tilting or falling in the inserting direction. Reference numeral 37 in FIG. 3 is a relay rail having an L-shaped cross section that is provided between each shelf member 24 of the shelf elevator 6 and each shelf 8a of the green truck 8.
In addition, reference numeral 39 in FIGS. 3 and 8 indicates a predetermined mounting position by stopping the nursery box 1 when the nursery box 1 carried out by the carry-out conveyor 14 to the upper part of the shelf elevator 6 overruns. The placement correction guide 39 moves the overrun nursery box 1 down as it is by the action of the placement correction guide 39 to the relay rail 37.
It is possible to avoid the inconvenience of getting on.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the separating mechanism 13 has a cam 1 for displacing the locking tool 13a toward the nursery box 1 side in the locking region for the flange 1a of the nursery box 1.
3c is equipped. The cam 13c is the locking separation band 13
The lower driven sprocket 5 among the upper and lower sprockets 50, 51 around which the respective endless rotary chains 13b of A are wound.
The left and right fixed shafts 52 that rotatably support 1 are positioned outside each driven sprocket 51 via a clip 53, and from the diagonally lower peripheral edge of each driven sprocket 51 on the separation position side. The locking tool 13 is composed of a roller 54 which is fixed in a protruding state, and rotates around each endless rotation chain 13b.
As a reaches the locking area for the flange 1a of the nursery box 1, the locking tool 13a is displaced to the nursery box 1 side while rotating with the movement of the locking tool 13a.

In other words, the flange 1a of the seedling raising box 1 located at a predetermined separation height position has a simple construction in which the cam 13c is added to the separating mechanism 13, and the manufacturing error, deformation or displacement of the seedling raising box 1 is caused. Even if it is biased toward the nursery box 1 side by the
a can be displaced to the side of the seedling raising box 1 so that it can be securely locked to the flange 1a of the seedling raising box 1, and its locking device 1
3a is a displacement locking operation for displacing 3a to the nursery box 1 side, and a separating operation for raising the locking tool 13a after this locking to separate the nursery box 1 from the nursery box block 1A.
The rotation of the locking tool 13a can be smoothly performed during one round movement. Further, since the cam 13c is configured by the roller 54 that rotates with the movement of the locking tool 13a that has reached the locking region, wear of the locking tool 13a and the cam 13c can be effectively suppressed, Therefore, the locking tool 13a can be locked to the flange 1a of the seedling raising box 1 more reliably and smoothly over a long period of time.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, 6, 7, and 18, a pair of first guide members 55 extending from the carry-in conveyor 11 to the separating mechanism 13 are provided on both sides of the lift mechanism 12. Two sets are arranged side by side in the transport direction of. Each first guide member 55 is made of a plate material. Each pair of first guide members 55 has a distance L1 between upper ends thereof.
Is set to a distance that corrects the positional deviation of the nursery box 1 located at the uppermost stage with respect to the separating mechanism 13 in the lateral direction (the direction in which the separation locking bands 13A face each other) as the seedling box block 1A is raised. . On the other hand, each pair of first guide members 55
The separation distance L2 between the lower parts of the above is set to be larger than the separation distance L1 between the upper ends. That is, the pair of first guide members 55 arranged on both sides of the lift mechanism 12 raises the nursery box block 1A by the lift mechanism 12 for positioning the uppermost stage nursery box 1 at a predetermined separation height position. While performing the operation, it is possible to correct the positional deviation in the lateral direction of the uppermost nursery box 1 with respect to the separating mechanism 13,
It is possible to avoid the occurrence of separation failure due to the positional deviation. Further, by effectively utilizing the upward movement of the seedling raising box block 1A by the lift mechanism 12 for positioning the uppermost stage seedling raising box 1 at a predetermined separating height position, the pair of first guide members 55 causes the raising mechanism for the separating mechanism 13. Since we are trying to correct the positional deviation of the box 1 in the horizontal direction,
Compared to the case where a pusher etc. for correcting the positional deviation driven by an actuator is provided, the structure can be simplified, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and the operation time required for the positional deviation correction can be shortened. Has become. Furthermore,
The distance L2 between the lower parts of the pair of first guide members 55
Is set to be larger than the separation distance L1 between the upper ends, so that the separation distance L2 between the lower portions of each pair of first guide members 55 is set to the same distance as the separation distance L1 between the upper ends. Then, the carry-in conveyor 11 can easily carry the nursery box block 1A into a predetermined separating work position.

As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 18, the uppermost seedling-raising box 1 is laterally attached to the separating mechanism 13 from the respective upper ends of the pair of first guide members 55 to the separating mechanism 13. A second guide member 63 that restricts the positional deviation in the direction (the direction in which the separation locking bands 13A face each other) is provided. Each second guide member 63 is formed of a round bar member extending from the fixed frame 30. That is, since each second guide member 63 can reliably control the positional deviation of the uppermost stage nursery box 1 with respect to the separating mechanism 13, the separating mechanism 13 can more reliably separate the nursery box 1 from the nursery box block 1A. It can be done.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7, above the separating mechanism 13, when the separating mechanism 13 separates the uppermost stage nursery box 1 from the nursery box block 1A, the nursery box 1 The third guide member 64 is provided to correct the positional deviation in the lateral direction (the direction in which the rotating bodies 18A face each other) with respect to the lifting mechanism 18. The third guide member 64 is composed of four plate members each having an inclined guide surface 64a toward the lifting path toward the upper end side, and is separated upward by the separating mechanism 13 in the carrying direction of the carry-in conveyor 11. They are connected to the fixed frame 30 so that they face each other with the nursery box 1 interposed therebetween. That is, since the lateral displacement of the nursery box 1 separated by the separation mechanism 13 by the third guide member 64 with respect to the lifting mechanism 18 can be corrected, the lifting mechanism 1
The separation and raising of the nursery box 1 separated by 8 can be reliably carried out from the separation height position.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 18, above the lift mechanism 12, as the seedling raising box block 1A is raised,
A fourth guide member 65 that corrects the positional deviation of the uppermost seedling raising box 1 with respect to the separating mechanism 13 in the lateral direction (the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the separation locking bands 13A face each other) is not corrected by the first guide member 55. Equipped. The fourth guide member 65 includes four guide arms 65A supported by the fixed frame 30 so as to be vertically swingable, and each guide arm 65A.
The urging mechanism 65B for urging the lower part of the container 1 is configured to make sliding contact with the uppermost seedling raising box 1 from the outside in the lateral direction along the carrying direction of the carry-in conveyor 11. That is, the fourth guide member 65 can stably lock the locking tool 13a of the separating mechanism 13 to the uppermost seedling raising box 1.

As shown in FIG. 6, the fourth guide member 65 detects a backward displacement of the rod 65a in each urging mechanism 65B, and a control device C including a microcomputer.
Is equipped with a proximity sensor S1 for outputting to. Based on the detection of the proximity sensor S1, the control device C detects that the fourth guide member 65 cannot correct the positional deviation in the lateral direction along the transport direction of the carry-in conveyor 11 of the nursery box 1, and The alarm device 57 is activated based on the detection. Then, when the operator stops the operation of the separation mechanism 13 based on the operation of the alarm device 57, the separation failure of the separation mechanism 13 due to the positional deviation in the lateral direction along the transport direction of the carry-in conveyor 11 of the nursery box 1. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of. The control device C may be configured to automatically stop the separating mechanism 13 when detecting that the position deviation of the seedling raising box 1 cannot be corrected by the fourth guide member 65.

By the way, the biasing mechanism 65B of the fourth guide member 65 can adjust the biasing force applied to the guide arm 65A by operating the nut 65b screwed to the rod 65a.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 20 to 22,
The separating mechanism 13 is urged downward so as to contact the upper end of the uppermost seedling raising box 1 in the seedling raising box block 1A, and is moved backward as the raising mechanism 12 raises the seedling raising box block 1A. A positioning tool 59 that regulates the rising of the uppermost seedling raising box 1 and positions it at a predetermined separation height position, and the next stage (second from the top in the seedling raising box block 1A) seedling raising box when the separating mechanism 13 operates for separation. 1, and a rising prevention tool 60 for preventing the rising of 1 is provided. The positioning tool 59 is a pair of cams 59 arranged so as to engage with the upper end portions of the uppermost stage seedling raising box 1 which are located on a substantially diagonal line.
It is composed of A. On the other hand, the lifting preventive tool 60 is composed of a pair of cams 60A arranged so as to contact the side surface portions of the next-stage seedling raising box 1 which are located on a substantially diagonal line. The pair of positioning cams 59A and the pair of rising prevention cams 60A are fitted onto the fixed shaft 52 of each locking separation band 13A so as to be rotatable relative to each other. Positioning cam 59
A is a return spring 6 when not in contact with the uppermost nursery box 1.
By the action of 1, the contact portion 59a is the uppermost nursery box 1
It automatically returns to the reference posture (see FIG. 20) that stands by above. The rising prevention cam 60A is accompanied by the positioning cam 59A returning to the reference posture.
The contact portion 60a is linked to a positioning cam 59A via a tension spring 62 so that the contact portion 60a automatically returns to the reference posture (see FIG. 20) that stands by at the lateral outside of the nursery box 1. The positioning cam 59A is provided with a linking pin 59b to which one end of the tension spring 62 is linked, and the linking pin 59b is a long hole centered on the fixed shaft 52 formed in the lift preventing cam 60A. It is designed to be inserted through 60b.

With the above construction, when the positioning mechanism 59 and the raising prevention tool 60 are returned to the standard posture (see FIG. 20), when the raising mechanism 12 operates to raise the seedling raising box block 1A, The upper end of the seedling raising box 1 comes into contact with the abutment portion 59a of the positioning tool 59, and as the seedling raising box block 1A subsequently rises, the uppermost seedling raising box 1 reaches a predetermined separation height position. Until then, the positioning tool 59 regulates the raising of the uppermost seedling raising box 1 by the action of the return spring 61 while performing the backward rotational displacement with the fixed shaft 52 as the fulcrum (see FIG. 21). That is, it is possible to eliminate the floating caused by the lifting action of a plurality of seedlings grown in the next-stage seedling raising box 1 of the uppermost stage seedling raising box 1 separated from the seedling raising seedling block 1A, whereby the separated seedling raising seedlings can be eliminated. It becomes possible to position the box 1 in a horizontal position at a predetermined separating height position, and thus the locking tool 13a of the separating mechanism 13 is separated.
It can be more suitably and surely locked to the flange 1a. On the other hand,
The extension spring 62 cooperates with the positioning tool 59 to rotate in the same direction as the positioning tool 59 moves backward, and its abutment portion 60a abuts the flange 1a side surface of the second-stage seedling raising box 1 from the top. (See FIG. 21).
Then, the uppermost seedling raising box 1 that has reached the predetermined separating height position is lifted by the locking tool 13a of the separating mechanism 13,
Along with this, the positioning tool 59 has a cam 60A for preventing the rising.
When it is further retracted and rotationally displaced due to the accommodation of the long hole 60b formed in, the rotation is blocked by the contact with the side surface of the flange 1a of the second stage nursery box 1 and the tension spring 62 urges the nursery box 1 side. Is raised, the second-stage nursery box 1
(See FIG. 22). That is, at the time of the separation operation of the separation mechanism 13, the locking tool 13 of the separation mechanism 13
As the uppermost seedling raising box 1 separated by a is lifted, the second-stage seedling raising box 1 can be held by the lifting block 60, whereby the second-stage or lower seedling raising boxes 1 can be held.
It is possible to prevent the raising of the seedling raising boxes 1 from the uppermost stage, so that the separating mechanism 13 can separate the seedling raising boxes 1 from the seedling raising box block 1A surely and quickly. There is. When the seedling-raising box 1 to be separated is lifted above the positioning tool 59 by the locking tool 13a of the separating mechanism 13 and the contact between the seedling-raising box 1 and the positioning tool 59 is released, the return spring 61 and the tension spring are pulled. 6
Due to the action of 2, the positioning tool 59 and the lifting prevention tool 60 are quickly returned to the reference posture.

As shown in FIGS. 20 to 22, the separating mechanism 13
Each of the pair of cams 59A constituting the positioning tool 59 is provided with a projecting piece 59B. Separation mechanism 13
Includes a pair of proximity sensors S2 that detect the respective protruding pieces 59B and output the detection information to the control device C.
Is equipped with. Each proximity sensor S2 is arranged and set so that the corresponding projecting piece 59B approaches when the seedling raising box 1 to be separated reaches a predetermined separation height position by the lifting operation of the lift mechanism 12. The control device C raises the lift mechanism 12 to raise the seedling raising box block 1A as the seedling raising box block 1A is carried into the separation work position by the carry-in conveyor 11, and raises the seedling raising box 1A in the raising operation. When the box 1 reaches the predetermined separation height position and the proximity sensor S2 detects the protruding piece 59B, the lifting operation of the lift mechanism 12 is stopped, and during the stop, the separation mechanism 13 causes the uppermost stage. When the seedling raising box 1 of 1 is separated from the seedling raising box block 1A, the protruding piece 59B is temporarily moved by the backward rotation displacement of the positioning tool 59.
When the positioning tool 59 is returned to the reference posture by the action of the return spring 61 and the tension spring 62 after being separated from, the proximity sensor S2 detects the protruding piece 59B again, and the lifting operation of the lift mechanism 12 is restarted. Further, during the raising operation, the raising operation of the lift mechanism 12 is stopped as the proximity sensor S2 detects the protruding piece 59B.
The lift mechanism 12 is configured to perform intermittent drive control.

That is, the positioning tool 59 and the proximity sensor S
2, and the controller C detects the arrival of the uppermost seedling raising box 1 separated from the seedling raising box block 1A at a predetermined separation height position when the seedling raising box block 1A is moved upward by the operation of the lift mechanism 12. The detecting means Z is configured, and when the separating mechanism 13 separates the uppermost seedling raising box 1 from the seedling raising box block 1A by the operation of the detecting means Z, the seedling raising box 1 to be separated is separated by a predetermined separation height. It can be reliably positioned in a state in which it is stopped at the position, so that the separation mechanism 1
The locking tool 13a of No. 3 can be locked more reliably, and therefore the separating mechanism 13 can separate the nursery box 1 from the nursery box block 1A one by one more reliably. Further, since the positioning tool 59 is used as the detecting means Z, the structure of the detecting means Z can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. The positioning tool 59 can adjust the connecting position of the protruding piece 59B to the cam 59A in the rotation direction of the positioning tool 59, and by this adjustment, the uppermost seedling raising box 1 separated from the seedling raising box block 1A. It is possible to easily set the detection timing that can surely stop at a predetermined separation height position.

As shown in FIG. 3, a single detection tool 15A is attached to the return path portion of one endless rotation chain 15 in each lift mechanism 12, and each lift mechanism 1
On the upper part of 2, the mounting table 1 is detected by the detection tool 15A.
The lower limit sensor S3, which is a proximity switch for detecting that 6 has reached a lower limit position below the receiving position for receiving the nursery box block 1A from the carry-in conveyor 11,
At the lower part of each lift mechanism 12, the mounting table 16 reaches the upper limit position above the transfer position where the mounting table 16 transfers the seedling raising box 1 located at the lowermost stage of the seedling raising box block 1A to the separating mechanism 13 by the detection of the detection target 15A. The upper limit sensor S4, which is a proximity switch that senses that the user has done so, is provided. The lower limit sensor S3 and the upper limit sensor S4 output their detection information to the control device C. The control device C is
The mounting table 16 is stopped at the upper limit position by stopping the operation of the electric motor (not shown) of the lift mechanism 12 based on the detection of the detected tool 15A by the upper limit sensor S4, and the electric motor is reversely operated after a predetermined time. As a result, the mounting table 16 is lowered. Further, the mounting table 16 is stopped at the lower limit position by stopping the operation of the electric motor based on the detection of the detection target tool 15A by the lower limit sensor S3.

That is, the lift mechanism 12 is constituted by the single detected tool 15A, the lower limit sensor S3 and the upper limit sensor S4.
The sensor unit 66 that outputs the operation stop information is configured so that the detected tool 15A detected by the lower limit sensor S3 is also used as the detected tool 15A detected by the upper limit sensor S4. As a result, the structure can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the case where both the lower and upper limits of the detected tools 15A are provided.

Below the lower limit sensor S3 and above the upper limit sensor S4, respectively, in accordance with the detection of the tool 15A to be detected,
A deceleration sensor S5 that issues a deceleration operation command to the control device C is provided in proximity to the control device C.
The rotation speed of the electric motor is decelerated based on the detection of the detected tool 15A. That is, the mounting table 16 can be reliably stopped at the lower limit position and the upper limit position by the deceleration control of the electric motor by the control device C.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the arrival of the nursery box block 1A at a predetermined separating work position is detected at the transport end of each carry-in conveyor 11 by contact with the nursery box block 1A. A carry-in sensor S6 that outputs the detection information to the control device C is provided, and the control device C
On the basis of the detection information from the carry-in sensor S6, the carry-in conveyors 11 are deactivated to be positioned at the predetermined separating work position of the nursery box block 1A, and the lift mechanism 1
The mounting table 1 is operated by rotating the electric motor 2 in the forward direction.
It seems that 6 is raised. Carry-in sensor S6
Is a nursery box block 1 in which the nursery box 1 is stacked in a set number of steps
It is composed of a swing arm 67 extending from the lowermost seedling raising box 1 of A to the uppermost stage and a limit switch 68 which is pushed by the backward swing of the swinging arm 67. There is. In other words, the swing arm 67 is attached to the nursery box 1
By extending the seedling-raising box block 1A stacked in a set number of stages from the lowest-stage seedling-raising box 1 to the uppermost stage, the seedling-raising box 1 is stacked in a number smaller than the set number of steps. Even with the nursery box block 1A, the arrival of the nursery box block 1A at a predetermined separation work position can be reliably detected. The swing arm 67 is swing-biased toward the nursery box block 1A by a bias spring (not shown).

[Other Embodiments] Other embodiments of the present invention will be listed below. In the above embodiment, two seedling raising box separating devices 5 (separating mechanism 1
Although the shelving apparatus A equipped with 3) is illustrated, as the shelving apparatus A, one seedling box separating device 5 (separating mechanism 13) is used.
It may be equipped with. The lift mechanism 12 may be configured to continuously raise the nursery box block 1A at a speed slower than the separating speed (raising speed) of the nursery box 1 by the separating mechanism 13.
As shown in FIG. 23, the locking mechanism 13a for locking the separating mechanism 13 to the flange 1a of the uppermost seedling raising box 1, and the locking tool 1
In order to sandwich the nursery box 1, a locking separation band 13A composed of an endless rotation band 13b for rotating 3a from the lower side of the flange 1a to the flange 1a of the next-stage nursery box 1 is inserted. The locking separation band 1 is configured so as to face each other.
By setting the separation distance L3 between 3A to be narrower toward the nursery box 1A side, the locking tool 13a of the separating mechanism 13 may be more reliably locked to the flange 1a of the nursery box 1. .

[Brief description of drawings]

1] Overall plan view of an automatic shelving device

[Figure 2] Left side view of seedling box separating device

[Fig. 3] Overall front view of the automatic shelving device

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the configuration of the carry-out conveyor.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing the configuration of the carry-out conveyor.

FIG. 6 is a left side view showing a configuration of a lifting mechanism and its peripheral portion.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a configuration of a separation mechanism and its peripheral portion.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a state where the nursery box is transferred from the shelf elevator to the greening cart by the pushing mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing a change in drive speed of the first carry-out mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing changes in drive speed of the second unloading mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing the configuration of the pushing mechanism.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the configuration of an extrusion mechanism.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional plan view showing the configuration of a regulation guide mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view showing the configuration of a drive mechanism.

FIG. 15 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing the configuration of the entrance / exit guide mechanism.

FIG. 16 is a vertical sectional side view showing the configuration of the guide mechanism.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional plan view showing the structure of the guide mechanism.

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing the configuration of a separating mechanism.

FIG. 19 is a vertical cross-sectional front view of essential parts showing a locking movement state of a locking tool with respect to a flange of a nursery box.

FIG. 20 is a vertical cross-sectional front view of essential parts showing the standby postures of the positioning tool and the lifting prevention tool.

FIG. 21 is a vertical cross-sectional front view of essential parts showing a state of displacement of the positioning tool and the lifting prevention tool from the standby position when the nursery box reaches the separation position.

FIG. 22 is a vertical cross-sectional front view of essential parts showing a state of displacement of the positioning tool and the lifting prevention tool from the standby position when the nursery box is separated.

FIG. 23 is a front view showing another embodiment of the separating mechanism.

FIG. 24 is a front view showing a configuration of a seedling raising box separating device according to a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 nursery box 1A Nursery box block 1a flange 11 Carry-in mechanism 12 Lift mechanism 13 Separation mechanism 13a locking tool 13b Endless rotation band 13A locking separator 14 Unloading mechanism 15 Endless rotating chain 15A Detected tool 16 table 18 Lifting mechanism 48 Carry-out guide rail 48A transport start end 55 First guide member 63 Second guide member 64 Third guide member 66 sensor L1 separation distance L2 separation distance L3 separation distance S3 lower limit sensor S4 upper limit sensor b Guide section

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Masayuki Harada 64 Ishizukitamachi, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture Kubota Co., Ltd. Sakai Works (56) References JP-A-1-98406 (JP, A) JP-A-10- 28 (JP, A) (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A01G 9/00

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A carrying-in mechanism for carrying in a seedling-raising-box block in which seedling-raising boxes that have undergone sprouting treatment are stacked in multiple stages to a predetermined separation work position, a lift mechanism for raising the seedling-raising box block in the separation work position, and a raised mechanism. A separation mechanism for separating the seedling raising boxes from the seedling raising box block one by one in order from the uppermost one, and on both sides of the lift mechanism, a pair of first guide members extending from the carry-in mechanism to the separating mechanism. The distance between the upper ends of the pair of first guide members is a distance for correcting a lateral positional deviation of the nursery box located at the uppermost stage with the rise of the nursery box block with respect to the separating mechanism. And the distance between the lower portions of the pair of first guide members is set to be larger than the distance between the upper ends, and the distance above the separating mechanism
A carry-out guy who has laterally extended the nursery box separated by the separating mechanism.
It also has a carry-out mechanism that places it on the rail and carries it out.
The transfer start end of the carry-out guide rail to the seedling raising box.
To the carry-out mechanism of the nursery box when heading to the carry-out mechanism
As a guide part that corrects the positional deviation in the carrying-out direction
A nursery box separating device that is bent to function . 2. A second guide member is provided from each upper end of the pair of first guide members to the lateral separation of the uppermost nursery box from the upper end of the pair of first guide members with respect to the separating mechanism. The seedling raising box separating device according to claim 1. 3. A pumping mechanism for pumping the nursery boxes separated by the separating mechanism is arranged above the separating mechanism, and
The third guide member is provided for correcting a lateral displacement of the nursery box with respect to the lifting mechanism when the uppermost nursery box is separated from the nursery box block by the separating mechanism. Alternatively, the nursery box separating device described in 2. 4. The lift mechanism includes a mounting table on which the seedling raising box block is placed, a receiving position for receiving the seedling raising box block from the carry-in mechanism, and the seedling raising box located at the bottom of the seedling raising box block. It comprises an endless rotation chain that raises and lowers the mounting table across a delivery position to be transferred to a mechanism, and a single detection tool attached to the endless rotation chain, and a detection tool for detecting the front position. A sensor that outputs operation stop information of the lift mechanism from a lower limit sensor that senses arrival of the lower limit position of the writing table and an upper limit sensor that senses arrival of the upper limit position of the placing table by detection of the detected tool. The nursery box separating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , which constitutes a part. 5. The locking mechanism for locking the separating mechanism to the flange of the uppermost seedling raising box, and the locking member between the lower outside of the flange and the flange of the next stage seedling raising box. A locking separation band consisting of an endless rotation band to be rotated in the inserting direction is arranged so as to face each other so as to sandwich the nursery box, and the separation distance between the locking separation bands is set to the nursery box block side. It is set to be narrower as the claims 1-4
The seedling raising box separation device described in any one of 1.