JP6562888B2 - Seedling box replenishment device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a seedling box supply device for supplying a seedling box to a seedling box supply device of a seeding machine.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b), a seedling box 10 used for growing pot seedlings is formed in a rectangular shape with a resin material having flexibility, and has a lattice in the long side direction and the short side direction. A large number of pots 11 are formed in an array. In the long side edge portion 10a of the seedling box 10, rectangular feed holes 12 are provided at the same pitch as the pot 11 in the long side direction. On the lower surface of the seedling box 10, a continuous groove 10 c is formed at a position connecting the midpoints of the short side edge portions 10 b on both sides with an interval between adjacent pots 11, and two protrusions 10 d are formed at the center portion. Protrusions are protruding. The protrusion 10d is provided for conveying the seedling box 10 or positioning the seedling box 10. The seedling box 10 is configured symmetrically with respect to the center line in both the long side direction and the short side direction.

  As shown in FIG. 12, a conventional seedling box supply device 91 disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a seedling box storage unit 92 that stores empty seedling boxes in a stacked state, and a lowermost stage from the seedling box storage unit 92. A seedling box take-out unit 93 that scrapes and removes the seedling boxes one by one is provided, so that empty seedling boxes are supplied to the seeding unit 94 one by one.

  The seedling box take-out portion 93 includes a pair of latching claws 95 provided so as to reciprocate between a protruding position that receives both side edges of the lowermost seedling box and a retracted position that is not received, and two stages from the bottom. A pair of receiving claws 96 provided so as to reciprocate alternately with the latching claws 95 between a protruding position that receives both side edges of the eye seedling box and a retracted position that is not received, and the latching claws 95 are retracted And a scraping claw 97 that scrapes off the lowermost seedling box when the receiving claw 96 is in the protruding position.

  The operation of the seedling box supply device 91 will be described step by step with reference to FIG. Initially, it is assumed that a large number of seedling boxes 10 are stacked on the latching claws 95 as shown in FIG.

  First, the catching claw 96 projects from the bottom so as to be latched on the side edge of the second seedling box 10, and the catching claw 95 retracts in response to the projection of the catching claw 96 ((b) in the figure). reference). Next, the second seedling box 10 from the bottom is supported by the receiving claws 96, and the lowermost seedling box 10 is unlatched by the latching claws 95 (see FIG. 3C). At this time, the scraping claw 97 rotates downward so as to push down the side edge of the lowermost seedling box 10, and the seedling box 10 is scraped off to take out one seedling box 10. Next, the catching claws 96 are retracted, and the latching claws 95 are projected in response to the withdrawal of the catching claws 96 (see FIG. 4D). Thereafter, by the retraction of the catching nail 96, the seedling box 10 supported on the catching nail 96 falls onto the latching claw 95, and both side edges are supported by the latching claw 95 (FIG. 2A). reference). By repeating the above, the seedling boxes 10 are taken out and supplied one by one.

  The replenishment of the seedling box 10 to the seedling box housing part 92 is performed manually according to the degree of reduction of the seedling box 10 in the seedling box housing part 92, and the both latching claws shown in FIG. 95 is the most protruding state, that is, at a timing when both side edges of the lowermost seedling box 10 are securely hooked, the replenishment seedling box 10 is placed on the seedling box 10 in the seedling box housing portion 92. Placed.

JP 58-138307 A

  However, since the seedling box housing portion 92 is configured to hook and support the side edges of the seedling box 10 with the hooking claws 95 or the receiving claws 96, the weight that the side edges can support, that is, the The number (for example, about 20) of seedling boxes 10 that can be accommodated in the seedling box accommodating portion 92 is limited by the strength of the side edge. For this reason, when it is necessary to process a large number of seedling boxes 10 that greatly exceed the number that can be accommodated in the seedling box accommodating section 92, the seedling boxes 10 are disposed so that the seedling boxes 10 in the seedling box accommodating section 92 are not lost. There is a problem that it is necessary to replenish regularly and one full-time worker is required for this work.

  In addition, since the seedling box 10 is manually replenished, if the worker is not used to the replenishment work or the operator's attention is distracted, the timing for placing the seedling box 10 may be shifted. is there. In particular, as in the state of FIG. 13B or 13D, the leading end positions of the latching claws 95 and the catching claws 96 are substantially coincident in plan view (the latching claws 95 and the catching claws 96 protrude respectively). In the intermediate position between the position and the retracted position), the side edge is latched by the catching claw 95 and the catching claw 96 is shallow, and therefore, from a position away from the uppermost seedling box 10 in the seedling box housing portion 92. When the plurality of seedling boxes 10 that are stacked for replenishment are dropped into the seedling box housing portion 92, the side edges may come off the latching claws 95 and the receiving claws 96 due to the impact. For this reason, the seedling box 10 in the seedling box accommodating part 92 falls, and there is a problem that the operation is interrupted and the efficiency is lowered.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the seedling box replenishing device of the first invention is:
A seedling box supply that is provided with a seedling box storage unit that receives empty seedling boxes from above and stores them in a stacked state, and is configured to take out and send out the lowest seedling boxes in the seedling box storage unit one by one A seedling box supply device for supplying a seedling box to the device,
The replenishment seedling box accommodating part that is disposed on the upper side of the seedling box accommodating part, receives an empty seedling box from above and accommodates it in a stacked state, and
Removing at least one sheet from the lowest seedling box in the replenishing seedling box housing part and dropping it into the seedling box housing part;
A seedling box supply state detection unit for detecting whether or not there is room for accepting a new seedling box in the seedling box housing unit;
Control that controls the seedling box supply state detection unit to operate the supply seedling box extraction unit when the presence of the room is detected and to stop the supply seedling box extraction unit when the absence of the room is detected. Department.

  According to this configuration, since a seedling box for replenishment is put in the seedling box housing part for replenishment, the seedling box is automatically replenished to the seedling box housing part. Can extend the time interval for replenishing the seedling box for replenishment. In addition, since it is configured to take out at least one by one from the lowest seedling box in the replenishment seedling box housing unit and drop it into the seedling box housing unit, if the number of the number to be taken out is set small, The impact when the taken-out seedling box falls into the seedling box housing part can be reduced, and troubles in the seedling box housing part can be prevented.

As the seedling box replenishing device of the second invention, in the first invention,
The seedling box is made of a resin material having flexibility, and a large number of pots are formed in a grid-like arrangement in the long side direction and the short side direction. The feed holes for transferring pitches are arranged in a row.
The replenishment seedling box take-out section includes a seedling box transfer means for transferring the seedling boxes accommodated in a stacked state in the replenishment seedling box accommodation section, and a lowermost seedling box in the replenishment seedling box accommodation section. A seedling box taking out means for taking out at least one by one from the seedling box, and a driving means for driving the seedling box transferring means and the seedling box taking out means,
The seedling box transporting means is provided on each of the front and rear sides of the replenishment seedling box housing portion, and includes a pair of transfer shafts extending in the left-right direction, and a plurality of rows arranged at intervals in the axial length direction on the respective transfer shafts. With gears,
The gears provided on each of the transfer shafts support the front and rear short side edges of the lowermost seedling box with teeth located inside the replenishing seedling box housing part, and are located inside the teeth. An example in which each of the transfer shafts is rotationally driven so that the teeth move downward to transfer the seedling box downward is illustrated.

  Thus, the said seedling box transfer means is comprised so that the short side edge part of the said seedling box may be supported by the said gearwheel. The reason is that the stacked seedling boxes are integrated with each other by fitting the pots to each other so that the overall rigidity is greatly improved. It is because it is more difficult for the seedling box to be deformed when supporting the short side edge closer to the pot than to support the long side edge that is away from the pot. This is because a large number of seedling boxes can be stacked.

As the seedling box replenishing device of the third invention, in the second invention,
In the transfer shaft, the gears are arranged so as to support both side portions in the short side edge of the seedling box, and the gears supporting the central portion are not provided,
The seedling box taking-out means is provided on each of the left and right sides of the replenishment seedling box housing portion, and a pair of front and rear rotating shafts extending in the front-rear direction and a pair of front and rear rows arranged on the respective rotating shafts at intervals in the axial length direction. Each rotating claw rotating in a direction of moving downward inside the replenishing seedling box housing portion and acting on the seedling box at the same timing on the left and right, thereby The aspect comprised so that it may scrape off from a seedling box at least 1 piece at a time is illustrated.

  According to this configuration, since the rotating claws arranged in the left and right rotating shafts act on the seedling box at the same timing, the seedling box formed of a flexible resin material has a short side. Since the central part of the side is temporarily deformed and comes out of the engagement of the upper seedling box, the transfer shaft is provided on the transfer shaft so as not to impede such action. The gear for supporting the central portion at the short side edge is not provided.

As the seedling box replenishing device of the fourth invention, in the second or third invention,
The gear is exemplified in such a manner that the tip portion of the tooth is formed wide in the circumferential direction of the gear, and both ends of the tip portion in the circumferential direction and a radius are provided between the both ends.

  If the tips of the teeth are sharp, the teeth cannot enter the gap when the gap between the stacked seedling boxes is narrower or wider than usual due to breakage, deformation, etc. Or the tip of the tooth may hit the end surface of the short side edge, and the seedling box may not be supported horizontally by the front and rear gears. However, according to this configuration, it can be prevented.

As the seedling box replenishment device of the fifth invention, in any one of the inventions of the second to fourth,
The seedling box in the replenishment seedling box housing part is in a state where the central part in the long side direction is bent by supporting the front and rear short side edges by the seedling box transfer means,
The rotating claw is configured to come into contact with a long side edge of the seedling box when the tip edge is above the axis of the rotating shaft,
The said front end edge illustrates the aspect currently formed in the shape which becomes substantially parallel to the long side edge part of the said bent seedling box at the time of the said contact.

  According to this configuration, since the tip edge of the rotating claw is in wide contact with the long side edge of the bent seedling box, the seedling box can be reliably scraped off. When not configured in this way, only the end edge of the rotating claw contacts the seedling box in a spotted state, so that force is not applied evenly, and causes of problems such as falling off of the seedling box May be.

As the seedling box replenishing device of the sixth invention, in any one of the first to fifth inventions,
Whether at least one seedling box from which the replenishment seedling box take-out section was dropped from the seedling box housed in a stacked state in the replenishing seedling box housing part fell from the stepped seedling box Equipped with a seedling box drop detection unit that detects whether or not
If the said seedling box fall detection part detects the malfunction state in which the said at least 1 seedling box has not fallen, the said control part will be from the time which the said seedling box extraction part for supply takes when it takes out the said seedling box once It is configured to wait until a predetermined time elapses that is longer and shorter than the time taken for taking out twice, and to stop the replenishing seedling box take-out portion when the failure state is still detected. The aspect which is shown is illustrated.

  According to this configuration, when the malfunction state is not detected after the malfunction state has been detected until the predetermined time elapses, the replenishment seedling box take-out unit removes the seedling box from 2 That is, the total number of seedling boxes at the time of taking out is taken out at a time. At this time, the lump of the seedling box that has fallen at once is in a state in which the seedling boxes are uncoupled by the action of the replenishment seedling box take-out unit, and then the seedling box supply device There is a high possibility that it will be properly processed. Therefore, at this time, the replenishing seedling box take-out portion is not stopped.

As the seedling box replenishing device of the seventh invention, in any one of the first to sixth inventions,
The replenishment seedling box storage part and the replenishment seedling box take-out part are supported on a support surface independently of the seedling box supply apparatus by a frame configured in a gate shape so as to straddle the seedling box supply apparatus. The aspect comprised so that may be illustrated.

  According to this configuration, regardless of the shape of the seedling box supply device, the replenishment seedling box housing portion can be easily disposed above the seedling box housing portion of the seedling box feeding device.

As the seedling box replenishing device of the eighth invention, in the seventh invention,
The said frame illustrates the aspect provided with the wheel for a movement.

  According to this configuration, when a trouble occurs in the seedling box supply device, the seedling box supply device of the present invention can be easily detached from the seedling box supply device.

As the seedling box replenishing device of the ninth invention, in the seventh or eighth invention,
The said frame exemplifies the aspect provided with the positioning means for positioning the said seedling box accommodating part for replenishment in the predetermined position above the said seedling box accommodating part by planar view.

  According to this structure, the said replenishment seedling box accommodating part can be easily arrange | positioned in the predetermined position above the said seedling box accommodating part of the said seedling box supply apparatus.

As a seedling box replenishing device of the tenth invention, in any one of the first to ninth inventions,
A replenishment required state detection unit for detecting that the number of empty seedling boxes stacked in the replenishment seedling box accommodating unit is a replenishment required state that is a predetermined number or less;
The said control part illustrates the aspect comprised so that the said seedling box extraction part for a replenishment may be stopped, if this said replenishment required state detection part detects this required replenishment state.

  According to this configuration, rather than adding a new seedling box on the seedling boxes stacked in the supply seedling box housing part, a new seedling box is added to the empty seedling box housing part. If the seedling box replenishing device of the present invention adopts a configuration that takes more time to set, the replenishing seedling box storage section is emptied so as not to take such trouble. Can be prevented.

As the seedling box replenishing device of the eleventh invention, in the tenth invention,
The said control part illustrates the aspect comprised so that the supplement required state alarm signal which shows that it is a supplement required state may be output outside, if the said supplement required state is detected.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to notify the outside that it is necessary to replenish a new seedling box in the replenishment seedling box housing section. By using the replenishment state alarm signal, for example, the seeder including the seedling box supply device can be configured to stop the operation, and an alarm sound is sounded or an alarm lamp is turned on or blinked. To inform the operator.

  According to the seedling box supply device according to the present invention, there is an excellent effect that the time interval for the operator to supply the seedling box to the seeding machine can be extended.

It is a side view which shows the state equipped with the seedling box supply apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment which actualized this invention to the sowing machine. It is a top view which shows the state equipped with the seedling box replenishment apparatus in the sowing machine. It is an enlarged side view of the seedling box supply device. It is an enlarged plan view of the seedling box supply device. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the seedling box replenishment apparatus. It is a figure which shows a series of operation states of the seedling box replenishment apparatus, (a1)-(a4) are principal part side views, (b1)-(b4) are the principal parts corresponding to (a1)-(a4), respectively. It is a front view. It is a side view which shows the state equipped with the seedling box supply apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment which actualized this invention in the sowing machine. It is the principal part side view which showed the operation state of the seedling box replenishment apparatus which concerns on the said 2nd embodiment in contrast with that of the seedling box replenishment apparatus which concerns on the first embodiment, (a) is the first embodiment. (B) shows the second embodiment. It is a principal part side view of the seedling box replenishment apparatus which concerns on the 2nd embodiment. It is a principal part front view which shows a series of operating states of the seedling box replenishment apparatus. It is a figure which shows a seedling box, (a) is a top view, (b) is b arrow directional view of (a). It is a side view which shows the sowing machine provided with the conventional seedling box supply apparatus. It is a figure which shows a series of operating states of the seedling box supply apparatus.

  1 to 6 show a first embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a seedling box supply device 1 that supplies a seedling box 10 to a seedling box supply device 51 of a seeder 50, and in each figure, an arrow F indicates a seedling. The front side of the box supply device 51 is indicated.

  Since the seedling box 10 of this example is configured in the same manner as that described in the background art (see FIG. 11), redundant description is omitted by attaching the same reference numerals.

  Since the seedling box supply device 51 of this example is configured in the same manner as the seedling box supply device 91 (see FIGS. 12 and 13) described in Patent Document 1, the parts common to the device 91 are Duplicate description is omitted by giving the same reference numerals. That is, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the seedling box supply device 51 of this example includes a seedling box storage portion 92 that stores empty seedling boxes 10 in a stacked state, and a lowermost stage from the seedling box storage portion 92. And a seedling box take-out section 93 for scraping out the seedling boxes 10 one by one and thereby supplying empty seedling boxes 10 to the seeding section 52 one by one.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the seedling box replenishment device 1 of the present invention includes a supplementary seedling box storage unit 2, a supplementary seedling box extraction unit 3, a seedling box supply state detection unit 4, and a control unit 5. The frame 6 that supports these configurations is provided.

  The frame 6 includes four legs 21 and is configured in a gate shape in front view so as to straddle the seedling box supply device 51 in its width direction. The take-out unit 3, the seedling box supply state detection unit 4, and the control unit 5 are configured to be supported on a support surface independently of the seedling box supply device 51. A moving wheel 22 is provided at the lower end of each leg 21. Each wheel 22 is provided with a stopper 22a for stopping its rotation. Further, the frame 6 is provided with guide means for guiding the frame 6 so as to smoothly move to a position straddling the seedling box supply device 51. In this example, as the guide means, a front guide member 23 extending forward and obliquely outward in plan view is provided on the front side of the two front leg portions 21, respectively, so that they are provided at the center of the two leg portions 21. The seedling box supply device 51 is guided so as to be positioned. Furthermore, the frame 6 is provided with positioning means for positioning the replenishment seedling box housing portion 2 at a predetermined position above the seedling box housing portion 92 in plan view. In this example, as the positioning means, a guide roller 24 supported by a shaft 24a extending in the vertical direction so as to be in contact with the side surface of the seedling box supply device 51 for positioning in the left-right direction with respect to the seedling box supply device 51. In addition to being provided in the vicinity of each leg portion 21, a rear guide member 27 is provided so as to be in contact with the back surface of the seedling box supply device 51 for positioning in the front-rear direction with respect to the seedling box supply device 51.

  The replenishment seedling box storage section 2 is disposed on the upper side of the seedling box storage section 92, receives the empty seedling box 10 from above, and stores it in a stacked state so as to face both sides on the frame 6. A pair of side plates 25 arranged in parallel to each other and a pair of connecting plates 26 respectively connecting the front and rear sides of the pair of side plates 25 are formed in a rectangular frame shape, and the seedling box 10 is inserted from above. At this time, it is guided on the seedling box housing portion 92 of the seedling box supply device 51.

  The replenishment seedling box take-out unit 3 is for taking out one by one from the lowermost seedling box 10 in the replenishment seedling box accommodating part 2 and dropping it into the seedling box accommodating part 92. , A seedling box support section 32, a seedling box scraping section 33, and a driving section 34.

  The seedling box transfer section 31 includes a pair of front and rear transfer shafts 31a extending in the left-right direction and a plurality of gears 31b arranged on the respective transfer shafts 31a at intervals in the axial length direction at the lower part of each connecting plate 26. I have. The gear 31b provided on the front and rear transfer shafts 31a is configured so that the front and rear short side edges 10b of the lowermost seedling box 10 in the replenishing seedling box housing part 2 are connected to the inside of the replenishing seedling box housing part 2. The seedling box 10 is moved downward by being driven by rotation so that the teeth located on the inner side are supported and the transfer shaft 31a is rotated so that the teeth located on the inside move downward. The plurality of gears 31b of the present example are disposed so as to respectively support the edge portions 10b at the gaps between the pots 11 located at the first to fifth positions from the outside in the short side direction of the seedling box 10. Since the plurality of gears 31b arranged on the front and rear transfer shafts 31a act on the seedling box 10 at the same timing, the seedling box 10 is transferred downward in a horizontal posture. The seedling box transfer unit 31 is driven so that the sending speed of the seedling box 10 downward is higher than the sending speed of the seedling box 10 from the seedling box supply device 51. In this example, when the sending speed of the seedling box 10 of the seedling box supply device 51 is 720 sheets / hour, driving is performed so that the sending speed of the seedling box transfer unit 31 is 900 sheets / hour. As described above, the seedling box transfer unit 31 of the present example is configured to support the short side edge portion 10b of the seedling box 10. The reason for this is that the stacked seedling boxes 10 are separated from the pot 11 because the pots 11 of each other are fitted to each other so that the overall rigidity is greatly improved. This is because it is more difficult for the seedling box 10 to be deformed when the short side edge 10b closer to the pot 11 is supported than when supporting the long side edge 10a. This is because a large number (for example, 100) of seedling boxes 10 can be stacked.

  The seedling box support section 32 includes four support pieces 32a respectively disposed so as to face the front and rear of the long side edges 10a of the seedling box 10 in the supplementary seedling box storage section 2 in plan view. I have. The support piece 32a is formed of a piano wire or the like and is bendable. The four support pieces 32a are configured to support the seedling box 10 in a horizontal posture when the lowermost seedling box 10 removed from the support of the seedling box transfer unit 31 falls downward. The seedling box 10 is prevented from falling into the seedling box housing portion 92 in a tilted posture.

  The seedling box scraping portion 33 includes a pair of left and right rotating shafts 33a extending in the front-rear direction and a pair of rotating claws 33b arranged on the respective rotating shafts 33a at intervals in the axial length direction at the lower portion of each side plate 25. I have. The rotating claw 33b is configured to rotate in a direction of moving downward inside the supplementary seedling box housing portion 2. Due to this rotating claw 33b, (A) the long side edge of the lowermost seedling box 10 in a state where it is detached from the support of the gear 31b but does not fall naturally and is fitted to the upper seedling box 10 10a is pressed onto the seedling box support part 32 and (B) the seedling box 10 supported by the seedling box support part 32 is rotated by the rotational force exceeding the support force of the four support pieces 32a. The support piece 32a is elastically deformed, detached from the support of the four support pieces 32a, and dropped downward. Since the four rotary claws 33b arranged on the left and right rotary shafts 33a act on the seedling box 10 at the same timing, the seedling box 10 falls downward in a horizontal posture. In addition, in the case of (A), the seedling box 10 formed of a flexible resin material is temporarily deformed at the center part on the short side so that the seedling box 10 is disengaged from the fitting of the upper seedling box 10. Therefore, in order not to hinder such action, the seedling box transporting portion 31 is provided with a gear 31b for supporting the central portion of the short side edge portion 10b of the seedling box 10. Absent.

  The drive unit 34 includes a motor 34a as a prime mover, and an output shaft 34b of the motor 34a rotates a pivot 34d via a transmission mechanism 34c. The pivot 34d synchronizes the front and rear transfer shafts 31a through the transfer shaft drive mechanism 34e and rotates them at a constant speed, and rotates the left and right rotary shafts 33a through the rotation shaft drive mechanism 34f at a constant speed. It is configured as follows. In this example, a motor with a brake is used as the motor 34a, so that when the operation of the drive unit 34 is stopped, the seedling box transport unit 31 is weighted by the weight of the seedling box 10 in the supplementary seedling box storage unit 2. The gear 31b is prevented from rotating.

  The seedling box supply state detection unit 4 of this example includes a room detection unit 4a that detects that there is room in the seedling box storage unit 92 that can accept a new predetermined number (at least one) of seedling boxes 10; The seedling box receiving section 92 includes a full box detecting section 4b for detecting that there is no room for accepting a predetermined number (at least one) of seedling boxes 10. A specific mode of detection by the blank space detection unit 4a is not particularly limited, but the uppermost seedling box 10 stacked in the seedling box housing unit 92 has reached a predetermined height for determining the presence of the blank space. A mode of detecting that there is no, a mode of detecting that the seedling boxes 10 stacked in the seedling box housing portion 92 are not more than a predetermined number for determining the presence of room, and the like are illustrated. Although it does not specifically limit as a concrete aspect of the detection by the full box detection part 4b, The uppermost seedling box 10 stacked in the seedling box accommodating part 92 is made into the predetermined height for judging the absence of room. A mode for detecting that it has reached, a mode for detecting that the number of seedling boxes 10 stacked in the seedling box housing portion 92 is a predetermined number or more for determining the absence of room, and the like are illustrated. As a detection means used in the seedling box supply state detection unit 4, a known sensor such as a contact sensor (a limit switch or the like) or a non-contact sensor (an infrared sensor, a laser sensor, an image sensor, a color sensor, a photoelectric sensor, or the like) is used. A sensor can be appropriately employed.

  When the control unit 5 detects the presence of the room by the space detection unit 4a of the seedling box supply state detection unit 4, the control unit 5 operates the drive unit 34 of the seedling box extraction unit 3 for replenishment, and the inside of the seedling box storage unit 2 for supply Control is performed so that the seedling box 10 is taken out of the seedling box. Moreover, the control part 5 will control to stop the drive part 34 of the seedling box extraction part 3 for replenishment, if the absence of the said room is detected by the full box detection part 4b of the seedling box supply state detection part 4. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, in the seedling box replenishing device 1 of this example, one of the teeth of the gear 31 b protrudes largest in the substantially horizontal direction toward the inside of the supplementary seedling box housing portion 2. The fixed position state detection unit 36 for detecting that the fixed position state is in the fixed position state (the state of FIG. 6A2) and a fixed position setting switch 37 are provided. As the detection means used in the fixed position state detection unit 36, for example, a known detection unit similar to the seedling box supply state detection unit 4 can be appropriately employed. When detecting that the fixed position setting switch 37 has been pressed, the control unit 5 operates the drive unit 34 to rotate the gear 31b until the fixed position state detection unit 36 detects the fixed position state. And if the said fixed position state is detected, the drive part 34 will be stopped. When the seedling box 10 is placed on the teeth of the gear 31b in the fixed position, the seedling box 10 can be reliably supported by the gear 31b.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the seedling box replenishment device 1 of this example is in a replenishment required state where the number of empty seedling boxes 10 stacked in the replenishing seedling box storage unit 2 is equal to or less than a predetermined number. The replenishment required state detection unit 35 for detecting that is included. Although the specific mode of detection by the replenishment state detection unit 35 is not particularly limited, for example, the same mode as the specific mode of detection by the room detection unit 4a described above is exemplified. As detection means used in the replenishment state detection unit 35, for example, known detection means similar to the seedling box supply state detection unit 4 can be appropriately employed. When the replenishment state detection unit 35 detects the replenishment state, the control unit 5 stops the drive unit 34 of the replenishment seedling box extraction unit 3. At the same time, the control unit 5 that has detected the replenishment state is configured to output a replenishment state alarm signal 39 indicating that the replenishment state is required.

  Next, operation | movement of the seedling box replenishment apparatus 1 of this example is demonstrated according to FIG. First, the lowest seedling box 10 among the plurality of seedling boxes 10 stacked on the teeth of the gear 31b is supported (FIGS. (A1) and (b1)). Next, the gear 31b rotates, the lowermost seedling box 10 is removed from the tooth support, and the upper seedling box 10 is supported by the teeth. At the same time, the rotating claw 33b rotates downward so as to push down the long side edge 10a of the lowermost seedling box 10, and the lowermost seedling box 10 is scraped off and supported by the support piece 32a of the seedling box support part 32. ((A2) and (b2) in the figure). Next, the rotating claw further rotates downward to detach the seedling box 10 from the support of the support piece 32a and drop it downward ((a3) to (a4) and (b3) to (b4) in the figure). By repeating the above operation, the seedling boxes 10 in the supplementary seedling box storage unit 2 are dropped one by one into the seedling box storage unit 92 of the seedling box supply device 51.

  As described in detail above, the seedling box replenishing device 1 of the present example is disposed on the upper side of the seedling box housing portion 92 and receives the empty seedling box 10 from above and accommodates it in a stacked state. Storage unit 2, supply seedling box take-out unit 3 that takes out one by one from lowermost seedling box 10 in supply seedling box storage unit 2 and drops into seedling box storage unit 92, and seedling box storage unit When the presence of the room is detected by the seedling box supply state detection unit 4 that detects whether or not there is room for accepting a new seedling box 10 in 92, and the seedling box supply state detection unit 4, the supplementary seedling is detected. A control unit 5 is provided that controls the box take-out unit 3 to operate and stop the supply seedling box take-out unit 3 when the absence of the room is detected. According to this configuration, since the seedling box 10 for replenishment is put in the seedling box housing part 2 for replenishment, the seedling box 10 is automatically replenished to the seedling box housing part 92. The time interval for the operator to replenish the seedling box 10 for replenishment can be extended. Further, the seedling box 10 is configured to be taken out one by one from the lowermost seedling box 10 in the replenishment seedling box housing part 2 and dropped into the seedling box housing part 92. The impact at the time of dropping into the storage portion 92 can be reduced, and troubles in the seedling box storage portion 92 can be prevented.

  The seedling box 10 is made of a flexible resin material, and a large number of pots 11 are formed in a grid-like arrangement in the long side direction and the short side direction, and the seedling box 10 is formed on the long side edge 10a. Feed holes 12 for transferring the boxes 10 by one pot pitch are arranged in a row, and the replenishment seedling box takeout part 3 is a seedling accommodated in a stacked state in the replenishment seedling box accommodation part 2 A seedling box transfer unit 31 as a seedling box transfer means for transferring the box 10 downward, and a seedling box as a seedling box extraction means for taking out at least one by one from the lowermost seedling box 10 in the replenishment seedling box storage section 2 The seedling box transfer section 31 includes a seeding box transfer section 31 and a driving section 34 as a driving means for driving the seedling box scraping section 33. A pair of transfer shafts 31a provided in the left-right direction and each transfer shaft 31a A plurality of gears 31b arranged at intervals in the axial direction, and the gears 31b provided on the respective transfer shafts 31a connect the front and rear short side edges 10b of the lowermost seedling box 10 with the gears 31b. The seedling box 10 is supported by the teeth 40 positioned inside the replenishment seedling box housing 2 and the transfer shafts 31a are rotated so that the teeth 40 positioned inside move downward. It is comprised so that it may transfer to. As described above, the seedling box transfer section 31 is configured to support the short side edge 10b of the seedling box 10 by the gear 31b. The reason is that the stacked seedling boxes 10 are integrated with each other when the pots 11 are fitted to each other, so that the overall rigidity is remarkably improved. The seedling box 10 is deformed when the short side edge 10b (see FIG. 11) close to the pot 11 is supported rather than the long side edge 10a (see FIG. 11) that is separated from the pot 11. This is because a large number of seedling boxes 10 can be stacked in the replenishment seedling box housing portion 2.

  Further, the transfer shaft 31a is provided with gears 31b arranged to support both side portions of the short side edge portion 10b of the seedling box 10, and is not provided with the gear 31b supporting the central portion, and the seedling box is taken out. The seedling box scraping portions 33 as means are provided on the left and right sides of the replenishment seedling box housing portion 2, respectively, and a pair of rotating shafts 33a extending in the front-rear direction, and the rotating shafts 33a are arranged at intervals in the axial direction. A pair of front and rear rotary claws 33b provided, each of the rotary claws 33b rotating in the direction of moving downward inside the supplementary seedling box housing 2 and acting on the seedling box 10 at the same timing on the left and right By doing so, it is configured to scrape at least one by one from the lowermost seedling box 10. According to this configuration, since the rotating claws 33b arranged on the left and right rotating shafts 33a act on the seedling box 10 at the same timing, the seedling box 10 formed of a flexible resin material is short. Since the central part of the side is temporarily deformed and comes out of the fitting of the seedling box 10 on the upper side, the transfer shaft 31a is provided with the seedling so as not to hinder such action. The gear 31b for supporting the center part in the short side edge part 10b of the box 10 is not provided. It is to be noted that by arranging a plurality of gears 31b on both sides of the transfer shaft 31a, both sides of the short side edge 10b of the seedling box 10 are supported over a wide range to some extent. This is because even if a part of the supported portion of the portion 10b is damaged, it can be supported as much as possible.

  Further, the replenishment seedling box storage unit 2 and the replenishment seedling box take-out unit 3 are supported independently of the seedling box supply device 51 by a frame 6 configured in a gate shape so as to straddle the seedling box supply device 51. It is comprised so that it may be supported by a surface. According to this configuration, regardless of the shape of the seedling box supply device 51, the replenishment seedling box storage portion 2 can be easily disposed above the seedling box storage portion 92 of the seedling box supply device 51.

  In addition, the frame 6 includes wheels 22 for movement. According to this configuration, when a trouble occurs in the seedling box supply device 51, the seedling box supply device 1 of the present invention can be easily detached from the seedling box supply device 51.

  Further, the frame 6 is provided with positioning means for positioning the replenishment seedling box housing part 2 at a predetermined position above the seedling box housing part 92 in plan view. According to this configuration, the replenishment seedling box housing portion 2 can be easily disposed at a predetermined position above the seedling box housing portion 92 of the seedling box supply device 51.

  Further, the control unit 5 includes a replenishment state detection unit 38 that detects that the number of empty seedling boxes 10 stacked in the replenishment seedling box storage unit 2 is a replenishment state that requires a predetermined number or less. When the replenishment state detection unit 38 detects the replenishment state, the replenishment seedling box extraction unit 3 is stopped. According to this configuration, rather than adding a new seedling box 10 on the seedling box 10 stacked in the supplementary seedling box housing part 2, a new seedling is added to the empty seedling box housing part 2 It is more time-consuming to set the box 10 (when a new seedling box 10 is set in the empty seedling box housing part 2 for replenishment, the fixed position setting switch 37 is used to set the gear 31b. Since the seedling box replenishing device 1 of this example adopts the configuration in which a new seedling box 10 is set after being in the position state, the replenishing seedling box storage portion 2 is provided so as not to take such trouble. It can prevent becoming empty.

  Further, when detecting the replenishment state, the control unit 5 is configured to output a replenishment state alarm signal 39 indicating that the replenishment state is required to the outside. According to this configuration, it is possible to notify the outside that it is necessary to replenish a new seedling box 10 in the supplementary seedling box housing section 2. By using the replenishment state alarm signal 39, for example, the seeder 50 including the seedling box supply device 51 can be configured to stop the operation, and an alarm sound can be generated, an alarm lamp can be turned on, The operator can be notified by blinking.

  7 to 10 show a second embodiment in which the present invention is embodied. This seedling box replenishment device 1 is mainly different from the first embodiment in the following points. Accordingly, portions common to the embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(1) As shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8 (a), and FIG. 9, the gear 31b is configured such that the tip portion of the tooth 40 is formed wide in the circumferential direction of the gear 31b, and both ends in the circumferential direction at the tip portion. A radius is provided between the portion and the both end portions.

  When the tip portion is sharp and narrow like the tooth 40 of the gear 31b of the first embodiment, the gap between the stacked seedling boxes 10 is narrower or wider than usual due to breakage, deformation, etc. In addition, the teeth 40 cannot enter the gap (that is, not the gap that should originally enter, but enter the upper gap), or the tip of the tooth 40 hits the end surface of the short side edge 10b. The seedling box 10 may not be supported horizontally by the front and rear gears 31b, and the seedling box 10 may fall off back and forth. Therefore, it can be prevented (see FIG. 8A).

(2) As shown in FIG. 9, the lowermost seedling box 10 in the seedling box 10 in the replenishment seedling box housing part 2 is formed by a seedling box transporting section 31 as a seedling box transporting means, and the front and rear short side edges. By supporting 10b, the central part in the long side direction is bent downward. At the same time, the seedling box 10 immediately above the lowermost seedling box 10 is also bent. The rotating claw 33b of this example is configured to contact the long side edge 10a of the seedling box 10 when the tip edge 41 is above the axis of the rotating shaft 33a. 41 is formed in the shape which becomes substantially parallel to the long side edge 10a of the bent seedling box 10 at the time of the contact.

  According to this configuration, the tip edge 41 of the rotating claw 33b is in wide contact with the long side edge 10a of the bent seedling box 10, so that the seedling box 10 can be scraped off reliably. When not configured in this way, only the end of the tip edge 41 of the rotating claw 33b contacts the seedling box 10 in a spotted state, so that the force is not applied evenly, and problems such as falling off of the seedling box 10 occur. It can be a cause.

(3) At least one seedling box 10 in which the supplementary seedling box take-out unit 3 tries to drop from the seedling box 10 accommodated in a stacked state in the supplementary seedling box housing unit 2 is in the stepped state. A seedling box drop detection unit 42 that detects whether or not the seedling box 10 has fallen off is provided. The output of the seedling box drop detection unit 42 is connected to the control unit 5. The control unit 5 causes a failure state in which the at least one seedling box 10 is not dropped (see FIG. 10A). This failure state is likely to occur when soil adheres to the seedling box 10 frequently. When the seedling box drop detection unit 42 detects, it waits until a predetermined time elapses, and when the failure state continues to be detected, the replenishment seedling box extraction unit 3 is stopped. The predetermined time is set longer than the time taken when the replenishment seedling box takeout part 3 takes out the seedling box 10 once and shorter than the time taken when taking out the seedling box 10 twice. In this example, it is set to a time (for example, 5 seconds) slightly longer than the time (for example, 4.6 seconds) required when the replenishing seed box extraction unit 3 takes out the seedling box 10 once.

  According to this configuration, when the failure state is not detected after the failure state has been detected until the predetermined time elapses, it is shown in FIG. 10 (b) to FIG. 10 (c). In this way, the total number of seedling boxes 10 when the supplementary seedling box extraction unit 3 extracts the seedling box 10 twice is extracted at a time. At this time, the lump of the seedling box 10 that has fallen at once is in a state in which the seedling box 10 is loosened due to the action of the supplementary seedling box take-out unit 3, and thereafter the seedling box supply device There is a high possibility of appropriate processing at 51 (separated one by one). Therefore, at this time, the replenishment seedling box extraction unit 3 is not stopped.

  According to the seedling box replenishing device 1 of this example, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, effects specific to this example can be obtained.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, For example, it can also be suitably changed and embodied as follows, for example in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of invention.
(1) The predetermined number detected by the space detection unit 4a and the predetermined number detected by the full box detection unit 4b are made to coincide with each other, and the presence of the room and the absence of the room are detected by a single detection means. To detect
(2) The replenishment seedling box extraction unit 3 is configured to take out a plurality of seedling boxes 10 from the lowermost seedling box 10 in the replenishment seedling box storage unit 2.
(3) Increase or decrease the number of gears 31b as appropriate. For example, the plurality of gears 31b are arranged so as to respectively support the edge portions 10b at the gaps between the pots 11 located at the first to fourth positions from the outside in the short side direction of the seedling box 10. Is mentioned.
(4) The moving wheel 22 is not provided with the stopper 22a. At the same time, the seedling box replenishing device 1 is at least relative to the seedling box supplying device 51 in a state where the replenishing seedling box accommodating portion 2 is positioned by the positioning means at a predetermined position above the seedling box accommodating portion 92 in plan view. Provide locking means to lock so that it does not move backward. As the locking means, the locked portion (front side surface or hole of the frame) of the machine body of the seedling box supply device 51 is locked by the locking means (claws, pins, etc.) provided in the seedling box supply device 1. The means comprised in this way is illustrated. Further, the moving wheel 22 may be one in which no turning means is provided, that is, the traveling direction is fixed in the front-rear direction.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Seedling box replenishment apparatus 2 Replenishment seedling box accommodating part 3 Replenishment seedling box taking-out part 4 Seedling box supply state detection part 4a Space detection part 4b Full box detection part 5 Control part 6 Frame 10 Seedling box 10a Long side edge part 10b Short side edge 10c Continuous groove 10d Protrusion 11 Pot 12 Feeding hole 21 Leg 22 Wheel 22a Stopper 23 Front guide member 24 Guide roller 24a Shaft 25 Side plate 26 Connecting plate 27 Rear guide member 31 Seedling box transporting portion 31a Transfer shaft 31b Gear 32 Seedling box support part 32a Supporting piece 33 Seedling box scraping part 33a Rotating shaft 33b Rotating claw 34 Drive part 34a Motor 34b Output shaft 34c Transmission mechanism 34d Pivot 34e Transfer shaft drive mechanism 34f Rotation shaft drive mechanism 36 Fixed position state detection part 37 Fixed position setting switch 38 Replenishment status detection unit 39 Replenishment status alarm signal 40 Teeth 41 Rotation Front of leading edge 42 seedling box fall detection unit 50 seed drills 51 seedling box supply apparatus 52 seeded 92 seedling box accommodating portion 93 seedling box take-out unit 95 pawl 96 受爪 97 scraping claws F seedling box feeder

Claims (11)

A seedling box supply that is provided with a seedling box storage unit that receives empty seedling boxes from above and stores them in a stacked state, and is configured to take out and send out the lowest seedling boxes in the seedling box storage unit one by one A seedling box supply device for supplying a seedling box to the device,
The replenishment seedling box accommodating part that is disposed on the upper side of the seedling box accommodating part, receives an empty seedling box from above and accommodates it in a stacked state, and
Removing at least one sheet from the lowest seedling box in the replenishing seedling box housing part and dropping it into the seedling box housing part;
A seedling box supply state detection unit for detecting whether or not there is room for accepting a new seedling box in the seedling box housing unit;
When the presence of the room is detected by the seedling box supply state detection unit, the supply seedling box extraction unit is operated, and when the absence of the room is detected by the seedling box supply state detection unit, the supply seedling box extraction is performed. A seedling box replenishing device comprising a control unit for controlling the unit to stop. The seedling box is made of a resin material having flexibility, and a large number of pots are formed in a grid-like arrangement in the long side direction and the short side direction. The feed holes for transferring pitches are arranged in a row.
The replenishment seedling box take-out section includes a seedling box transfer means for transferring the seedling boxes accommodated in a stacked state in the replenishment seedling box accommodation section, and a lowermost seedling box in the replenishment seedling box accommodation section. A seedling box taking out means for taking out at least one by one from the seedling box, and a driving means for driving the seedling box transferring means and the seedling box taking out means,
The seedling box transporting means is provided on each of the front and rear sides of the replenishment seedling box housing portion, and includes a pair of transfer shafts extending in the left-right direction, and a plurality of rows arranged at intervals in the axial length direction on the respective transfer shafts. With gears,
The gears provided on each of the transfer shafts support the front and rear short side edges of the lowermost seedling box with teeth located inside the replenishing seedling box housing part, and are located inside the teeth. The seedling box replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein each of the transfer shafts is rotationally driven so that the teeth move downward, thereby transferring the seedling box downward. In the transfer shaft, the gears are arranged so as to support both side portions in the short side edge of the seedling box, and the gears supporting the central portion are not provided,
The seedling box taking-out means is provided on each of the left and right sides of the replenishment seedling box housing portion, and a pair of front and rear rotating shafts extending in the front-rear direction and a pair of front and rear rows arranged on the respective rotating shafts at intervals in the axial length direction. Each rotating claw rotating in a direction of moving downward inside the replenishing seedling box housing portion and acting on the seedling box at the same timing on the left and right, thereby The seedling box replenishing device according to claim 2, wherein the seedling box is configured to scrape at least one by one from the seedling box.   4. The gear according to claim 2, wherein a tip end portion of the tooth is formed to be wide in a circumferential direction of the gear, and a radius is provided between both end portions of the tip end portion in the circumferential direction. The seedling box replenishment device described. The seedling box in the replenishment seedling box housing part is in a state where the central part in the long side direction is bent by supporting the front and rear short side edges by the seedling box transfer means,
The rotating claw is configured to come into contact with a long side edge of the seedling box when the tip edge is above the axis of the rotating shaft,
The said front edge is formed in the shape which becomes substantially parallel to the long side edge part of the said bent seedling box at the time of the said contact. Replenishment device. Whether at least one seedling box from which the replenishment seedling box take-out section was dropped from the seedling box housed in a stacked state in the replenishing seedling box housing part fell from the stepped seedling box Equipped with a seedling box drop detection unit that detects whether or not
If the said seedling box fall detection part detects the malfunction state in which the said at least 1 seedling box has not fallen, the said control part will be from the time which the said seedling box extraction part for supply takes when it takes out the said seedling box once It is configured to wait until a predetermined time elapses that is longer and shorter than the time taken for taking out twice, and to stop the replenishing seedling box take-out portion when the failure state is still detected. The seedling box supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   The replenishment seedling box storage part and the replenishment seedling box take-out part are supported on a support surface independently of the seedling box supply apparatus by a frame configured in a gate shape so as to straddle the seedling box supply apparatus. The seedling box replenishing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the seedling box replenishing device is configured so as to be configured.   The seedling box replenishing device according to claim 7, wherein the frame includes wheels for movement.   The seedling box replenishing device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the frame includes positioning means for positioning the replenishing seedling box accommodating part at a predetermined position above the seedling box accommodating part in a plan view. A replenishment required state detection unit for detecting that the number of empty seedling boxes stacked in the replenishment seedling box accommodating unit is a replenishment required state that is a predetermined number or less;
The said control part is comprised so that the said seedling box taking-out part for replenishment may be stopped, if this said replenishment required state detection part detects this replenishment required state, The seedling as described in any one of Claims 1-9 Box supply device.   The seedling box replenishing device according to claim 10, wherein when the replenishment state is detected, the control unit is configured to output a replenishment necessary state alarm signal indicating that the replenishment is necessary.

Images