JP7508364B2 - Transplanter - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a transplanter for planting seedlings in a field, for example.

A transplanter disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.
The transplanter disclosed in Patent Document 1 is attached to the rear of a rotary tiller connected to a tractor. The transplanter has a seedling supplying device having a number of supply cups for accommodating seedlings, and a planting device for planting the seedlings supplied from the seedling supplying device in a field.
The supply cup has a bottom lid that can be opened and closed freely, and by opening the bottom lid, the seedlings in the supply cup drop into the planting device.

JP 2019-208412 A

In the transplanter described in Patent Document 1, the bottom lid of the supply cup can swing when open, which can cause the seedlings to come into contact with the bottom lid when falling, resulting in an unstable fall of the seedlings.
In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a transplanter that can stabilize the fall of seedlings by preventing the bottom lid of a supply cup that stores seedlings and supplies them to a planting device from swinging in an open state when the bottom lid is opened.

A transplanter according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a planting device for planting seedlings in a field, and a seedling supplying device for supplying seedlings to the planting device. The seedling supplying device has a seedling supplying cup for receiving seedlings and dropping them towards the planting device. The seedling supplying cup comprises a cylindrical cup body having a seedling receiving opening at an upper part and a seedling drop opening at a lower part, a bottom lid capable of closing or opening the drop opening, a hinge part for connecting the bottom lid to the cup body so as to be able to open and close, a biasing member for biasing the bottom lid in a direction to open the drop opening, and a front and a regulating portion that regulates the position of the bottom lid when it is open , the regulating portion having a raised portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cup body and a contact portion formed on the bottom lid that abuts against the raised portion when the bottom lid is opened, the raised portion having an inclined surface that transitions away from the central axis passing through the center of the cup body as it extends downward, and when the bottom lid is opened, the abutment portion abuts against the inclined surface, thereby causing the bottom lid to be in an inclined state that transitions away from the central axis as it extends downward .

The biasing member is disposed outside the drop opening.
Moreover, the hinge portion is disposed outside the drop opening.
In addition, a support portion supporting the hinge shaft of the hinge portion and a reinforcing rib reinforcing the support portion are protruded from the outer peripheral surface of the cup body, the reinforcing rib including a first reinforcing rib provided on one end side of the hinge shaft and a second reinforcing rib provided on the other end side of the hinge shaft , and the raised portion is disposed between the first reinforcing rib and the second reinforcing rib .

The seedling supply device also includes a transport mechanism that transports the seedling supply cup along a loop-shaped transport path in a plan view, an inner member that is arranged inside the transport path along the transport path, and an outer member that is arranged outside the transport path along the transport path, and the seedling supply cup has a guide portion that guides the transport of the seedling supply cup along the transport path, and the guide portion includes an inner guide portion that abuts against the inner member and an outer guide portion that abuts against the outer member.

The inner guide portion has a first portion that contacts the lower surface of the inner member and a second portion that contacts the surface of the inner member on the transport path side.

According to the above configuration, the open position of the bottom lid is determined by the biasing member and the regulating part, so the seedlings are prevented from coming into contact with the bottom lid when falling, and the seedlings fall stably.

FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a power transmission system of the working machine. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the planting device of the transplanter. FIG. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of a seedling tray. A plan view of the right half of the seedling stand. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 9. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a bottom cover and an open position of the seedling supplying device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the seedling supplying device as viewed from below. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seedling supply cup showing a bottom cover in a closed state and an open state. FIG. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the seedling supply cup. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a seedling supply cup. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the seedling supplying cup and the planting tool.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 shows a work machine 1 that can perform ground work (plowing, etc.) and plant (transplant) seedlings while traveling. The work machine 1 has a traveling body 1A and a ground work device 1B attached to the rear of the traveling body 1A. The ground work device 1B includes a first ground work machine 2 attached to the rear of the traveling body 1A so as to be able to rise and fall, and a second ground work machine 3 attached to the rear of the first ground work machine 2 so as to be able to rise and fall.

In this embodiment, a tractor, which is a traveling vehicle, is exemplified as the traveling body 1A. A rotary cultivator is exemplified as the first ground work machine 2. A transplanter that plants seedlings in a field is exemplified as the second ground work machine 3. Hereinafter, the traveling body will be referred to as the tractor 1A, the first ground work machine will be referred to as the rotary cultivator 2, and the second ground work machine will be referred to as the transplanter 3.
The traveling body 1A is not limited to a tractor, and may be another traveling vehicle. The first ground work machine 2 is not limited to a rotary tiller, and may be any machine that works on a field. Although the rotary tiller 2 is exemplified as a center drive type rotary tiller, it may be a side drive type rotary tiller.

Figure 1 shows a side view of the work machine 1. Unless otherwise specified in this embodiment, the front side of the driver seated in the driver's seat 5 of the tractor 1A (left side in Figure 1) will be described as the front, the rear side of the driver (right side in Figure 1) as the rear, the left side of the driver (near side in Figure 1) as the left side, and the right side of the driver (rear side in Figure 1) as the right side. In addition, the horizontal direction K2 (see Figure 3), which is perpendicular to the fore-and-aft direction K1 (see Figure 1) of the tractor 1A, will be described as the machine width direction K2.

The direction from the center of the tractor 1A in the width direction to the right or left will be described as the width outward. In other words, the width outward is the direction in the width direction K2 that moves away from the center of the tractor 1A in the width direction. The direction from the right or left side of the tractor 1A in the width direction to the center will be described as the width inward. In other words, the width inward is the direction opposite to the width outward. In other words, the width inward is the direction in the width direction K2 that moves closer to the center of the tractor 1A in the width direction.

As shown in Fig. 1, the tractor 1A has a body 6 and a traveling device 7 including front wheels 7F attached to the front part of the body 6 and rear wheels 7R attached to the rear part of the body 6. The body 6 has a prime mover (drive source) E1 and a power transmission case T1 connected to the rear part of the prime mover E1. The prime mover E1 drives the traveling device 7.
The prime mover E1 is, for example, a diesel engine, or may be a gasoline engine, an LPG engine, or an electric motor, or may be a hybrid type having an engine and an electric motor.

The power transmission case T1 is configured by directly connecting a clutch housing incorporating a clutch, a transmission case incorporating a speed change device, a differential case incorporating a differential device, and the like.
A driver's seat 5 is mounted on the rear of the vehicle body 6, and a power take-off shaft (PTO shaft) 22 for taking off the power of the prime mover E1 is provided in a rearward protruding manner. That is, the traveling vehicle 1A has the power take-off shaft 22 for taking off the power of the prime mover E1. A steering wheel 8 is provided in front of the driver's seat 5. The tractor 1A also has a battery (not shown) mounted on the front.

As shown in FIG. 1, the rotary tiller 2 is mounted to the rear of the tractor 1A via a mounting mechanism such as a three-point linkage 9 so that it can be raised and lowered. The three-point linkage 9 has a top link 9A and a lower link 9B, and is mounted to the rear of the vehicle body 6. A lift link 10A that can swing up and down is provided to the rear of the vehicle body 6, and the lift link 10A is connected to the lower link 9B via a lift rod 10B. The lift link 10A is driven to rise and fall by a hydraulic device 10C provided at the upper rear of the vehicle body 6, and the lower link 9B is raised and lowered as the lift link 10A moves up and down. This causes the rotary tiller 2 to rise and fall.

The rotary tiller 2 has a transmission case 12 that receives the power of the PTO shaft 22 of the tractor 1A via a universal joint (not shown). The transmission case 12 is located at the center of the width direction of the rotary tiller 2 (the same direction as the machine width direction K2).
2 and 3 are detailed views of the ground work apparatus 1B.
The rotary tiller 2 has a rotary machine frame 11, and the transplanter 3 has a transplanter frame 37, and the rotary machine frame 11 and the transplanter frame 37 are connected to each other so as to be movable up and down by a connecting mechanism 41 consisting of a parallel link mechanism.

In the rotary tiller 2, the transmission case 12 is provided in the center of the rotary machine frame 11 in the machine width direction K2. A rotating shaft 16 having an axis in the machine width direction K2 is provided from the lower part of the transmission case 12 so as to protrude on one side and the other side in the machine width direction K2. A number of tilling tines (not shown) are fixed to the outer periphery of the rotating shaft 16 via brackets. As the rotating shaft 16 rotates around its axis, the tilling tines till the field and dump the tilled soil into the rear cover 19B at the rear. The rotating shaft 16 and the tilling tines constitute the tilling section 18 that tills the field.

The soil piling disks 56L, 56R are arranged in front of the rotary tiller 2. The soil piling disks 56L, 56R are members for piling soil inwardly across the width of the machine towards the tilling section 18. The soil piling disk 56L is arranged on one side (left side) in the width direction of the machine, and is located at the left front of the rotary tiller 2. The soil piling disks 56R are arranged on the other side (right side) in the width direction of the machine, and is located at the right front of the rotary tiller 2. The soil piling disks 56L, 56R are arranged at an angle so that they move from the outside of the machine width to the inside of the machine width as they move from the front to the rear in a plan view.

The rotary tiller 2 is provided with a ridge forming device A disposed behind the tilling section 18. The ridge forming device A forms ridges in the field that has been tilled by the tilling section 18. In this embodiment, two ridges are formed, but the number of ridges formed is not limited to two.
The work machine 1 is equipped with a mulch film laying device 300 as a ground work device 1B, which lays mulch film on ridges formed in a field. The mulch film laying device 300 is attached to the rotary tiller 2. The mulch film laying device 300 is disposed behind the rotary tiller 2 and in front of the transplanter 3.

The mulch film laying device 300 has a support shaft 301 that supports a mulch film roll, a film pressing roller 331 that presses down the ends of the laid mulch film, and a soil covering member 321 that covers with soil the ends of the mulch film folded by the film pressing roller 331.
As shown in Figure 2, the transplanter 3 constituting the ground work device 1B has a transplanting unit 36 provided on a transplanter frame 37. The transplanting unit 36 has a seedling supplying device 38, a planting device 39 provided below the seedling supplying device, and a soil covering device 40 provided behind the planting device 39. A seedling placing table 190 is provided above the seedling supplying device 38. The seedling placing table 190 is provided on a stand 132 erected on the transplanter frame 37. The seedling placing table 190 is for placing the seedling tray 189 shown in Figure 8 on it. The seedlings N shown in Figure 19 are accommodated in the seedling tray 189.

As shown in Fig. 3, the transplanter 3 has multiple transplanting units (a first transplanting unit 36A and a second transplanting unit 36B). The first transplanting unit 36A is provided on one side (left side) of the transplanter 3 in the machine width direction K2. The second transplanting unit 36B is provided on the other side (right side) of the transplanter 3 in the machine width direction K2.
The first transplantation unit 36A and the second transplantation unit 36B are connected by a connecting frame 130. The first transplantation unit 36A and the second transplantation unit 36B are located above each of the multiple ridges formed by the ridge forming device A.

The first transplanting unit 36A has one machine frame (referred to as the first machine frame) 37A, one seedling supply device (referred to as the first seedling supply device) 38A, multiple planting devices (referred to as the first planting devices) 39A, and a number of soil covering devices (referred to as the first soil covering devices) 40A corresponding to the number of planting devices 39A. The first seedling supply device 38A, the first planting device 39A, and the first soil covering devices 40A are attached to the first machine frame 37A.

The second transplanting unit 36B has one machine frame (referred to as the second machine frame) 37B, one seedling supply device (referred to as the second seedling supply device) 38B, multiple planting devices (referred to as the second planting devices) 39B, and a number of soil covering devices (referred to as the second soil covering devices) 40B corresponding to the number of planting devices 39B. The second seedling supply device 38B, the second planting device 39B, and the second soil covering devices 40B are attached to the second machine frame 37B.

Hereinafter, the first frame 37A and the second frame 37B are collectively referred to as the transplanter frame 37. The first seedling supply device 38A and the second seedling supply device 38B are collectively referred to as the seedling supply device 38. The first planting device 39A and the second planting device 39B are collectively referred to as the planting device 39. The first soil covering device 40A and the second soil covering device 40B are collectively referred to as the soil covering device 40.
The seedling supplying device 38 is a device that supplies seedlings N (see FIG. 19) (such as soil block seedlings) to the planting device 39. The planting device 39 is a device that plants the seedlings N supplied from the seedling supplying device 38 in a field, and has a planting tool 64 that rises and falls by the power of a prime mover E1, holds the seedlings N while descending, and plunges into the field to plant the seedlings N. The soil covering device 40 is a device that piles up soil around the roots of the planted seedlings N to cover them with soil, and also compacts the roots of the seedlings N.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the seedling supply device 38 has a number of seedling supply cups 171, 172 into which the seedlings are placed. The number of seedling supply cups includes a number of first supply cups 171 and a number of second supply cups 172. In this embodiment, there are 11 first supply cups 171 and 11 second supply cups 172, for a total of 22 supply cups. The first supply cups 171 and the second supply cups 172 are alternately arranged along a loop-shaped transport path R1 that extends in the front-rear direction K1.

As shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of first planting devices 39A includes a left first planting device 39AL and a right first planting device 39AR. The plurality of first soil covering devices 40A includes a left first soil covering device 40AL corresponding to the first planting device 39AL and a first soil covering device 40AR corresponding to the first planting device 39AR. The plurality of second planting devices 39B includes a left second planting device 39BL and a right second planting device 39BR. The plurality of second soil covering devices 40B includes a left second soil covering device 40BL corresponding to the second planting device 39BL and a second soil covering device 40BR corresponding to the second planting device 39BR.

The first planting device 39A plants two rows of seedlings in one furrow, and the second planting device 39B also plants two rows of seedlings in one furrow.
The number of transplanting units may be three or more. Although it is preferable to provide a plurality of transplanting units, the number of transplanting units may be one. That is, it is sufficient for the transplanter 3 to have at least one transplanting unit. Therefore, it is sufficient for the transplanter 3 to have at least one seedling supplying device. Furthermore, it is sufficient for at least one planting device to be provided for one transplanting unit. That is, it is sufficient for the transplanter 3 to have at least one planting device (planting tool).

2, the transplanter 3 is provided with chairs 187 on which an operator sits while working on the transplantation unit 36. The chairs 187 are provided in front of and behind the transplantation unit 36. That is, the chairs 187 include front chairs 187A, B and rear chairs 187C, D.
3, the front seats 187A, B are provided on the transplanter frame 37. The front seats 187A, B are disposed between the rotary tiller 2 and the transplanter 3.

2, the rear chairs 187C, 187D are supported by a rear chair attachment body 199. The rear chair attachment body 199 is provided on the rotary machine frame 11 via a frame connection mechanism 200 so as to be vertically movable. The frame connection mechanism 200 is configured as a parallel link mechanism, and the rear chairs 187C, 187D rise and fall parallel to the ground.
The rear chair mounting body 199 is grounded on the field by wheels 206 and moves up and down relative to the rotary tiller 2 and transplanter 3 in accordance with the unevenness of the field.

As shown in FIG. 3, seedling supply table 188A is provided behind first front chair 187A. Seedling supply table 188B is provided behind second front chair 187B. Seedling supply table 188C is provided in front of first rear chair 187C. Seedling supply table 188D is provided in front of second rear chair 187D. Seedling supply table 188A is located in front of the worker seated on first front chair 187A. Seedling supply table 188B is located in front of the worker seated on second front chair 187B. Seedling supply table 188C is located in front of the worker seated on first rear chair 187C. Seedling supply table 188D is located in front of the worker seated on second rear chair 187D.

A seedling tray 189 (see FIG. 8) having a large number of seedlings N (see FIG. 19) can be placed on the seedling supply tables 188A to 188D. An operator can supply seedlings N from the seedling tray 189 placed on the seedling supply tables 188A to 188D to the seedling supply cups 171 and 172 of the seedling supply device 38.
As shown in Fig. 3, the working machine 1 is provided with spare seedling tables 280L, 280R for placing a container (not shown) that accommodates seedling trays 189. The spare seedling tables 280L, 280R are arranged above the rotary tiller 2. The spare seedling table 280L is arranged above the left part of the rotary tiller 2 and in front of the first front chair 187A. The spare seedling table 280R is arranged above the right part of the rotary tiller 2 and in front of the second front chair 187B.

Fig. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a power transmission system of the working machine 1. Description will be given with reference to Figs.
In FIG. 4, power from a prime mover E1 of a tractor 1A is received by an input shaft 21 of a transmission case 12 of a rotary tiller 2 via a PTO shaft 22 of a power transmission case T1.
A first gear (bevel gear) G1 is provided at the rear of the input shaft 21. The first gear G1 meshes with a second gear (bevel gear) G2. The second gear G2 is provided on a first transmission shaft S1 having an axis in the machine width direction K2. A third gear (spur gear) G3 is provided on the first transmission shaft S1. The third gear G3 meshes with a fourth gear (spur gear) G4 located below the third gear G3. The fourth gear G4 meshes with a fifth gear (spur gear) G5 located below the fourth gear G4. The fifth gear G5 is provided on the rotating shaft 16.

Therefore, the power transmitted to the input shaft 21 is transmitted to the rotating shaft 16 via the first to fifth gears G1 to G5, the rotating shaft 16 rotates, and the tilling tines protruding from the rotating shaft 16 rotate to drive the tilling section 18 that tills the field.
The first transmission shaft S1 extends from approximately the center in the width direction of the rotary tiller 2 toward one side (left) of the machine width. A first sprocket SP1 is provided at one end (left end) of the first transmission shaft S1 on the machine width outer side. A second transmission shaft S2 extending in the machine width direction is provided in front of the first transmission shaft S1. A second sprocket SP2 is provided on the second transmission shaft S2. A chain 26 is stretched between the first sprocket SP1 and the second sprocket SP2. As a result, the power transmitted to the first transmission shaft S1 is transmitted to the second transmission shaft S2.

A sixth gear G6 is provided on one end (left end) of the second transmission shaft S2. The sixth gear G6 rotates integrally with the second transmission shaft S2. The sixth gear G6 is a pulse detection gear for measuring the rotation speed of the second transmission shaft S2. By measuring the rotation speed of the second transmission shaft S2, the rotation speed of the prime mover E1 can be calculated.
A pulse sensor 25 is provided near the sixth gear G6, which detects the unevenness of the sixth gear G6 to output a pulse-shaped signal (generate a pulse). For example, a magnetic resistance element type rotation sensor is used as the pulse sensor 25. The pulse sensor 25 is connected to a control device (not shown), and the generated pulse is input to the control device. The control device measures the rotation speed of the second transmission shaft S2 based on the signal from the pulse sensor 25 (by performing signal processing). By measuring the rotation speed of the second transmission shaft S2, the rotation speed of the prime mover E1 can be calculated, and the movement amount of the working machine 1 can be calculated from the rotation speed of the prime mover E1. In addition, the position (upper limit position) of the planting tool 64 can be detected. The control device is configured using a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, an EEPROM, and the like. The control device is connected to, for example, a battery of the tractor 1A, and power is supplied from the battery.

An electromagnetic clutch 24 is provided on one end (left end) of the second transmission shaft S2. The electromagnetic clutch 24 transmits the power transmitted to the second transmission shaft S2 to the third transmission shaft S3 in an intermittent manner. The power transmitted to the third transmission shaft S3 is transmitted to the transplanter 3 shown in Figures 5 and 6 via the power transmission system shown in Figure 4, and drives the transplanter 3 (specifically, the planting tool 64 and seedling supply devices 38A and 38B, which are equipped on the transplanter 3 and will be described later, are driven).

The electromagnetic clutch 24 is connected to the control device described above and is controlled by the control device. The electromagnetic clutch 24 is disengaged by a clutch disengagement signal from the control device, and then engaged by a clutch engagement signal from the control device. In other words, the electromagnetic clutch 24 is disengaged for a required time by a command signal from the control device. Note that there are also cases where the transplanter 3 is driven continuously without disengaging the electromagnetic clutch 24 (without stopping the drive of the planting tool 64 and seedling supply devices 38A, 38B).

Next, the power transmission system from the third transmission shaft S3 to the transplanter 3 will be described.
A worm 30 is provided on the third transmission shaft S3, and the worm 30 meshes with a worm wheel 31. The worm wheel 31 is provided on the fourth transmission shaft S4. The fourth transmission shaft S4 is connected to an output shaft 32 via a brake 27. The power transmitted to the third transmission shaft S3 is transmitted to the output shaft 32 via the worm 30, the worm wheel 31, the fourth transmission shaft S4, and the brake 27. Therefore, the power from the prime mover E1 is transmitted from the output shaft 32 to the transplanter 3 via the worm 30, etc.

By transmitting power from the prime mover E1 to the transplanter 3 via the worm 30, the worm's self-locking function (a state in which the worm cannot be turned from the worm wheel) can prevent the planting tool 64 from jerking (the planting tool 64 stopping before the stop position (top dead center position) and reversing). In addition, the brake 27 uses the spring force to prevent the planting tool 64 from reversing (descending) without moving all the way to the top dead center, even if the electromagnetic clutch 24 is disconnected before the top dead center.

The brake 27, sixth gear (pulse detection gear) G6, pulse sensor 25, and electromagnetic clutch 24 are provided at one end (left end) of the rotary tiller 2 in the width direction (machine width direction K2). This allows the operator to easily access and adjust the brake 27, sixth gear (pulse detection gear) G6, pulse sensor 25, and electromagnetic clutch 24 from the side of the rotary tiller 2.

The output shaft 32 is composed of a propeller shaft. The output shaft 32 extends rearward from the upper left of the rotary tiller 2. A power splitting mechanism 35 consisting of a chain transmission mechanism or the like is provided in the middle of the output shaft 32 toward the front. A part of the rotational power of the output shaft 32 is split by the power splitting mechanism 35 and transmitted to the irrigation pump 50 via a gear mechanism 49 to drive the irrigation pump 50. The irrigation pump 50 is mounted on the upper left of the rotary tiller 2, and sends water from a water tank mounted on the running body 1A or the like to an irrigation tube (not shown) arranged near the planting tool.

A seventh gear (bevel gear) G7 is provided at the rear end of the output shaft 32 that transmits the power from the prime mover E1. The seventh gear G7 meshes with an eighth gear (bevel gear) G8. The eighth gear G8 is provided at one end (left end) of the main shaft 107. In this way, the power from the prime mover E1 is transmitted from the output shaft 32 to the main shaft 107.
The main shaft 107 is provided with a first torque limiter 108 and a second torque limiter 109. When an overload is applied to the first transplantation unit 36A, the first torque limiter 108 cuts off the transmission of power (torque transmission) from the main shaft 107 to the first transplantation unit 36A. When an overload is applied to the second transplantation unit 36B, the second torque limiter 109 cuts off the transmission of power (torque transmission) from the main shaft 107 to the second transplantation unit 36B.

As shown in FIG. 4, the power transmission mechanism includes a first transmission mechanism 115a to a twelfth transmission mechanism 115m.
The power transmitted to the main shaft 107 is transmitted to the first shaft 111 via a first transmission mechanism (chain winding transmission mechanism) 115a. The power transmitted to the main shaft 107 is transmitted to the second shaft 112 via a second transmission mechanism (chain winding transmission mechanism) 115b.

The power transmitted to the first shaft 111 is transmitted to the first seedling supply device 38A via the third transmission mechanism (bevel gear transmission mechanism) 115c and the fourth transmission mechanism (chain winding transmission mechanism) 115d. The power transmitted to the second shaft 112 is transmitted to the second seedling supply device 38B via the fifth transmission mechanism (bevel gear transmission mechanism) 115e and the sixth transmission mechanism (chain winding transmission mechanism) 115f.

The seedling supplying device 38 is provided with a first rotor 178 at the front and a second rotor 179 at the rear, which are rotatable about a vertical axis. A rope 180 is wound between the first rotor 178 and the second rotor 179. The first rotor 178 and the second rotor 179 are formed of sprockets, and the rope 180 is formed of a chain.
A first supply cup 171 and a second supply cup 172 are disposed along the outer periphery of the cord body 180 .

The first rotating body 178 rotates by power transmitted through the third transmission mechanism 115c and the fourth transmission mechanism 115d. This causes the rope 180, the first supply cup 171, and the second supply cup 172 to move in the direction of the arrow Y1. The rope 180 forms a transport path R1 for the first supply cup 171 and the second supply cup 172. As shown in FIG. 4, power is transmitted to the first rotating body 178 of the second seedling supply device 38B via the fifth transmission mechanism 115e and the sixth transmission mechanism 115f.

The power transmitted to the first shaft 111 is transmitted to the right first planting device 39AR via the seventh transmission mechanism (chain winding transmission mechanism) 115g, and is then transmitted to the left first planting device 39AL via the eighth transmission mechanism 115h, the third shaft 113, and the ninth transmission mechanism 115i. The power transmitted to the second shaft 112 is transmitted to the right second planting device 39BR via the tenth transmission mechanism (chain winding transmission mechanism) 115j, and is then transmitted to the left second planting device 39BL via the eleventh transmission mechanism 115k, the fourth shaft 114, and the twelfth transmission mechanism 115m.

Next, the power transmission mechanism of the planting device 39 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The first planting device 39A and the second planting device 39B are configured in the same way, so the structure of the first planting device 39A shown in Figures 5 and 6 will be described, and a description of the structure of the second planting device 39B will be omitted. In addition, the left first planting device 39AL and the right first planting device 39AR are configured in the same way except that they are configured symmetrically, so a description of the common parts will be omitted.

5 and 6, the first planting device 39AL and the first planting device 39AR are arranged side by side in the machine width direction K2 and at different positions in the front-rear direction K1. The first planting device 39AL is attached to the first planting frame 78L, and the first planting device 39AR is attached to the second planting frame 78R.
The first planting device 39AL has a planting tool 64 and a planting lifting mechanism 139. The first planting device 39AR has a planting tool 64 and a planting lifting mechanism 139, similar to the first planting device 39AL.

Hereinafter, the planting tool 64 in the first planting device 39AL may be referred to as the planting tool 64AL, and the planting tool 64 in the first planting device 39AR may be referred to as the planting tool 64AR. Also, the planting lifting mechanism 139 in the first planting device 39AL may be referred to as the planting lifting mechanism 139AL, and the planting lifting mechanism 139 in the first planting device 39AR may be referred to as the planting lifting mechanism 139AR.
The planting tool 64 is a member for planting seedlings in a field (ridge). The planting tool 64 is beak-shaped with a downward tip (see FIG. 5), and has a front component 140 and a rear component 141. The planting tool 64 can be opened and closed by moving the front component 140 and the rear component 141 away from each other and toward each other in the front-rear direction K1. The front component 140 and the rear component 141 are biased in a closing direction by a tension spring.

As shown in FIG. 5, the seventh transmission mechanism 115g has a drive sprocket 116R that rotates integrally with the first shaft 111, a driven sprocket 117R supported on the second planting frame 78R via a support shaft 118R, and a chain 119R that is wound around the drive sprocket 116R and the driven sprocket 117R. This seventh transmission mechanism 115g transmits power from the first shaft 111 to the support shaft 118R, causing the support shaft 118R to rotate.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ninth transmission mechanism 115i has a drive sprocket 116L that rotates integrally with the third shaft 113, a driven sprocket 117L supported on the first planting frame 78L via a support shaft 118L, and a chain 119L wound around the drive sprocket 116L and the driven sprocket 117L. The ninth transmission mechanism 115i transmits power from the third shaft 113 to the support shaft 118L, causing the support shaft 118L to rotate.

The tenth transmission mechanism 115j is configured similarly to the seventh transmission mechanism 115g. The tenth transmission mechanism 115j transmits power from the second shaft 112 to the right support shaft 118R of the second planting device 39BR, causing the support shaft 118R of the second planting device 39BR to rotate.
The twelfth transmission mechanism 115m is configured similarly to the ninth transmission mechanism 115i. The twelfth transmission mechanism 115m transmits power from the fourth shaft 114 to the left support shaft 118L of the second planting device 39BL, causing the support shaft 118L of the second planting device 39BL to rotate.

5 and 6, the planting lifting mechanism 139 is a device that supports the planting tool 64 and lifts and lowers the planting tool 64. In detail, the planting lifting mechanism 139AL is a device that lifts and lowers the planting tool 64AL, and the planting lifting mechanism 139AR is a device that lifts and lowers the planting tool 64AR.
The planting lifting mechanism 139 has a first case 120, a second case 121, and an attachment member 122. The first case 120 of the planting lifting mechanism 139L is rotatably supported by the first planting frame 78L via a support shaft 118L. The first case 120 of the planting lifting mechanism 139R is rotatably supported by the second planting frame 78R via a support shaft 118R. The second case 121 is rotatably supported on the free end side of the first case 120. The attachment member 122 is supported by the second case 121. The planting tool 64 is supported by the attachment member 122.

The first case 120 and the second case 121 rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the support shafts 118L, 118R. A power transmission device is provided within the first case 120 and the second case 121 so that when the first case 120 rotates in one direction around the horizontal axis, the second case 121 rotates in the opposite direction to the first case 120 (the other direction around the horizontal axis) in conjunction with the rotation of the first case 120.

As the first case 120 and the second case 121 rotate, the mounting member 122 moves back and forth while moving up and down in parallel, and the planting tool 64 moves up and down (rises and falls) tracing a long elliptical trajectory in the vertical direction.
The seedlings are dropped into the planting tool 64 when it is in the raised position (top dead center position). At this time, the planting tool 64 is in a closed state, and the seedlings are housed and held inside the planting tool 64. The planting tool 64 then descends while holding the seedlings, and the lower part enters the field. The planting tool 64 also opens when it enters the field, forming a planting hole in the field and dropping the seedlings downward in an open state to be released. In this way, the seedlings are planted in the field.

In the planting device 39 having the above-mentioned configuration, the planting tool 6 is rotated once by the support shafts 118L and 118R.
Number 4 goes back and forth up and down.
The first planting device 39AL and the first planting device 39AR are arranged side by side in the machine width direction K2, and at different positions in the front-rear direction K1, so that one transplanting unit can plant two rows of seedlings in a staggered pattern in the furrow (one of adjacent seedlings in the machine width direction K2 is planted shifted forward or backward relative to the other).

In this embodiment, the left and right planting tools 64 move up and down simultaneously. When the planting tools 64 stop, the left and right planting tools 64 stop at the top dead center position.
As shown in FIG. 4, the transplanter 3 has a plurality of assist devices 123. The plurality of assist devices 123 include a first assist device 123A provided in the first transplanting unit 36A and a second assist device 123B provided in the second transplanting unit 36B. The assist device 123 is a device that assists the lifting and lowering operation of the planting tool 64. The assist device 123 has an assist spring that biases the planting tool 64 in a direction to lift it. By having the assist device 123, it is possible to prevent the planting tool 64 from inertially moving to the top dead center and reversing even if the electromagnetic clutch 24 is disconnected just before the top dead center.

As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 7 to 11, the transplanter 3 of one embodiment of the present invention has a configuration for enabling rapid supply of seedling trays 189 to the seedling placement table 190, and this configuration is described below.
The transplanter 3 includes a planting device 39 for planting seedlings in a field, a seedling supplying device 38 for supplying seedlings to the planting device 39, and a seedling placement table 190 for placing seedling trays 189 containing seedlings N (see FIG. 19) to be supplied to the seedling supplying device 38. The seedling tray 189 has a plurality of storage recesses 189a formed vertically and horizontally in parallel on the upper surface, each capable of individually storing seedlings N, and has grooves 189b formed between adjacent storage recesses 189a on the lower surface and extending in the parallel direction. The seedling placement table 190 has a placement portion 190a on which the seedling tray 189 is placed, and a guide portion 190b for guiding the movement of the seedling tray 189 on the placement portion 190a. The guide portion 190b is provided so as to protrude upward from the placement portion 190a, and enters the groove portion 189b and extends along the groove portion 189b when the seedling tray 189 is placed on the placement portion 190a.

The details will be explained below.
2 and 3, the seedling tray 190 is disposed between the front chairs 187A, B and the rear chairs 187C, D. The seedling tray 190 is disposed above the first transplanting unit 36A and the second transplanting unit 36B. The seedling tray 190 is disposed over the entire length of the transplanter 3 in the machine width direction K2.

7 is a perspective view of the seedling holder 190. The seedling holder 190 is provided on a stand 132 (see FIG. 2) provided on a connecting frame 130 (see FIG. 3) that connects the first transplanting unit 36A and the second transplanting unit 36B.
A pair of vertical frames 132a are erected on the top of the stand 132, and horizontal frames 132b, 132b are spanned between the upper ends and middle parts of the vertical frames 132a. Three tiers of seedling placement tables 190 are attached to the top of the stand 132 and on the horizontal frames 132b of each tier.

The seedling tray 190 has a frame 190c that is rectangular in plan view. The frame 190c is composed of a front frame material, a rear frame material, a left frame material, and a right frame material. The front and rear frame materials of the frame 190c are fixed to the upper part or horizontal frame 132b of the stand 132. A reinforcing frame 132c is fixed to the frame 190. The reinforcing frame 132c is fixed to the left and right frame materials of the frame 190c. The lower part of the reinforcing frame 132c is fixed to the transplanter frame 37 (see Figure 2).

The lower part of the front frame material of the frame body 190c and the lower part of the rear frame material are connected by multiple front-rear connecting members 190d. The front-rear connecting members 190d are rod-shaped members. The lower part of the left frame material of the frame body 190c and the lower part of the right frame material are connected at the center in the front-rear direction by a left-right connecting member 190e. The left-right connecting member 190e is a flat plate-shaped member.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a seedling tray 189 placed on a seedling stand 190.

The seedling tray 189 has a plurality of storage recesses 189a formed vertically and horizontally on the upper surface, each capable of individually storing a seedling N (see FIG. 19), and has grooves 189b (see FIGS. 9 and 10) formed between adjacent storage recesses 189a on the lower surface and extending in the parallel directions (vertical and horizontal directions). The seedling tray 189 shown in FIG. 8 has 32 storage recesses 189a, but the number of storage recesses 189a is not particularly limited and may be more or less than 32.

As shown in Figures 7 and 9 to 11, the seedling placement stand 190 has a placement portion 190a on which the seedling tray 189 is placed, and a guide portion 190b that guides the movement of the seedling tray 189 on the placement portion 190a.
The placement portion 190a is composed of front and rear connecting members 190d and left and right connecting members 190e.
The guide portion 190b is provided so as to protrude upward from the placement portion 190a, and enters the groove portion 189b and extends along the groove portion 189b when the seedling tray 189 is placed on the placement portion 190a.

The guide portion 190b extends in a width direction (machine width direction K2) perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the transplanter 3. The guide portion 190b guides the movement of the seedling tray 189 in the width direction on the placement portion 190a.
The guide portion 190b extends in the width direction (machine width direction K2) of the seedling placement table 190. In detail, the guide portion 190b extends from one end (left end) to the other end (right end) in the width direction (machine width direction K2) of the seedling placement table 190.

Guide portion 190b connects two opposing sides (the left frame material and the right frame material) of frame body 190c. Guide portion 190b is made of a plate-shaped member and is arranged so that the thickness direction of the plate material faces the front-to-rear direction. This makes the width of guide portion 190b in the front-to-rear direction smaller than its height. The height of the upper edge of guide portion 190b is set to be equal to or lower than the height of the upper edge of frame body 190c.

As shown in FIG. 11, the seedling placement tray 190 is formed so that the width direction K2 is longer than the front-rear direction K1.
9 to 11, the seedling tray 189 is placed on the seedling placement stand 190. As shown in Fig. 11, the seedling tray 189 can be placed on the seedling placement stand 190 by sliding it from the side of the seedling placement stand 190 (the outer side of the machine body) in the direction of the arrow (the inner side of the machine body).

The seedling placement stand 190 can accommodate multiple seedling trays 189 (at least two). The multiple seedling trays 189 are placed on the left and right sides of the seedling placement stand 190. In this embodiment, the seedling placement stand 190 is large enough to accommodate a total of eight seedling trays 189. Specifically, the seedling placement stand 190 is large enough to accommodate two seedling trays 189 in the front-to-rear direction and four seedling trays 189 in the left-to-right direction (machine width direction). However, the size of the seedling placement stand 190 is not limited to this. It may be large enough to accommodate less than eight seedling trays 189 (e.g., four, two, etc.), or nine or more seedling trays 189 (e.g., ten, twelve, etc.).

In this embodiment, the guide portion 190b is provided at two locations spaced apart in the front-rear direction. The front guide portion 190b is provided in front of the left-right connecting member 190e. The rear guide portion 190b is provided on the rear side of the left-right connecting member 190e. The front-rear connecting member 190d connects the guide portion 190b to the left-right connecting member 190e. The number of guide portions 190b is not particularly limited, and may be one, but is preferably multiple (two or more). By providing multiple guide portions 190b, multiple seedling trays 189 can be guided.

2 and 3, the transplanter 3 is provided with chairs 187 on which an operator can sit who supplies seedlings to the seedling supply device 38. The chairs 187 include front chairs 187A and B arranged in front of the seedling supply device 38 and rear chairs 187C and D arranged behind the seedling supply device 38.
The seedling placement table 190 is located above the seedling supplying device 38 and between the front chairs 187A, B and the rear chairs 187C, D. The seedling placement table 190 is disposed so that the guide portion 190b extends in the machine width direction.

The seedling rest 190 includes a plurality of seedling rests 190 arranged side by side in the vertical direction. As described above, in this embodiment, the seedling rest 190 includes three seedling rests 190.
2 and 3, a step S is provided on the outer side of the seedling placement table 190 in the width direction (outer side of the machine width) at a position higher than the ground, on which an operator can stand when placing seedling trays 189 on the seedling placement table 190. As shown in Fig. 2, in the machine width direction K2, the step S is located at a position overlapping with the end of the seedling placement table 190 on the outer side of the machine width. In addition, in the front-rear direction K1, the step S is located at a position overlapping with the front chairs 187A, B.

As shown in Fig. 3, the seedling placement table 190 is disposed so as to straddle the upper part of the first seedling supply device 38A and the upper part of the second seedling supply device 38B. However, the seedling placement table 190 does not cover the upper part of the seedling supply cups 171, 172 located in front of the operator seated on each chair 187.
An operator can supply seedlings N from a seedling tray 189 on the seedling placement table 190 to the seedling supply cups 171, 172. The seedling placement table 190 is disposed so as to straddle the upper part of the first seedling supply device 38A and the upper part of the second seedling supply device 38B, so that an operator seated on each of the first front chair 187A, the second front chair 187B, the first rear chair 187C, and the second rear chair 187D can take seedlings N from the seedling tray 189 on the seedling placement table 190. In other words, the seedling placement table 190 is disposed at a position where an operator seated on each chair 187 can take seedlings N from the seedling tray 189 on the seedling placement table 190.

When the seedlings in the seedling tray 189 on the seedling supply table 188 run out, the worker can supply seedlings N in the seedling tray 189 on the seedling placement table 190 to the seedling supply cups 171, 172. That is, the seedling placement table 190 is a table on which a spare seedling tray 189 is placed. Also, when the seedlings N in the seedling tray 189 on the seedling supply table 188 run out, the empty seedling tray 189 may be replaced with the seedling tray 189 on the seedling placement table 190. Also, instead of providing a seedling supply table 188 located in front of each worker, the seedling placement table 190 may be used as a seedling supply table common to each worker.

When the seedling tray 189 on the seedling placement table 190 becomes empty of seedlings, a new seedling tray 189 containing seedlings must be provided to the seedling placement table 190.
When the transplanter 3 is traveling and performing transplanting work, a seedling transport escort vehicle carrying new seedling trays containing seedlings travels alongside the transplanter 3. Conventionally, when the seedlings on the seedling placement table 190 run out, the tractor was stopped once and the seedling trays loaded on the seedling transport escort vehicle were transferred to the seedling placement table 190 of the transplanter 3.

However, in the above embodiment, the seedling tray 189 can be slid from the side of the moving transplanter 3 and loaded onto the seedling placement stand 190 without stopping the tractor. Specifically, the seedling tray 189 can be placed on the seedling placement stand 190 by inserting the groove portion 189b of the seedling tray 189 into the guide portion 190b of the seedling placement stand 190 (see Figure 10) and pushing the seedling tray 189 in the direction shown by the arrow in Figure 11.

As shown in FIG. 11, the first seedling tray 189 is slid and then pushed by the next seedling tray 189, causing the first seedling tray 189 to move, and by pushing in all four seedling trays 189 in this manner, the first seedling tray 189 hits the frame 190c and stops. In this type of transfer operation, the worker can place his or her feet on step S (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) to more easily load the seedling trays 189 onto the seedling placement platform 190, which is located at a high position.

In the present invention, the seedling placement table 190 is not limited to that shown in the above embodiment. For example, the placement portion 190a may be made of a single plate material, and the guide portion 190b may be attached to the upper surface of the plate material. The guide portion 190b is not limited to being provided over the entire length of the machine width direction K2, and may be provided only in a part of the machine width direction K2. However, it is preferable that the guide portion 190b is provided at least on one end side and the other end side of the machine width direction K2. In the above embodiment, one guide portion 190b is provided for one seedling tray 189, but this is not limited, and multiple guide portions 190b may be provided for one seedling tray 189. In the above embodiment, the seedling placement table 190 is provided in three stages in the vertical direction, but this number is not limited to this number. The location where the seedling placement table 190 is provided is not limited to the stand 132. It is not limited to being provided between the front chair and the rear chair.

As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 12 to 19, the transplanter 3 of one embodiment of the present invention has a configuration for stabilizing the fall of the seedlings when the bottom lids of the seedling supply cups 171, 172 of the seedling supply device 38 are opened, preventing the bottom lids from swinging in the open state, and this configuration is described below.
The transplanter 3 includes a planting device 39 that plants seedlings in a field, and a seedling supplying device 38 that supplies seedlings N to the planting device 39. The seedling supplying device 38 includes seedling supply cups 171, 172 that receive the seedlings N and drop them toward the planting device 39. The seedling supplying cups 171, 172 include a cylindrical cup body 181 having a seedling N receiving port 181a at an upper portion and a seedling N drop port 181b at a lower portion, a bottom lid 183 that can close or open the drop port 181b, a hinge portion that connects the bottom lid 183 to the cup body 181 so as to be able to open and close, a biasing member that biases the bottom lid 183 in a direction that opens the drop port 181b, and a regulating portion P that regulates the position of the bottom lid 183 when it is opened.

The details will be explained below.
FIG. 12 is a plan view of the seedling supplying device 38.
The seedling supplying device 38 is a device that drops and supplies seedlings to the planting tool 64 of the planting device 39 located below the seedling supplying device 38.
Since the first seedling supply device 38A and the second seedling supply device 38B shown in Figure 3 have the same configuration, the structure of the first seedling supply device 38A is illustrated and explained in Figure 12, and the explanation of the second seedling supply device 38B is omitted. Also, in the figures and explanations following Figure 12, the descriptions of first and second and the symbols A and B are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the seedling supply device 38 is supported by the transplanter frame 37 (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 12, the seedling supply device 38 has a number of seedling supply cups 171, 172 into which the seedlings N are fed. The number of supply cups includes a number of first supply cups 171 and a number of second supply cups 172. In this embodiment, there are 11 first supply cups 171 and 11 second supply cups 172, for a total of 22 supply cups. The first supply cups 171 and the second supply cups 172 are arranged along a loop-shaped transport path R1 (see FIG. 4) that extends in the front-rear direction K1.

More specifically, the first supply cup 171 and the second supply cup 172 are arranged in a loop shape so as to present an ellipse that is long in the front-rear direction K1 in a plan view. The first supply cup 171 and the second supply cup 172 are arranged alternately along the elliptical transfer path R1.
The first supply cup 171 and the second supply cup 172 are intermittently transported in the direction of the arrow Y1 (see FIG. 4) along the transport path R1 by a transport mechanism 177 (see FIG. 4). The transport mechanism 177 has a first rotating body 178 (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 5), a second rotating body 179, and a cord 180. The first rotating body 178 and the second rotating body 179 are formed by sprockets, and the cord 180 is formed by an endless (loop-shaped) chain wound around the first rotating body 178 and the second rotating body 179. The first supply cup 171 and the second supply cup 172 are arranged along the cord 180 on the outer circumferential side of the cord 180.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first rotating body 178 rotates by power transmitted through the third transmission mechanism 115c and the fourth transmission mechanism 115d. This causes the cord body 180, the first supply cup 171, and the second supply cup 172 to move in the direction of the arrow Y1. Note that, as shown in FIG. 4, power is transmitted to the first rotating body 178 of the second seedling supply device 38B through the fifth transmission mechanism 115e and the sixth transmission mechanism 115f.

As shown in Figure 15, the first supply cup 171 has a cylindrical cup body 181 that contains the seedlings N (see Figure 19) to be inserted, an attachment portion 182 (see Figure 18) that is attached to the cord body 180, and a bottom cover 183 that closes the opening at the bottom end of the cup body 181. The cup body 181 has an inlet 181a for receiving seedlings N at the top and an outlet 181b for dropping seedlings N at the bottom (see Figures 14 and 18). The second supply cup 172 has a similar configuration.

15 to 17, the first supplying cup 171 has a hinge portion H that opens and closes the bottom lid 183 to the cup body 181. The hinge portion H is disposed outside the drop opening 181b. The hinge portion H has a hinge axis H1.
A shaft support portion H2 that supports the hinge shaft H1 and a reinforcing rib H3 that reinforces the shaft support portion H2 are protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the cup body 181. The reinforcing rib H3 is made up of a first reinforcing rib H3R provided on one end side of the hinge shaft H1 and a second reinforcing rib H3L provided on the other end side of the hinge shaft H1.
Includes:

The first supply cup 171 has a biasing member F that biases the bottom cover 183 in a direction that opens the drop opening 181b. The biasing member F is disposed outside the drop opening 181b. In this embodiment, the biasing member F is formed of a coil spring fitted onto the hinge shaft H1.
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the first supply cup 171 has a restriction portion P that restricts the position of the bottom cover 183 when it is open.

The restricting portion P has a raised portion P1 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cup body 181 and a contact portion P2 formed on the bottom lid 183. The contact portion P2 is formed on the bottom lid 183. As shown in Fig. 19, the contact portion P2 contacts the raised portion P1 when the bottom lid 183 is opened.
According to this configuration, the biasing member F biases the bottom lid 183 in the direction of opening the drop port 181b, so that the abutment portion P2 of the bottom lid 183 when opened abuts against the raised portion P1 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cup body 181. This allows the bottom lid 18 to be stably held in the open state (a state in which the abutment portion P2 abuts against the raised portion P1). This prevents the bottom lid 183 from swinging (swaying aimlessly) in the open state, and the open state is stably maintained. Therefore, when the seedlings N fall, they are prevented from coming into contact with the bottom lid 183, and the seedlings N can be smoothly dropped.

19, the hinge portion H is disposed outside the drop opening 181b, so that the drop opening 181b is fully opened. Therefore, when the seedlings N are dropped, they are prevented from coming into contact with the bottom cover 183, and the seedlings N can be dropped smoothly.
12 to 19, the seedling supplying device 38 includes a transport mechanism 177 for transporting the seedling supplying cups 171, 172 along a loop-shaped transport path R1 in a plan view, an inner member B1 arranged inside the transport path R1 along the transport path R1, and an outer member B2 arranged outside the transport path R1 along the transport path R1. The seedling supplying cups 171, 172 include a guide portion B3 for guiding the transport of the seedling supplying cups 171, 172 along the transport path R1. The guide portion B3 includes an inner guide portion B3R that abuts against the inner member B1 and an outer guide portion B3L that abuts against the outer member B2.

The inner guide portion B3R has a first portion B3R1 that contacts the lower surface of the inner member B1, and a second portion B3R2 that contacts the surface of the inner member B1 on the transport path R1 side.
The details will be explained below.
In the following description, the bottom lids 183 will be distinguished by denoting the bottom lid of the first supply cup 171 with reference numeral 183a and the bottom lid of the second supply cup 172 with reference numeral 183b.

As shown in FIG. 13, the bottom cover 183a of the first supply cup 171 has a first engagement portion 184a. The bottom cover 183b of the second supply cup 172 has a second engagement portion 184b. The first engagement portion 184a protrudes toward the inner periphery of the transfer path R1 (cord 180) of the first supply cup 171. The second engagement portion 184b protrudes toward the outer periphery of the transfer path R1 (cord 180) of the second supply cup 172. FIG. 15 shows the first supply cup 171, and FIGS. 16 and 17 show the second supply cup 172.

As shown in FIG. 13, the bottom lid 183a of the first supply cup 171 opens on the right side of the transfer path R1. The first supply cup 171 indicated by the symbol OP1 is the first supply cup 171 with the bottom lid 183a open. The position indicated by the symbol D1 is the first open position (open position on one side in the machine width direction) in which the bottom lid 183a of the first supply cup 171 opens. The bottom lid 183b of the second supply cup 172 opens on the left side of the transfer path R1. The second supply cup 172 indicated by the symbol OP2 is the second supply cup 172 with the bottom lid 183b open. The position indicated by the symbol D2 is the second open position (open position on the other side in the machine width direction) in which the bottom lid 183b of the second supply cup 172 opens. FIG. 14 shows the state in which the bottom lid 183b is open at the second open position D2.

The first open position D1 and the second open position D2 are seedling dropping positions where the seedlings N are dropped and supplied to the planting tool 64. That is, the seedling supplying device 38 has a seedling dropping position where the seedlings are dropped and supplied to the planting tool 64, in the middle of the forward/rearward direction of the transport path R1.
As shown in Fig. 13, the first open position D1 and the second open position D2 are set at different positions in the front-rear direction K1. In this embodiment, the first open position D1 is shifted forward from the second open position D2. In response to the first open position D1 being shifted forward from the second open position D2, the left planting device in each transplanting unit is shifted forward from the right planting device (see Fig. 6).

13, the seedling supply device 38 has a setting member 185 that sets the open positions (the first open position D1 and the second open position D2) of the seedling supply cups 171, 172. The setting member 185 includes a plurality of restricting rods (the first restricting rod 186a to the sixth restricting rod 186f).
The first restricting rod 186a abuts against the lower surfaces of the bottom covers 183a, 183b at the front side of the first open position D1 and the second open position D2. Therefore, the first restricting rod 186a restricts the opening of the bottom covers 183a, 183b at the front side of the first open position D1 and the second open position D2. The second restricting rod 186b abuts against the lower surfaces of the bottom covers 183a, 183b at the rear side of the first open position D1 and the second open position D2. Therefore, the second restricting rod 186b restricts the opening of the bottom covers 183a, 183b at the rear side of the first open position D1 and the second open position D2.

The third restricting rod 186c abuts against the first engagement portion 184a of the bottom cover 183a at the rear side of the first open position D1. This restricts the opening of the bottom cover 183a at the rear side of the first open position D1. The fourth restricting rod 186d abuts against the second engagement portion 184b of the bottom cover 183b at the front side of the second open position D2. This restricts the opening of the bottom cover 183b at the front side of the second open position D2.

The fifth restricting rod 186e is located to the right of the first open position D1 (on the outer periphery of the transfer path R1 (cord 180)) and abuts against the second engagement portion 184b of the bottom cover 183b in the first open position D1. This restricts the opening of the bottom cover 183b in the first open position D1. It also allows the bottom cover 183a to open in the first open position D1. The sixth restricting rod 186f is located to the right of the second open position D2 (on the inner periphery of the transfer path R1 (cord 180)) and abuts against the first engagement portion 184a of the bottom cover 183a in the second open position D2. This restricts the opening of the bottom cover 183a in the second open position D2. It also allows the bottom cover 183b to open in the second open position D2 (see FIG. 14).

As shown in Figure 19, the planting tool 64 of the planting device 39 (see Figures 5 and 6) is located below the open position D, and when the bottom cover 183 opens and the seedlings N fall in, the seedlings N are supplied to the planting tool 64.
As shown in Fig. 4, the seedling supplying device 38 has a transport mechanism 177. The transport mechanism 177 has an idler sprocket 256 (see Figs. 14 and 18) provided on the transplanter frame 37, and the idler sprocket 256 supports a cord 180. The transport mechanism 177 transports the seedling supplying cups 171, 172 along a transport path R1 that is loop-shaped in plan view (see Figs. 4, 12, and 14).

As shown in FIG. 12, the seedling supply device 38 has an inner member B1 arranged on the inside of the transfer path R1 along the transfer path R1, and an outer member B2 arranged on the outside of the transfer path R1 along the transfer path R1. As shown in FIG. 18, the inner member B1 and the outer member B2 are provided on the transplanter frame 37. Seedling supply cups 171, 172 are arranged between the inner member B1 and the outer member B2.

The outer edge of the inner member B1 has a vertical guide surface B1a and a horizontal guide surface B1b. The vertical guide surface B1a and the horizontal guide surface B1b are located inside the seedling supply cups 171 and 172. The inner edge of the outer member B2 has a guide surface B2a. The guide surface B2a is located outside the seedling supply cups 171 and 172. These guide surfaces B1a, B1b, and B2a are arranged along the transfer path R1.

As shown in Figures 15 to 18, the seedling supply cups 171, 172 have a guide portion B3 that guides the transfer of the seedling supply cups 171, 172 along the transfer path R1. The guide portion B3 is made up of an inner guide portion B3R that abuts against the inner member B1 and an outer guide portion B2 that abuts against the outer member B2.
3L.
15 to 18, the inner guide portion B3R has a first portion B3R1 that abuts against the lower surface of the horizontal guide surface B1b of the inner member B1 and a second portion B3R2 that abuts against the vertical guide surface B1a of the inner member B1. The inner guide portion B3R is provided with an attachment portion 182 to which a chain link of the rope body 180 is attached.

According to the above configuration, when the seedling supply cups 171, 172 are transported along the transport path R1, the inner guide portion B3R abuts against the inner member B1 and the outer guide portion B3L abuts against the outer member B2, thereby preventing the seedling supply cups 171, 172 from tilting or falling over during transport, and therefore the seedling supply cups 171, 172 can be transported stably along the transport path R1.

In the present invention, the restricting portion P is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration of the raised portion P1 and the contact portion P2, but may be any portion that restricts the position of the bottom cover 183 when it is open.
The transplanter 3 of this embodiment has the following advantages.
The transplanter 3 comprises a planting device 39 that plants seedlings N in a field, a seedling supplying device 38 that supplies the seedlings N to the planting device 39, and a seedling placement stand 190 for placing seedling trays 189 containing the seedlings N to be supplied to the seedling supplying device 38. The seedling tray 189 has a plurality of storage recesses 189a formed vertically and horizontally in parallel on its upper surface in which seedlings can be individually stored, and a groove portion 189b formed between adjacent storage recesses 189a on its lower surface and extending in the parallel direction. The seedling placement stand 190 has a placement portion 190a on which the seedling tray 189 is placed, and a guide portion 190b for guiding the movement of the seedling tray 189 on the placement portion 190a. The guide portion 190b is provided to protrude upward from the placement portion 190a, and enters into and extends along the groove portion 189b when the seedling tray 189 is placed on the placement portion 190a.

According to this configuration, the seedling tray 189 can be slid along the guide portion 190b, so that the seedling tray 189 can be quickly supplied to the seedling placement table 190.
The guide portion 190b extends in a width direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the transplanter 3, and guides the movement of the seedling tray 189 in the width direction on the placement portion 190a.
With this configuration, seedling trays 189 can be supplied onto the mounting portion 190a from the side of the transplanter 3, so that the seedling trays 189 can be loaded onto the seedling placement platform 190 from a seedling transport escort vehicle or the like accompanying the transplanter 3 without stopping the transplanting operation.

In addition, the guide portion 190b extends from one end to the other end in the width direction of the seedling placement table 190.
According to this configuration, the seedling tray 189 can be reliably slid from one end of the seedling placement table 190 in the width direction to the other end thereof.
The seedling tray 190 also has a frame body 190c that is rectangular in plan view, and the guide portion 190b connects two opposing sides of the frame body 190c.

According to this configuration, the seedling tray 189 can be slid along the guide portion 190b while being surrounded by the frame body 190c, so that the seedling tray 189 can be prevented from falling off the seedling placement stand 190 during the sliding movement. In addition, the frame body 190c can be reinforced by the guide portion 190b.
It also includes chairs 187 on which an operator supplying seedlings N to the seedling supply device 38 can sit, and the chairs 187 include front chairs 187A, B arranged in front of the seedling supply device 38 and rear chairs 187C, D arranged behind the seedling supply device 38. The seedling placement stand 190 is located above the seedling supply device 38 and between the front chairs 187A, B and the rear chairs 187C, D, and is arranged so that the guide portion 190b extends in the width direction.

According to this configuration, it becomes easy for an operator sitting on the chair 187 to take out the seedlings N from the seedling tray 189 provided on the seedling placement stand 190. In addition, it becomes easy for an operator sitting on the chair 187 to slide the seedling tray 189 along the guide portion 190b.
The seedling placement table 190 also includes a plurality of seedling placement tables 190 arranged in a vertical line, and a step S is provided on the outer side of the seedling placement table 190 in the width direction and at a position higher than the ground level, so that an operator can stand on it when placing the seedling tray 189 on the seedling placement table 190.

According to this configuration, the worker can easily and reliably supply seedling trays 189 to the seedling placement table 190 located at a higher position by climbing up to the step S. Therefore, even if the seedling placement table 190 is configured in multiple stages, the seedling trays 189 can be easily supplied to the seedling placement table 190 in the upper stage, and the number of seedling trays 189 that can be placed on the seedling placement table 190 can be increased.
The transplanter 3 is equipped with a planting device 39 that plants seedlings N in the field, and a seedling supplying device 38 that supplies seedlings N to the planting device 39. The seedling supplying device 38 has seedling supply cups 171, 172 that receive the seedlings N and drop them toward the planting device 39. The seedling supplying cups 171, 172 each have a cylindrical cup body 181 having a seedling N receiving opening 181a at the top and a seedling N drop opening 181b at the bottom, a bottom lid 183 that can close or open the drop opening 181b, a hinge portion H that connects the bottom lid 183 to the cup body 181 in an openable and closable manner, a biasing member F that biases the bottom lid 183 in the direction of opening the drop opening 181b, and a regulating portion P that regulates the position of the bottom lid 183 when it is opened.

According to this configuration, when the lid 183 is opened, the open position of the bottom lid 183 is determined by the biasing member F and the regulating portion P. Therefore, the seedlings N are prevented from contacting the bottom lid 183 when falling, and the seedlings N fall stably.
The regulating portion P also has a raised portion P1 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cup body 181, and a contact portion P2 formed on the bottom lid 183 that abuts against the raised portion P1 when the bottom lid 183 is open.

According to this configuration, the abutment portion P2 of the bottom lid 183 abuts against the raised portion P1 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cup body 181, so that the open position of the bottom lid 183 can be reliably determined.
Moreover, the biasing member F is disposed outside the drop opening 181b.
According to this configuration, the soil of the seedlings N falling from the drop port 181b does not adhere to the urging member F, and rusting of the urging member F is also prevented.

Moreover, the hinge portion H is disposed outside the drop opening 181b.
According to this configuration, the bottom lid 183 can open the drop port 181b of the cup body 181 in a fully open state.
In addition, a support portion H2 supporting the hinge axis H1 of the hinge portion H and a reinforcing rib H3 reinforcing the support portion H2 are protruded from the outer peripheral surface of the cup body 181, and the reinforcing rib H3 includes a first reinforcing rib H3R provided on one end side of the hinge axis H1 and a second reinforcing rib H3L provided on the other end side of the hinge axis H1.

According to this configuration, the reinforcing rib H3 improves the strength of the hinge portion H. Therefore, damage to the hinge portion H due to repeated opening and closing of the bottom cover 183 can be prevented.
The seedling supply device 38 also has a transport mechanism 177 that transports the seedling supply cups 171, 172 along a loop-shaped transport path R1 in a planar view, an inner member B1 arranged inside the transport path R1 along the transport path R1, and an outer member B2 arranged outside the transport path R1 along the transport path R1, and the seedling supply cups 171, 172 have a guide portion B3 that guides the transport of the seedling supply cups 171, 172 along the transport path R1, and the guide portion B3 includes an inner guide portion B3R that abuts the inner member B1 and an outer guide portion B3L that abuts the outer member B2.

According to this configuration, the seedling supplying cups 171, 172 can be stably transported along the transport path R1 while preventing tilting.
The inner guide portion B3R has a first portion B3R1 that contacts the lower surface of the inner member B1, and a second portion B3R2 that contacts the surface of the inner member B1 on the transport path R1 side.
According to this configuration, the seedling supply cups 171, 172 can be prevented from moving up and down, and the seedling supply cups 171, 172 can be stably transported along the transport path R1.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the embodiment disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

3 Transplanter 38 Seedling supply device 39 Planting device 171 Seedling supply cup 172 Seedling supply cup 177 Transport mechanism 181 Cup body 181a Receiving port 181b Drop port 183 Bottom cover B1 Inner guide member B2 Outer guide member B3 Guide portion B3R Inner guide portion B3L Outer guide portion B3R1 First portion B3R2 Second portion P Regulating portion P1 Raised portion P2 Contact portion R1 Transport path H Hinge portion H1 Hinge shaft H2 Shaft support portion H3 Reinforcing rib H3R First reinforcing rib H3L Second reinforcing rib F Pressing member N Seedling

Claims (6)

A planting device for planting seedlings in a field;
A seedling supplying device that supplies seedlings to the planting device;
Equipped with
The seedling supply device has a seedling supply cup that receives the seedlings and drops them toward the planting device,
The seedling supply cup is
A cylindrical cup body having an upper portion for receiving seedlings and a lower portion for dropping seedlings;
A bottom cover capable of closing or opening the drop opening;
a hinge portion that connects the bottom lid to the cup body in an openable and closable manner;
a biasing member that biases the bottom lid in a direction to open the drop opening;
and a regulating portion that regulates the position of the bottom cover when the bottom cover is opened .
the restricting portion has a raised portion formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cup body and a contact portion formed on the bottom lid and contacting the raised portion when the bottom lid is opened,
The raised portion has an inclined surface that transitions downwardly in a direction away from a central axis passing through the center of the cup body,
When the bottom cover is opened, the abutment portion abuts against the inclined surface, so that the bottom cover is inclined in a direction away from the central axis as it moves downward . 2. The transplanter according to claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is disposed outside the drop hole. 3. The transplanter according to claim 1 , wherein the hinge portion is disposed outside the drop opening. A shaft support portion for supporting a hinge shaft of the hinge portion and a reinforcing rib for reinforcing the shaft support portion are protrudingly provided on an outer circumferential surface of the cup body,
The reinforcing rib includes a first reinforcing rib provided on one end side of the hinge shaft and a second reinforcing rib provided on the other end side of the hinge shaft,
4. The transplanter of claim 3 , wherein the raised portion is disposed between the first reinforcing rib and the second reinforcing rib . The seedling supply device includes:
A transport mechanism that transports the seedling supply cup along a loop-shaped transport path in a plan view;
an inner member disposed along the transfer path and inside the transfer path;
an outer member disposed along the transfer path and outside the transfer path;
having
The seedling supply cup has a guide portion that guides the transfer of the seedling supply cup along the transfer path,
The transplanter according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the guide portion includes an inner guide portion that abuts against the inner member, and an outer guide portion that abuts against the outer member. 6. The transplanter according to claim 5 , wherein the inner guide portion has a first portion that abuts against a lower surface of the inner member and a second portion that abuts against a surface of the inner member on the transport path side.

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