WO2023224087A1

WO2023224087A1 - Water-supply-valve opening and closing device and automatic water supply system including said water-supply-valve opening and closing device

Info

Publication number: WO2023224087A1
Application number: PCT/JP2023/018556
Authority: WO
Inventors: 洋志永井
Original assignee: 株式会社farmo
Priority date: 2022-05-19
Filing date: 2023-05-18
Publication date: 2023-11-23
Also published as: JP2023170336A

Abstract

Provided is a water-supply-valve opening and closing device that is attachable to water supply valves having various shapes and that can be installed in a simple manner. A water-supply-valve opening and closing device W includes a support part S, a lower end section of which is secured by being buried in the vicinity of a water supply valve V, and a device body part 1, wherein: the support part S has a vertical pipe Sa that is inserted into the soil in a substantially vertical direction and a horizontal pipe Sc that is connected on the top side of the vertical pipe Sa; the device body part 1 has a housing 2 that accommodates a valve opening and closing mechanism 50; the valve opening and closing mechanism 50 has a motor 51 and a pipe part 52 that is connected to the motor 51 and that is rotated; a lower-end section side of the pipe part 52 is fitted and connected to a rotation shaft 80 of the water supply valve V due to the weight of the device body part 1; and the device body part 1 is supported by the support part S as a result of the horizontal pipe Sc of the support part S being connected and secured to the housing and is supported by the rotation shaft 80 connected to the pipe part 52.

Description

Water supply valve opening/closing device and automatic water supply system equipped with the water supply valve opening/closing device

The present invention relates to a water supply valve opening and closing device and an automatic water supply system equipped with the water supply valve opening and closing device, for example, a water supply valve opening and closing device that automatically opens and closes a water supply valve for supplying water to a water storage area such as a rice field or a reservoir. and an automatic water supply system equipped with the water supply valve opening/closing device.

Water supply equipment for supplying water to water storage areas such as rice fields generally consists of a pipeline buried underground through which water pumped up flows, and a pipeline that is connected to the pipeline and whose upper end is above ground. It consists of a protruding riser pipe and a water supply valve attached to the upper end of the riser pipe.
The upper end of this riser pipe protrudes from the water storage area such as a rice field or its vicinity, and by opening and closing the water supply valve provided at the upper end, it can supply water to the water storage area or It is now possible to stop the supply.

Recently, a device (field water management system) equipped with an actuator that opens and closes the water supply valve has been installed to cover the top of the water supply valve that supplies water to the rice fields, and the system automatically opens and closes the water supply valve. It has been proposed to control the water supply to rice fields. The above-mentioned "field water management system" is disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1, for example.

The above-mentioned "field water management system" is equipped with a cylindrical housing (shaped like an old-fashioned mailbox) that is installed to cover the water supply valve connected to the pipeline. Actuators that open and close valves, control devices, etc. are housed there. The above-mentioned cylindrical housing (shaped like an old-fashioned mailbox) is made of metal or the like, and is firmly fixed to a base provided on the outer periphery of the water supply valve.

By the way, there are various shapes (types) of water supply valves for supplying water to rice fields and the like, and water supply valves of various shapes are installed for each rice field. For example, water supply valves include alfalfa valves, free angle valves with spouts shaped like water faucets, autoirrigators sold by Toyokuni Kogyo Co., Ltd., and field valves manufactured by Masaru Kogyo Co., Ltd. etc.
Furthermore, the "field water management system" of the prior art (non-patent document 1) described above has a configuration in which a cylindrical (or prismatic) housing is directly fixed to the existing water supply valve in order to support the rotation of the actuator. Yes, and the hook part of the water supply valve must be used to secure it. Furthermore, the shapes of the hooked parts of water supply valves vary depending on the type of water supply valve, so it is difficult to configure a "field water management system" to accommodate each of the hooked parts of the water supply valve. . Furthermore, many water supply valves do not have a bowl-shaped catch, and therefore cannot be adapted to all of the various shapes of water supply valves.
That is, the "field water management system" of the prior art (non-patent document 1) described above may not be able to be installed depending on the shape of the water supply valve. In such a case, it is possible to deal with the problem by replacing the water supply valve itself, but this increases the cost and installation labor.

In addition, the "field water management system" disclosed in the above-mentioned prior art (non-patent document 1) has a cylindrical shape (like an old-style mailbox) made of metal etc. on the base provided around the water supply valve. This poses a technical problem in that it requires work to fix the housing (which has a large shape), which requires extensive installation work and increases installation costs. That is, the system disclosed in the above-mentioned prior art (Non-Patent Document 1) requires work to provide a foundation for fixing the housing, and also requires work to fix the large and heavy housing to the foundation. was required, and the installation cost was high.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a water supply valve opening/closing device that can be attached to water supply valves of various shapes and that can be easily installed, and a water supply valve opening/closing device that can be installed easily. The objective is to provide an automatic water supply system with

The present invention, which has been made to solve the above problems, is a water supply valve opening/closing device that controls the opening and closing of a water supply valve that supplies water to a water storage area including a rice field, wherein the water supply valve is perpendicular to its installation surface. - A support part with a rotating shaft extending upward, the lower end of which is embedded and fixed in the ground near the water supply valve, and a support part that is supported by the support part and rotates the water supply valve. and a device main body having a valve opening/closing mechanism connected to a shaft, and the supporting part is inserted into the ground in a substantially vertical direction, with a lower side buried and an upper side protruding from the ground. and a horizontal pipe connected and fixed to the upper side of the vertical pipe and extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical pipe, and the main body of the device accommodates the valve opening/closing mechanism. The valve opening/closing mechanism includes a motor and a pipe portion that is connected to the motor and rotates according to the rotation of the motor, and the lower end side of the pipe portion is connected to the lower end of the housing. protrudes from the water supply valve, and is disposed opposite to the rotating shaft of the water supply valve, and its lower end side is inserted into and connected to the rotating shaft by the weight of the device main body, and drives the motor. When the pipe section is rotated, the rotating shaft of the water supply valve is rotated accordingly, and the water supply valve is opened and closed. is connected and fixed to be supported by the support part, and is also supported by the rotating shaft connected to the pipe part.

According to the above configuration of the present invention, the lower end of the support part that supports the device main body can be inserted into the ground and fixed, and can be installed by a simple operation. In addition, the support part can be installed by inserting it into the ground at any location (stable ground, location that does not interfere with work) on the ground around the water supply valve (installation of the support part). (There is a degree of freedom in position.)
Further, the present invention also relates to the connection between the main body of the device and the rotating shaft of the water supply valve, by inserting the lower end of the pipe connected to the motor of the device main body into the rotating shaft of the water supply valve. The part side is inserted into the rotating shaft by the weight of the main body of the device and connected to the rotating shaft. That is, in the present invention, the pipe section connected to the motor of the valve opening/closing mechanism can be connected to the water supply valve by the weight of the main body of the device, without providing "fasteners such as bolts and nuts" or "dedicated adapters." Can be connected and fixed to a rotating shaft.
Further, according to the above configuration, as in the "field water management system" described in the above-mentioned conventional technology (non-patent document 1), a foundation is provided around the water supply valve (foundation work is performed), and the There is no need for laborious and costly installation work such as installing a large, heavy housing made of metal or the like in a cylindrical shape (shaped like an old-style mailbox) on the foundation.

Further, the water supply valve opening/closing device of the present invention has a cylindrical (or prismatic) shape on the hook part of the water supply valve, like the "field water management system" described in the above-mentioned conventional technology (Non-patent Document 1). The housing is not directly fixed, and is installed in the water valve by inserting the lower end of the pipe connected to the motor into the rotating shaft of the water valve. It becomes possible to install it regardless of the type (shape).

Further, the housing has a casing part and a cylindrical part extending substantially perpendicularly and downwardly from a lower surface part of the casing part, and the cylindrical part has a cylindrical part extending substantially vertically and downwardly from a lower surface part of the casing part. A cylindrical connection part is formed that projects in a direction perpendicular to the side surface, and a through hole is formed in the lower surface part of the housing part, and the inside of the housing part and the cylinder are connected through this through hole. The insides of the body parts communicate with each other, the motor is housed in the housing part, and the pipe part connected to the motor is housed in the cylindrical body part, with its lower end side being connected to the cylindrical body part. The horizontal tube of the support part is inserted into and fitted into the connection part on the side surface of the cylindrical part of the housing, so that the main body part of the apparatus is connected to the support part. It is desirable that the
According to this configuration, the horizontal pipe of the support part fixed in the ground can be fitted to the connection part of the housing of the device main body, and the support part can be connected to the device main body with a simple operation.

Further, a communication control device that controls the valve opening/closing mechanism is housed in a casing portion constituting the housing, and the communication control device receives opening/closing commands transmitted from an external server device, and receives opening/closing commands from an external server device. Preferably, the operation of the valve opening/closing mechanism is controlled in response to an opening/closing command.
According to this configuration, since the opening and closing operations of the water supply valve can be controlled from an external server device, for example, a user who manages a water storage area such as a rice field can easily control the water storage area without having to visit the water storage area. Can control the opening/closing status of the water supply valve that supplies water to

The present invention also provides a water supply valve opening/closing device for controlling the opening/closing operation of a water supply valve that supplies water to a water storage area including a rice field, a repeater connected to a network and capable of communicating with the water supply valve opening/closing device, and the relay. a server device that transmits an opening/closing command instructing the opening/closing operation of the water supply valve to the water supply valve opening/closing device via a device, and causes the water supply valve opening/closing device to control the opening/closing operation of the water supply valve V. In this automatic water supply system, the water supply valve has a rotating shaft extending perpendicularly and upwardly to its installation surface, and the water supply valve opening/closing device is installed underground near the water supply valve. The device body includes a support portion in which a lower end portion is embedded and fixed, and a device main body portion supported by the support portion, and the device main body portion includes a valve opening/closing mechanism connected to a rotating shaft of the water supply valve; a communication control device that receives an opening/closing command transmitted from a server device and controls the operation of the valve opening/closing mechanism according to the opening/closing command; and a housing housing the valve opening/closing mechanism and the communication control device; The support part is connected and fixed to the upper side of the vertical pipe, and the vertical pipe is inserted into the ground in a substantially vertical direction, the lower side is buried, and the upper side is installed with the upper side protruding from the ground. The valve opening/closing mechanism includes a horizontal pipe extending substantially perpendicular to the vertical pipe, and the valve opening/closing mechanism includes a motor and a pipe portion connected to the motor and rotating in accordance with the rotation of the motor. , the lower end of the pipe protrudes from the lower end of the housing and is disposed opposite to the rotation axis of the water supply valve, and the lower end of the pipe protrudes from the rotation axis of the water supply valve due to its own weight. When inserted and connected to the rotating shaft and driving the motor to rotate the pipe portion, the rotating shaft of the water supply valve rotates and opens and closes the water supply valve, The apparatus main body part is supported by the support part by connecting and fixing a horizontal pipe of the support part to the housing, and is also supported by the rotating shaft connected to the pipe part. shall be.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a water supply valve opening/closing device that can be attached to water supply valves of various shapes and that can be easily installed, and an automatic water supply system equipped with the water supply valve opening/closing device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic diagram which showed the whole structure of the automatic water supply system provided with the water supply valve opening-closing device of embodiment of this invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of a water supply valve opening/closing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a connection structure between a water supply valve opening/closing device according to an embodiment of the present invention and a water supply valve provided in a rice field. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of a device accommodated in a housing of a device main body of a water supply valve opening/closing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the functional configuration of a server device that constitutes an automatic water supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a data structure of a water supply valve opening/closing device database provided in a server device that constitutes an automatic water supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

An automatic water supply system equipped with a water supply valve opening/closing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the overall configuration of an automatic water supply system including a water supply valve opening/closing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIGS. 1 and 2.
Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an automatic water supply system including a water supply valve opening/closing device of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the water supply valve opening/closing device of this embodiment.

《Outline of automatic water supply system》
As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic water supply system of this embodiment includes a water supply valve opening/closing device W that controls the opening/closing operation of a water supply valve V that supplies water to a rice field 300, and a water supply valve that is connected to a network NW such as the Internet. A control signal (opening/closing command (opening command, closing command)) instructing the opening/closing operation of the water supply valve V is sent to the water supply valve opening/closing device W via the relay 40 that can communicate with the switching device W and the relay 40. It has a server device (hereinafter referred to as "server") 100 that transmits the information and causes the water supply valve opening/closing device W to control the opening/closing operation of the water supply valve V.

Note that the water supply valve V is, for example, attached to the upper end of a riser pipe (not shown) connected to a pipeline (not shown) buried underground through which water pumped up flows. There is. Further, the upper end of the riser pipe protrudes above the ground at the edge of the rice field or in the vicinity thereof.
Further, the water supply valve V has a rotating shaft 80 (see FIG. 2) extending vertically and upwardly with respect to its installation surface.

Then, when the water supply valve V is opened to open the water spout (not shown), the water flowing in the pipeline is spouted from the water spout and water is supplied to the rice field 300. Further, when the water supply valve V is closed to bring the water spout into a closed state, water spouting from the water spout is stopped (the supply of water to the rice field 300 is stopped).

Further, the repeater 40 is configured to be able to communicate wirelessly with the water supply valve opening/closing device W, and is also configured to be able to communicate with the server 100 via the network NW.
Then, upon receiving the "opening/closing command (opening command, closing command)" sent from the server 100, the repeater 40 transmits the received "opening/closing command (opening command, closing command)" to the water supply valve opening/closing device W. ”.
Note that since the repeater 40 uses a well-known technology, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Further, the server 100 is configured to be able to communicate with the water supply valve opening/closing device W via the network NW and the repeater 40. Further, the server 100 is configured to be able to communicate with a user terminal UT of a user managing the rice field 300 via the network NW.
Note that the user terminal UT is configured by, for example, an information processing device such as a smartphone or a personal computer.

The server 100 sends a request to the user terminal UT of a user (a user who cultivates rice) managing a rice field 300 in which a water supply valve V to which a water supply valve opening/closing device W is attached is installed, and the water supply valve of the rice field 300 is connected to the user terminal UT. A website is provided that accepts requests for instructions to open and close V. This website presents valve status information indicating the status of the water supply valve V to which the water supply valve opening/closing device W is attached (either an open state or a closed state).
Then, the user operates the user terminal UT to access the website provided by the server 100, confirms the status of the corresponding water supply valve V on the website, and instructs the server 100 to open/close the water supply valve V. Send a request (open request, close request).

In addition, when the server 100 receives an "opening/closing request" sent from the user terminal UT, the server 100 responds to the received "opening/closing request" to the corresponding water supply valve opening/closing device W via the repeater 40. Send "opening/closing command (opening command, closing command)".

When the water supply valve opening/closing device W receives the "opening/closing command (opening command, closing command)" transmitted by the server 100 via the repeater 40, it drives the motor 51 of the valve opening/closing mechanism 50, which will be described later. In response to the opening/closing command (opening command, closing command), the rotating shaft 80 of the water supply valve V is rotated to open or close the water supply valve V.

In this way, the automatic water supply system of this embodiment allows the user to control the open/close state of the water supply valve V that supplies water to the rice field 300 by operating the user terminal UT without having to visit the rice field 300. . Therefore, according to the automatic water supply system of this embodiment, the labor of the user in adjusting the water level in the rice field is reduced.

《Configuration of water supply valve opening/closing device W》
Next, the configuration of the water supply valve opening/closing device W that constitutes the automatic water supply system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIGS. 3 and 4 described above.
Note that FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a connection structure between the water supply valve opening/closing device of this embodiment and a water supply valve provided in a rice field. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the device housed in the housing of the device main body of the water supply valve opening/closing device of this embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the water supply valve opening/closing device W of the present embodiment has a support part S whose lower end side is embedded and fixed in the ground such as on the edge of a rice field 300, and a support part S. It has an apparatus main body part 1 which is supported, is connected to a rotating shaft 80 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) of a water supply valve V, and is supported by the rotating shaft 80.
Note that the support portion S is formed of a metal tube made of iron, stainless steel, or the like.

The device body 1 has a housing 2 including a casing 2a and a cylindrical body 2b. ” is accommodated. Note that the power supply section 30 supplies power to the communication control device 20 and the valve opening/closing mechanism 50.

Further, the valve opening/closing mechanism 50 includes a motor 51 and a square pipe (pipe portion) 52 that is connected to a rotating shaft (not shown) of the motor 51 and rotates in accordance with the rotation of the rotating shaft. Further, the lower end side of the square pipe 52 protrudes from the lower end of the cylindrical body portion 2b. In addition, the square pipe 52 constituting the valve opening/closing mechanism 50 is arranged opposite to the rotation axis 80 of the water supply valve V, and its lower end 52a is connected to the rotation axis 80 of the water supply valve V (see FIGS. 2 and 3). ) is inserted and connected to the upper end side.
Note that when the square pipe 52 and the water supply valve V rotation shaft 80 are connected, the axis of the square pipe 52 and the axis of the rotation shaft 80 of the water supply valve V coincide with each other.

The support part S includes a vertical pipe Sa that is inserted (driven) into the ground from the edge of a rice field 300 in a substantially vertical direction and installed with its upper side protruding from the ground; It includes a T-shaped tube Sb attached to the upper side, and a horizontal tube Sc that is connected and fixed to the T-shaped tube Sb and extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical tube Sa. The distal end of the horizontal pipe Sc is connected and fixed to the cylindrical body part 2b of the housing 2, and the support part S supports the main body part 1 of the apparatus.
Further, the "vertical tube Sa, T-shaped tube Sb, and horizontal tube Sc" that constitute the support portion S are made of metal tubes such as iron or stainless steel, for example.

In this embodiment, a T-shaped tube Sb is attached to the upper outer periphery of the vertical tube Sa, and one end of the horizontal tube Sc is connected and fixed to this T-shaped tube Sb, but this is not particularly limited. It is not something that will be done. For example, the vertical pipe Sa and the horizontal pipe Sc may be integrally molded, or the vertical pipe Sa and the horizontal pipe Sc may be connected by welding (in this case, there is no need to provide the T-shaped pipe Sb). ).

The housing 2 also includes a hollow box-shaped casing part 2a and a hollow cylindrical cylindrical part 2b extending substantially perpendicularly downward from the bottom surface of the casing part 2a and penetrating both ends thereof. have. Further, the cylindrical body portion 2b has a hollow cylindrical connecting portion 2b1 formed on the upper side and side surface thereof and protruding in a direction perpendicular to the side surface.
The housing part 2a has a through hole (not shown) formed in the lower surface, and the upper end of the cylindrical body part 2b is connected and fixed to the outer circumferential position of this through hole. The inside of the housing portion 2a and the inside of the cylindrical body portion 2b are in communication with each other.

Further, the connecting portion 2b1 protruding from the side surface of the cylindrical body portion 2b is formed to have an inner diameter slightly larger than an outer diameter of the horizontal pipe Sc constituting the support portion S. is inserted and fitted into the cylinder of the connecting portion 2c.
Note that the housing 2 is made of metal or synthetic resin, for example.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a communication control device 20, a power supply section 30, and a motor 51 are housed inside the housing section 2a. Further, an antenna AT is installed on the top surface of the housing portion 2a. This antenna AT is electrically connected to the communication control device 20.
Further, a rotating shaft (not shown) of a motor 51 is arranged in a through hole (not shown) in the lower surface of the casing 2a, and a square pipe 52, which will be described below, is connected to this rotating shaft. has been done.

Further, the valve opening/closing mechanism 50 includes a motor (rotation mechanism) 51 that operates under the control of the communication control device 20, and a square pipe 52 that is connected to the rotation shaft of the motor 51 and rotates together with the rotation shaft.
Further, the square pipe 52 is formed into a hollow square tube shape with both ends penetrated, and extends vertically and downwardly with respect to the lower surface of the casing portion 2a of the housing 2. Further, the square pipe 52 is housed inside the cylindrical body part 2b of the housing 3, so that the square pipe 52 can rotate inside the cylindrical body part 2b.
The square pipe 52 is made of metal such as iron or stainless steel, and its inner diameter is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the square columnar rotating shaft 80 provided in the water supply valve V. The rotary shaft 80 of the water supply valve V can be inserted and fitted into the cylinder of the square pipe 51.

With the above configuration, when the motor 51 is driven and the rotating shaft of the motor 51 is rotated, the square pipe 52 is also rotated, and accordingly, the rotating shaft 80 of the water supply valve V is also rotated to open and close the water supply valve V. Can be done.

《Installation procedure for water supply valve opening/closing device W》
Next, the installation procedure of the water supply valve opening/closing device W of this embodiment will be explained.
First, find an appropriate location (stable ground, a location that does not interfere with agricultural work) among the ridges, etc. around the water supply valve V, and install the vertical pipe of the support part S that constitutes the water supply valve opening/closing device W. The lower end side of the support part S is fixed in the ground by inserting the lower end side of the support part S into the ground from any appropriate position.

Next, the square pipe 52 of the valve opening/closing mechanism 50 of the device main body 1 constituting the water supply valve opening/closing device W and the water supply valve V are connected.
Note that the water supply valve V has various shapes, but generally a handle for rotating the rotation shaft is attached to the rotation shaft of the water supply valve with a nut.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, first, the handle 81 is removed from the rotating shaft 80 by loosening the nut using a tool such as a wrench. When the handle 81 is removed, a square prism-shaped rotation shaft 80 appears. Note that the water supply valve V is installed with the rotating shaft 80 extending vertically and upwardly with respect to its installation surface.
Further, although FIG. 3 shows a water supply valve V having a body part 83 and a cover part 85 as an example, the water supply valve opening/closing device W of this embodiment has a water supply valve having a shape different from that shown in the figure. It can also be applied to

Next, when the rotation axis 80 of the water supply valve V appears, the square pipe 52 constituting the valve opening/closing mechanism 50 is placed opposite to the rotation axis 80 of the water supply valve V, and the lower end of the square pipe 52 is The rotating shaft 80 is inserted into the cylinder 52a. When the rotating shaft 80 of the water supply valve V is inserted into the cylinder of the lower end 52a of the square pipe 52, the lower end 52a of the square pipe 52 is rotated by the weight of the main body 1 of the water supply valve V (see FIG. 3). ), and the rotating shaft 80 fits into the square pipe 52. Thereby, the square pipe 52 constituting the valve opening/closing mechanism 50 and the rotating shaft 80 of the water supply valve V are connected. That is, in this embodiment, the square pipe 52 connected to the motor 51 of the valve opening/closing mechanism 50 is moved by the weight of the device main body 1 without providing "fasteners such as bolts and nuts" or "dedicated adapters". can be connected and fixed to the rotating shaft 80 of the water supply valve V.

Next, the horizontal pipe Sc of the support part S fixed in the ground is inserted into the connecting part 2b1 protruding from the side surface of the cylindrical part 2b of the housing 2 of the device main body part 1, and the horizontal pipe Sc is inserted into the ground. The support portion S fixed to the water supply valve V is connected to the device main body portion 1 connected to the rotating shaft 80 of the water supply valve V. This completes the installation of the water supply valve opening/closing device W.

In this manner, the installed water supply valve opening/closing device W has the main body portion 1 supported by the support portion S that is inserted into the ground and fixed. Also, the device main body 1 is supported by the rotation shaft 80 of the water supply valve V inserted and fitted into the square pipe 52 connected to the rotation shaft (not shown) of the motor 51. .

As described above, according to the present embodiment, as in the "field water management system" described in the above-mentioned conventional technology (non-patent document 1), a foundation is provided around the water supply valve (foundation work is performed). ), the installation work is laborious and costly, such as fixing a large, heavy housing made of metal, etc., in a cylindrical shape (shaped like an old-style mailbox) to the base. There's no need.

Moreover, when the water supply valve opening/closing device W of this embodiment is attached to the water supply valve V, the support portion S that supports the device main body portion 1 is inserted into the ground and fixed. In addition, by removing the handle 81 of the water supply valve V and inserting the square pipe 52 connected to the motor 51 of the device main body 1 into the rotating shaft 80 of the water supply valve V, the lower end 52a of the square pipe 52 can be Due to the weight of the main body part 1, it is inserted into the rotating shaft 80 (see FIG. 3) of the water supply valve V, and the square pipe 52 can be fitted onto the rotating shaft 80 to be connected and fixed. Further, the installation work is completed by inserting the horizontal pipe Sc of the support part S fixed underground into the connecting part 2b1 of the housing 2 of the device main body part 1. In this way, the water supply valve opening/closing device W of this embodiment can be installed by a simple operation. That is, the water supply valve opening/closing device W of this embodiment can be connected to the water supply valve V without attaching a dedicated fixture to the existing water supply valve V.
Further, the support part S can be inserted into the ground and installed at an arbitrary position (stable ground, a position that does not interfere with work) on the ground around the water supply valve V. That is, the water supply valve opening/closing device W of this embodiment has a degree of freedom in the installation position of the support portion.

In addition, this embodiment does not require a large and heavy housing that is fixed to the base provided around the water supply valve, as in the prior art system described above, and the cost of the device itself can be reduced. In addition to this, transportation costs during installation can also be reduced.

In addition, the water supply valve opening/closing device W of the present embodiment has the configuration of the "field water management system" described in the above-mentioned prior art (Non-Patent Document 1) (in order to support rotation, the hook part of the water supply valve has a cylindrical shape ( The square pipe 52 connected to the rotation shaft (not shown) of the motor 51 is connected to the rotation shaft 80 of the water supply valve V. By inserting the lower end, it is installed on top of the water supply valve V, so it can be installed regardless of the type (shape) of the water supply valve V.

As described above, according to the configuration of the water supply valve opening/closing device W of the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a water supply valve opening/closing device W that can be attached to water supply valves of various shapes and can be easily installed. .

<<Communication control device 20 constituting the water supply valve opening/closing device W>>
Next, the configuration of the communication control device 20 that constitutes the water supply valve opening/closing device W will be explained.
As shown in FIG. 4, the communication control device 20 includes a control processing section 21, a communication processing section 22, a storage section 23, and an operation section (not shown) that receives various operations from the user. Furthermore, the storage unit 23 stores a device ID for identifying the water supply valve opening/closing device W.
The above device ID is stored in the storage unit 23 by the manufacturer's (or user's) operation when the product is shipped (manufactured) or when the water supply valve opening/closing device W is installed.

The control processing unit 21 receives settings for the communication control device 20 by operating an operation unit (not shown).
The control processing unit 21 also exchanges various information with the server 100 via the communication processing unit 22, and controls the operation of the valve opening/closing mechanism 50 to open the water supply valve V or Water supply to the rice field 300 is controlled by closing the valve V.

Specifically, the control processing unit 21 receives an “opening/closing command (opening command, closing command)” transmitted from the server 100 via the communication processing unit 22 .
If the "opening/closing command" transmitted from the server 100 is "a command to close the water supply valve V," the control processing unit 21 instructs the valve opening/closing mechanism 50 to close the water supply valve V. A closing command signal is transmitted, the rotation shaft of the motor 51 is rotated in the "first direction (clockwise)" by a predetermined number of rotations, and the rotation shaft of the water supply valve V connected to the square pipe 52 of the valve opening/closing mechanism 50 is rotated. 80'' in the ``first direction (clockwise)'' by a predetermined number of rotations to close the water supply valve V.

When the "opening/closing command" transmitted from the server 100 is "a command to open the water supply valve V", the control processing unit 21 causes the valve opening/closing mechanism 50 to open the water supply valve V. The opening command signal is transmitted, the rotating shaft of the motor 51 is rotated in the "second direction (counterclockwise)" by a predetermined number of rotations, and the "water supply valve V" connected to the square pipe 52 of the valve opening/closing mechanism 50 is rotated. The water supply valve V is opened by rotating the shaft 80 in the second direction (counterclockwise) by a predetermined number of rotations.

Further, when the opening/closing operation of the water supply valve V is completed, the control processing unit 21 performs an "operation" that associates "valve status information indicating the status of the water supply valve V" with the "apparatus ID" stored in the storage unit 23. "Completion information" is generated. Further, the control processing unit 21 transmits “operation completion information” to the server 100 via the communication processing unit 22.
Note that this valve state information is information indicating the state of the water supply valve V controlled by the valve opening/closing mechanism 50 in response to the "opening/closing command" (whether the corresponding water supply valve V is in the "open state" or whether the corresponding water supply valve V is in the "open state" or not). (information indicating whether the valve V is in the "closed state").

The communication processing unit 22 receives the “opening/closing command (opening command, closing command)” sent from the server 100 via the antenna AT and the repeater 40, and transmits the “opening/closing command (opening/closing command)” received by the control processing unit 21. command, close command).
Furthermore, the communication processing unit 22 transmits the “operation completion status information” generated by the control processing unit 21 to the server 100 via the antenna AT and the repeater 40.

In the present embodiment, the communication processing unit 22 wirelessly transmits "operation completion information" to the repeater 40 installed at a distance of about 1 to 2 km, and It is now possible to receive "opening/closing commands (opening commands, closing commands)".

Furthermore, the hardware configuration of the communication control device 20 is not particularly limited. For example, the communication control device 20 can be an information processing device having operation units such as a CPU, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, an I/O interface, a communication interface, a wireless circuit, an antenna, and operation buttons. In this case, a program for realizing the functions of the control processing section 21 and the communication processing section 22 is stored in the auxiliary storage device. Further, a predetermined area of the auxiliary storage device serves as a storage section 23. The functions of the control processing section 21 and the communication processing section 22 are realized by the CPU loading a program stored in the auxiliary storage device into the main storage device and executing it.

<<Power supply section 30 that constitutes the water supply valve opening/closing device W>>
Next, the power supply section 30 that constitutes the water supply valve opening/closing device W will be explained.
The power supply unit 30 supplies power to the communication control device 20 and the motor 51, and includes, for example, a solar power generation unit (not shown) having a solar panel and a power storage unit that stores the power generated by the solar power generation unit. A configuration having a section (not shown) can be used. Further, for example, the power supply section 30 can also be configured with a battery.

<<Motor 51 constituting the water supply valve opening/closing device W>>
Next, the motor 51 that constitutes the water supply valve opening/closing device W will be explained.
Further, the motor (rotation mechanism) 51 is configured by, for example, a DC servo motor. Further, the motor 51 is housed and installed inside the casing section 2a that constitutes the housing 2, and is supplied with electric power from the power supply section 30 and is controlled by the communication control device 20 to rotate. ing.
Further, the motor 51 is positioned and installed so that the rotation axis of the motor 51 is located in a through hole (not shown) formed in the lower surface of the housing portion 2a.
A coupling member is attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 51, and the above-mentioned square metal pipe 52 is attached to this coupling member.

《Server 100》
Next, the server 100 that constitutes the automatic water supply system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5.
Here, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the functional configuration of a server that constitutes the automatic water supply system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated, the server 100 includes a water supply valve opening/closing device control section 110 and a storage section 120. The storage unit 120 stores a water supply valve opening/closing device database 210.

Note that the hardware configuration of the server 100 is not particularly limited. For example, the server 100 is configured by a computer (one or more computers) having a CPU, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, an I/O interface, and a communication interface. In this case, the auxiliary storage device stores a program for realizing the functions of the water supply valve opening/closing device control section 110. Further, a predetermined area of the auxiliary storage device serves as a storage section 120. The functions of the water supply valve opening/closing device control unit 110 are realized by the CPU loading a program stored in the auxiliary storage device into the main storage device and executing it.

First, of the configuration of the server 100, the water supply valve opening/closing device database 210 stored in the storage unit 130 will be described using FIG. 6.
Here, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the water supply valve opening/closing device database provided in the server configuring the automatic water supply system of this embodiment.

The water supply valve opening/closing device database 210 contains, for each user managing the rice field 300, the device ID of the water supply valve opening/closing device W attached to the water supply valve V that supplies water to the rice field 300 of that user, and the water supply valve opening/closing device W. This database stores valve status information (information indicating either "open state" or "closed state") indicating the state of the water supply valve V to which the water supply valve V is attached, and rice field information in association with each other.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the water supply valve opening/closing device database 210 includes a field 210a for registering a user ID for identifying the user managing the rice field 300, and a field 210a for registering a user ID for identifying the water supply valve opening/closing device W. A field 210b for registering the device ID, and valve status information (either "open state" or "closed state") indicating the state of the water supply valve V to which the water supply valve opening/closing device W specified by this device ID is attached. A record having a field 210c for registering (information indicating the water supply valve opening/closing device W) and a field 210d for registering the position information (paddy field information) of the rice field that receives water from the water supply valve V to which the water supply valve opening/closing device W is attached. (Multiple records).

Note that the user ID is unique information for identifying the user who manages the rice field 300 that receives water supply from the water supply valve V to which the water supply valve opening/closing device W is attached, and is composed of alphanumeric symbols, etc. be done.
Further, the device ID is unique information for identifying the water supply valve opening/closing device W, and is composed of alphanumeric symbols and the like.
Further, the position information is position information such as the "latitude and longitude" of the corresponding water supply valve V (or the corresponding rice field) (any information that can be displayed on the map application).

Further, the information registered in the water supply valve opening/closing device database 210 is such that when the water supply valve opening/closing device W is installed on the water supply valve V, the contractor who installs the water supply valve opening/closing device W accesses the server 100 and takes the necessary action. The user ID and device ID, the open/close state of the water supply valve V at the time of installation, and position information are initially registered. After the initial registration, in the water supply valve opening/closing device database 210, the valve status information in the field 210c is updated by the water supply valve opening/closing device control unit 110, which will be described later.

Next, the functions of the water supply valve opening/closing device control section 110 will be explained.

The water supply valve opening/closing device control unit 110 operates the user terminal UT in response to a request from the user terminal UT of the user who manages the rice field 300 receiving water supply from the water supply valve V in which the water supply valve opening/closing device W is installed. A website for controlling the opening and closing of the corresponding water supply valve V is provided.

Note that the user who manages the rice field 300 that receives water from the water supply valve V in which the water supply valve opening/closing device W is installed is assigned a user ID that identifies the user. When the user operates the user terminal UT and enters the user ID (or user ID and password set by the user) on the website, a website dedicated to the user is provided.

This website presents the opening/closing status of the water supply valve V to which the water supply valve opening/closing device W installed in the rice field 300 managed by the user identified by the user ID is displayed. In response, an "opening/closing request (opening request, closing request)" for the water supply valve V can be transmitted.
In addition, in the "opening/closing request (opening request, closing request)" of the water supply valve V, the device ID of the water supply valve opening/closing device W attached to the corresponding water supply valve V is specified.

When the water supply valve opening/closing device control unit 110 receives a water supply valve opening/closing request (opening request, closing request) from the user terminal UT on the provided website, the water supply valve opening/closing device control unit 110 accesses the water supply valve opening/closing device database 210. Then, the record in which the specified device ID is registered is read. Further, the water supply valve opening/closing device control unit 110 determines whether the received "opening/closing request (opening request, closing request)" is different from the valve status information in the field 210c of the read record.

Then, if the received "opening/closing request (opening request, closing request)" is different from the read valve status information, the water supply valve opening/closing device control unit 110 outputs the received "opening/closing request (opening request, closing request)". A corresponding "opening/closing command (opening command, closing command)" is generated, and the "opening/closing command (opening command, closing command)" is transmitted to the water supply valve opening/closing device W specified by the corresponding device ID.
Note that if the received "open/close request (open request, close request)" is different from the read valve status information, the received "open/close request" is an "open request (close request)" and the read valve status information is different from the read valve status information. This refers to a case where the valve status information in the field 210c of the record is "closed state (open state)".
In addition, if the received "open/close request (open request, close request)" is not different from the read valve status information (same case), the received "open/close request" is an "open request (close request)". This refers to the case where the valve status information in the field 210c of the read record is "open state (closed state)".

Further, when the water supply valve opening/closing device control unit 110 transmits the "opening/closing command (opening command, closing command)", the corresponding water supply valve opening/closing device W responds to the "opening/closing command (opening command, closing command)". Receive "operation completion status information" sent after completing the process.
Then, upon receiving the "operation completion status information", the water supply valve opening/closing device control unit 110 accesses the water supply valve opening/closing device database 210 and registers the "apparatus ID" included in the received "operation completion status information". The "valve state information" in the field 210c of the record is rewritten to "valve state information" included in the "operation completion information".

On the other hand, if the received "opening/closing request (opening request, closing request)" is not different from the read valve state information (if it is the same), the water supply valve opening/closing device control unit 110 issues an "opening/closing request (opening request, The user terminal UT that sent the "close request)" is notified that the corresponding water supply valve V is in the "open/close request (open request, close request)" state, and the process ends.

As explained above, according to the automatic water supply system of this embodiment, the user managing the rice field 300 can supply water to the rice field 300 by operating the user terminal UT without having to visit the rice field 300. The open/close state of the water supply valve V can be controlled. Therefore, according to the automatic water supply system of this embodiment, the labor of the user in adjusting the water level in the rice field 300 is reduced.

In addition, the water supply valve opening/closing device W of the present embodiment has a foundation part provided around the water supply valve (foundation work is not required), like the "field water management system" described in the above-mentioned conventional technology (Non-Patent Document 1). ), it is necessary to perform labor-intensive and costly installation work such as fixing a large, heavy metal housing with a cylindrical shape (like an old-style mailbox) to its foundation. do not have.
Specifically, in the water supply valve opening/closing device W of this embodiment, the support part S that supports the main body part 1 of the apparatus is inserted into the ground and fixed, and the handle 81 of the water supply valve V is removed and the water supply valve V is opened. The water supply valve can be opened and closed by simply inserting and connecting the square pipe 52 connected to the motor 51 of the device main body 1 into the rotating shaft 80 and connecting and fixing the support part S to the housing 2 of the device main body 1. A device W can be installed.

In addition, the water supply valve opening/closing device W of the present embodiment has the configuration of the "field water management system" described in the above-mentioned conventional technology (Non-Patent Document 1) (the hook part of the water supply valve has a cylindrical (or prismatic) shape. The lower end of the rectangular pipe 52 connected to the rotation shaft (not shown) of the motor 51 is inserted into the rotation shaft 80 of the water supply valve V (not shown). Since it is configured to be installed on top of the water supply valve V, it can be installed regardless of the type (shape) of the water supply valve V.

As explained above, according to the present embodiment, the water supply valve opening/closing device W and the automatic water supply system equipped with the water supply valve opening/closing device W can be attached to water supply valves of various shapes and can be easily installed. can be provided.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes can be made within the scope of the gist thereof.

For example, in the embodiment described above, the handle 81 of the water supply valve V is removed and the square pipe 52 connected to the motor 51 of the water supply valve opening/closing device W is inserted into the rotating shaft 80 of the water supply valve V, so that the motor Although the square pipe 52 connected to the rotating shaft 51 (not shown) and the rotating shaft 80 are connected, the present invention is not particularly limited to this.
By attaching a special attachment to the handle 81 of the water supply valve V to which the square pipe 52 is connected, the square pipe 52 connected to the rotation shaft (not shown) of the motor 51 and the rotation shaft 80 of the water supply valve V can be connected. You may also connect them.

Further, for example, in the embodiment described above, the water supply valve opening/closing device W is attached to the water supply valve V that supplies water to the paddy field 300 to control the water supply to the paddy field 300, but the invention is not particularly limited to this. isn't it. The automatic water supply system of this embodiment can also be used to control the opening and closing of the water supply valve V for supplying water to water storage areas such as reservoirs other than the rice fields 300.

NW…Network
W...Water supply valve opening/closing device S...Support part Sa...Vertical pipe (support part)
Sb...T-shaped tube (support part)
Sc...Horizontal pipe (support part)

1...Device main body part 2...Housing 2a...Casing part (housing)
2b...Cylinder part (housing)
2b1...Connection part (housing)
20... Communication control device 21... Control processing unit (communication control device)
22...Communication processing unit (communication control device)
23...Storage unit (communication control device)
30...Power supply unit 50...Valve opening/closing mechanism 51...Motor (valve opening/closing mechanism)
52...Square pipe (valve opening/closing mechanism)
52a...lower end (square pipe)
AT...Antenna
V...Water supply valve 80...Rotary shaft 82...Handle 83...Body part 85...Cover part

40...Repeater
100...Server device 110...Water supply valve opening/closing device control unit 120...Storage unit 210...Water supply valve opening/closing device database
UT…User terminal

Claims

A water supply valve opening/closing device that controls opening and closing of a water supply valve that supplies water to a water storage area including rice fields,
The water supply valve has a rotating shaft extending perpendicularly and upwardly to the installation surface thereof,
a support part whose lower end is embedded and fixed in the ground near the water supply valve;
a device main body part supported by the support part and having a valve opening/closing mechanism connected to the rotating shaft of the water supply valve;
The support part is connected and fixed to the upper side of the vertical pipe, and the vertical pipe is inserted into the ground in a substantially vertical direction, the lower side is buried, and the upper side is installed with the upper side protruding from the ground. and a horizontal pipe extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical pipe,
The device main body has a housing that accommodates the valve opening/closing mechanism,
The valve opening/closing mechanism includes a motor and a pipe portion that is connected to the motor and rotates in accordance with the rotation of the motor,
The lower end of the pipe protrudes from the lower end of the housing, and is disposed opposite to the rotating shaft of the water supply valve, and the lower end of the pipe is inserted into the rotating shaft due to the weight of the device main body. and is connected to the rotating shaft, and when the motor is driven to rotate the pipe portion, the rotating shaft of the water supply valve rotates accordingly, and the water supply valve is opened and closed.
The apparatus main body part is supported by the support part by connecting and fixing a horizontal pipe of the support part to the housing, and is also supported by the rotating shaft connected to the pipe part. Water supply valve opening/closing device.
The housing has a casing part and a cylindrical part extending substantially perpendicularly downward from the bottom surface of the casing part, and the cylindrical part has a cylindrical part on an upper side and a side surface of the cylindrical part. A cylindrical connection part is formed that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the
The casing part has a through hole formed in the lower surface part, and the inside of the casing part and the inside of the cylindrical body part communicate through the through hole,
The motor is housed in the housing,
A pipe connected to the motor is housed in the cylindrical body, and a lower end thereof protrudes from a lower end of the cylindrical body,
The device main body is connected to the support portion by inserting and fitting the horizontal pipe of the support portion into a connection portion on a side surface of the cylindrical portion of the housing. The water supply valve opening/closing device according to claim 1.
A communication control device that controls the valve opening/closing mechanism is housed in a casing that constitutes the housing,
2. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the communication control device receives an opening/closing command transmitted from an external server device, and controls the operation of the valve opening/closing mechanism according to the opening/closing command. Water supply valve opening/closing device.
A water supply valve opening/closing device that controls the opening/closing operation of a water supply valve that supplies water to a water storage area including rice fields; a relay connected to a network and capable of communicating with the water supply valve opening/closing device; and a water supply via the relay. An automatic water supply system comprising: a server device that transmits an opening/closing command to a valve opening/closing device to instruct the opening/closing operation of the water supply valve, and causes the water supply valve opening/closing device to control the opening/closing operation of the water supply valve V. There it is,
The water supply valve has a rotating shaft extending perpendicularly and upwardly to the installation surface thereof,
The water supply valve opening/closing device is
a support part whose lower end is embedded and fixed in the ground near the water supply valve;
and a device main body supported by the support part,
The device main body section is
a valve opening/closing mechanism connected to the rotating shaft of the water supply valve;
a communication control device that receives an opening/closing command transmitted from the server device and controls the operation of the valve opening/closing mechanism according to the opening/closing command;
a housing that accommodates the valve opening/closing mechanism and the communication control device;
The support part is connected and fixed to the upper side of the vertical pipe, and the vertical pipe is inserted into the ground in a substantially vertical direction, the lower side is buried, and the upper side is installed with the upper side protruding from the ground. and a horizontal pipe extending substantially perpendicular to the vertical pipe,
The valve opening/closing mechanism includes a motor and a pipe portion that is connected to the motor and rotates in accordance with the rotation of the motor,
The lower end of the pipe protrudes from the lower end of the housing, and is disposed opposite to the rotating shaft of the water supply valve, and the lower end of the pipe is inserted into the rotating shaft due to the weight of the device main body. and is connected to the rotating shaft, and when the motor is driven to rotate the pipe portion, the rotating shaft of the water supply valve rotates accordingly, and the water supply valve is opened and closed.
The apparatus main body part is supported by the support part by connecting and fixing a horizontal pipe of the support part to the housing, and is also supported by the rotating shaft connected to the pipe part. automatic water supply system.