JP4925434B2 - Seedling transplanter - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a seedling transplanting machine, and more particularly to a seedling transplanting machine including a seedling box transporting path for switching back a seedling box supplied from a plurality of seedling mounting stages and transporting the seedling box to a seedling extrusion device.

In a seedling transplanter that feeds and transports a seedling box from a conventional seedling mounting stand to a seedling extruding device, the number of seedling boxes loaded on the seedling mounting stand cannot be taken long because the seedling box supply and transport path cannot be made long. There was also a limit. For example, in order to plant 13 cm between plants in a hundred fields (a field with a length of 180 m), 6 448 pot seedling boxes are required per unit (2 lanes). The number of seedling boxes loaded on the platform is limited to five.
For this reason, seedlings will be lost in the middle of one unit, but rice planting with a seedling transplanter is basically a one-person operation. The seedling box must be supplied and loaded from the stand to the seedling stand. Therefore, when planting work on a wide field, the seedling transplanter is stopped many times, and the work efficiency is significantly reduced.

As an apparatus of this type, conventionally, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-214629 (Patent Document 1), seedlings supplied from upper and lower two-stage seedling platforms (seedling box supply units) 100A and 100B as shown in FIG. A seedling transplanting machine having a seedling box transport path for switching back a box and transporting it to a seedling extrusion device is disclosed. The upper and lower two-stage seedling box supply parts (seedling stage) 100A and 100B that are inclined downward are connected to one switchback part 102 that is inclined upward via the curved path parts 101A and 101B. The seedling box is again conveyed to the seedling extruding device 104 at the seedling extraction position P1 through a downwardly inclined path 103.
In this seedling transplanter, seedling boxes are pre-loaded into the seedling platforms 100A and 100B, the curved paths 101A and 101B, the switchback unit 102, and the path 103 to the front part of the seedling extruding device 104 at the start of planting work. Is done. When the planting operation is started, the seedling boxes loaded in front of the seedling push-out position P1 are sequentially transferred to the seedling extruding device, and when the seedling box on the upper stage 100A disappears, the lower stage 100B seedling stage Is supplied by

  In the case of the seedling transplanting machine having the above-described configuration, if the seedling box of the upper seedling stage 100A does not disappear during the planting operation, the state of the seedling box in the curved path portion 101B from the seedling stage of the lower stage 100B to the switchback unit 102 is determined. It cannot be visually confirmed from the driver's seat. Further, since the curved path portions 101A and 101B exist so as to overlap vertically, there is a problem that it is difficult to maintain the lower curved path portion 101B and the seedling extruding device 104 provided below the curved path portion.

JP-A-8-214629

  This invention makes it a subject to eliminate the problem of the said patent document 1, and provides the seedling transplanting machine which is easy to grasp the state of the seedling box in supply, and was excellent in the maintainability of a seedling box conveyance path. .

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a seedling mounting base on which a plurality of seedling boxes are placed, and a seedling for switching back a seedling box supplied from the seedling mounting base and transporting it to a seedling extruding device located below. With a box transport path,
The seedling platform comprises at least two upper and lower upper seedling platforms and a lower seedling platform that are inclined downward from the front side toward the rear in the vehicle traveling direction, and the lower seedling platform is lower than the upper seedling platform. A switchback that is elongated and is curved from the lower end of the lower seedling stage and is inclined upward to the rear side, and the upper end of the extending portion and a gap are opened to incline upward to the seedling box conveyance path. part arranged, and the limit switch on the tip side of said seedling mounting table comprising a plurality of limit switches for seedling box detection to the downstream than the upstream (LS2, LS3) in the previous SL lower seedling mounting table of the extending portion (LS1) provided with, comprising a limit switch (LS4, LS5) before Kinae box conveying path,
The limit switch (LS1 to LS5) includes a drive motor controlled by a detection signal that comes into contact with the seedling box ,
After the sprocket that conveys the seedling box by the drive motor is driven by the detection signal of the limit switch (LS2, LS3) to sequentially convey the seedling box on the lower seedling placement stand to the seedling extrusion device, the upper seedling placement The seedling boxes on the stage are sequentially conveyed to the seedling extrusion device, and the seedling boxes on the upper stage seedling stage and the lower stage seedling stage have a gap between the extension part of the lower stage seedling stage and the switchback part. Provided is a seedling transplanter configured to control so as not to stop the seedling box at a position across the gap by driving the sprocket by the drive motor when the limit switch (LS1) detects that it is in a straddling state Yes.

According to the above configuration, the lower seedling stage is longer than the upper seedling stage, and extends to a position closer to the seedling box transport path than the upper seedling stage, and the seedling box transport path of the lower seedling stage Since the upper stage seedling stage is not provided above the extending part at a position close to the position, the state of the seedling box can be visually confirmed from the driver's seat or the like. And since the large space | gap is provided above this extension part, it becomes easy to maintain the extension part of a lower stage seedling mounting stand, and the seedling extrusion apparatus provided below.
In addition, since it has a multi-stage seedling stage and a seedling box transport path for switching back the seedling box supplied from the seedling stage and transporting it to the seedling extrusion device located below, a substantial seedling box Therefore, the number of seedling boxes loaded per time can be increased. Therefore, planting work efficiency is improved even in a wide field.
In addition, since the extending portion that protrudes toward the seedling box transporting path side is inclined upward toward the seedling box transporting path side relative to the upper seedling mounting base of the lower stage seedling mounting base, the lower end of the upper seedling mounting base is the switchback path Even if separated, the seedling box supplied from the upper seedling stage can be smoothly supplied and conveyed to the seedling box conveyance path.

As described above, the seedling stage is provided with a plurality of limit switches for detecting the seedling box in the extension part of the lower stage seedling stage from upstream to downstream , and the limit switch is provided on the seedling box transport path. Then, after controlling the drive motor by detecting the limit switch and sequentially transporting the seedling boxes on the lower seedling placing stand to the seedling extruding device, the seedling boxes on the upper seedling placing stand are sequentially transported to the seedling extruding device. and, before Symbol upper seedling mounting table and the lower seedling placing stand on seedling boxes, and the limit switch so as not to stop in a state straddling the gap between the lower seedling placing stand extending portion and the switchback portion It is configured to be controlled by a drive motor .
Thus, by detecting the position of the seedling box with the limit switch and performing drive control of the motor, the seedling box can be reliably stopped so as not to straddle the gap.

Further, it is preferable that the rotation of the drive motor is stopped when there is no detection by the adjacent downstream limit switch after a set time from the start of driving by the detection of the limit switch.
Specifically, the time is measured with a check timer from the time of detection of the adjacent upstream limit switch, and if there is no detection of the downstream limit switch after the set time, the motor driven by the detection of the previous limit switch Either an abnormality has occurred in the seedling box to be conveyed and the conveyance has been stopped, or an abnormality has occurred in the limit switch. Therefore, the driving of the motor is stopped to prevent the occurrence of an accident.

  The drive motor is provided with the drive motor on the side frame of the frame constituting the seedling box transport path and the switchback path, and is provided with a sprocket (claw gear) that is rotationally driven by the drive motor. The seedling box is transported by being sequentially locked in the holes provided in the seedling box.

Provided with the limit switch at the upper end of the switchback part, and with the drive motor rotating forward and reverse below the limit switch, and the sprocket claws rotated and driven by the drive motor are sequentially placed in the holes of the seedling box Locks and transports the seedling box,
After detecting the seedling box with the limit switch, the drive motor is driven to lower the seedling box on the seedling take-out side, and the rotation of the drive motor is stopped immediately before the claw of the sprocket is detached from the hole of the seedling box Then, it is preferable that the speed is reduced to reduce the descending speed of the seedling box.

  That is, when it is fed downward by the drive motor on the switchback path, if the speed is high, it collides with the seedling box in the lower position and stops, and the impact may cause the seedling to jump out or damage the seedling box. On the other hand, with the above-described configuration, the feeding speed of the seedling box is reduced because the feeding speed of the seedling box is temporarily stopped halfway by the drive motor and the rotational speed of the driving motor is reduced when the seedling box is separated from the sprocket. Therefore, the drop impact on the lower seedling box can be mitigated, and the seedling can be prevented from jumping out or being damaged.

The claw of the sprocket that is rotationally driven by a drive motor attached to each of the upper seedling mounting table and the lower seedling mounting table is sequentially locked in the hole portion of the seedling box to convey the seedling box,
A clutch for engaging and disengaging the main shaft portion of the sprocket and the output shaft of the drive motor is provided, and the operation piece of the clutch is operated so that the claw of the sprocket can be detached from the hole of the seedling box. The seedling box can be taken out from the lower seedling stage.
With the above configuration, when the seedling box is displaced and does not move because the sprocket claw is not locked in the locking hole, the seedling box is damaged and does not move, etc. The seedling box can be taken out from the conveyance path, and the seedling box feeding operation can be proceeded smoothly.

As the frame of the seedling stand, the left and right side rails with a U-shaped cross section that slidably fit on both the left and right sides of the seedling box, and the left and right side rails are arranged with a gap therebetween so that the bottom of the seedling box can be slid freely. It is preferable that a transport support part for the seedling box is constituted by a flat central rail held by the support bar and a support bar that connects the left and right rails and the central rail with a predetermined space in the transport direction.
As described above, the center rail is arranged with a gap between the left and right rails without covering the bottom plate, and the both rails and the central rail are connected by the support bar with a gap in the transport direction. By providing only a minimum number of frames and increasing the gap, it is possible to perform maintenance by entering an operator from the gap, and a significant weight reduction can be achieved, for example, between the side rails. The weight can be reduced by about 30 to 70% as compared with the case where the bottom plate is completely closed. In addition, since the left and right sides of the seedling box are slidably fitted between the left and right rails with a U-shaped cross section, the seedling box can be prevented from tilting in the middle of conveyance, and the normal posture can be maintained. In a stable and stable state.
It is preferable that the switchback seedling box conveyance path to be transferred from the seedling platform is provided with side walls having an L-shaped cross section on both sides, and an opening is also provided in a bottom plate connecting the side walls to reduce the weight.

In addition, the limit switch provided on the seedling platform and the seedling box transport path is a lever type, and is tilted inward so as to come into contact with either one of the left and right side surfaces of the seedling box. It is preferable that the configuration tilts in the direction.
When the limit switch is attached to the bottom side of the seedling box, the seedling box is pushed upward by contact with the limit switch, and the posture of the seedling box becomes unstable. Adheres to the limit switch, and the limit switch is liable to malfunction. In the present invention, as described above, when the limit switch is arranged on the side surface, when the limit switch comes into contact with the seedling box, the limit switch swings outside, does not affect the posture of the seedling box, and the limit switch has a seedling. The mud of the box does not stick and the continuous reliability of the limit switch can be improved.

Further, the seedling mounting table and the seedling box transport path are provided in a plurality of rows, and the plurality of rows of seedling mounting platforms are supported on a support bar that is horizontally mounted in the width direction of the machine body with a gap in the width direction. It is preferable. According to the said structure, by providing several rows of seedling mounting bases and the said seedling box conveyance paths, since the seedling box loading number per time becomes the number of rows, planting work efficiency is further improved.
In addition, since multiple rows of seedling platforms are supported on a support bar that is horizontally mounted in the width direction of the machine body with a gap in the width direction, the multiple rows of seedling platforms are modularized as one unit. As a result, assembly to the airframe is simplified.
Furthermore, each seedling stage can be aligned in parallel by connecting a plurality of seedling stages with a support bar.

A grounding stand is rotatably attached to a frame connecting the planting devices between the planting devices respectively provided on the lower end side of the row of seedling platforms, and the grounding stand is rotated when rotating to the ground side. It is preferable that the lower end grounding portion of the projecting portion protrudes downward from the planting device.
For example, when the seedling transplanter is parked on a general road surface or a garage after the work in the field is finished, if the grounding bottom end of the grounding stand is grounded, the bottom surface of the planting device is separated from the grounding surface. The planting device can be protected by being positioned above the space.
In particular, by arranging the grounding stands between the seedling platforms arranged in parallel, the outer shape of the seedling transplanter can be reduced, the occupied space can be reduced during parking, and parking can be performed in a narrow garage.

Also, a seedling constituted by an extending part inclined upward to the rear side from the lower end curved part of the lower seedling mounting base, and a seedling box conveyance path of the switchback part arranged with a gap and an upper end of the extending part. It is preferable that a delivery guide plate is provided in the box delivery part.
In the transfer part, the lower stage of the upper seedling stage is transferred from the lower end to the curved part of the lower seedling stage, and further passed through the gap between the extension part of the lower seedling stage and the seedling box conveyance path of the switchback part. Therefore, the seedling box is in an unstable posture. Therefore, the part where the seedling box is transferred from the tip of the upper seedling stage to the extension part of the lower seedling stage, the part where the seedling box is transferred from the tip of the extension part to the seedling box conveyance path of the switchback part, A delivery guide plate is provided so that the seedling box does not jump out from both the left and right sides and fall off. However, the delivery guide plate is a pair of left and right, and has a space for securing a visual field from above and for maintenance in the center.

As described above, according to the present invention, the lower seedling stage is longer than the upper seedling stage, and extends to a position closer to the seedling box transport path than the upper stage seedling stage. The state of the seedling box in the extended part at a position close to the seedling box conveyance path of the seedling stage can be visually confirmed from the driver's seat etc., and the extension part and the seedling extrusion device provided below Maintenance is easier. In addition, since it has a multi-stage seedling stage and a seedling box transport path for switching back the seedling box supplied from the seedling stage and transporting it to the seedling extrusion device located below, a substantial seedling box Therefore, the number of seedling boxes loaded per time can be increased. Therefore, planting work efficiency is improved even in such a wide field.
Furthermore, since the part protruding by extending to the seedling box conveyance path side is inclined upward toward the seedling box conveyance path side from the upper seedling loading stage, not only the lower seedling loading stand but also the upper seedling loading stand The seedling box supplied from can be smoothly supplied and conveyed to the seedling box conveying path, and the layout for the subsequent switchback can be easily configured.

  In addition, if a plurality of seedling platforms and seedling box transport paths are provided, the number of seedling boxes loaded per time is multiplied by the number of rows, so that the planting work efficiency is further improved. In addition, if multiple rows of seedling platforms are supported on a support bar that is horizontally mounted in the width direction of the aircraft with a gap in the width direction, the multiple rows of seedling platforms are modularized as a unit. By doing so, the assembly to the airframe is simplified.

  Furthermore, the abnormality of the seedling box in the middle of conveyance can be detected by checking the detection time of the limit switch provided in the seedling carriage and the seedling box conveyance path of the switchback unit. In addition, by placing the limit switch at a position where it contacts the side of the seedling box, the posture of the seedling box can be stabilized and mud can be prevented from adhering to the limit switch to increase the reliability of the limit switch. it can.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 is an overall schematic side view showing an example of the seedling transplanting machine of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the seedling mounting table, FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the seedling mounting table, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the feeding sprocket portion of the seedling stage, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic views of limit switches employed in the seedling transplanting machine.

A seedling transplanting machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a riding-type seedling transplanting machine, and includes a planting device 5 behind a body 4 supported by a front wheel 2 and a rear wheel 3. Above the planting device 5, a seedling extruding device 6 provided with an extruding rod (not shown) for extruding seedlings from the seedling box is provided, and a seedling box conveying path 7 inclined above is provided. In addition, the seedling box transport path 7 is connected to an empty box transport path 8 that curves downward from the installation portion of the seedling extruding device 6, and the empty box transport path 8 is inclined upward and then bent forward. The empty box storage unit 9 is continued.
A driver's seat 10, an operation handle 11, a spare seedling table 12, and the like are mounted on the body 4.

Between the driver's seat 10 and the seedling box transport path 7, two upper and lower seedling platforms 13 and 14 that are inclined backward and downward in the vehicle direction are installed. The upper and lower seedling platforms 13 and 14 are formed by side rails 13a and 14a on both the left and right sides having a U-shaped cross section, central rails 13b and 14b made of flat plates, and a support bar 17 arranged with a required space in the transport direction. It is assembled and united as a pair in a vertical relationship with the structured seedling stand frame 15. In this manner, the seedling platforms 13 and 14 are lightened by making the gap S1 between the side rails 13a and 14a on the left and right sides and the central rails 13b and 14b, and are easy to maintain.
Rail sections having L-shaped cross sections on both the left and right sides of the seedling box transport path 7 are provided, and the left and right rail parts are continuous with a bottom plate, and an opening is provided in the bottom plate. The empty box transport path 8 is composed of left and right side rails having a U-shaped cross section similar to the seedling platforms 13 and 14, a center rail made of a flat plate, and a support bar arranged with a required space in the transport direction. ing.

  The units of the pair of upper and lower seedling platforms 13 and 14 are installed in a plurality of rows at intervals in the width direction of the machine body 4. Accordingly, the seedling box transport path 7 and the empty box transport path 8 are also arranged in a plurality of rows at intervals in the width direction of the machine body 4 corresponding to the units of the seedling mounts 13 and 14. 2 and 3 show two of these, three or more may be used.

  Each seedling stage frame 15 is supported by a main pipe frame 15A disposed along the center longitudinal direction of the lower surface (the lower surface of the lower seedling stage 14), and the main pipe frame 15A is planted on the machine body 4. It is fastened and supported by a bolt nut 17b via a bracket 17a to the support bar 17 which is horizontally mounted in the width direction of the machine body 4 on a support column 16 which is erected via a machine frame portion (not shown) of the device 5. Yes.

  The lower seedling stage 14 is longer than the upper seedling stage 13, and is extended to the position closer to the seedling box transport path 7 than the upper seedling stage 13, and then is extended upwardly 14-1. Is provided. The tip of the extended portion 14-1 that protrudes toward the seedling box transport path 7 with respect to the upper seedling mounting base 13 is not connected to the seedling box transporting path 7, and the lower seedling mounting base 14, the seedling box transporting path 7, A required gap C is provided between the two.

  The seedling box transport path 7 includes a switchback zone 7a that is inclined upward with a gap C between the front end of the extending portion 14-1 of the front lower seedling stage 14 and is downwardly directed forward from the switchback zone 7a. It is inclined and reaches the seedling extrusion device 6. A limit switch LS4 described later is installed at the upper end of the switchback zone 7a.

  The entire part including the planting device 5, the seedling extruding device 6, the seedling box transport path 7, the empty box transport path 8, the empty box storage section 9 and the seedling mount frame 15 is provided by a parallel link mechanism 18 operated by a hydraulic cylinder 18a. It can be moved up and down with respect to the machine body 4, and when transplanting seedlings into a field, it is lowered (state of FIG. 1) to perform the transplanting operation.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the seedling box N used in the seedling transplanter 1 is made of resin and has a flexible overall shape, and is a pot portion Na serving as a seedling storage chamber. Are provided in a matrix form vertically and horizontally, and a substantially Y-shaped slit (not shown) is provided on the bottom surface of the pot portion Na so that an extrusion rod (not shown) of the seedling extruding device 6 can be inserted therethrough. At the same time, a larger gap S is formed between adjacent pot portions Na at the center in the short side direction. In addition, a large number of square holes Nc are linearly provided at equal intervals along the feeding direction at both end edges Nb on the long side parallel to the feeding direction.

The feeding mechanism of the seedling boxes N in the seedling platforms 13 and 14 and the seedling box transport path 7 will be described below.
In the upper seedling stage 13 and the lower seedling stage 14, the left and right side portions of the seedling box N are slidably fitted to the left and right side rails 13a, 14a, and the bottom surface of the seedling box N is placed on the central rail 13b. , 14b is slidably placed on the carriage.

4 and 5 show a feeding mechanism in the lower seedling stage 14, but the same mechanism is adopted in other parts.
As shown in the figure, a drive motor M1 outside the side rail 14a on one side of the side rails 14a on both the left and right sides of the lower seedling stage 14 is installed. The drive shaft 19 connected to the output shaft of the drive motor M1 is supported so that the shaft can rotate so as to cross the lower seedling stage 14 below the side rails 14a and 14a. At both ends of the drive shaft 19, there are feeding sprockets (claw wheels) 20, 20 provided with a plurality of claws 20 a at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The upper half of the sprockets 20, 20 protrudes from an opening 14a-1 formed in the lower wall of the U-shaped side rail 14a, and the claw 20a is placed on the seedling table 14 in the seedling box N. It is made to engage with the hole Nc.
The formation pitch of the claw 20a in the circumferential direction of the sprocket 20 is substantially the same as the formation pitch in the feeding direction of the hole Nc of the seedling box N. Therefore, as the sprocket 20 is rotated by driving the motor M1, the claw 20a The seedling box N is sequentially inserted into the hole Nc, whereby a feeding force is applied to the seedling box N, and the seedling box N is fed in a desired direction. A similar configuration is installed at positions indicated by M2 to M4 in FIG.
Detection means (limit switches) LS <b> 1 to LS <b> 6 for confirming the existence of the seedling box N are installed at the main points of the seedling mounts 13 and 14, the seedling box transport path 7 and the empty box transport path 8.

  Of the limit switches LS1 to LS6, LS1 to LS3 are of the type shown in FIG. 6, and LS4 to LS6 are of the type shown in FIG. Any of the limit switches LS1 to LS6 is a lever-type on / off switch, as shown in FIG. 2, protrudes inward from the side wall 14a-2 of the side rail 14a, and is shown by arrows in FIGS. When the side surface of the seedling box N comes into contact with the direction shown, it is set so that it swings outward and the seedling box N is detected (ON).

  Further, the limit switches LS1 to LS6 are provided with check timers CT connected to each other, and the drive motor M is stopped when the limit switch on the downstream side does not turn on after the set time elapses after the limit switch adjacent to the upstream side turns on. It is set to do.

Next, the feeding operation of the seedling box N will be described.
In FIG. 1, since the seedling boxes N are not yet present in the seedling mounts 13 and 14, the seedling box transport path 7 and the empty box transport path 8 before the planting operation is started, all the limit switches LS1 to LS6 are off. In the state, all limit switch levers protrude inward.
From this state, as a preliminary preparation to be described in detail below, first, four seedling boxes N (N1 to N4) are sequentially placed and loaded on the lower seedling stage 14, transported to a required position, and positioned and held. In addition, two seedling boxes N (N5, N6) are placed and loaded on the upper seedling stage 13 and transported and held to a required position for positioning and holding, as shown in FIG. Are loaded into the seedling mounts 13 and 14 and the seedling box transport path 7.

  In the advance preparation, first, the seedling box N (N1) is placed and loaded on the lower seedling stage 14, and when the limit switch LS2 comes into contact with the side surface of the seedling box N and is turned on, the motors M1, M2, M4 Is actuated (forward rotation), and the seedling box N is fed by the action of each sprocket 20 connected to the motors M1, M2, and M4, and when the limit switch LS1 is turned on, the motor M2 is stopped. When the seedling box N is continuously fed by the rotation of the motors M1 and M4 and reaches the switchback zone 7a. When the seedling box N is activated and the limit switch LS4 is turned on, the motor M1 is stopped and the motor M4 is reversely rotated. Then, the seedling box N that reaches the switchback zone 7a switches back and descends the seedling box transport path 7, reaches the stopper claw 7b in the vicinity of the upstream side of the seedling extruding device 6, reaches the motor M4 when the limit switch LS5 is turned on. Stops and the first seedling box N (N1) is held at this position.

  In the above case, the distance between the motor M2 to the motor M1 and the motor M1 to the motor M4 (the distance between the sprockets 20 connected to each motor, hereinafter, each motor position and each sprocket position will be described as the same) is The length is such that the claw 20a of each sprocket 20 at the corresponding position can be simultaneously engaged and engaged with the holes Nc at both ends in the feeding direction. Further, the distance between the limit switch LS1 and the motor M2 is longer than the length in the feeding direction of the seedling box N, the seedling box N is fed, the tip of the seedling box N turns on the limit switch LS1, and the motor M2 The length is set such that the rear end of the seedling box N is detached from the sprocket 20 of the motor M2 when stopped. Although the loading to the upper seedling stage 13 and the feeding from here will be described later, the distance between the limit switch LS1 and the motor M3 is also set similarly to the positional relationship between the limit switch LS1 and the motor M2.

  Further, the distance between the tip position of the extension 14-1 and the limit switch LS4 is such that when the tip of the seedling box N turns on the limit switch LS4, the rear end of the seedling box N is the extension 14-1. The length is such that it is released from the guide restriction of the lower seedling stage 14. The positional relationship among the motor M4, the limit switch LS5, and the stopper claw 7b is such that when the motor M4 rotates in the reverse direction, the seedling box N is transported through the seedling box transport path 7 and the rear end of the motor M4 hits the stopper claw 7b. The limit switch LS5 is set to be turned on slightly before that.

  Next, the second seedling box N (N2) is placed and loaded on the lower seedling stage 14, but at this time, only the limit switch LS5 is on and the limit switch LS2 is turned on by placing and loading the seedling box N. As a result, the motors M2 and M1 rotate forward, and the second seedling box N is fed. When the limit switch LS1 is turned on by the action of the tip of the seedling box N, the motors M2 and M1 are stopped, and the tip of the seedling box N is locked and held by the sprocket 20 of the motor M1. -Rest on 1 At this time, the tip of the second seedling box N is in a position that does not prevent free fall (switchback) of the preceding seedling box N in the switchback zone 7a, and the rear end is detached from the sprocket 20 of the motor M2. .

  Furthermore, the third seedling box N (N3) is placed and loaded on the lower seedling stage 14, but at this time, since the limit switches LS1 and LS5 are on, even if the limit switch LS2 is on. The motor M2 does not operate, the seedling box N freely falls on the lower seedling stage 14, and since the motor M2 is stopped, it is locked and held by the sprocket 20.

Subsequently, when the fourth seedling box N (N4) is placed and loaded on the lower seedling stage 14, the fourth seedling box N freely falls on the lower seedling stage 14, and the third seedling is placed. It is held to follow the box N.
The fifth seedling box N (N5) is placed and loaded on the upper seedling stage 13. At this time, since the limit switches LS1, LS2, and LS5 are turned on, the motor M3 does not operate even when the limit switch LS3 is turned on, and the seedling box N falls freely on the upper seedling table 13, and the motor Since M3 is stopped, it is locked and held by the sprocket 20.
When the sixth seedling box N (N6) is placed and loaded on the upper seedling stage 13, the sixth seedling box N falls freely on the upper seedling stage 13 and follows the fifth seedling box N. To be held.

  In any of the above operations, if the limit switches LS1 to LS6 do not turn on after a set time has elapsed since the limit switch on the upstream side of the transport path is turned on, all the motors M1 to M4 that are driven to rotate are driven. Has stopped rotating.

In this state, since the fifth and sixth seedling boxes N (N5, N6) are held on the upper seedling mounting stage 13 above the motor M3, the extending portion 14- of the lower seedling mounting base 14 is provided. Visual confirmation of the state of the seedling box N on 1 can be easily performed.
In particular, when a plurality of rows of seedling stage units are arranged side by side, the state of the seedling box N on the central portion or on the extension portion 14-1 on the opposite side can be visually confirmed even from the side portion of the seedling transplanter 1. The preparation for planting is made very accurately.

After the preliminary preparation for the planting operation is performed as described above, the operator (operator) sits on the driver's seat, operates the handle 11 and the like, travels through the field, and starts the planting operation.
With this start, the stopper claw 7b is retracted to the non-operating position, and the first seedling box N1 freely falls on the seedling box transport path 7 and the seedling pushing device 6 is operated, and the pot portion Na of the seedling box N is operated. The seedlings are sequentially extruded from the plant, and the extruded seedlings are planted in the field by the planting device 5.
When the tip of the seedling box N that has been emptied turns on the limit switch LS6, the motors M5 and M6 are started to operate, and the tip of the seedling box N is locked by the sprocket 20 of the motor M5. The empty seedling box N is transported through the empty box transport path 8 by the transport force and the subsequent locking transport force of the sprocket 20 of the motor M6. The seedling box N on the empty box conveyance path 8 is sequentially stacked and stored in the empty box storage unit 9 after the driving force of the subsequent seedling box N is applied.

  When the rear end of the first seedling box N1 passes through the limit switch LS5 and the limit switch LS5 is turned off, the motors M1 and M4 are operated (forward rotation), and the extending portion 14-1 of the lower seedling stage 14 is operated. Similarly to the first seedling box N1, the second seedling box N2 waiting on the upper side is fed to the switchback zone 7a, the limit switch LS1 is turned off (the motor M1 is stopped), and the limit switch LS4 is turned on. At the same time, when the motor M4 rotates in the reverse direction, the second seedling box N1 is transported from the switchback zone 7a through the seedling box transport path 7, and when the tip of the limit switch LS5 is turned on, the motors M2 and M1 are activated, and the lower stage When the third seedling box N3 on the seedling table 14 is fed and the tip of the seedling box N3 is turned on, the motors M2 and M1 are stopped, and the third seedling box N3 extends the extension 14--. 1 is held. At this time, the fourth seedling box N4 on the lower seedling stage 14 falls freely following the third seedling box N3, and is held by the sprocket 20 of the motor M2 and stops.

  While the second seedling box N2 is being transported through the seedling box transport path 7, the seedling is sequentially pushed out from the pot portion Na of the seedling box N by the seedling pushing device 6, and the pushed seedling is planted as in the above. 5, the rear end of the second seedling box N2 comes off the limit switch LS5, and when it is turned off, the motors M1 and M4 are activated and held on the extending portion 14-1. The third seedling box N3 is fed to the switchback zone 7a in the same manner as described above, and the reverse rotation of the motor M4 (at this time, the motor M1 is stopped when the limit switch LS1 is turned off) causes the seedling box transport path 7 to be pushed out. It is conveyed toward the apparatus 6. When the limit switch LS5 is turned on, the motors M2 and M1 are operated to feed the fourth seedling box N4 on the lower seedling stage 14, and when the limit switch LS1 is turned on, the motors M2 and M1 are stopped. The first seedling box N4 is held on the extending portion 14-1, and the limit switch LS2 is turned off.

  Thereafter, the fourth seedling box N4 on the extending portion 14-1 is fed to the switchback zone 7a, and the limit switch LS4 is turned on to be conveyed toward the seedling extrusion device 6 through the seedling box conveyance path 7. Then, the limit switch LS5 is turned on, the motors M3 and M1 are operated, the fifth seedling box N5 on the upper seedling stage 13 is fed, and when the limit switch LS1 is turned on, the motors M3 and M1 are turned on. The fifth seedling box N5 is stopped and held so that the front and rear ends thereof straddle the front part of the extending part 14-1 and the front part of the seedling stage 13, and the sixth seedling The box N6 freely falls on the upper seedling stage 13 and is held stationary by the sprocket 20 of the motor M3.

When the fourth seedling box N4 turns on the limit switch LS5, the fifth seedling box N5 held on the extending portion 14-1 is fed to the switchback zone 7a in the same manner as described above. When the switchback is performed and the seedling box transport path 7 is transported toward the seedling extruding device 6 and the limit switch LS5 is turned on, the motor M3 is activated, and the sixth seedling box N6 on the upper stage seedling stage 13 is Similar to the fifth seedling box N5, it is temporarily held on the extended protruding portion 14a.
Thereafter, when the limit switches LS1, LS2, and LS3 are turned off by being fed to the switchback zone 7a, a buzzer is sounded for a certain period of time to inform the operator that the upper and lower seedling platforms 13 and 14 are empty.

The sixth seedling box N6 is also transported through the seedling box transport path 7 toward the seedling extruding device 6, the limit switches LS1 to LS5 are turned off, and only the limit switch LS6 is empty and turned on by the sixth seedling box N6 The buzzer is sounded to inform the operator that the upper and lower seedling platforms 13 and 14 and the switchback zone 7a are all empty, and the next six seedling boxes N6 from the spare seedling platform 12 Is urged to prepare for mounting and feeding to the mounting tables 13 and 14.
By repeating such a process, seedlings are planted in the farm sequentially. Since six seedling boxes N per unit can be obtained, the seedling planting efficiency in one cycle is high, and the seedling planting efficiency can be further increased by using a plurality of units.

In addition, although the example which feeds the seedling box N from the lower stage seedling stage 14 was described above, the seedling box N is fed from the upper stage seedling stage 13, and the fourth seedling box N is fed. Until this is completed, the fifth and sixth seedling boxes N may be held and waited on the lower seedling stage 14.
In addition, although an example in which the upper and lower seedling platforms 13 and 14 are arranged in a plurality of rows is illustrated, it may be one row depending on the size of the field and the demands of the customer. In addition, although detailed description of the planting apparatus 5 and the seedling extrusion apparatus 6 was abbreviate | omitted, it cannot be overemphasized that a conventionally well-known thing can be applied to these.
Furthermore, although the limit switch is employed as the detection means for confirming the existence of the seedling box N, the present invention is not limited to this, and various sensors such as an optical sensor can also be employed.

According to the said structure, the seedling box conveyance path 7 which switches back and transfers the seedling box N supplied from the upper and lower seedling platforms 13 and 14 and the seedling mounting stages 13 and 14 to the seedling extrusion apparatus 6 located below. Therefore, the substantial supply and conveyance path of the seedling box N becomes long, and the number of seedling boxes loaded per time can be increased. Therefore, planting work efficiency is improved even in a wide field.
Further, since the lower seedling stage 14 is longer than the upper seedling stage 13, and extends to a position closer to the seedling box transport path 7 than the upper stage seedling stage 13, the seedlings of the lower seedling stage 14 are provided. The state of the seedling box N in the extending part 14-1 at a position close to the box conveyance path 7 can be visually confirmed from the driver's seat or the like, and the extending part 14-1 or a seedling provided below is provided. Maintenance of the extrusion device 6 is facilitated.

  In addition, if the seedling platforms 13 and 14 and the seedling box transporting path 7 are provided in a plurality of rows, the number of seedling boxes loaded per time is multiplied by the number of rows, so that the planting work efficiency is further improved.

  Furthermore, if a plurality of rows of seedling platforms 13, 14 are supported on the support bar 17 laid horizontally in the width direction of the machine body 4 with a gap in the width direction, a plurality of rows of seedling platforms 13, 14 are provided. By modularizing 14 as one unit, assembly to the airframe 4 is simplified.

  Furthermore, when the limit switch that is sequentially turned on according to the conveyance of the seedling box N is not turned on even after a lapse of a predetermined time, the motor is stopped, so that an accident can be prevented. In addition, since the seedling mounting table for transporting and mounting a large number of seedling boxes is constituted by a rail having a frame structure having a gap, it is possible to reduce the weight while maintaining the strength, and also to perform maintenance through the gap. .

9 to 16 show a seedling transplanting machine 1 'according to the second embodiment. Like the seedling transplanting machine 1 according to the first embodiment, the seedling box N is placed in two upper and lower seedling platforms 13, 14 so that the switchback portion is provided. The main components supplied to the seedling extruding device 6 through the seedling box conveying path 7 are the same.
Differences from the first embodiment will be described below.
In the transfer section provided with a gap C between the upper and lower seedling platforms 13 and 14 and the seedling box transport path 7, as shown in FIG. 10, the extended portion 14 of the lower seedling platform 14 from the lower end of the upper seedling platform 13. A pair of left and right first delivery guide plates 30A and 30B are provided so as to project to a position reaching the tip of -1, and dropped from the lower end of the upper seedling stage 13 to the extending part 14-1 of the lower seedling stage 14 and transferred. The upper part of the seedling box is guided, and when the seedling box jumps upward, it is pressed from above.
In addition, a pair of left and right second delivery guide plates 31A and 31B are also provided between the tip of the extending portion 14-1 of the lower seedling stage 14 and the left and right rails of the seedling box transport path 7, so that the seedling box is in the horizontal direction. To prevent it from falling off.
As shown in FIG. 10, a space S4 for maintenance is opened between the first delivery guide plates 30A and 30B and between the first delivery guide plates 31A and 31B.

  Further, a pair of left and right third delivery is provided between the extension part 14-1 of the lower seedling stage 14 and the space C between the seedling box transport path 7 from the side rails on the left and right sides of the seedling box transport path 7. The guide plates 32A and 32B are provided so as to project obliquely upward, and guide both the left and right sides of the seedling box that is transferred to the seedling box transport path 7 from the tip of the extending portion 14-1.

  In this way, the seedling box that is transferred from the upper seedling stage 13 to the lower seedling stage 14 is switched by the first delivery guide plates 30A and 30B and from the extended portion 14-1 of the lower seedling stage 14 to the switchback seedling. The seedling box that is transferred to the box transport path 7 is guided by the second delivery guide plates 31A and 31B and the third delivery guide plates 32A and 32B, so that the seedling box is transferred in a stable posture without dropping off. , Have achieved stable transport of seedling boxes.

  In addition, the driving motor M4 provided in the switchback zone 7a of the seedling box transporting path 7 allows the seedling box N transported from the upper and lower seedling box bases to move forward (clockwise) in order to raise the switchback zone 7a. ), The seedling box N is raised via the sprocket 20, and when the seedling box N is detected by the limit switch LS4 at the upper end of the switchback zone 7a, the motor 4 is rotated in the reverse direction (counterclockwise). The seedling box N is lowered. In the second embodiment, the speed of the seedling box N is reduced during the lowering to mitigate the impact with the lower seedling box N.

  That is, the claw of the sprocket 20 rotated by the motor M4 stops the rotation of the motor M4 immediately before the hole Nc of the seedling box N is removed and the seedling box N falls by its own weight. At the time of this stop, the limit switch LS4 counts that the set time has elapsed from the time when the seedling box N is detected, and the motor M4 is stopped to control. After the motor M4 is temporarily stopped, it is driven for a short time (about 0.05 to 0.1 second) after the set time and then stopped again. Thereby, the speed which the nail | claw 20a of the sprocket 20 detaches | leaves from the hole Nc of the seedling place N can be slowed. After detachment, the seedling box N falls by its own weight, but since the speed is low just before the fall, the seedling box falls at a slower speed and can reduce the impact when it comes into contact with the lower seedling box. Prevents popping out and seedling box damage.

Furthermore, when the seedling box N is damaged or does not move for some reason, the seedling box N can be taken out from the upper and lower seedling mounts 13 and 14.
As shown in FIG. 11, the claws 20 a of the sprocket 20 are engaged with the holes Nc of the seedling box N with both side edges of the seedling box N sandwiched between side rails 13 a and 14 a having a U-shaped cross section. Therefore, the seedling box N cannot be taken out unless the claw 20a is removed from the hole Nc.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the clutch 71 is urged and connected by the clutch spring 72 between the drive shaft 19 of the sprocket 20 and the output shaft 70 of the motors M2 and M3, and the release lever 73 protruding from the clutch 71 is connected. When the clutch spring 72 is compressed and moved in the arrow direction Y1, the locking portion 71a of the clutch 71 is disengaged from the locking hole 20c of the sprocket 20. As a result, the sprocket 20 is manually rotated to disengage the claw 20a from the hole Nc so that the seedling box N can be taken out.

Furthermore, in the planting device 5 for extruding a seedling from the seedling box N that has been transported from the seedling box transporting path 7 to the seedling extruding device 6 and then planting the seedling in the field, the vertical height of the float 50 that moves along the field scene is increased. In this configuration, the float 50 is moved while being held parallel by the link mechanism 51 shown in FIG.
The link mechanism 51 connects the front and rear sides of an upper link 51c horizontally disposed in the front-rear direction via connecting shafts 51a and 51b on the machine body 4 side to the front and rear sides of the float 50 via links 51d and 51e. 50, the upper link 51c, and the links 51d and 51e on both front and rear sides form a parallelogram link mechanism.
With this configuration, the mechanism for adjusting the vertical height of the float 50 is simple and lightweight.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 13, the seedling transplanting machine of the second embodiment is an eight-row planting device having four rows of planting devices 5, and between each of the two planting devices 5 on the left and right sides. A grounding stand 81 is rotatably attached to a frame 80 that connects the planting devices 5, and a rubber lower end grounding portion 81 a protrudes downward from the planting device when rotating to the ground side.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the L-shaped grounding stand 81 is rotatably attached to a bearing 82 on a frame 80, and a coil spring is mounted on a horizontal shaft 81 b that protrudes horizontally from the upper end of the grounding stand 81. 83 is attached, and one end of the coil spring 83 is locked to the frame 80. The grounding stand 81 is urged by the coil spring 83, and the lower end grounding surface 81a of the vertical axis 81c is always in a horizontal position. When necessary, the grounding stand 81 is rotated to ground the lower end grounding surface 81a. In this state, the pin 85 is inserted into the bearing hole and the locking hole provided in the vertical axis 81bc to hold the vertical axis 81c.

  With the above configuration, even if the float 50 of the planting device 5 is positioned at the lower end position with the lower end grounding portion 81a of the grounding stand 81 grounded from the lower end of the planting device 5, the lower end surface of the float 50 Further, the lower end grounding portion 81a of the grounding stand 81 protrudes to the lower position and is grounded. Therefore, it can be reliably prevented that the lower surface of the float 50 is grounded and the float 50 is damaged. In addition, the grounding stand 81 is provided between the planting devices 5 and is not provided so as to protrude outside the planting device 5 located outside, so that the external width of the seedling transplanter is not increased, and the seedling transplanter Do not increase the occupied space when parking.

  Further, as the seedling stand 12 to be mounted in front of the base body, two upper and lower standby seedling stands 12A and 12B are mounted symmetrically on the left and right sides with respect to the machine body 4 respectively. In these two upper and lower standby seedling stands, a partition plate 54 is provided in each of the preliminary seedling stands so that the seedling boxes N can be taken out in a plurality of upper and lower stages. These upper and lower two-stage preliminary seedling stands 12A and 12B are provided so that a support shaft 56 can be rotated with respect to a support plate 55 projecting from the front end position of the machine body 4 on both the left and right sides, as shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. Next, it is positioned parallel to the fuselage 4 along the left and right fuselage 4 of the driver's seat 10 or rotated by 90 degrees from this position, so that it is perpendicular to the fuselage 4 on the right and left sides of the driver's seat 10 as shown by the solid line. It can be positioned to spread.

Further, as shown in FIG. 16, a spare seedling box take-out stand frame 60 is foldably attached to the lower portions of the left and right spare seedling stands 12A and 12B via a mounting bracket 61. The mounting bracket 61 is provided with an arc groove 61a. By moving the arc groove 61a with a screw 62 attached to the spare seedling box take-out stand frame 60, an upright position protruding to the driver's seat side indicated by a solid line and a one-dot chain line The position shown in the figure is folded downward.
Furthermore, since the preliminary seedling stands 12A and 12B are formed by connecting frame frames, the frame frames in the width direction are divided and linked to form a configuration in which the preliminary seedling stands themselves can be folded in the width direction.
As described above, by adding a foldable configuration to the spare seedling stand, when the spare seedling stand is not mounted, the spare seedling stand is folded so as to fit within the full width of the machine body.

It is a whole side view showing the seedling transplanter of a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic plan view of a seedling stage. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a seedling stage. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the feeding sprocket portion of the seedling stage. It is a cross-sectional side view of the feeding sprocket portion of the seedling stage. It is the schematic of an example of the limit switch employ | adopted as a seedling transplanter. It is the schematic of another example of the limit switch employ | adopted as a seedling transplanter. It is drawing which shows the seedling box loaded into the seedling mounting stand. It is a whole side view which shows the seedling transplanting machine of 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the delivery part of the seedling conveyance part of 2nd Embodiment. (A) (B) is drawing which shows the link | linkage structure of the nail | claw of the sprocket provided in the upper and lower seedling mounting stand of 2nd Embodiment, and the hole of a seedling box. It is the schematic which shows the up-down adjustment link mechanism of the float part of the planting apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is drawing which shows the rear surface side lower part of the seedling transplanter of 2nd Embodiment. It is drawing which shows the structure of the stand for earthing | grounding of 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the rotational movement position of the reserve seedling stand of 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the folding mechanism of the extraction stand frame of the said preliminary seedling stand. It is drawing which shows a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Seedling transplanter 4 Machine 5 Planting device 6 Seedling extruding device 7 Seedling box transport path 7a Switchback zone 13 Upper seedling stage 14 Lower seedling stage 14-1 Extension part of lower seedling stage 17 Support bar 20 Sprocket 20a Claw N (N1-N6) Seedling box Nc Hole M1-M6 Drive motor LS1-LS5 Limit switch

Claims (9)

A seedling mounting base for mounting a plurality of seedling boxes, and a seedling box transport path for transporting back to the seedling extrusion device positioned below by switching back the seedling box supplied from the seedling mounting base,
The seedling platform comprises at least two upper and lower upper seedling platforms and a lower seedling platform that are inclined downward from the front side toward the rear in the vehicle traveling direction, and the lower seedling platform is lower than the upper seedling platform. A switchback that is elongated and is curved from the lower end of the lower seedling stage and is inclined upward to the rear side, and the upper end of the extending portion and a gap are opened to incline upward to the seedling box conveyance path. part arranged, and the limit switch on the tip side of said seedling mounting table comprising a plurality of limit switches for seedling box detection to the downstream than the upstream (LS2, LS3) in the previous SL lower seedling mounting table of the extending portion (LS1) provided with, comprising a limit switch (LS4, LS5) before Kinae box conveying path,
The limit switch (LS1 to LS5) includes a drive motor controlled by a detection signal that comes into contact with the seedling box ,
After the sprocket that conveys the seedling box by the drive motor is driven by the detection signal of the limit switch (LS2, LS3) to sequentially convey the seedling box on the lower seedling placement stand to the seedling extrusion device, the upper seedling placement The seedling boxes on the stage are sequentially conveyed to the seedling extrusion device, and the seedling boxes on the upper stage seedling stage and the lower stage seedling stage have a gap between the extension part of the lower stage seedling stage and the switchback part. A seedling transplanting machine configured to control so that the sprocket is driven by the drive motor and the seedling box is not stopped at a position across the gap when the limit switch (LS1) detects that the state is straddling.   The seedling transplanter according to claim 1, wherein the rotation of the drive motor is stopped when there is no detection by the adjacent downstream limit switch after a set time from the start of driving of the drive motor by the detection of the limit switch. Provided with a said limit switch (LS4) on the upper end of the switchback section, provided with the drive motor to rotate forward and backward below the limit switch (LS4), nails the seedlings sprocket is rotationally driven by the drive motor The seedling box is conveyed while being sequentially locked in the hole of the box, and after the seedling box is detected by the limit switch (LS4) , the drive motor is driven to lower the seedling box to the seedling extraction side, and the sprocket The seedling transplanting machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the driving motor is stopped and decelerated immediately before the claw of the seedling is detached from the hole of the seedling box to reduce the lowering speed of the seedling box. . The sprocket claws that are rotationally driven by the drive motors respectively attached to the upper seedling stage and the lower seedling stage are sequentially locked in the holes of the seedling box to convey the seedling box,
A clutch for engaging and disengaging the main shaft portion of the sprocket and the output shaft of the drive motor is provided, and the operation piece of the clutch is operated so that the claw of the sprocket can be detached from the hole of the seedling box. The seedling transplanter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the seedling box can be taken out from the lower seedling stage.   The seedling stand is slidably fitted to the left and right sides of the seedling box and has left and right rails with a U-shaped cross section, and the left and right side rails are spaced from each other to hold the seedling box bottom surface slidably. 5. A seedling box transport support portion is configured by a flat center rail that is formed and a support bar that connects the left and right rails and the center rail with a predetermined space in the transport direction. The seedling transplanter according to any one of the above. The limit switches (LS1 to LS5) provided on the seedling platform and the seedling box transport path are of a lever type, and are tilted inward so as to be in contact with either one of the left and right side surfaces of the seedling box. The seedling transplanter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the seedling transplanter is configured to tilt outward when in contact.   The seedling mounting table and the seedling box transport path are provided in a plurality of rows, and the plurality of rows of seedling mounting tables are supported at intervals in the width direction on support bars that are horizontally mounted in the width direction of the machine body. The seedling transplanter according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   A grounding stand is rotatably attached to a frame connecting the planting devices between the planting devices respectively provided on the lower end side of the plurality of rows of seedling platforms, and the grounding stand is rotated when rotating to the ground side. The seedling transplanting machine according to claim 7, wherein the lower end grounding portion of the base plate protrudes downward from the planting device.   Seedling box delivery composed of an extension part inclined upward to the rear side from the lower end curved part of the lower seedling mounting stage, and the seedling box transport path of the switchback part arranged with a gap between the upper end of the extension part The seedling transplanter according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a delivery guide plate is provided in the part.

Images