JPH1028418A - Lining up seeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lining up seeder designed to arrange the direction of embryos in seeds having a relatively high aspect ratio of the length to the width such as those of a cucurbitaceous plant and sow the seeds. SOLUTION: This lining up seeder 1 comprises a conveying means 3 for conveying seeds grain by grain, a regulating guide 4 for the seed direction installed on a conveying passage at a somewhat wider interval than the seed widths in order to arrange the seed direction in the major axial direction, a measuring means 9 for the seed widths capable of scanning the seeds conveyed grain by grain with the conveying means 3 and measuring the widths thereof, a discriminating means 15 capable of calculating the seed lengths from measured data obtained by the measuring means 9 for the seed widths and the seed conveying speed, comparing the seed widths at sites separated from both ends of the seed ends by a prescribed distance and discriminating the embryonal sides from the preset conditions according to the crop or variety, a sowing means 12 capable of arranging the embryonal direction of the seeds in which the embryonal sides are discriminated and sowing the seeds in prescribed positions and a seed grading mechanism 10 installed between the measuring means 9 for the seed widths and the sowing means 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sowing machine for sowing seeds having a relatively large length-to-width ratio, such as seeds of Cucurbitaceae, in such a manner that embryos are aligned in the same direction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Since the overlapping of cotyledons after germination hinders the growth of uniform seedlings, seeds are aligned in a certain direction for fruit and vegetables with the aim of improving the efficiency of raising seedlings in seedling production facilities. There is a known technique for sowing. At the seedling production site, seeds of cucurbit vegetables are arranged and sown by manpower with the direction of the embryo aligned in a certain direction.

On the other hand, as a seed arranging apparatus, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-2
Japanese Patent No. 50509 discloses, "In a seed arranging apparatus for sowing relatively large and heavy seeds such as seeds of plants of Cucurbitaceae and the like, by narrowing the vicinity of an outlet, the seeds are aligned in the longitudinal direction and supplied one by one to a line. Seed supplying means, imaging means for capturing an entire image of individual seeds supplied on the line by the seed supplying means, and seed distributing means installed near the exit of the line for sorting seeds The seed image captured by the imaging means is processed by a predetermined method to detect the germination position of the seed, and the germination directions of the individual seeds are aligned based on the detection result. Means for controlling the seed distributing means so as to distribute the seeds as described above; and And seed storage means for storing so as not to be changed by the aligned state, with a "technique is described.

[0004]

In the case where seeds of cucurbit vegetables are aligned and sown by aligning the direction of embryos in a certain direction, there is a problem that much labor and time are required. In the seed arranging device, an imaging unit that captures an entire image of the individual seeds supplied on the line by the seed supply unit, and processes the seed image captured by the imaging unit in a predetermined method. Control means for controlling the seed distribution means to distribute the seeds so as to align the germination directions of the individual seeds based on the detection results, and the germination direction distributed by the seed distribution means. The seeds are stored in such a way that the seeds with uniformity are kept in a state where the germination directions are aligned, so that the apparatus becomes complicated and costly, and Work efficiency not good, such as there has been a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and utilizes the difference in shape between the embryo side end and the cotyledon side end of seeds of cucurbit vegetables. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an aligned seeding machine in which seed directions are discriminated and embryos are aligned and seeded in a certain direction.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides: A conveying means for conveying the seeds one by one; a seed direction regulating guide provided on a conveying path with a space slightly wider than the seed width in order to align the seed direction with the long axis direction; Seed width measuring means for measuring the width of the seeds transported by each grain, and calculate the seed length from the measured data and the seed transport speed obtained by this seed width measuring means, conditions preset according to the crop or variety And a seeding means for seeding the seeds whose embryo side has been discriminated in the same embryo direction and sowing them at a predetermined position.

B. It is characterized in that a seed sorting mechanism is provided between the seed width measuring means and the sowing means.

C. It is characterized by having a seed width measuring means for scanning the conveyed seeds and measuring the seed width.

D. The present invention is characterized in that it has a discriminating means for comparing the seed width at a portion separated by a certain distance from both sides of the seed end and detecting the direction of the seed.

E. Compare the seed width and seed length obtained from the seed width measuring means and the discriminating means with the respective dimensions set in advance according to the crop or cultivar. It is characterized by having a seed sorting mechanism for distinguishing and sorting as seeds.

[0011]

According to the above arrangement, the sorting and sowing machine of the present invention operates as follows. . A conveying means for conveying the seeds one by one; a seed direction regulating guide provided on a conveying path with a space slightly wider than the seed width in order to align the seed direction with the long axis direction; Seed width measuring means for measuring the width of the seeds transported by each grain, and calculate the seed length from the measured data and the seed transport speed obtained by this seed width measuring means, conditions preset according to the crop or variety By means of a discriminating means for discriminating the embryo side, and a sowing means for sowing embryos of the discriminated embryo side in a predetermined position and sowing them at a predetermined position, without using image processing or the like, at low cost, at high speed, and at high cost The seed direction is determined with high accuracy, and the seeds are aligned at the same embryo direction and seeded at a predetermined position.

[0012] By providing a seed sorting mechanism between the seed width measuring means and the sowing means, defective seeds are eliminated and sowing is performed with high accuracy.

[0013] By having the seed width measuring means for measuring the seed width by scanning the transported seeds, the measurement of the seed width is performed easily and with high accuracy.

[0014] By comparing the seed width at a certain distance from both sides of the seed end, the discriminating means for detecting the orientation of the seed, judging the length and width of the seed and accurately detecting the orientation of the seed, the direction of the embryo Is accurately determined.

[0015] Compare the seed width and seed length obtained from the seed width measuring means and the discriminating means with the respective dimensions set in advance according to the crop or cultivar. Identify as seeds, by having a seed sorting mechanism to sort out, eliminate bad seeds, accurately determine seeds of crops or varieties of predetermined dimensions, those less than the set dimensions,
Alternatively, those exceeding the set size are selected as defective seeds.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIGS. 1 and 2, an aligned sowing machine denoted by reference numeral 1 is configured to transfer seeds A fed from a seed feeder 2 that feeds seeds A one by one to a first seed.
Are transported one by one by the transporting means 3 comprising a belt conveyor. A pair of right and left seed direction regulating guides 4 are provided upright along the length of the conveying path of the conveying means 3. In order to align the direction of the seed A conveyed one by one by the conveying means 3 with the long axis direction, the seed direction regulating guide 4 gradually narrows the left and right interval, and the end portion is slightly wider than the width of the seed A. Have spacing. A sensor 5 for seed detection is provided at the start end of the seed direction regulating guide 4.
Is provided.

A second belt conveyor 6 is provided continuously to the transport end of the first belt conveyor 3 of the transport means, and the end of the seed direction regulating guide 4 is provided at the start end of the second belt conveyor 6. The sensor 7 for seed detection is provided immediately after the end of the seed direction regulating guide 4. On the second belt conveyor 6 behind the seed detection sensor 7, a seed direction correcting mechanism 8, a seed width measuring means 9, a seed sorting mechanism 10, a sowing means 12, and the like are provided in this order.

When the seed detecting sensor 7 detects the seed A, the seed direction correcting mechanism 8 causes the pair of seed direction correcting plates to approach each other from both sides of the seed A, This is to correct the seed A, whose attitude has been controlled in the direction, so as to control the attitude more reliably.

The above-mentioned seed width measuring means 9 measures the seed width by applying a laser beam to the seeds A transported one by one by the second belt conveyor 6 and scanning them. Then, the seed length is calculated from the data obtained by the seed width measuring means 9 and the seed transport speed (the moving speed of the second belt conveyor 6). In addition, the direction of the seed (the front-back direction of the embryo) is detected by comparing the seed widths of the portions separated from the both ends of the seed A by a certain distance.

The seed sorting mechanism 10 is provided between the seed width measuring means 9 and the sowing means 12, and the seed width measuring means 1 is provided.
The seed width and seed length obtained from 0 are compared with the respective dimensions preset according to the crop or cultivar, and those smaller than the set dimensions or those exceeding the set dimensions are discriminated as defective seeds. The seeds are discharged to one side of the second belt conveyor 6 by, for example, wind pressure and stored in the defective seed storage box 11.

The seeding means 12 discriminates the embryo side by the seed width measuring means 9, sucks the seed A which has passed through the seed sorting mechanism 10, and is capable of moving up and down, rotating horizontally, and moving back and forth and left and right. The seed A is sown at a predetermined position in the seedling raising box 14 by aligning the direction of the embryo of the seed A by the sowing mechanism 13.

The above-mentioned seed feeder 2, conveying means 3 (first belt conveyor), sensors 5 and 7 for detecting seeds, second belt conveyor 6, seed direction correcting mechanism 8, seed width measuring means 9, seed sorting mechanism The seeding means 12 and the like are connected to a discriminating means (microcomputer) 15 for input and output. As shown in FIG. 2, the seeds are inputted from the seed detecting sensors 5 and 7 and the seed width measuring means 9 to the judging means 15 and discriminated, and the seed feeder 2, the conveying means (first belt conveyor) 3 and the The second belt conveyor 6, the seed direction correcting mechanism 8, the seed sorting mechanism 10, and the seeding means 12 are output.

Next, the operation of the sorting and sowing machine 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

The sorting and seeding machine 1 includes a discriminating means (microcomputer) 1
Operated by 5 inputs and outputs. The seed feeder 2 is operated to feed out the seeds A one by one, and is discharged onto the first belt conveyor 3 of the operating conveying means and conveyed. When the seeds A to be conveyed are detected by the sensor 5 for seed detection, the operation of the seed feeder 2 is stopped, and after a certain period of time, the seed feeder 2 is operated. When the seed detection sensor 5 does not detect the seed, the seed feeder 2 is operated. Unless a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation of the seed feeder 2 was stopped, the operation of the seed feeder 2 remains stopped.

The seeds A transported one by one at regular intervals by the first belt conveyer 3
4 that is aligned in the longitudinal direction when passing between the four
Transported on the belt conveyor 6. This carried seed A
Is detected by the seed detection sensor 7, and the operation of the second belt conveyor 6 is stopped. Sensor 7 for seed detection
Does not detect the seed A, the second belt conveyor 6 continues to operate. When the operation of the second belt conveyor 6 stops, the seed direction correcting mechanism 8 operates to control the long axis posture of the seed A with higher accuracy.

When the operation of the seed direction correcting mechanism 8 is completed,
The second belt conveyor 6 operates to transport the seed A, the seed width measuring means 9 operates, and irradiates the seed A with a laser beam.
The seed width is measured by scanning, and the obtained measurement data and the seed transfer speed (moving speed of the second belt conveyor 6)
Calculate the seed length from In addition, the direction of the seed (the front-back direction of the embryo) is detected by comparing the seed widths of the portions at a predetermined distance from both ends of the seed A.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sensor output of the seed width measuring means 9 by the laser beam is A / D converted, and when passing through the seed A, is converted into a voltage of 1 to 5 V according to the seed width to measure the seed width. A waveform (in the case of the drawing, a pumpkin) is obtained. By comparing the voltage at the position S which is d% away from the leading end and the trailing end of the waveform with respect to the entire length L of the obtained waveform, the larger voltage, that is, the smaller seed width is determined to be the embryo side, The orientation of the embryo in A is determined. The time required for calculating the embryo direction of the seed A is 0.1 second or less per grain.

If the seed A is determined to be a proper seed by the data from the seed width measuring means 9, the seed A
Is sucked by the seeding mechanism 13 of the seeding means 12 through the front side of the seed sorting mechanism 10 that is not operating, and when the direction of the embryo of the seed A is the same, when the direction of the embryo is not the same, Is rotated 180 degrees in the horizontal direction to correct the direction of the embryo, and then moved to a predetermined position in the seedling raising box 14 to be seeded. When the seed A is determined as a defective seed, the seed sorting mechanism 10 is operated and removed.

Table 1 shows an example of a test result of the accuracy of discriminating the seed direction by the sorting and sowing machine 1 of the present invention. The seeds used were squash, yugao, tougan, watermelon, and cucumber. For pumpkin, yugao and tougan, d was 10 to 1
With about 5%, the discrimination could be made with almost 100% accuracy. In the case of cucumber and watermelon whose seeds are small, a discrimination accuracy of 99 to 100% was obtained when d was 20 to 25%. In addition, seeds were warped or deformed seeds whose similarity in appearance and shape were lower than those of other seeds were mixed in the test materials, but these could be discriminated.

[0030]

[Table 1]

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. . A conveying means for conveying the seeds one by one; a seed direction regulating guide provided on a conveying path with a space slightly wider than the seed width in order to align the seed direction with the long axis direction; Seed width measuring means for measuring the width of the seeds transported by each grain, and calculate the seed length from the measured data and the seed transport speed obtained by this seed width measuring means, conditions preset according to the crop or variety A discriminating means for discriminating the embryo side, and a sowing means for sowing at a predetermined position by aligning the embryo direction of the seed discriminated on the embryo side, without using image processing or the like, at low cost, at high speed In addition, the seed direction can be determined with high precision, and the seeds can be seeded at a predetermined position with the embryo direction aligned.

[0032] Since the seed sorting mechanism is provided between the seed width measuring means and the sowing means, defective seeds can be eliminated and sowing can be performed with high accuracy.

[0033] Since the apparatus has the seed width measuring means for scanning the conveyed seeds and measuring the seed width, the measurement of the seed width can be performed easily and with high accuracy.

[0034] Since it has a discriminating means for comparing the seed width at a certain distance from both sides of the seed end and detecting the direction of the seed, the length and width of the seed can be discriminated to accurately detect the direction of the seed, and the embryo can be detected. Can be accurately determined.

[0035] Compare the seed width and seed length obtained from the seed width measuring means and the discriminating means with the respective dimensions preset according to the crop or cultivar. Since it has a seed sorting mechanism that identifies and sorts as seeds, it eliminates defective seeds, accurately identifies seeds of crops or varieties of predetermined dimensions, and those that do not meet the set dimensions or exceed the set dimensions Sort out bad seeds,
Can be discharged.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a sorting and seeding machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an input / output circuit to a determination unit (microcomputer).

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the sorting and seeding machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example (pumpkin) of a seed direction measurement waveform.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sorting and seeding machine 2 Seed feeder 3 Conveying means (1st belt conveyor) 4 Seed direction regulation guide 5, 7 Sensor (for seed detection) 6 2nd belt conveyor 8 Seed direction correction mechanism 9 Seed width measuring means 10 Seed sorting Mechanism 11 bad seed storage box 12 seeding means 13 seeding mechanism 14 seedling raising box 15 discriminating means (microcomputer) A seed

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A conveying means for conveying seeds one by one, a seed direction regulating guide provided on a conveying path with an interval slightly larger than a seed width to align seed directions in a long axis direction, Seed width measurement means for measuring the width of the seeds transported one by one by the transport means, and calculates the seed length from the measurement data and seed transport speed obtained by the seed width measurement means, depending on the crop or variety An aligned sowing machine comprising: a discriminating means for discriminating an embryo side according to preset conditions; and a sowing means for sowing seeds whose embryo side has been discriminated in the same embryo direction and sowing at a predetermined position. 2. The sorted sowing machine according to claim 1, wherein a seed sorting mechanism is provided between the seed width measuring means and the sowing means. 3. The aligned sowing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a seed width measuring means for measuring a seed width by scanning the conveyed seeds. 4. The aligned sowing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a discriminating means for detecting a seed direction by comparing a seed width at a portion separated by a certain distance from both sides of the seed end. 5. A method for comparing a seed width and a seed length obtained from a seed width measuring means and a discriminating means with respective dimensions set in advance according to crops or varieties. 3. The sorting and sowing machine according to claim 2, further comprising a seed sorting mechanism for distinguishing and sorting those exceeding the number as defective seeds.