JPH09313057A - Gradually pitch-increasing type trough group-carrying device in hydroponic facility - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gradually pitch-increasing type trough group-carrying device capable of changing the pitches of many troughs having leaf vegetables planted thereon in response to the growth of the leaf vegetables and capable of gradually increasing the pitches on the daily carriage of troughs. SOLUTION: A spacing rod 4 capable of being reciprocated at a constant stroke is disposed in order to carry trough groups 21 , 22 ... each formed by integrating troughs disposed at the same pitch. Cam followers 17A for forward movements and cam followers 18A for backward movements are disposed on members 7A for separation or approach, respectively. The cam followers 17A, 18A are energized with trapezoidal cams 17B, 18B formed on the spacing rod 4. Forward movement stoppers 6 and backward movement stoppers 7 are attached to the members 7A for separation and approach at the same intervals as the trough pitches Pi . The forward movement stoppers 6 and the backward stoppers 7 are forward or backward moved toward trough saddles 5, 5 incorporated with the troughs 1. The carried roughs 1, 1 are restrained with forward movement-controlling pieces 8 and backward movement-controlling pieces. The trough pitches Pi of the trough group 2i are expanded to pitches Pi+1 .

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pitch-increasing type trough group conveying device in a hydroponic cultivation facility, and more specifically to a pitch of a trough which supports a large number of flower pots for vegetating leaf vegetables and through which liquid manure is circulated at the bottom. The present invention relates to a hydroponic cultivation device capable of expanding according to the growth of leaf vegetables.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When cultivating leafy vegetables, FIG.
The pitch of the trough 1 supporting the flower pots is gradually increased according to the growth, such as p ₁ to p ₂ and p ₂ to p ₃ , so that the trough pitch is constant p ₀ . Several proposals have been made for a device that reduces unnecessary space during childhood that occurs in the case of (a), and realizes an increase in cultivation quantity per unit area and an improvement in lighting efficiency.

In a hydroponic cultivation facility, for example, FIG.
As shown in, a plurality of bowl holes 10 arranged in the longitudinal direction.
There is a trough 1 in which a belt 10 for supporting each flower pot is inserted into an upper belt insertion groove 1a by a and 10a, and liquid fertilizer is flowed to the lower part so that vegetables and the like can be cultivated. In a cultivation facility using such a trough, the pitch of the flower pots on the belt 10 cannot be changed, and therefore a trough transfer device that can gradually increase the pitch of the trough is adopted.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-127919 discloses an apparatus in which the pitch of a trough can be changed by a rotary screw bar. As shown in FIG. 21, in the rotary screw rod 31, the same number of screw pitches p ₁ , p ₂ , p ₃ , p ₄ gradually increase from the starting end side to the terminating side. Has been formed.

The long trough 1 is supported by a plurality of fixed beams 32 to form a trough row. The fixed beam 3 has parallel engagement members 1k protruding from the lower surface of each trough 1.
By meshing with the spiral groove 31a of the rotary screw rod 31 arranged between the Nos. 2 and 32, one rotation of the rotary screw rod 31 allows the fixed beam 32 to move forward by a desired distance to the left in the figure.

In the example shown in the figure, the number of troughs supplied each day and the number of troughs to be harvested are each three. And are rearranged so as to form a group of troughs having a slightly larger pitch.

[0007]

By the way, even if the scale is small, such as supplying eight troughs to the right end of the fixed beam 32 per day and harvesting eight troughs at the end after 18 days, the total number of troughs is 144. Becomes With the trough width set to 5 cm, the troughs 1 and 1 are brought into close contact for the first 8 days, and the center-to-center distance (trough pitch) of the trough after 9 days has elapsed is 1 cm
Assuming that the height is increased to 15 cm on the day before the harvest, the rotating screw rod 41 is required to have at least the following length.

[Equation 1]

The process of forming the spiral groove 31a on a long rod is not easy, but in addition to that, an extremely long screw rod of 10 m or more is inevitably produced. In addition, many components are required for a drive device such as a geared motor and a bearing for support, and a high-precision installation work is required.
In addition, when the scale of cultivation is large and a rotary screw rod as long as 50 m is used, the equipment cost is significantly increased. In addition, the rotating screw rod 31 is twisted, and the longer it is, the more difficult it is to avoid trouble.

Further, in the above-described trough group transfer device using a rotary screw bar, the troughs are always mounted on the fixed beam, and as a result, when the trough is transferred by the rotary screw bar, the troughs are moved. The lower surface is in sliding contact with the fixed beam, and the posture of the trough becomes unstable during transport, or the trough may fall down.

In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-23804, a pitch-increasing trough group is moved to convey a trough group mounted on a fixed beam by an ascending / descending beam and a transfer block spacing on the ascending / descending beam. The device is described. In this moving device, when the trough is transported, the transfer block receives the trough group from the fixed beam, moves up, and then moves. Therefore, it is always supported by the lifting beam during transportation,
The trough has the advantage of being more stable.

However, because of the walking motion caused by the interlocking of the lifting beam and the transfer block, a displacement actuator for the spacing rod that horizontally displaces each transfer block, and a lifting actuator for moving the lift beams up and down. An actuator is required, and the two actuators must be operated while balancing the drive. In addition, since the transfer block lifts the trough group from the fixed beam, there is a problem that a high hydraulic pressure is required for the vertical beam actuator for vertically moving the trough group.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to facilitate installation in a greenhouse or the like, and avoid the production of highly accurate parts and devices even if the trough row is long, It is possible to reduce equipment costs with extremely few failures, ensure stability when transporting troughs, and avoid power for lifting the troughs, and use actuators that reciprocate the spacing rods for each trough group. It is an object of the present invention to provide a pitch-increasing trough group transfer device in a hydroponic cultivation facility that realizes that a given trough pitch can be gradually increased according to the growth of leaf vegetables.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a leaf vegetable which is planted in the pot is provided with a belt for supporting each pot by a plurality of pot holes arranged in the longitudinal direction, the belt being inserted in the upper part and flowing liquid fertilizer in the lower part. A large number of troughs are arranged in parallel so that they can be hydroponically grown, and the trough rows are divided into several trough groups consisting of a predetermined number of troughs at the same pitch, and the trough pitch in each trough group is used for the growth of leafy vegetables. The present invention is applied to a pitch-increasing type trough transfer device capable of moving each trough so as to gradually increase. 1A, the spacing rod 4 that horizontally reciprocates with a constant stroke and supports and conveys all of the trough groups 2 _i has a trough 1, 1. Are arranged in a direction extending orthogonally to. On the lower surface of each trough 1, a trough saddle 5 which is conveyed by a spacing rod 4 and is displaceable relative to the spacing rod 4 is fixed. A forward stopper 6 that advances and retracts toward the trough saddle 5 is installed on one side of the spacing rod 4 along the spacing rod 4 at the same interval as the trough pitch p _i, and on the other side toward the trough saddle 5. The reciprocating stopper 7 that moves back and forth is the spacing rod 4
Are installed at the same intervals as the trough pitch p _i . Then, when one side of each trough saddle 5 is brought into contact with the forward movement stopper 6 that has advanced toward the trough saddle 5, even if the spacing rod 4 is moved forward, further feeding movement of the troughs 1, 1 is prevented. A forward movement restricting piece 8 is provided. On the other side of each trough saddle 5, when it comes into contact with a backward movement stopper 7 that has advanced toward the trough saddle 5, the troughs 1, 1 will move despite the backward movement of the spacing rod 4. That is, the backward movement control piece 9 is provided to prevent the returning movement of the.

Referring to FIG. 1C, the forward movement stopper 6
Is fixed to the forward moving side separating / connecting member 6A extending along the spacing rod 4, and the returning stopper 7 is fixed to the returning moving side separating / contacting member 7A extending along the spacing rod 4. A forward stopper separating / connecting mechanism 17 for advancing and retracting the forward stopper 6 toward and from the trough saddle 5 when the spacing rod 4 is displaced is provided, and when the spacing rod 4 is displaced, the backward stopper 7 is directed toward the trough saddle 5. A return stopper separating / connecting mechanism 18 for moving back and forth is provided.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the forward movement stopper separating / connecting mechanism 17 includes a forward moving cam follower 17A attached to the forward moving side separating / connecting member 6A so as to project toward the spacing rod 4. When the forward cam follower 17A rides up during the forward movement of the spacing rod 4, the forward trapezoidal cam 17B that retracts the forward stopper 6 so as not to contact the forward stopper 8 (see FIG. 1A). , A forward trapezoidal cam 17 formed on the spacing rod 4 and extending forward and backward
An elastic body 17C (see (c) of FIG. 1) that biases the forward cam follower 17A toward B.

Referring to FIG. 18 (a), the spacing rod 4 is arranged so that the forward cam follower 17A of the forward stopper separating / connecting mechanism 17 projects toward the forward moving side separating / connecting member 6A.
When the forward cam follower 17A runs on the forward trapezoidal cam 17B during the forward movement of the spacing rod 4, the forward stopper 6 does not come into contact with the forward regulation piece 8 (see (a) of FIG. 1). Is formed on the forward-moving side separating / connecting member 6A so as to extend in the front-back direction so as to be retracted.
The forward trapezoidal cam 17B may be biased toward the forward cam follower 17A by 7C (see (c) of FIG. 1).

Returning to FIG. 1B, the return stopper separating / contacting mechanism 18 includes a returning cam follower 18A attached to the returning side separating / contacting member 7A so as to project toward the spacing rod 4. A return trapezoidal cam 18B that retracts the return stopper 7 so that the return stopper 7 does not abut the return regulating piece 9 (see FIG. 1A) when the return cam follower 18A rides up during the return movement of the pacing rod 4. A trapezoidal cam 18B for backward movement formed on the spacing rod 4 and extending in the front-rear direction.
And an elastic body 18C (see (c) of FIG. 1) for urging the cam follower 18A for backward movement. And
Spacing rod 4 moves forward and backward cam follower 1
When 8A rides from the front inclined surface 18f of the trapezoidal cam 18B for return, as shown in FIG. 14 (b), from the state before the ride up to the state after passing through the trapezoidal cam 18B for return. The backward movement stopper 7 is moved forward and backward by maintaining the posture of the backward movement cam follower support member 18a with respect to the backward movement trapezoidal cam 18B, and the spacing rod 4 is moved backward as shown in FIG. When riding from the rear inclined surface 18r of the cam 18B, the backward movement trapezoidal cam 1
A half-folding mechanism 19 is provided for changing the posture of the returning cam follower support member 18a with respect to the returning trapezoidal cam 18B while passing the 8B so as to keep the returning stopper 7 in the advanced state.

Referring to (i) of FIG. 14 (b), the one-sided bending mechanism 19 has a backward movement cam follower 18A for the backward movement trapezoidal cam 18 when the spacing rod 4 is moved forward.
The stopper portion 1 for preventing the posture change of the returning cam follower supporting member 18a against the moment _Mf caused by the resistance force generated when riding from the front inclined surface 18f of B.
9A and the backward movement of the spacing rod 4, the backward movement cam follower 18A is caused by the resistance force generated when the backward movement cam follower 18A rides up from the backward inclined surface 18r (see (i) of FIG. 15) of the backward movement trapezoidal cam 18B. and not obtained against the moment M _r, Fukudoyo cam follower support member 18a non stopper portion 19B for allowing the posture change of the posture change of the backward-movement cam follower support member 18a by not obtained against the above-mentioned moment M _r After allowing the return, the return cam follower 18A moves the front-side inclined surface 18f of the return trapezoidal cam 18B.
From the time of passing through
The elastic member 19C that restores the posture of

Referring to FIG. 18B, the returning cam follower 18A of the returning stopper separating / connecting mechanism 18 is attached to the spacing rod 4 so as to project toward the returning side separating / connecting member 7A, When the moving cam follower 18A rides on the moving trapezoidal cam 18B when the spacing rod 4 moves back, the moving stopper 7 moves the moving stopper 7 (see (a) of FIG. 1).
(See FIG. 4)), and is formed on the return side contact / separation member 7A so as to extend in the front-rear direction so as not to contact the elastic body 18C.
(See (c) of FIG. 1)
B is urged toward the return cam follower 18A, and when the spacing rod 4 moves forward and the return cam follower 18A rides from the front inclined surface 18f of the trapezoidal cam 18B for return, before the riding From the state of (1) to the state after passing through the returning trapezoidal cam 18B, the posture of the returning cam follower support member 18a with respect to the returning trapezoidal cam 18B is maintained to move the returning stopper 7 forward and backward, and the spacing rod 4 moves. The cam follower 18A for returning is the rear inclined surface 1 of the trapezoidal cam 18B for returning.
When riding from 8r, the returning cam follower support member 18 for the returning trapezoidal cam 18B while passing through the returning trapezoidal cam 18B from the beginning of the riding.
It is also possible to provide a half-folding mechanism 19 for changing the posture of a and maintaining the backward movement stopper 7 in the advanced state.

The half-folding mechanism 19 includes the spacing rod 4
At the time of the forward movement, the attitude of the returning cam follower support member 18a is changed against the moment _Mf caused by the resistance force generated when the returning cam follower 18A rides up from the front inclined surface 18f of the returning trapezoidal cam 18B. When returning the stopper portion 19A for blocking and the spacing rod 4, the returning cam follower 18A is a trapezoidal cam 18 for returning.
The non-stopper portion 19B for allowing the posture change of the returning cam follower support member 18a without being able to oppose the moment M _r caused by the resistance force generated when riding from the rear inclined surface 18r of B, and the moment M _r described above. After allowing the attitude of the returning cam follower supporting member 18a to change, the returning cam follower supporting member 18a is moved from the time when the returning cam follower 18A passes through the front inclined surface 18f of the returning trapezoidal cam 18B. The elastic member 19C to be restored may be provided.

[0021]

According to the present invention, each of the trough groups is moved through the reciprocating spacing rod by the spacing mechanism provided with the spacing rod and the forward and backward stoppers that advance and retract toward the trough saddle. It is possible to move the entire trough row by a desired distance while maintaining the trough pitch of. As the pitch increment type trough group transfer device, the manufacturing accuracy is lower than that of the rotary screw rod,
And the structure is simple. Further, since the trough saddle can be displaced relative to the spacing rod when the trough group is transported, the trough lifting operation, which is necessary when walking, is avoided, and the power required for the trough transportation is significantly increased. Savings are made and the occurrence of breakdowns is reduced. Therefore, even if the cultivation scale becomes large, it is possible to easily cope with the lengthening of the spacing mechanism in order to avoid the size and complexity of the spacing mechanism and to expand the production scale.

According to the forward movement stopper separating / connecting mechanism for advancing and retracting the forward movement stopper toward the trough saddle when the spacing rod is displaced and the backward movement stopper separating / contacting mechanism for advancing / retracting the backward movement stopper toward the trough saddle, It is possible to advance and retreat the return stopper with appropriate timing,
It is possible to expand all trough groups to a predetermined trough pitch without the trough saddle interfering with each stopper.

If the forward stopper separating / connecting mechanism is composed of a forward cam follower, a forward stopper and an elastic body, and the forward cam follower follows the trapezoidal cam for forward movement formed on the spacing rod, the spacing is increased. The forward stopper can be moved back and forth in conjunction with the forward movement of the rod, and the drive unit that must be adopted in the pitch increment type trough group transfer device can be only one actuator that reciprocates the spacing rod. The drive system can be simplified.

Contrary to the above, the forward cam follower may be attached to the spacing rod so as to project toward the forward separating member, and the forward trapezoidal cam may be formed on the forward separating member. When the spacing rod is moved forward, the forward movement stopper can be moved back and forth toward the forward movement control piece of the trough saddle.

The returning stopper separating / connecting mechanism is composed of a returning cam follower, a returning stopper and an elastic body, and a returning cam follower attached to the returning side separating / connecting member forms a returning trapezoidal cam formed on a spacing rod. If it is traced, the return stopper can be advanced and retracted toward the trough saddle in conjunction with the backward movement of the spacing rod, and the drive device that must be adopted in the pitch increment type trough group transfer device is the spacing rod. Since only one actuator that reciprocates can be provided, the drive system can be simplified. The return stopper separating / connecting mechanism is provided with a one-way bending mechanism that changes the posture of the return cam follower support member when the spacing rod returns, so that the return cam follower returns only when the spacing rod moves back. Even if the moving trapezoidal cam is traced, the return stopper can be kept in the state of being advanced toward the trough saddle, and the trough can be kept in the advanced position despite the returning of the spacing rod. it can.

If the one-way bending mechanism is composed of a stopper portion, a non-stopper portion, and an elastic member provided on the return cam follower support member, the return cam follower can return when the spacing rod moves back. Even when riding on, the non-stopper part allows the attitude of the returning cam follower support member to avoid unnecessary retracting movement of the returning stopper, while the returning cam follower moves backward when the spacing rod moves forward. When the trapezoidal cam rides on the trapezoidal cam, the stopper portion prevents the attitude of the returning cam follower from changing and allows the returning stopper to perform a predetermined forward / backward movement.
The elastic member can restore the attitude of the returning cam follower support member in case the spacing rod starts to move forward again when the returning cam follower passes through the returning trapezoidal cam. .

Even if the returning cam follower as the returning stopper separating / connecting mechanism is attached to the spacing rod and the trapezoidal returning cam formed on the separating / separating member on the returning side is traced, the spacing rod is recovered. The return stopper can be moved back and forth toward the trough saddle in synchronism with the movement, and the drive system in the gradually increasing pitch type trough group conveying device can be simplified. If a one-way bending mechanism that changes the posture of the cam follower support member for returning when the spacing rod moves backward is provided, the trough is maintained during the returning of the spacing rod while keeping the returning stopper advanced. Can be kept in the advanced position.

As a one-way bending mechanism, even if a stopper portion and a non-stopper portion are provided on the return cam follower support member attached to the spacing rod, the retracting movement of the return stopper when the spacing rod is moved back is performed. This can be avoided, and the backward movement stopper can be moved forward and backward toward the trough saddle when the spacing rod moves forward.

[0029]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, a pitch-increasing type trough group conveying device according to the present invention will be described in detail based on its embodiments. FIG. 1 (a) shows several trough groups 2, each of which has a predetermined number of troughs 1 having the same pitch.
2 is a schematic plane of a pitch-increasing type trough transfer device 3 which is capable of moving each trough so that the trough pitch in each trough group is gradually increased in accordance with the growth of leaf vegetables. The transport device 3 supports a spacing rod 4 for transporting all the troughs and a spacing rod 4 fixed to the lower surface of each trough to be transported by being mounted on the spacing rods and displaceable relatively to the spacing rods. The trough saddles 5 and 5, the forward movement stopper 6 which is arranged at the same interval as the trough pitch and moves forward and backward toward one side surface of the spacing rod 4, and the other of the spacing rod 4 which is arranged at the same distance as the trough pitch. It has a backward movement stopper 7 that advances and retreats toward the side surface. Further, on both sides of each trough saddle 5, there are provided a forward movement regulating piece 8 that abuts on the forward movement stopper 6 and a backward movement regulating piece 9 that abuts on the backward movement stopper 7.

In the illustrated example, one trough group 2 is composed of three troughs 1 and 1 for simplification, and a total of four trough groups 2 ₁ , 2 having different trough pitches for each trough group.
2 ₂ , 2 ₃ and 2 ₄ are formed. That is, three troughs are supplied for one day, and three troughs are harvested on the morning of the fifth day. The spacing rods 4 described above have the same pitch p _i (i = 1, 2, 3, 4,
The length is such that all the trough groups can be mounted in order to convey the four trough groups 2 _i forming the same).

On the upper portion of each trough 1, as shown in FIG. 19, a plurality of bowl holes 10a, 10a arranged in the longitudinal direction are provided.
The plastic belt 10 for supporting the plant pot 11 shown in FIG. The belt 10 is adapted to be paid out or wound up from a device (not shown) in the work of planting or harvesting.

At the lower part of the trough 1, the liquid fertilizer tube 1 shown in FIG.
The liquid fertilizer 13 supplied from 2 is made to flow. For that purpose, the trough 1 is, for example, lowered by 2 degrees to the left and is supported by the pitch-increasing type trough group transfer devices 3, 3 arranged at least at two positions orthogonal to the trough 1. Although the liquid fertilizer 13 is designed to be collected through the drainage trough 14A, the liquid fertilizer tube 1
A liquid collection trough 14B for collecting the supplied liquid fertilizer is also installed below 2.

Referring to FIG. 2, one line extending in the front-rear direction has 12 troughs 1 ₁₁ , 1 ₁₂ , 1 ₁₃ , 1 ₂₁ ,
1, ₂₂ , 1, ₂₃ , 1 ₃₁ , 1 ₃₂ , 1 ₃₃ , ... Are mounted in a trough row. The trough group 2 _{1 at the} rear end (right side in the figure) is the three supplied on the previous day, and the trough group 2 at the front end is 2.
₄ (see Figure 1 (a)) are three that were fed four days ago, moved and harvested today.

Three troughs 1 ₁₁ , 1 _{12 of} the trough group 2 ₁ ,
1 ₁₃ are arranged, for example, substantially close to each other, and their pitch is p _{1 as shown} in FIG. After that, the trough pitch in the trough group 2 ₂ is gradually increased as the vegetables grow, such as p ₂ . Incidentally, the pitch of the trough _{1 (i + 1)} 1 of the right end of the trough group 2 _i leftmost trough 1 _i3 and trough group 2 _{(i + 1)} is may be p _{(i + 1),} in the illustrated example It is designated as p _i .

A spacing rod 4 having, for example, a rectangular cross section, which supports and conveys all such trough groups 2 _i.
However, the actuator 15 such as a hydraulic cylinder horizontally reciprocates on the rail 16 via the wheels 4a with a constant stroke S described later. The upper half of the trough saddle 5 mounted on the spacing rod 4 is fitted and fixed to the lower surface of each trough.
When the trough saddle 5 is conveyed by the forward movement of, the troughs 1 and 1 also move. However, as shown in FIG. 1 (c), the lower surface of the trough saddle 5 has a surface contact structure that can slide with respect to the upper surface of the spacing rod 4. When the stopper 6 or the return stopper 7 (see (a) of FIG. 1) is brought into contact, even if the spacing rod 4 continues to move forward or backward, the trough pitch p _{i is set} to the desired next pitch p.
It can be stopped when it is expanded to _{i + 1} .

Therefore, the forward stoppers 6 and 6 are arranged along the spacing rod 4 at the same intervals as the trough pitch p _i (see FIG. 2).
On one side, they move back and forth toward the trough saddle 5 all at once. As shown in FIG. 1A, the forward movement stoppers 6 ₁₁ , 6 ₁₂ , 6 ₁₃ , 6 ₂₁ , 6 2, ..., 6 ₄₂ are arranged in parallel with the spacing rod 4 and are spaced from each other. It is fixed to a forward-moving side contact / detachment member 6A which is swingable so as to contact / separate. Return stopper 7 ₁₁ , 7 ₁₂ , 7 ₁₃ ,
7 ₂₁ , ..., 7 ₄₂ are also arranged along the spacing rod 4 at the same intervals as the trough pitch p _i, and the spacing is performed so that the other side of the spacing rod 4 moves toward and away from the trough saddle 5 all at once. It is arranged in parallel with the rod 4 and is attached to the swingable return side separation / contact member 7A. By the way, since the present transport device aims to feed the most advanced trough 1 ₄₃ out of the line, neither the forward movement stopper 6 ₄₃ nor the backward movement stopper 7 ₄₃ is provided.

The forward movement control piece 8 is provided on one side of each trough saddle 5 and comes into contact with the rear surface of the forward movement stopper 6 which has advanced toward the trough saddle, and the troughs 1 and 2 move in spite of the forward movement of the spacing rod 4. This is to prevent one or more feeding operations. The backward movement restricting piece 9 provided on the other side of the trough saddle 5 also prevents the trough from returning despite the backward movement of the spacing rod when it comes into contact with the front surface of the backward movement stopper 7 that has advanced toward the trough saddle. Is. Therefore, the forward movement regulating piece 8 and the forward movement stopper 6 are at the same level (see FIG. 1C), and the backward movement regulating piece 9 and the backward movement stopper 7 are also arranged at the same level. The forward movement control piece 8 and the backward movement control piece 9 may be provided at the same position on the side surface of the trough saddle 5 in the front-rear direction, but in the example of FIG. They are arranged in a staggered manner. These may be block-shaped, and the forward movement stopper 6 and the backward movement stopper 7 may be short round bars or square bars.

Between the forward moving side separating / connecting member 6A and the spacing rod 4, as shown in FIG. 1 (c), the forward moving stopper 6 is directed toward the trough saddle 5 when the spacing rod 4 is displaced. A forward stopper separating / connecting mechanism 17 for advancing and retracting is provided. The forward movement stopper separating / contacting mechanism is formed on the forward moving side separating / connecting member 6A so as to project toward the spacing rod 4 and the forward moving cam follower 17A, and is formed on the spacing rod 4 to extend in the front-rear direction to effect the spacing. When the forward cam follower 17A rides up during the forward movement of the rod 4, the forward trapezoidal cam 17B that retracts the forward stopper 6 so as not to abut against the forward regulation piece 8, and the forward trapezoidal cam toward the forward trapezoidal cam It has an elastic body 17C for biasing the cam follower 17A.

The forward separation member 6A comprises a supporting plate 6a extending along the spacing rod 4 and a separating arm 6b for fixing the supporting plate with bolts 6m and swinging it toward the trough saddle 5. . As the forward cam follower 17A described above, a roller is adopted as can be seen from FIG. 1B, and the forward cam follower support member 17 is used.
It is rotatably supported by a. This forward cam follower support member is fixed to an angle-shaped support fitting 17b attached to the support plate 6a, and from (i) of FIG.
As in (iii), the forward cam follower support member 17a always maintains the same posture with respect to the forward trapezoidal cam 17B. Returning to FIG. 1C, the separating / connecting arm 6b is a shaft 6 supported by a bearing 16A provided on the lower surface of the rail 16.
It has a structure that can rotate around c. A horizontal bolt 6d to which a compression coil spring 17C is fitted is attached to the lower end, and the elastic force of the horizontal bolt 6d exerts a force in a direction in which the separating / connecting arm 6b approaches the spacing rod 4.

A return stopper separating / contacting mechanism 18 for advancing and retracting the returning stopper 7 toward the trough saddle 5 when the spacing rod is displaced is provided between the returning side separating / contacting member 7A and the spacing rod 4. To be The backward movement stopper separating / connecting mechanism 18 has the same structure as the forward movement stopper separating / contacting mechanism 17 described above, and is used for the backward movement attached to the returning side separating / connecting member 7A so as to project toward the spacing rod 4. The cam follower 18A and the spacing rod 4 are formed to extend in the front-rear direction, and when the returning cam follower 18A rides up when the spacing rod 4 retreats, the retreat stopper 7 retreats so as not to contact the retreat limiting piece 9. It has a moving trapezoidal cam 18B and an elastic body 18C for biasing the returning cam follower 18A toward the returning trapezoidal cam.

The return side separation / contact member 7A comprises a support plate 7a extending along the spacing rod 4 and a separation / contact arm 7b for swinging the support plate. A roller is used for the above-mentioned returning cam follower 18A, and is rotatably supported by the returning cam follower support member 18a. This return cam follower support member 18A is
As shown in FIG. 1 (b), it is rotatably supported by an angle-shaped support metal fitting 18b attached to the support plate 7a via a support shaft 18c so as to be rotatable with respect to the return trapezoidal cam 18B. The return cam follower support member 18a can change its posture as appropriate.

More specifically, a half-folding mechanism 19 is used for the returning cam follower support member 18a.
This half-folding mechanism is described in (i) to (iii) of FIG.
As described above, when the spacing rod 4 moves forward and the backward movement cam follower 18A rides up from the front inclined surface 18f of the backward movement trapezoidal cam 18B, it passes through the backward movement trapezoidal cam 18B from the state before the riding. 15 (i) to (iii) of FIG. 15 as shown in FIGS. 15 (i) to (iii) while maintaining the posture of the returning cam follower support member 18a with respect to the returning trapezoidal cam 18B until the state after the movement. The spacing rod 4 moves back, and the moving cam follower 18A moves rearwardly to the trapezoidal cam 18B.
When riding from r, the backward movement trapezoidal cam 1
The attitude of the returning cam follower support member 18a with respect to 8B is changed to maintain the returning stopper 7 in the advanced state.

In order to realize the one-sided bending, referring to (i) of FIG. 14 (b) and (i) of FIG. 15, the returning cam follower supporting member 18a has a stopper portion 19A and a non-stopper portion 19B. And an elastic member 19C are provided. The stopper portion 19A is generated when the returning cam follower 18A rides up from the front inclined surface 18f of the returning trapezoidal cam 18B (see (i) in FIG. 14B) when the spacing rod 4 moves forward. The cam follower support member 1 for returning motion is opposed to the moment M _f caused by the resistance force.
8a is a portion that comes into contact with the inner surface of the vertical flange 18m of the support fitting 18b to prevent the posture change of 8a, and is a flat portion formed in the front part of the end opposite to the roller beyond the support shaft 18c of the returning cam follower support member 18a. Is. Therefore,
During the period (i) to (iii) in FIG. 14B, the returning cam follower support member 18a is in the upright posture. A rib 18n bent upward is provided at the front end of the returning cam follower support member 18a in order to surely counter the moment _Mf .

The non-stopper portion 19B is generated when the returning cam follower 18A rides up from the rear inclined surface 18r (see (i) of FIG. 15) of the returning trapezoidal cam 18B during the returning movement of the spacing rod 4. Since the moment M _{r due} to the resistance force cannot be opposed and the attitude of the returning cam follower support member 18a is allowed to change, the support fitting 18b is provided.
Is a flat cut portion that is formed obliquely at the rear portion of the end of the backward cam follower support member 18a opposite to the roller. Incidentally, as shown in (ii) in FIG. 15, the distance L _B from the support shaft 18c to the non-stop portion 19B is shorter than the distance L _A to the stopper portion 19A, the rotation of Fukudoyo cam follower support member 18a Is not disturbed

The elastic member 19C is the cam follower 1 for the backward movement.
8A is a moment M _{r due} to a resistance force generated when the backward moving trapezoidal cam 18B rides up from the rear inclined surface 18r.
(See (i) of FIG. 15), and after allowing the posture change of the return cam follower 18A,
As shown in (iv), the attitude of the returning cam follower 18A is restored as shown in (v) of the figure from the time when the returning cam follower 18A passes through the front inclined surface 18f of the returning trapezoidal cam 18B. In this example, a U-shaped spring surrounding the support shaft 18c is used. One end is the return cam follower support member 18a and the other end is the support fitting 18b.
It is fixed to.

Returning to FIG. 1C, the returning-side separating / contacting member 7
The separating / connecting arm 7b constituting A is a bearing 16B provided on the lower surface of the rail 16 similarly to the separating / connecting arm 6b described above.
The structure is such that it can rotate around a shaft 7c supported by the. A horizontal bolt 7d fitted with a compression coil spring 18C is attached to the lower end, and the elastic force of the bolt 7d exerts a force in a direction in which the separating / connecting arm 7b approaches the spacing rod 4. In this example,
The bolt 7d is shared with the bolt 6d so that the elastic body 18C and the elastic body 17C are the same, but they may be independent.

The spacing mechanism shown in FIG.
(A) and FIG. 2, a trough group 2 ₁ having three troughs 1 ₁₁ , 1 ₁₂ and 1 ₁₃ each having a width of 50 mm and a trough pitch p ₁ of 60 mm and three troughs 1 ₂₁ , 1 _22, 1
A trough group 2 ₂ consisting of ₂₃ and a trough pitch p ₂ of 70 mm, three troughs 1 ₃₁ , 1 ₃₂ , and a trough group 2 ₃ consisting of ₃₃ of a trough pitch p ₃ of 100 mm, and three troughs 1
_{Consisting of 41} , ₁₄₂ , and ₄₃ , the trough pitch p ₄ is 170 mm
Assuming that the trough group 2 ₄ is a hydroponic cultivation facility such as the trough group 2 _{4 of the} above, the trough group 2 _i is conveyed by the spacing mechanism, and each trough pitch p _i becomes p _{i + 1.} The movements will be described in order.

In accordance with the above-mentioned trough pitch p _i , the forward movement stoppers 6 ₁₁ , 6 ₁₂ , ...
.. 6 ₄₁ , 6 ₄₂ are arranged in order, and the return stoppers 7 ₁₁ , 7 ₁₂ , ... 7 ₄₁ , 7 ₄₂ are also installed on the support plate 7 a. FIG. 1A shows an initial state immediately before harvesting, in which the distance between the forward movement stopper 6 _{11 at the} right end and the forward movement regulating piece 8 ₁₁ of the trough saddle 5 ₁₁ is 65 mm, which is 5 mm larger than the trough pitch p ₁ . The distance between the backward movement stopper 7 _{11 at the} right end and the backward movement regulating piece 9 ₁₂ of the trough saddle 5 ₁₂ is 0 mm.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), the forward cam follower 17A is located at the front end of the rearward inclined surface 17r of the forward trapezoidal cam 17B, and the backward cam follower 18A.
A is at the front end of the front inclined surface 18f of the backward trapezoidal cam 18B. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1C, the backward movement stopper 7 advances so as to come into contact with the backward movement regulating piece 9, and the forward movement stopper 6 is retracted from the forward movement regulation piece 8. The backward movement restricting pieces 9 of the trough saddles 5 are located in front of the backward movement stoppers 7, so that the backward movement stoppers 7 do not interfere with the backward movement stoppers 7 even if the spacing rod 4 moves forward.
Each trough 1 can be moved forward through the. In addition, the forward trapezoidal cam 17 shown in FIG.
The length of the rear inclined surface 17r of B, the front inclined surface 18f and the rear inclined surface 18r of the backward trapezoidal cam 18B is 40 mm.
It is supposed to be. By the way, the trough 1 ₄₃ , 1 ₄₂ , 1
The harvesting work from ₄₁ and the addition of three new troughs with newly emerged seedlings were planted in the morning and the trough pitch p _i of trough group 2 _i was given the day before harvesting. ing.

When the spacing rod 4 starts to move forward, the returning cam follower 18A moves to the returning trapezoidal cam 18
The forward cam follower 17A begins to ride on the front inclined surface 18f of B and the rearward inclined surface 17 of the forward trapezoidal cam 17B.
Start to go down r. When the spacing rod 4 has moved 40 mm forward, as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the return cam follower 18A completely rides on the return trapezoidal cam 18B, and the forward cam follower 17A moves forward. It goes down the rear side inclined surface 17r of the shaped cam 17B. Therefore, as shown in (c) of FIG. 4, the backward movement stopper 7 retreats from the backward movement regulating piece 9 while the forward movement stopper 6 advances toward the trough saddle 5. However, for example, the forward movement stopper 6 ₁₁ and the forward movement regulating piece 8 ₁₁ of the trough saddle 5 ₁₁ are 65 mm
Because away, even if the 40mm forward spacing rods 4, as in FIG. 4 (a), the forward movement restricting piece 8 ₁₁ 25
It does not come into contact with the forward movement stopper 6 ₁₁ except for mm.

The same applies to the forward movement stopper 6 ₁₂ and the forward movement regulating piece 8 ₁₂ and the forward movement stopper 6 ₁₃ and the forward movement regulating piece 8 ₁₃ . The other parts, for example, the forward movement regulating piece 8 ₂₂ and the forward movement stopper 6 ₂₂ are 75
Since they were separated by mm, 35 mm remains between them. 105
The distance between the forward movement regulating piece 8 ₃₂ and the forward movement stopper 6 _32, which are separated by mm, is 65 mm, and the distance between the forward movement regulation piece 8 ₄₁ and the forward movement stopper 6 ₄₁ , which is 175 mm apart, is 135 mm. By the way, during the forward movement of 40 mm, for example, the forward movement regulating piece 8 ₁₂ moves forward beyond the forward movement stopper 6 ₁₁ . But,
Make sure that the tip of the forward movement restriction piece 8 that moves forward does not hit the forward movement stopper 6 that has begun to advance, that is, the forward movement stopper 6 moves forward after the forward movement regulation piece 8 crosses the forward movement stopper 6. In order to complete, the width dimensions of the forward movement control piece 8 and the forward movement stopper 6 and the inclination angle of the rear side inclined surface 17r are selected. In some cases, the rear side inclined surface 17r may be 30 mm or the shape of the inclined surface may be a quadratic curve so that the forward movement stopper 6 can move slowly in the first half of the advancing process.

Even if the spacing rod 4 further moves forward by 25 mm, the returning cam followers 18A remain on the returning trapezoidal cams 18B as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), and the moving cam followers 17A. Is a trapezoidal cam 17 for forward movement
It stays off B. Therefore, as shown in (c) of FIG. 5, the backward movement stopper 7 is in a state of being retracted from the backward movement regulating piece 9, and the forward movement stopper 6 maintains the advanced state. As a result, the forward movement stopper 6 which was initially 65 mm apart
_The forward movement restricting piece 811 and ₁₁ are in contact with each other as shown in FIG. The same applies to the forward movement stopper 6 ₁₂ and the forward movement regulation piece 8 ₁₂ and the forward movement stopper 6 ₁₃ and the forward movement regulation piece 8 ₁₃ . Therefore, the trough saddles 5 ₁₁ , 5 ₁₂ and 5 ₁₃ maintaining the trough pitch p ₁ = 60 mm are stopped when the troughs ₁₁ 1, 5 ₁₂ and 5 ₁₃ have advanced 65 mm, and the troughs ₁₁ 1, 1 ₁₂ and 1 ₁₃ are prevented from further advancing. However, the other portions, for example, the forward movement regulating piece 8 ₂₂ and the forward movement stopper 6 ₂₂ leave a 10 mm gap, and the forward movement regulating piece 8 ₂₂ is left.
The distance between ₃₂ and the forward movement stopper 6 ₃₂ is 40 mm, and the distance between the forward movement regulating piece 8 ₄₁ and the forward movement stopper 6 ₄₁ is 110 mm.

The spacing rod 4 is moved forward by 10 mm. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the return cam follower 18A is the return trapezoidal cam 18
Remaining on B, the forward cam follower 17A remains disengaged from the forward trapezoidal cam 17B. As shown in (c) of FIG. 6, the backward movement stopper 7 is retracted from the backward movement regulating piece 9, and the forward movement stopper 6 maintains the advanced state.
As a result, the forward movement stopper 6 ₂₁ and the forward movement regulating piece 8 ₂₁ which are initially separated by 75 mm come into contact with each other as shown in FIG. The same applies to the forward movement stopper 6 ₂₂ and the forward movement regulation piece 8 ₂₂ and the forward movement stopper 6 ₂₃ and the forward movement regulation piece 8 ₂₃ . Therefore, Torafusadoru 5 _21, 5 _22, 5 ₂₃ maintaining the trough pitch p ₂ = 70 mm are stopped at was 75mm forward,
Further advancement of the trough 1 _21, 1 _22, 1 ₂₃ is prevented. However, the other portions, for example, the forward movement control piece 8 ₃₂ and the forward movement stopper 6 ₃₂ leave a space of 30 mm, and the forward movement control piece 8 ₄₁ is left.
The distance between the forward movement stopper 6 ₄₁ and 100 mm is 100 mm.

The spacing rod 4 is moved forward by 30 mm. Also at this time, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the return cam follower 18A is the return trapezoidal cam 1A.
8B, the forward cam follower 17A remains disengaged from the forward trapezoidal cam 17B. As shown in (c) of FIG. 7, the backward movement stopper 7 is in a state of being retracted from the backward movement regulating piece 9, and the forward movement stopper 6 is maintained in the advanced state. As a result, the forward movement stopper 6 ₃₁ and the forward movement regulating piece 8 ₃₁ that are initially 105 mm apart are in contact with each other as shown in FIG. The same applies to the forward movement stopper 6 ₃₂ and the forward movement regulation piece 8 _32, and the forward movement stopper 6 ₃₃ and the forward movement regulation piece 8 ₃₃ . Therefore, the trough saddles 5 ₃₁ , 5 ₃₂ , and 5 ₃₃ that maintain the trough pitch p ₃ = 100 mm stop when they have advanced 30 mm, and the troughs 1 ₃₁ , 1 ₃₂ , and 1 ₃₃ are prevented from further advancing. However, the other portion, for example, the forward movement regulating piece 8 ₄₂ and the forward movement stopper 6 ₄₂ leave a space of 70 mm.

The spacing rod 4 is further moved forward by 70 mm. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the returning cam follower 18A remains on the returning trapezoidal cam 18B. The forward cam follower 17A remains disengaged from the forward trapezoidal cam 17B. As shown in (c) of FIG. 8, the backward movement stopper 7 is in a state of being retracted from the backward movement regulating piece 9, and the forward movement stopper 6 is kept in the advanced state. As a result, the forward movement stopper 6 ₄₁ and the forward movement regulating piece 8 _41, which are initially separated by 175 mm, come into contact with each other as shown in FIG. The same applies to the forward movement stopper 6 ₄₂ and the forward movement regulating piece 8 ₄₂ . When the trough saddles 5 ₄₁ , 5 ₄₂ , and 5 ₄₃ maintaining the trough pitch p ₄ = 170 mm have advanced 70 mm, they stop. However, since the forward movement stopper 6 ₄₃ does not exist, the trough 1 ₄₃ is not in a restrained state, but the succeeding troughs 1 ₄₂ and 1 ₄₁ are prevented from further advancing. Since the spacing rod 4 is moved forward by 175 mm, each backward movement regulating piece 9 is also advanced by 5 mm beyond each trough pitch p _i , and is displaced by 5 mm from the backward movement stopper 7 in the forward movement direction. It is in.

In this way, each trough group 2 is advanced by a predetermined distance, but in order to move the trough 1 ₄₃ to the harvesting point,
The spacing rod 4 is further 5 as shown in FIG.
It is moved 0 mm forward. As a result, the spacing rod 4
Completes a forward stroke of a constant stroke S = 225 mm.
By this operation, only the trough saddle 5 ₄₃ that is not in contact with the forward movement stopper 6 advances, and the trough 1 ₄₃ reaches the harvesting trough cradle 20 and is restrained at that position. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9B, the backward movement cam follower 18A has the backward movement trapezoidal cam 18B rear side inclined surface 18r.
However, the forward cam follower 17A remains separated from the forward trapezoidal cam 17B. As shown in (c) of FIG. 9, the backward movement stopper 7 advances toward the trough saddle 5, and the forward movement stopper 6 maintains the advanced state. As described above, the backward movement restricting piece 9 is 5 against the backward movement stopper 7.
Since it is displaced by mm, it does not interfere with the backward movement regulating piece 9 of the trough saddle 5 when the backward movement stopper 7 advances.

Next, the spacing rod 4 starts returning. As shown in (a) of FIG.
The troughs 1 and 1 other than the trough 1 ₄₃ move backward by 5 mm, and the backward movement regulating pieces 9 of the respective trough saddles 5 come into contact with the backward movement stopper 7. Therefore, the forward movement regulating piece 8 that was in contact with the forward movement stopper 6 is separated from the forward movement stopper 6 by 5 mm.
As shown in FIG. 10B, the cam follower 1 for return
8A starts climbing the rearward inclined surface 18r of the backward trapezoidal cam 18B, but since the backward cam follower support member 18a is provided with the one-way folding mechanism 19, the backward stopper is caused by the behavior described in FIG. 7 is (c) of FIG.
As shown in (4), there is no withdrawal from the backward movement regulation piece 9. On the other hand, the forward cam follower 17A is a forward trapezoidal cam 17
Since the forward movement stopper 6 is advanced because it is still disengaged from B, it does not hinder the backward movement of the trough 1.

Even if the spacing rod 4 is further moved back by 35 mm and the returning cam follower 18A rides on the returning trapezoidal cam 18B as shown in FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b), As in c), the return stopper 7 keeps the advanced state. The forward stopper 6 has also advanced. When it further retreats by 145 mm, the forward cam follower 17A reaches the rear inclined surface 17r of the forward trapezoidal cam 17B as shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b). Of course, as shown in FIG. 12C, both the backward movement stopper 7 and the forward movement stopper 6 have advanced. When further reciprocated by 40 mm, the reciprocating cam follower 18A follows the front inclined surface 18f and descends from the reciprocating trapezoidal cam 18B, as shown in FIGS.
7A is a forward trapezoidal cam 1 that follows the rear side inclined surface 17r.
Get on 7B. As shown in (c) of FIG. 13, the backward movement stopper 7 keeps the advanced state, and the forward movement stopper 6 retracts from the forward movement regulating piece 8.

In this way, when the spacing rod 4 completes the returning movement of the predetermined stroke S = 225 mm, a new trough ₁₀₃ in which seedlings are planted is placed on the empty portion on the rear side. No spacing 65mm and forward restricting pieces 8 ₀₃ and forward movement stopper 6 ₁₁ of Torafusadoru 5 ₀₃ shown in phantom, the exact state of (a) and FIG. Again, spacing rod 4 Once 225mm forward, the operation of FIGS. 4 described above to 9 is performed, the trough 1 ₄₂ reaches the harvesting trough cradle 20. Therefore, trough 1 ₄₃
Harvesting of the next trough 1 ₄₂ from the time it reaches the FIG. 9 is performed until the state of FIG. To put it the other way around, the spacing rod 4 is reciprocated once in anticipation of the working time during which all of the trough 1 ₄₃ leaf vegetables can be harvested.

The spacing rod 4 is shown in FIGS.
Returning to step 1, although not shown, the next new trough ₁₀₂ is mounted on the spacing rod 4. A new repeat trough ₁₀₁ will be put in by the same repetition, but in the meantime,
Harvests from troughs 1 ₄₂ and 1 ₄₁ are carried out in sequence. On the other hand, new planting work seedlings into the trough 1 _02, i.e. Hachiana the Uehachi 11 seedlings were germinated like darkroom (see Figure 2) 10
The work to fit into a is shown in Fig. 13 after mounting the trough ₁₀₃ .
All you have to do is to return to. When the trough 1 ₀₁ is nonoxynol the spacing rod 4, the work for the day is complete, trough pitch of the trough group 2 ₃ p ₄ from p ₃
The trough pitch of the trough group 2 ₂ is expanded from p ₂ to p
₃ , the trough pitch of trough group 2 ₁ is expanded to p ₂ . New trough 1 _03, 1 _02, 1 ₀₁ of the trough pitch p
₁ and eventually trough 1 ₃₃ , 1 ₃₂ , 1 ₃₁ is trough 1
_43, 1 _42, 1 _41, and the trough 1 _23, 1 _22, 1 ₂₁ trough 1 _33, 1 _32, 1 _31, and the trough 1 _13, 1 _12, 1 ₁₁ trough 1 _23, 1 _22, 1 ₂₁ becomes , Trough 1 ₀₃ , 1 ₀₂ , 1
₀₁ becomes trough 1 ₁₃ , 1 ₁₂ and 1 ₁₁ . Even if the trough group 2 _i is made up of 18 troughs, such an operation for one day does not require one hour for the 18 times of remounting work.

As can be seen from the above description, it is possible to advance the trough groups arranged at a predetermined trough pitch by the spacing rods of the present pitch-increasing trough group carrier. Then, the forward movement regulating pieces provided on the trough saddle are brought into contact with the forward movement stoppers arranged at the same intervals as the trough pitch, whereby the pitch of each trough group can be gradually expanded according to the growth of leaf vegetables. To reduce unnecessary space in childhood, increase the number of cultivations per unit area, and to make energy-saving cultivation facilities aiming to improve lighting efficiency when illuminating in a greenhouse or dark room. You can

In addition, it is possible to move the whole trough by a desired distance while maintaining the arrangement state of the troughs, and as the pitch increment type trough group conveying device, the manufacturing accuracy is lower than that in the case where the rotary screw rod is adopted. . In addition, the movement of the trough group and the forward / backward movement of the forward and backward stoppers are realized by only the actuator that is reciprocally displaced in the horizontal direction, and since there is no movement to lift the trough, the power required for the trough transportation is significantly reduced. Is planned. Further, since the force is applied only in the horizontal direction, the structure of the drive system is simplified and the occurrence of failure is reduced. Even if the cultivation scale becomes large, it will be easy to increase the production scale by avoiding the spacing mechanism from becoming large and complicated and increasing its length, that is, including multiple troughs in one trough group. .

The trough saddle 5 has a surface contact structure in which the lower surface of the trough saddle 5 can slide on the upper surface of the spacing rod 4, and when the trough saddle 5 is transported by the spacing rod or regulated by the forward and backward stoppers, it is slid. It is possible to make relative displacement with the pacing rod,
Instead of the surface contact structure, the wheel 5 as shown in FIG.
a may be provided. Further, the forward trapezoidal cam 17B and the backward trapezoidal cam 18B traced by the forward cam follower 17A and the backward cam follower 18A are formed so as to project from the spacing rod 4, but as shown in FIG. A recessed groove 4b is formed in the spacing rod 4, and the forward movement trapezoidal cam 17B and the backward movement trapezoidal cam 18 are formed.
The portion corresponding to B may be made to coincide with the surface of the spacing rod 4.

Further, a compression coil spring is adopted as an elastic body for urging each cam follower toward each trapezoidal cam in the forward movement stopper separation / contact mechanism 17 and the backward movement stopper separation / contact mechanism 18. As shown in (c) of FIG. 16, auxiliary plates 6n and 7n that laterally project from the separating / connecting arms 6b and 7b are provided, and are pulled between the ends of the mounting plates 16a and 16b of the bearings 16A and 16B. It goes without saying that even if the coil springs 17S and 18S are stretched, the same action can be exerted.

Instead of forming the trapezoidal cam on the side surface of the spacing rod 4 as shown in FIG. 1C, for example, it is provided on the lower surface as shown in FIG. The trapezoidal cam 17B and the return trapezoidal cam 18B are brought into contact with the forward cam follower 17A and the return cam follower 18A that are biased from below, and are held by the guide members 21A and 21B to move up and down. The forward movement stopper 6 and the backward movement stopper 7 provided at the upper end of 7b can be made to advance or retract toward the forward movement regulation piece 8 or the backward movement regulation piece 9 of the trough saddle 5. In this case, the cam follower 1 is directed toward the trapezoidal cams 17B and 18B.
The elastic bodies 17C and 18C for urging 7A and 18A are
A compression coil spring that exerts an elastic force in the vertical direction is adopted.

By the way, the half-folding mechanism 19 shown in FIG.
A series of operations of the return cam follower 18A by
It is also realized by the structure shown in (i) of (a) of FIG. The stopper portion 19A is a rear surface of the protruding portion 18D that extends from the front portion on the side opposite to the roller beyond the support shaft 18c of the returning cam follower support member 18a toward the support plate 6 and abuts on the front end of the support metal fitting 18b. The portion 19B is the protruding portion 1 that does not contact the support fitting 18b.
It is the front of 8D.

Even in such a structure, when the spacing rod 4 is moved forward, the moment M _f caused by the resistance force generated when the backward movement cam follower 18A rides up from the front side inclined surface 18f of the backward movement trapezoidal cam 18B is increased. In opposition, the return cam follower support member 18a comes into contact with the support fitting 18b in order to prevent the posture change of the return cam follower support member 18a. Therefore, the return cam follower support member is held between (i) and (iii) in FIG. 18a maintains an upright posture. on the other hand,
As shown in (i) to (iii) of (b) of FIG.
Spacing rod 4 returns and cam follower 1 for return
When 8A rides up from the rear inclined surface 18r of the trapezoidal cam 18B for backward movement, the moment M _r caused by the resistance force generated at that time cannot be opposed and the trapezoidal cam 18B for backward movement is not supported.
The attitude of the returning cam follower support member 18a with respect to can be changed and the returning stopper 7 can be maintained in the advanced state. Of course, it goes without saying that the elastic member 19C acts so as to restore the returning cam follower support member 18a to the upright posture between (iv) and (v) of FIG. 17B.

In any of the above examples, the forward cam follower 17A of the forward stopper separation / contact mechanism 17 is attached to the forward side separation / contact member 6A, and the forward trapezoidal cam 17B.
Is formed on the spacing rod 4, but as shown in FIG. 18A, the forward cam follower 17A is attached to the spacing rod 4 so as to project toward the support plate 6a of the forward separation member 6A. On the other hand, while the forward trapezoidal cam 17B is formed on the support plate 6a, the forward trapezoidal cam 17B may be biased toward the forward cam follower 17A. Further, in the backward movement stopper separation / contact mechanism 18 including the single-sided folding mechanism 19, similarly, the backward movement cam follower 18A as shown in FIG.
Is attached to the spacing rod 4 so as to project toward the support plate 7a of the return side separation / contact member 7A, while the return trapezoidal cam 18B is formed on the support plate 7a.
It is also possible to bias the cam follower 18A for the return movement.

The forward cam follower 17A and the backward cam follower 18A are not limited to the rollers, but may be the one shown in FIG.
Alternatively, as shown in (d), a smooth copying surface can be used. In this case, it goes without saying that the copying surfaces 17A and 18A are preferably integrated with the cam follower supporting members 17a and 18a described above.

By the way, as described with reference to FIG. 1A, the distance between the forward movement stopper 6 _1j (j = 1, 2, 3) and the forward movement regulating piece 8 _1j of the trough saddle 5 _1j is equal to the trough pitch p. 65 mm, which is 5 mm larger than ₁
The distance between _2j and the forward movement control piece 8 _2j is 5 from the trough pitch p _2.
mm larger by 75 mm, forward stopper 6 _3j and forward regulating piece 8
The distance from _3j is 5 mm larger than the trough pitch p ₃ 105
9 mm, the distance between the forward movement stopper 6 ₄₁ and the forward movement regulating piece 8 ₄₁ and the distance between the forward movement stopper 6 ₄₂ and the forward movement regulating piece 8 ₄₂ is 175 mm which is 5 mm larger than the trough pitch p ₄ . As described in a), when the backward movement cam follower 18A moves down the backward inclined surface 18r of the backward movement trapezoidal cam 18B, the backward movement stopper 7 can smoothly advance without interfering with the backward movement regulating piece 9. To do so. Therefore, the stroke S of the spacing rod 4 is also 225 m.
It has become m.

However, as shown in FIG. 18 (e), the taper surfaces 7t, 9 are attached to the tip of the backward movement stopper 7 or the backward movement regulating piece 9.
When t is formed, even if the backward movement regulating piece 9 and the backward movement stopper 7 may slightly overlap in the front-back direction when the state of FIG. In the operation of, the backward movement stopper 7 can be advanced by utilizing the tapered surface. Therefore, the forward movement in FIG. 5A can be set to 20 mm which is shorter by 5 mm, and the backward movement of 5 mm of the spacing rod 4 as shown in FIG. After all, the stroke of the spacing rod 4 is 220 mm. It should be noted that although this stroke is sufficient with an actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder, the first link 22a as shown at the right end of FIG.
It can also be reciprocated by the second link 22b that converts the rotation of the above into a linear movement.

If the forward movement stopper separation / contact mechanism 17 and the backward movement stopper separation / contact mechanism 18 are composed of the trapezoidal cam and the cam follower biased by the trapezoidal cam, the reciprocating movement of the spacing rod 4 will be described. Interlocked with each stopper 6,7
Can be moved forward and backward, and the pitch increasing type trough group transfer device can be operated by only one actuator or the like. However, instead of the cam mechanism described above, a support plate 6 having a stopper attached thereto is provided by a signal from a limit switch or the like that detects the movement of the spacing rod 4.
It is also possible to move the a and 7a forward and backward by a pneumatic cylinder or the like (not shown). When the above-mentioned cam mechanism is adopted, the forward movement stopper 6 is retracted between FIG. 12 (a) and FIG. 13 (a), but a forward / backward actuator such as a pneumatic cylinder is adopted. In this case, the forward movement stopper can be retracted between any one of FIG. 10 (a) to FIG. 13 (a). The half-folding mechanism provided in the backward movement stopper separating / contacting mechanism is not limited to the above-described FIG. 15 and FIG. 17 (b), and it is needless to say that other known structures can be adopted. Absent.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view in an initial state in which the conveyance of a trough group is started by a pitch increasing type trough group conveying device according to the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a forward cam follower and a backward movement state in the state of FIG. An enlarged view showing a positional relationship between the cam followers and the trapezoidal cams, and (c) is an enlarged view showing a positional relationship between the forward movement stopper and the backward movement stopper as viewed from the right end of (a) with respect to each trough saddle.

FIG. 2 is a view taken along line II-II in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a pitch-increasing type trough group conveying device.

FIG. 4A is a conveyance state diagram when the spacing rod moves 40 mm forward and the backward movement stopper retracts from the trough saddle, while the forward movement stopper advances, FIG. 4B shows the forward movement state in the state of FIG. An enlarged view showing a positional relationship between the moving cam follower and the returning cam follower with respect to each trapezoidal cam, and (c) is an enlarged view showing a positional relationship between the forward movement stopper and the returning movement stopper with respect to each trough saddle.

FIG. 5 (a) is a conveyance state diagram at a time point when the forward movement stopper blocks the forward movement of the trough group mounted on the previous day due to the forward movement of the spacing rod by 65 mm, (b).
Is an enlarged view showing the positional relationship between the forward cam follower and the returning cam follower with respect to each trapezoidal cam in the state of (a), and (c) is an enlarged view showing the positional relationship between the forward movement stopper and the backward movement stopper with respect to each trough saddle. .

FIG. 6 (a) is a conveyance state diagram at a time point when a trough group mounted two days ago is prevented from moving forward by a forward movement stopper by moving a spacing rod forward by 75 mm;
Is an enlarged view showing the positional relationship between the forward cam follower and the returning cam follower with respect to each trapezoidal cam in the state of (a), and (c) is an enlarged view showing the positional relationship between the forward movement stopper and the backward movement stopper with respect to each trough saddle. .

FIG. 7 (a) is a conveyance state diagram at the time when the forward movement stopper 105 moves the spacing rod forward, thereby blocking the trough group mounted three days ago.
(B) is an enlarged view showing the positional relationship between the forward cam follower and the returning cam follower with respect to each trapezoidal cam in the state of (a), and (c) shows the positional relationship between the forward movement stopper and the backward movement stopper with respect to each trough saddle. The enlarged view.

FIG. 8 (a) is a transfer state diagram when a forward movement stopper moves a spacing rod forward by 175 mm and a trough group mounted four days ago is blocked by a forward movement stopper;
(B) is an enlarged view showing the positional relationship between the forward cam follower and the returning cam follower with respect to each trapezoidal cam in the state of (a), and (c) shows the positional relationship between the forward movement stopper and the backward movement stopper with respect to each trough saddle. The enlarged view.

FIG. 9 (a) shows that the spacing rod is moved forward by 225 mm with a full stroke, so that only the frontmost trough of the trough group loaded four days ago is sent to the harvesting trough cradle, and , A conveyance state diagram at the time when the backward movement stopper advances toward the trough saddle, (b) is an enlarged view showing the positional relationship between the forward cam follower and the backward movement cam follower with respect to each trapezoidal cam in the state of (a), (c) ) Is an enlarged view showing the positional relationship between the forward and backward stoppers for each trough saddle.

FIG. 10 (a) is a backward movement state diagram when the backward movement stopper prevents the backward movement of the remaining trough mounted on the spacing rod by the backward movement of the spacing rod by 5 mm, and FIG. An enlarged view showing a positional relationship between the forward cam follower and the returning cam follower with respect to each trapezoidal cam in the state of a), and (c) an enlarged view showing a positional relationship between the forward movement stopper and the backward movement stopper with respect to each trough saddle.

FIG. 11 (a) shows that the backward movement of the spacing rod is 40 mm and the backward movement cam follower rides on the backward movement trapezoidal cam, but the backward movement stopper stops the backward movement of the trough mounted on the spacing rod. Fig. 11 (b) is an enlarged view showing the positional relationship between the forward cam follower and the returning cam follower with respect to each trapezoidal cam in the state of (a), and (c) is the forward stopper and the returning stopper. The enlarged view showing the positional relationship with each trough saddle.

FIG. 12 (a) shows a spacing rod of 185 mm.
Despite the backward movement, the backward movement state diagram in which the backward movement stopper blocks the backward movement of the trough mounted on the spacing rod. (B) is the forward movement cam follower and the backward movement cam follower in the state of (a). 2C is an enlarged view showing the positional relationship with respect to each trapezoidal cam, and FIG. 7C is an enlarged view showing the positional relationship between the forward movement stopper and the backward movement stopper with respect to each trough saddle.

FIG. 13 (a) shows that the backward movement stopper prevents the trough mounted on the spacing rod from moving backward, while the backward movement stopper prevents the backward movement of the trough mounted on the spacing rod. Fig. 4 (b) is an enlarged view showing the positional relationship between the forward cam follower and the backward cam follower with respect to each trapezoidal cam in the state of (a). FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing the positional relationship between the trough saddle and the return stopper for each trough saddle.

FIG. 14 (a) is a series of operation explanatory views of a forward movement stopper that moves forward and backward toward the trough saddle when the spacing rod reciprocates, and FIG. 14 (b) shows a backward movement that moves forward and backward toward the trough saddle when the spacing rod moves forward and backward. A series of operation explanatory views of a stopper.

FIG. 15 is a series of operation explanatory views for maintaining the state in which the backward movement stopper is advanced toward the trough saddle by changing the posture of the backward movement cam follower support member by the one-way bending mechanism when the spacing rod is returned.

16A is a cross-sectional view of a pitch-increasing type trough group transfer device to which another example of a trough saddle that is relatively displaceable with respect to a spacing rod is applied, and FIG. 16B is a diagram showing a groove formed on the spacing rod. Incidentally, a cross-sectional view of an example having a cam mechanism adapted to follow a cam follower, (c) a cross-sectional view of another example of urging a support arm toward a spacing rod, and (d) a forward stopper. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a transport device including a modified example of the separation / contact mechanism and the return stopper separation / contact mechanism.

FIG. 17A is a series of operation explanatory views of the posture change of the returning cam follower supporting member at the time of returning of the spacing rod when the backward bending cam follower supporting member is applied with the one-sided folding mechanism; FIG. 7 is a series of forward / backward movement explanatory views of the backward movement stopper at the time of forward movement of the spacing rod in the case of applying the one-way bending mechanism having a different structure.

FIG. 18 (a) is a configuration diagram of another example of a forward movement stopper separation / contact mechanism in which a forward movement cam follower is provided on a spacing rod and a forward movement trapezoidal cam is formed on a forward movement side separation / contact member;
Is a configuration diagram of another example of the return stopper separating / connecting mechanism in which the returning cam follower is provided on the spacing rod, and the returning trapezoidal cam is formed on the returning side separating / connecting member. (C) is the forward cam follower and the forward cam follower. The cam mechanism adopted in the forward stopper separating / connecting mechanism of the example in which the supporting member is integrated, (d) is adopted in the returning stopper separating / connecting mechanism in which the returning cam follower and the returning cam follower supporting member are integrated. Fig. (E) shows a cam mechanism with a gradually increasing pitch trough group that adopts a taper surface at the tip of the return stopper or return regulating piece and other drive mechanism that reciprocates the spacing rod with a certain stroke. FIG.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the trough itself in the vicinity of an end thereof.

FIG. 20A is an overall view when troughs are arranged at the same pitch, and FIG. 20B is a trough array diagram when the trough pitch is expanded according to the growth of leaf vegetables.

FIG. 21 is a principle view of a conventional trough group moving device, which is a device for gradually increasing the pitch of a trough by using a spiral groove of a rotary screw rod.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1 ₁₁ , 1 ₁₂ , 1 ₁₃ , 1, _{21 2} , 1 ₂₂ , ₂₃ , 1 ₃₁ , ...
・ 1 ₄₃ … Trough, 2, 2 _i , 2 ₁ , 2 ₂ , 2 ₃ , 2 ₄ ….
Trough group, 3 ... Pitch gradual increase type trough transfer device, 4 ... Spacing rod, 5, 5 ₁₁ , 5 ₁₂ , 5, _{13 21} , 5 ₂₁ , 5 ₂₂ ,
5 ₂₃ , 5 ₃₁ , ... 5 ₄₃ ... Trough saddle, 6, 6 ₁₁ , 6
₁₂ , 6 ₁₃ , 6 ₂₁ , 6 ₂₂ , ₂₂ 6 ₂₃ , 6 ₃₁ , ... 6 ₄₂ ... Forward stopper, 6A ... Forward side separating / connecting member, 7, 7 ₁₁ , 7 ₁₂ , 7
₁₃ , 7 ₂₁ , 7 ₂₂ , 7 ₂₃ , 7 ₃₁ , ... 7 ₄₂ ... Returning stopper, 7A ... Returning side connecting / disconnecting member, 8, 8 ₁₁ , 8 ₁₂ , 8 ₁₃ , 8
₂₁ , 8 ₂₂ , 8, ₂₃ , 8 ₃₁ , ... 8 ₄₃ ... Forward restriction piece, 9,
9 ₁₁ , 9 ₁₂ , 9 ₁₃ , 9 ₂₁ , 9 ₂₂ , 9 ₂₃ , 9 ₃₁ , ... 9
₄₃ ... Returning restricting piece, 10 ... Belt, 10a ... Bowl hole, 11 ...
Flower pot, 13 ... Liquid fertilizer, 17 ... Forward stopper separating / connecting mechanism, 17
A: forward cam follower, 17B: forward trapezoidal cam,
17C ... Elastic body (compression coil spring), 18 ... Returning stopper separation / contact mechanism, 18A ... Returning cam follower, 18B ... Returning trapezoidal cam, 18C ... Elastic body (compression coil spring),
18a ... Return cam follower support member, 18f ... Front sloping surface, 18r ... Rear sloping surface, 19 ... Half-folding mechanism, 19A
... stopper part, 19B ... non-stopper part, 19C ... elastic member (spring), _pi ... trough pitch, S ... stroke, M
_f , M _r ... Moment.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A belt for supporting each flowerpot is inserted through an upper part by a plurality of bowl holes arranged in a longitudinal direction, and liquid fertilizer is flown to a lower part so that leaf vegetables vegetated in the flowerpot can be hydroponically cultivated. A large number of troughs are arranged in parallel, and the trough row is divided into several trough groups consisting of a predetermined number of troughs at the same pitch, and the trough pitch in each trough group gradually increases as the leaf vegetables grow. In a pitch-increasing type trough transfer device that can move each trough, a spacing rod that horizontally reciprocates with a constant stroke and supports and transfers all of the trough groups extends in a direction orthogonal to the trough. A trough saddle that is carried by the spacing rod and is displaceable relative to the spacing rod. A forward stopper that advances and retreats toward the trough saddle is installed on one side of the spacing rod at the same interval as the trough pitch along the spacing rod, and advances and retracts toward the trough saddle on the other side. A return stopper is installed along the spacing rod at the same interval as the trough pitch, and one side of each trough saddle is brought into contact with the forward stopper advanced toward the trough saddle and the spacing rod moves. Despite the forward movement, a forward movement restricting piece for preventing further feeding operation of the trough is provided, and the other side of each trough saddle is contacted with the backward movement stopper that has advanced toward the trough saddle, so that It is characterized by the fact that a return movement restricting piece is provided to prevent the return movement of the trough despite the return movement of the pacing rod. Pitch incrementally trough group conveying apparatus in hydroponics facilities to. 2. The forward movement stopper is fixed to a forward movement side contact / disconnection member extending along the spacing rod, and the return movement stopper extends along the spacing rod. A forward stopper separating / connecting mechanism that is fixed to a member and that advances and retracts the forward stopper toward and from the trough saddle when the spacing rod is displaced is provided, and the return stopper is attached to the trough saddle when the spacing rod is displaced. The pitch increasing type trough group conveying device in the hydroponic cultivation facility according to claim 1, further comprising a backward movement stopper separating / connecting mechanism for advancing and retreating toward the rear. 3. The forward movement stopper separating / connecting mechanism includes a forward moving cam follower attached to the forward moving side separating / connecting member so as to project toward the spacing rod, and the forward moving cam follower during forward movement of the spacing rod. When the moving cam follower rides up, the forward moving trapezoidal cam for retracting the forward moving stopper so as not to contact the forward moving regulating piece, and the forward moving trapezoidal cam formed on the spacing rod and extending forward and backward. An elastic body for urging the forward cam follower towards the pitch increasing type trough group transfer device in the hydroponic cultivation facility according to claim 2. 4. The forward movement stopper separating / connecting mechanism includes a forward moving cam follower attached to the spacing rod so as to project toward the forward moving side separating / contacting member, and the forward moving cam follower when the spacing rod moves forward. A forward-moving trapezoidal cam for retracting the forward-moving stopper so that the forward-moving stopper does not come into contact with the forward-moving restricting piece when the moving-cam follower rides up, and the forward-moving base formed on the forward-moving side separating / connecting member and extending forward and backward The gradually increasing trough group transfer device in the hydroponic cultivation facility according to claim 2, further comprising: an elastic body that biases the shaped cam toward the forward cam follower. 5. The returning stopper separating / connecting mechanism includes a returning cam follower attached to the returning-side separating / contacting member so as to project toward the spacing rod, and the returning cam follower upon returning of the spacing rod. When the moving cam follower rides up, the backward moving trapezoidal cam for retracting the backward moving stopper so as not to contact the backward movement regulating piece, and the backward moving trapezoidal cam formed on the spacing rod and extending forward and backward. An elastic body for urging the return cam follower toward the front, when the spacing rod moves forward and the return cam follower rides up from the front inclined surface of the return trapezoidal cam, From the above state to the state after passing through the return trapezoidal cam, the posture of the return cam follower supporting member with respect to the return trapezoidal cam is maintained and the return is performed. When the stopper rod advances and retreats, the spacing rod retreats, and the retreating cam follower rides up from the rear inclined surface of the retreating trapezoidal cam, while passing through the retreating trapezoidal cam from the start of riding. 3. The water according to claim 2, further comprising a half-folding mechanism for changing the posture of the returning cam follower supporting member with respect to the returning trapezoidal cam to maintain the returning stopper in the advanced state. A pitch-increasing trough group transfer device in an cultivating facility. 6. The one-sided bending mechanism resists a moment based on a resistance force generated when the returning cam follower rides up from the front inclined surface of the returning trapezoidal cam when the spacing rod is moved forward. And a stopper portion for preventing a posture change of the returning cam follower supporting member, and occurs when the returning cam follower rides up from the rear inclined surface of the returning trapezoidal cam during the returning movement of the spacing rod. A non-stopper portion for allowing the posture change of the returning cam follower support member without being able to counter the moment caused by the resistance force, and when the returning cam follower rides up from the rear inclined surface of the returning trapezoidal cam. After allowing the posture change of the returning cam follower support member by not being able to counter the moment resulting from the resistance force, The water according to claim 5, further comprising: an elastic member that restores the posture of the returning cam follower support member from a time point when the returning cam follower passes through the front inclined surface of the returning trapezoidal cam. A pitch-increasing trough group transfer device in an cultivating facility. 7. The return stopper separating / contacting mechanism includes a returning cam follower attached to the spacing rod so as to project toward the returning-side separating / contacting member, and the returning stopper when the spacing rod is returned. When the moving cam follower rides up, the backward moving trapezoidal cam for retracting the backward moving stopper so as not to contact the backward moving restricting piece, and the backward moving table formed in the backward moving side contact member and extending forward and backward. An elastic body for urging the shaped cam toward the return cam follower, when the spacing rod moves forward and the return cam follower rides up from the front side inclined surface of the return trapezoidal cam, From the state before the riding up to the state after passing through the returning trapezoidal cam, the posture of the returning cam follower supporting member with respect to the returning trapezoidal cam is maintained and the returning stroke is performed. When the spacing rod is moved back and the return cam follower rides up from the rear sloped surface of the backward movement trapezoidal cam, while passing through the backward movement trapezoidal cam from the start of riding. 3. The water according to claim 2, further comprising a half-folding mechanism for changing the posture of the returning cam follower supporting member with respect to the returning trapezoidal cam to maintain the returning stopper in the advanced state. A pitch-increasing trough group transfer device in an cultivating facility. 8. The one-side bending mechanism resists a moment based on a resistance force generated when the returning cam follower rides up from a front side inclined surface of the returning trapezoidal cam when the spacing rod is moved forward. And a stopper portion for preventing a posture change of the returning cam follower supporting member, and occurs when the returning cam follower rides up from the rear inclined surface of the returning trapezoidal cam during the returning movement of the spacing rod. A non-stopper portion for allowing the posture change of the returning cam follower support member without being able to counter the moment caused by the resistance force, and when the returning cam follower rides up from the rear inclined surface of the returning trapezoidal cam. After allowing the posture change of the returning cam follower support member by not being able to counter the moment resulting from the resistance force, The water according to claim 7, further comprising: an elastic member that restores the posture of the returning cam follower support member from a time point when the returning cam follower passes through the front inclined surface of the returning trapezoidal cam. A pitch-increasing trough group transfer device in an cultivating facility.