Powdery and granular material supply device

Abstract

The present invention provides a granular material supply device that can not only drive a delivery unit by an electric motor but also easily suppress an increase in manufacturing cost. The granular material supply device includes: a storage unit (31) that stores granular agricultural resources; a delivery unit (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d) that is driven by rotational power from a drive shaft (331) and delivers the agricultural resources stored in the storage unit (31); and an electric motor (33) that can impart rotational power to the drive shaft (331). A speed reduction mechanism (RM1) is provided between the electric motor (33) and the drive shaft (331) on the power transmission path, and the speed reduction mechanism (RM1) reduces the rotational power from the electric motor (33).

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with the application date of March 26, 2019, the application number of 201910232441.7, and the invention title of "Powdery and Granular Material Supply Device". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a powdery and granular material supply device having a storage unit for storing powdery and granular agricultural resources, and a delivery unit driven by rotational power from a drive shaft for delivering the agricultural resources stored in the storage unit. Background Art

[0003] As the above powdery and granular material supply device, for example, a powdery and granular material supply device (referred to as a "fertilizer application device" in Patent Document 1) provided in a riding type rice transplanter described in Patent Document 1 is known. In this riding type rice transplanter, power from an engine is transmitted to a traveling device via a speed change device for traveling, and the power from the engine after speed change is transmitted to the delivery unit (referred to as the "delivery unit" in Patent Document 1), whereby the agricultural resources are delivered by the delivery unit. At this time, since the speed change state of the traveling body is linked to the delivery amount of the agricultural resources by the delivery unit, the delivery amount of the agricultural resources per unit traveling distance can be kept constant regardless of the speed of the traveling body.

[0004] Here, regarding the powdery and granular material supply device provided in the riding type rice transplanter described in Patent Document 1, it is conceivable to provide an electric motor capable of imparting rotational power to the drive shaft. According to this structure, by controlling the electric motor, the amount of agricultural resources delivered by the delivery unit per unit time can be controlled.

[0005] Thus, for example, it is possible to drop different amounts of agricultural resources at various positions in a farmland while traveling at a constant speed.

[0006] (1) In addition, in order to drive the delivery unit via the drive shaft, a large torque is required. Here, an electric motor having a large maximum output torque is provided, and rotational power is imparted from this electric motor to the drive shaft.

[0007] However, in order to drive an electric motor having a large maximum output torque, a battery having a large voltage is required. And for the powdery and granular material supply device, when a battery having a large voltage is provided, it is likely to cause an increase in manufacturing cost.

[0008] (2) Moreover, the weight of the agricultural resources delivered during one rotation of the drive shaft varies depending on the density of the agricultural resources. Therefore, the weight of the agricultural resources provided by the powdery and granular material supply device per unit time changes with the density of the agricultural resources. From this, a problem of a decrease in the accuracy of the supply weight of the agricultural resources can be conceived.

[0009] (3) In addition, generally speaking, in the case of a powder and granule supply device, it is conceivable that a blockage such as an agricultural resource occurs in the feeding section. As described above, in the structure where the drive shaft is driven by the rotational power from an electric motor, when the maximum output torque of the electric motor is large, the output torque of the electric motor is increased by control, thereby being able to eliminate the blockage in the feeding section.

[0010] However, in order to drive an electric motor with a large maximum output torque, a battery with a large voltage is required. And in the case of a powder and granule supply device, when a battery with a large voltage is provided, it is likely to cause an increase in manufacturing cost.

[0011] (Prior Art Documents)

[0012] (Patent Documents)

[0013] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open “Tokukai 2016-103989” Summary of the Invention

[0014] (Problems to be Solved by the Invention)

[0015] (1) The problems corresponding to the background art (1) are as follows.

[0016] An object of the present invention is to provide a powder and granule supply device that can drive a feeding section by an electric motor and can easily suppress an increase in manufacturing cost.

[0017] (2) The problems corresponding to the background art (2) are as follows.

[0018] An object of the present invention is to provide a powder and granule supply device with good accuracy in the supply weight of an agricultural resource.

[0019] (3) The problems corresponding to the background art (3) are as follows.

[0020] An object of the present invention is to provide a powder and granule supply device that can not only eliminate the blockage in the feeding section but also easily suppress an increase in manufacturing cost.

[0021] (Solutions to the Problems)

[0022] (1) The solutions corresponding to the problem (1) are as follows.

[0023] The powder and granular material supply device of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a storage part for storing powder and granular agricultural resources; a feeding part driven by the rotational power from a drive shaft, and feeding the agricultural resources stored in the storage part; and an electric motor capable of imparting rotational power to the drive shaft, wherein a speed reduction mechanism is provided between the electric motor and the drive shaft on the power transmission path, and the speed reduction mechanism reduces the rotational power from the electric motor.

[0024] According to the present invention, the rotational power from the electric motor is decelerated and then imparted to the drive shaft. That is, the torque transmitted from the electric motor to the drive shaft is increased by the speed reduction mechanism. Therefore, as the electric motor, an electric motor with a relatively small maximum output torque can be adopted. Thereby, it is not necessary to provide a battery with a large voltage, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be easily suppressed.

[0025] Therefore, according to the present invention, not only can the feeding part be driven by the electric motor, but also an increase in manufacturing cost can be easily suppressed.

[0026] Furthermore, in the present invention, preferably, it comprises: a target supply amount acquisition part for acquiring a target supply amount, which is the target amount of the agricultural resources fed by the feeding part per unit time; and a motor control part for controlling the electric motor, and when the target supply amount acquired by the target supply amount acquisition part increases, the motor control part controls the electric motor such that the increase rate of the rotational speed of the electric motor is greater than the increase rate of the target supply amount.

[0027] Generally speaking, the higher the rotational speed of the drive shaft, the less the amount of agricultural resources fed by the drive shaft during one unit rotation. Therefore, when the target supply amount increases, if the rotational speed of the electric motor is increased at the same increase rate as the increase rate of the target supply amount, the actual amount of agricultural resources fed by the feeding part per unit time is generally less than the target supply amount.

[0028] Here, according to the above structure, when the target supply amount increases, the rotational speed of the electric motor is increased at an increase rate greater than the increase rate of the target supply amount. Thereby, it is possible to easily avoid the situation where the actual amount of agricultural resources fed by the feeding part per unit time is less than the target supply amount.

[0029] Furthermore, in the present invention, preferably, the motor control part has: a normal mode for supplying the agricultural resources to the farmland; and a metering mode for metering the agricultural resources fed from the feeding part, and in the metering mode, the motor control part controls the electric motor such that the electric motor rotates at a preset first rotational speed and then rotates at a preset second rotational speed different from the first rotational speed.

[0030] Regarding the structure in which the motor control unit has a metering mode for metering the agricultural resources sent out from the sending unit, in the metering mode, it is possible to consider rotating the electric motor at a specified rotational speed for a specified number of rotations. Thereby, it is possible to calculate the weight of the agricultural resources actually sent out during one rotation of the drive shaft.

[0031] However, as described above, the faster the rotational speed of the drive shaft, the less the amount of agricultural resources sent out during one rotation of the drive shaft. Therefore, in the normal mode, when the rotational speed of the electric motor is different from that in the metering mode, there is a deviation between the weight of the agricultural resources actually sent out during one rotation of the drive shaft and the calculation result.

[0032] Here, according to the above structure, in the metering mode, after the electric motor rotates at a first rotational speed, it then rotates at a second rotational speed different from the first rotational speed. Thereby, it is possible to calculate the correlation between the rotational speed of the electric motor and the weight of the agricultural resources actually sent out during one rotation of the drive shaft. And as long as the electric motor is controlled according to this correlation, it is possible to achieve good accuracy in the amount of agricultural resources sent out.

[0033] Furthermore, in the present invention, preferably, the sending unit has a rotating member that rotates by the rotational power from the drive shaft, and the granular material supply device has: a counting unit that calculates the number of rotations of the rotating member; and a replacement timing prediction unit that predicts the timing when the components included in the sending unit need to be replaced based on the number of rotations calculated by the counting unit.

[0034] Generally speaking, the larger the cumulative value of the number of rotations of the rotating member of the sending unit, the greater the degree of deterioration of the components included in the sending unit.

[0035] Here, according to the above structure, based on the cumulative value of the number of rotations of the rotating member, the timing when the components included in the sending unit need to be replaced is predicted. Thereby, it is possible to accurately predict the timing when the components included in the sending unit need to be replaced.

[0036] (2) The solution corresponding to problem (2) is as follows.

[0037] The granular material supply device of the present invention is characterized by having: a storage unit that stores granular agricultural resources; a sending unit that is driven by the rotational power from a drive shaft and sends out the agricultural resources stored in the storage unit; an electric motor that can impart rotational power to the drive shaft; a motor control unit that controls the electric motor; and a density acquisition unit that acquires the density of the agricultural resources, and the motor control unit controls the rotational speed of the electric motor according to the density acquired by the density acquisition unit.

[0038] According to the present invention, an electric motor is controlled based on the density of agricultural resources. Thus, for example, by controlling the electric motor in such a way as to eliminate the influence of the density of agricultural resources on the supply weight of agricultural resources, it is possible to avoid the situation where the supply weight of agricultural resources varies due to the density of agricultural resources.

[0039] That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to achieve good accuracy in the supply weight of agricultural resources.

[0040] Furthermore, in the present invention, preferably, the motor control unit has: a normal mode for supplying the agricultural resources to the farmland; and a metering mode for metering the agricultural resources sent out from the sending unit. The sending unit has a rotating member that rotates by the rotational power from the drive shaft. The granular material supply device has a counting unit that calculates the number of rotations of the rotating member. In the metering mode, when the number of rotations calculated by the counting unit reaches a preset number of times, the motor control unit stops driving the electric motor.

[0041] According to this structure, in the metering mode, when the number of rotations of the rotating member of the sending unit reaches the set number of times, the driving of the electric motor automatically stops. Therefore, in order to rotate the rotating member a determined number of times, the operator does not need to calculate the number of rotations of the drive shaft or the like, nor does the operator need to manually stop the driving of the electric motor. That is, according to this structure, the operator can meter the agricultural resources without excessive labor.

[0042] Furthermore, in the present invention, preferably, there is a metering start switch that is operated to start driving the electric motor by the motor control unit in the metering mode.

[0043] According to this structure, the operator can simply start driving the electric motor in the metering mode by only operating the metering start switch.

[0044] Furthermore, in the present invention, preferably, there are a plurality of sending units. When the metering start switch is operated, one of the plurality of sending units is driven, and the remaining sending units are not driven.

[0045] According to this structure, during the period when the motor control unit drives the electric motor in the metering mode, the agricultural resources are sent out from only one sending unit. Therefore, during the period when the motor control unit drives the electric motor in the metering mode, compared with the case where the agricultural resources are sent out from a plurality of sending units, the burden of the operation of receiving the sent agricultural resources in a container or the like and measuring their weight can be reduced.

[0046] Therefore, according to this structure, the operation burden on the operator in the metering operation of agricultural resources can be reduced.

[0047] Furthermore, in the present invention, preferably, there are provided: a plurality of clutches that connect or cut off the transmission of rotational power from the drive shaft to the corresponding delivery unit; and a clutch control unit that controls the plurality of clutches. When the metering start switch is operated, the clutch control unit controls one of the plurality of clutches to be in a connected state and controls the remaining clutches to be in a cut-off state.

[0048] According to this structure, a structure in which only one delivery unit delivers agricultural resources during the period when the motor control unit drives the electric motor in the metering mode can be reliably achieved with a relatively simple structure.

[0049] Therefore, according to this structure, the operation burden on the operator in the metering operation of agricultural resources can be reliably reduced with a relatively simple structure.

[0050] (3) The solution corresponding to problem (3) is as follows.

[0051] The granular material supply device of the present invention is characterized by including: a storage unit that stores granular agricultural resources; a delivery unit that is driven by rotational power from a drive shaft and delivers the agricultural resources stored in the storage unit; a first electric motor that can impart rotational power to the drive shaft; and a second electric motor that is arranged in a different manner from the first electric motor and can impart rotational power to the drive shaft.

[0052] According to the present invention, when the delivery unit becomes blocked, as long as the second electric motor is driven, the torque of the first electric motor and the torque of the second electric motor will act on the drive shaft. Thus, since a large torque acts on the drive shaft, the blockage of the delivery unit can be eliminated.

[0053] Moreover, according to the present invention, as the first electric motor and the second electric motor, electric motors with relatively small maximum output torque can be respectively adopted. Thus, there is no need to provide a battery with a large voltage, and therefore an increase in manufacturing cost can be easily suppressed.

[0054] Therefore, according to the present invention, both the blockage of the delivery unit can be eliminated and an increase in manufacturing cost can be easily suppressed.

[0055] Furthermore, in the present invention, preferably, the first electric motor is installed at one end of the drive shaft, and the second electric motor is installed at the other end of the drive shaft via a one-way clutch.

[0056] According to this structure, when the driving of the second electric motor is stopped, the rotational power of the drive shaft is cut off by the one-way clutch and is not transmitted to the second electric motor. In other words, when the driving of the second electric motor is stopped, the second electric motor does not become a resistance to the rotation of the drive shaft.

[0057] Therefore, according to this structure, when the driving of the second electric motor is stopped, it is possible to avoid the second electric motor becoming a resistance to the rotation of the drive shaft.

[0058] Furthermore, in the present invention, preferably, there is provided: a load information acquisition unit that acquires load information, which is information indicating the load applied to the first electric motor; an overload determination unit that determines whether the first electric motor is in an overload state based on the load information acquired by the load information acquisition unit; and a drive processing unit that, when the overload determination unit determines that the first electric motor is in an overload state, executes a drive process for driving the second electric motor.

[0059] According to this structure, when the first electric motor is in an overload state due to a blockage in the delivery unit, the second electric motor is driven. Therefore, when there is a blockage in the delivery unit, a structure that can reliably drive the second electric motor can be achieved.

[0060] Furthermore, in the present invention, preferably, the load information acquisition unit acquires the current value of the first electric motor and the rotational speed of the first electric motor, and the overload determination unit determines whether the first electric motor is in an overload state based on the relationship between the current value and the rotational speed.

[0061] When the first electric motor is in an overload state due to a blockage in the delivery unit, even if the current value of the first electric motor is large, the rotational speed of the first electric motor is low.

[0062] Here, according to the above structure, the overload determination unit determines whether the first electric motor is in an overload state based on the relationship between the current value and the rotational speed of the first electric motor. Thus, it is possible to reliably determine whether the first electric motor is in an overload state.

[0063] Furthermore, in the present invention, preferably, in the drive process, the second electric motor is driven intermittently.

[0064] In the case of a structure in which the drive shaft is driven by the rotational power from an electric motor, when there is a blockage in the delivery unit, it is easier to eliminate the blockage by intermittently applying torque rather than continuously applying torque to the drive shaft.

[0065] Here, according to the above structure, in the drive process, the torque from the second electric motor is intermittently applied to the drive shaft. Therefore, according to the above structure, it is possible to easily eliminate the blockage in the delivery unit.

[0066] Furthermore, in the present invention, preferably, there is a solution determination unit that determines whether the first electric motor has been released from the overload state.

[0067] Regarding a configuration that does not determine whether the first electric motor has been released from the overload state, it can be conceived that the driving process may continue even if the first electric motor has been released from the overload state.

[0068] Here, according to the above configuration, the solution determination unit determines whether the first electric motor has been released from the overload state. Therefore, a configuration can be achieved in which the driving process ends when the overload state is eliminated.

[0069] Furthermore, in the present invention, preferably, there is a stop unit that stops the driving of the first electric motor when the solution determination unit determines that the first electric motor has not been released from the overload state after the driving process is executed by the driving process unit.

[0070] Depending on the blockage state of the delivery unit, it can be conceived that the blockage may not be eliminated even if the driving process is executed. Moreover, when the first electric motor is continuously driven for a long time in a state where the blockage has not been eliminated, the deterioration of the first electric motor is likely to progress.

[0071] Here, according to the above configuration, when the blockage of the delivery unit cannot be eliminated even if the driving process is executed, the driving of the first electric motor is stopped. Thereby, the progress of the deterioration of the first electric motor can be avoided.

[0072] Furthermore, in the present invention, preferably, there is a notification unit that notifies an abnormality related to the delivery unit when the solution determination unit determines that the first electric motor has not been released from the overload state after the driving process is executed by the driving process unit.

[0073] According to this configuration, when the blockage of the delivery unit cannot be eliminated even if the driving process is executed, an operator can be informed that an abnormality related to the delivery unit has occurred.

[0074] Furthermore, in the present invention, preferably, there is a forward and reverse rotation processing unit that performs a forward and reverse rotation process in which the first electric motor is alternately driven between forward rotation and reverse rotation when the overload determination unit determines that the first electric motor is in an overload state. The forward and reverse rotation process is executed prior to the driving process. After the forward and reverse rotation process is executed by the forward and reverse rotation processing unit, when the solution determination unit determines that the first electric motor has been released from the overload state, the driving process unit does not execute the driving process.

[0075] When performing the driving process, the first electric motor and the second electric motor are driven simultaneously. As a result, compared with the case of only driving the first electric motor, it is likely to cause an increase in power consumption.

[0076] Here, according to the above structure, sometimes the blockage of the delivery unit can be eliminated through the forward and reverse rotation process. And when the blockage of the delivery unit can be eliminated through the forward and reverse rotation process, the driving process is not performed. That is, when the blockage of the delivery unit can be eliminated through the forward and reverse rotation process, the second electric motor is not driven.

[0077] Therefore, according to the above structure, power consumption can be suppressed.

[0078] Furthermore, in the present invention, preferably, there are provided: the plurality of delivery units; a plurality of clutches for connecting or disconnecting the transmission of the rotational power from the drive shaft to the corresponding delivery unit; and a clutch control processing unit that, when the overload determination unit determines that the first electric motor is in an overload state, performs clutch control processing for controlling one of the plurality of clutches to be in a connected state and the remaining clutches to be in a disconnected state. The clutch control processing is performed prior to the driving process. After the clutch control processing unit performs the clutch control processing, when the solution determination unit determines that the first electric motor has exited the overload state, the driving processing unit does not perform the driving process.

[0079] When performing the driving process, the first electric motor and the second electric motor are driven simultaneously. As a result, compared with the case of only driving the first electric motor, it is likely to cause an increase in power consumption.

[0080] Here, according to the above structure, when it is determined that the first electric motor is in an overload state, clutch control processing is performed. Through this clutch control processing, the rotational power from the drive shaft is concentrated on one delivery unit, and sometimes the blockage of the delivery unit can be eliminated. And when the blockage of the delivery unit can be eliminated by the clutch control processing unit, the driving process is not performed. That is, when the blockage of the delivery unit can be eliminated through the clutch control processing, the second electric motor is not driven.

[0081] Therefore, according to the above structure, power consumption can be suppressed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0082] Figure 1 is a left view of a riding type transplanter.

[0083] Figure 2 is a top view of a riding type transplanter.

[0084] Figure 3 is a front view of a fertilizer applicator.

[0085] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the power transmission structure for driving the first delivery unit, the second delivery unit, the third delivery unit, and the fourth delivery unit.

[0086] Figure 5 This is a block diagram showing the structure of the control unit.

[0087] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the metering process.

[0088] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the correspondence between the target supply amount obtained by the target supply amount acquisition unit and the rotational speed of the first electric motor.

[0089] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the operating region of the first electric motor.

[0090] Figure 9 This is a flowchart of the overload process.

[0091] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing the power transmission structure for driving the first delivery unit, the second delivery unit, the third delivery unit, and the fourth delivery unit of the first other embodiment.

[0092] Figure 11 This is a block diagram showing the structure of the control unit of the first other embodiment.

[0093] Figure 12 This is a flowchart of the metering process for each row of the first other embodiment.

[0094] Figure 13 This is a flowchart of the overload process of the second other embodiment.

[0095] Explanation of reference numerals

[0096] 3: Fertilizer applicator (powder / granule supply device)

[0097] 8: Clutch control unit

[0098] 9: Load information acquisition unit

[0099] 10: Counting unit

[0100] 13: Touch screen (notification unit)

[0101] 31: Hopper (storage unit)

[0102] 32a: First delivery unit (delivery unit)

[0103] 32b: Second delivery unit (delivery unit)

[0104] 32c: Third delivery unit (delivery unit)

[0105] 32d: Fourth delivery unit (delivery unit)

[0106] 33: First electric motor (electric motor)

[0107] 34a: First clutch (clutch)

[0108] 34b: Second clutch (clutch)

[0109] 34c: Third clutch (clutch)

[0110] 34d: Fourth clutch (clutch)

[0111] 39: Rotating member

[0112] 40: Second electric motor

[0113] 41: One-way clutch

[0114] 52: Target supply amount acquisition unit

[0115] 53: First electric motor control unit (motor control unit)

[0116] 55: Driving processing unit

[0117] 56: Density acquisition unit

[0118] 58: Forward and reverse rotation processing unit

[0119] 60: Stop unit

[0120] 61: Replacement timing prediction unit

[0121] 71: Overload judgment unit

[0122] 72: Solution judgment unit

[0123] 81: Clutch control processing unit

[0124] 331: Drive shaft

[0125] RM1: First reduction mechanism (reduction mechanism)

[0126] SW: Metering start switch Detailed implementation manners

[0127] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, Figure 1 and Figure 2 the direction of the arrow F shown is "front", and the direction of the arrow B is "rear". Figures 2 to 4 , Figure 10 the direction of the arrow L shown is "left", and the direction of the arrow R is "right". And, Figure 1 and Figure 3The direction of the arrow U shown is "up", and the direction of the arrow D is "down".

[0128] (Basic Structure of Riding Transplanter)

[0129] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. As Figures 1 to 3 shown, the riding transplanter 100 has a traveling body 1, a seedling planting device 2 capable of planting seedlings in a farmland, and a fertilizer application device 3 (equivalent to the "powder and granule supply device" of the present invention).

[0130] The traveling body 1 has a driver's seat 11, a handle 12, a touch screen 13 (equivalent to the "notification unit" of the present invention), a main gearshift lever 14, an engine 15, a transmission device 16, front wheels 17, and rear wheels 18. Specifically, for the traveling body 1, the power of the engine 15 is transmitted to the front wheels 17 and the rear wheels 18 via the transmission device 16 to perform traveling. An operator sits on the driver's seat 11 and operates through the handle 12 or the like, or instructs various controls such as automatic traveling control through the touch screen 13, so as to travel according to the purpose.

[0131] In addition, the traveling body 1 also has a satellite positioning device 19 that measures the position of the traveling body 1 using a known technology GPS (Global Positioning System).

[0132] The seedling planting device 2 has a seedling table 21 and a seedling planting operation unit 22. The seedling planting device 2 is an 8-row planting type, and the number of planting rows can be changed by operating the clutches of each row (not shown). For example, it is possible to control whether to perform the seedling planting operation for every 2 rows. In addition, although not described in detail, the power of the engine 15 after being speed-changed by the transmission device 16 is transmitted to the seedling planting device 2 via a motor-driven planting clutch (not shown). Thus, the seedling planting operation unit 22 performs the seedling planting operation.

[0133] The fertilizer application device 3 supplies fertilizer to farmland (equivalent to the "agricultural resources" of the present invention). Therefore, it has: a hopper 31 (equivalent to the "storage part" of the present invention), which stores powdery and granular fertilizer; a first delivery part 32a, a second delivery part 32b, a third delivery part 32c, and a fourth delivery part 32d (each equivalent to the "delivery part" of the present invention), which deliver the fertilizer stored in the hopper 31; a first electric motor 33 (equivalent to the "electric motor" of the present invention); a first clutch 34a, a second clutch 34b, a third clutch 34c, and a fourth clutch 34d corresponding to the first delivery part 32a, the second delivery part 32b, the third delivery part 32c, and the fourth delivery part 32d respectively (each equivalent to the "clutch" of the present invention); a blower 35, which conducts air supply; 8 furrow openers 37, which are used to form grooves for fertilizer supply in the farmland; and 8 hoses 38, which supply fertilizer to the grooves formed by the furrow openers 37.

[0134] Moreover, a leveling floating plate 36 is provided on the fertilizer application device 3 to level the farmland as the traveling body 1 travels.

[0135] As Figure 4 shown, rotating members 39 that continuously deliver a specified amount of fertilizer as they rotate are respectively provided inside the first delivery part 32a, the second delivery part 32b, the third delivery part 32c, and the fourth delivery part 32d. And, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, four input gears 321 connected to the rotating member 39 are provided on the lateral sides of the first delivery part 32a, the second delivery part 32b, the third delivery part 32c, and the fourth delivery part 32d.

[0136] The first electric motor 33 is connected to the drive shaft 331 via a first reduction mechanism RM1 (equivalent to the "reduction mechanism" of the present invention). That is, the first electric motor 33 can impart rotational power to the drive shaft 331 via the first reduction mechanism RM1. And, in other words, a first reduction mechanism RM1 is provided between the first electric motor 33 and the drive shaft 331 on the power transmission path. And the first reduction mechanism RM1 reduces the rotational power from the first electric motor 33. The first electric motor 33 is installed at the right end of the drive shaft 331.

[0137] Moreover, the fertilizer application device 3 has four drive gears 341. These drive gears 341 are provided on the drive shaft 331 in a relatively rotatable state. And the drive gears 341 are respectively engaged with the input gears 321.

[0138] The first clutch 34a, the second clutch 34b, the third clutch 34c, and the fourth clutch 34d are provided corresponding to the 4 drive gears 341. Moreover, the first clutch 34a, the second clutch 34b, the third clutch 34c, and the fourth clutch 34d respectively connect the corresponding drive gears 341 to the drive shaft 331 in a non-rotatable relative manner in the connected state. Also, the first clutch 34a, the second clutch 34b, the third clutch 34c, and the fourth clutch 34d respectively release the connection between the corresponding drive gears 341 and the drive shaft 331 in the disconnected state.

[0139] According to the above structure, the rotational power from the first electric motor 33 is transmitted to the drive shaft 331 via the first reduction mechanism RM1.

[0140] Moreover, the first clutch 34a connects or disconnects the transmission of the rotational power from the drive shaft 331 to the first delivery unit 32a. Also, the second clutch 34b connects or disconnects the transmission of the rotational power from the drive shaft 331 to the second delivery unit 32b. Also, the third clutch 34c connects or disconnects the transmission of the rotational power from the drive shaft 331 to the third delivery unit 32c. Also, the fourth clutch 34d connects or disconnects the transmission of the rotational power from the drive shaft 331 to the fourth delivery unit 32d.

[0141] Moreover, the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d are all driven by the rotational power from the drive shaft 331. Also, the rotating member 39 rotates by the rotational power from the drive shaft 331.

[0142] Also, the connected and disconnected states of the first clutch 34a, the second clutch 34b, the third clutch 34c, and the fourth clutch 34d can be controlled independently of each other.

[0143] By independently controlling the first clutch 34a, the second clutch 34b, the third clutch 34c, and the fourth clutch 34d respectively, it is possible to control whether fertilization is performed for every two rows (every two hoses 38) corresponding to the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d respectively. This control can also be linked to the control of the implementation or non-implementation of the seedling planting operation for every two rows of the seedling planting device 2. That is to say, it can also be configured such that it is possible to select for every two rows whether to perform seedling planting and fertilization, or not to perform seedling planting and fertilization.

[0144] Moreover, as Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the fertilizer application device 3 has a second electric motor 40. The second electric motor 40 is arranged in a different manner from the first electric motor 33. The first electric motor 33 and the second electric motor 40 receive power from a battery (not shown).

[0145] The second electric motor 40 is connected to the drive shaft 331 via a second reduction mechanism RM2 and a one-way clutch 41. That is, the second electric motor 40 can impart rotational power to the drive shaft 331 via the second reduction mechanism RM2 and the one-way clutch 41. And, in other words, a second reduction mechanism RM2 and a one-way clutch 41 are provided between the second electric motor 40 and the drive shaft 331 on the power transmission path. And the second reduction mechanism RM2 reduces the rotational power from the second electric motor 40. The second electric motor 40 is mounted on the left end portion of the drive shaft 331 via the one-way clutch 41.

[0146] When the drive of the second electric motor 40 is stopped, the rotational power of the drive shaft 331 is cut off by the one-way clutch 41 and is not transmitted to the second electric motor 40. And when the second electric motor 40 is driven, the one-way clutch 41 transmits the rotational power from the second electric motor 40 to the drive shaft 331.

[0147] (Operation and control of the fertilizer application device)

[0148] The operation of supplying fertilizer to the paddy field by the fertilizer application device 3 will be described below. As Figure 3 shown, the blower 35 is driven by a blower electric motor 351. A supply duct 352 is connected so as to straddle the blower 35 and the first delivery section 32a, the second delivery section 32b, the third delivery section 32c, and the fourth delivery section 32d. The supply duct 352 is inserted into the suction section of each of the first delivery section 32a, the second delivery section 32b, the third delivery section 32c, and the fourth delivery section 32d.

[0149] The air blown by the blower 35 is supplied to the first delivery section 32a, the second delivery section 32b, the third delivery section 32c, and the fourth delivery section 32d via the supply duct 352. And when the fertilizer is continuously delivered in a predetermined amount from the hopper 31 through the first delivery section 32a, the second delivery section 32b, the third delivery section 32c, and the fourth delivery section 32d, the fertilizer is supplied to the furrow opener 37 through the hose 38 by the air blown by the blower 35 and is supplied to the paddy field via the furrow opener 37.

[0150] (Regarding the structure of the control unit)

[0151] As Figure 5As shown, the riding transplanter 100 includes a control unit 5, a load information acquisition unit 9, a counting unit 10, a vehicle speed sensor SE1, an HST rotation sensor SE2, a main shift lever operation position sensor SE3, a light sensor SE4, a hopper weight sensor SE5, and a metering start switch SW.

[0152] The control unit 5, the load information acquisition unit 9, the counting unit 10, the vehicle speed sensor SE1, the light sensor SE4, the hopper weight sensor SE5, and the metering start switch SW are included in the fertilizer application device 3.

[0153] The load information acquisition unit 9 has a current value sensor 91 and a rotational speed sensor 92.

[0154] Moreover, the control unit 5 has a determination unit 7, a clutch control unit 8, a target supply amount determination unit 51, a target supply amount acquisition unit 52, a first electric motor control unit 53 (corresponding to the "motor control unit" of the present invention), a second electric motor control unit 54, a density acquisition unit 56, a density calculation unit 57, a hopper clogging detection unit 59, a replacement timing prediction unit 61, an HST abnormality diagnosis unit 62, and a fertilizer depletion warning unit 63.

[0155] The first electric motor control unit 53 has a forward and reverse rotation processing unit 58 and a stop unit 60. Moreover, the second electric motor control unit 54 has a drive processing unit 55.

[0156] Moreover, the determination unit 7 has an overload determination unit 71 and a solution determination unit 72.

[0157] In addition, the clutch control unit 8 has a clutch control processing unit 81. The clutch control unit 8 controls the first clutch 34a, the second clutch 34b, the third clutch 34c, and the fourth clutch 34d.

[0158] Moreover, the counting unit 10 calculates the number of rotations of the rotating members 39 of the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d respectively. The number of rotations calculated by the counting unit 10 is sent to the first electric motor control unit 53, the hopper clogging detection unit 59, and the replacement timing prediction unit 61.

[0159] As Figure 5 shown, the first electric motor control unit 53 controls the first electric motor 33. Moreover, the first electric motor control unit 53 has: a normal mode for supplying fertilizer to the farmland; and a metering mode for calculating the fertilizer delivered from the first delivery unit 32a.

[0160] Moreover, the second electric motor control unit 54 controls the second electric motor 40.

[0161] (Metering process)

[0162] When the operator operates the metering start switch SW, a prescribed signal is sent to the first electric motor control unit 53 and the clutch control unit 8. And thereby, the first electric motor control unit 53 enters the metering mode and executes Figure 6 the metering process shown below. This metering process is stored in the control unit 5. Next, Figure 6 the metering process shown below will be described.

[0163] When executing the metering process, first, the process of step S01 is executed. In step S01, the first clutch 34a is controlled by the clutch control unit 8 to be in the connected state, and the second clutch 34b, the third clutch 34c, and the fourth clutch 34d are controlled to be in the disconnected state. Then, the process transfers to step S02.

[0164] In step S02, under the control of the first electric motor control unit 53, the first electric motor 33 starts to rotate at a preset first rotational speed.

[0165] As described above, when the metering start switch SW is operated, the first electric motor control unit 53 starts driving the first electric motor 33 in the metering mode.

[0166] And at this time, the rotational power of the first electric motor 33 is transmitted to the first delivery unit 32a via the drive shaft 331. And at this time, the rotational power of the first electric motor 33 is not transmitted to the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d.

[0167] That is, when the metering start switch SW is operated, only the first delivery unit 32a among the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d is driven, and the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d are not driven.

[0168] Then, the process transfers to step S03. In step S03, it is judged whether the number of rotations of the rotating member 39 of the first delivery unit 32a calculated by the counter unit 10 has reached a preset set number of rotations. The judgment in step S03 is made by the first electric motor control unit 53 based on the number of rotations sent from the counter unit 10 to the first electric motor control unit 53.

[0169] When it is judged as no in step S03, the process executes step S03 again. That is, during the period from when the first electric motor 33 starts rotating at the first rotational speed in step S02 until the number of rotations of the rotating member 39 of the first delivery unit 32a reaches the set number of rotations, the process repeatedly performs step S03.

[0170] Also, when the number of rotations of the rotating member 39 of the first delivery unit 32a reaches the set number of rotations, it is determined to be yes in step S03, and the process proceeds to step S04.

[0171] In step S04, the driving of the first electric motor 33 is stopped by the control of the first electric motor control unit 53.

[0172] As described above, in the metering mode, when the number of rotations calculated by the counting unit 10 reaches the preset set number of rotations, the first electric motor control unit 53 stops the driving of the first electric motor 33.

[0173] Then, the process proceeds to step S05. In step S05, by the control of the first electric motor control unit 53, the first electric motor 33 is started to rotate at a preset second rotation speed. The second rotation speed is a rotation speed different from the first rotation speed. Also, the second rotation speed can be faster than the first rotation speed or slower than the first rotation speed.

[0174] As described above, in the metering mode, the first electric motor control unit 53 controls the first electric motor 33 so that the first electric motor 33 rotates at a preset first rotation speed and then rotates at a preset second rotation speed different from the first rotation speed.

[0175] And at this time, the rotational power of the first electric motor 33 is transmitted to the first delivery unit 32a via the drive shaft 331. And at this time, the rotational power of the first electric motor 33 is not transmitted to the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d.

[0176] That is, at this time, only the first delivery unit 32a among the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d is driven, and the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d are not driven.

[0177] Then, the process proceeds to step S06. In step S06, it is determined whether the number of rotations of the rotating member 39 of the first delivery unit 32a calculated by the counting unit 10 reaches the preset set number of rotations. The determination in step S06 is made by the first electric motor control unit 53 based on the number of rotations sent from the counting unit 10 to the first electric motor control unit 53.

[0178] When the determination in step S06 is NO, the process returns to step S06. That is, during the period from when the first electric motor 33 starts rotating at the second rotational speed in step S05 until the number of rotations of the rotating member 39 of the first delivery unit 32a reaches the set number, the process repeatedly performs step S06. The set number in step S03 and the set number in step S06 may be the same as or different from each other.

[0179] And when the number of rotations of the rotating member 39 of the first delivery unit 32a reaches the set number, the determination in step S06 is YES, and the process proceeds to step S07.

[0180] In step S07, the driving of the first electric motor 33 is stopped under the control of the first electric motor control unit 53. And this metering process ends.

[0181] During the execution of the metering process described above, the blower 35 is driven.

[0182] (Density of fertilizer)

[0183] During the execution of the metering process, fertilizer is discharged from the two hoses 38 connected to the first delivery unit 32a. The operator loads the fertilizer discharged from these hoses 38 into a container and measures its weight. At this time, the weight of the fertilizer discharged while the first electric motor 33 rotates at the first rotational speed and the weight of the fertilizer discharged while the first electric motor 33 rotates at the second rotational speed are measured respectively.

[0184] The metering start switch SW is arranged on the right side of the machine body. And as Figure 2 shown, the two hoses 38 connected to the first delivery unit 32a are located on the right side of the machine body. With this structure, after the operator operates the metering start switch SW, the operator can measure the weight of the fertilizer without moving a large distance.

[0185] And the operator inputs the measured weight of the fertilizer into the touch screen 13. As Figure 5 shown, the input weight of the fertilizer is sent to the density calculation unit 57. Also, the first rotational speed, the second rotational speed, and the set number are sent from the first electric motor control unit 53 to the density calculation unit 57.

[0186] The density calculation unit 57 calculates the density of the fertilizer based on the weight of the fertilizer obtained from the touch screen 13 and the first rotational speed, the second rotational speed, and the set number obtained from the first electric motor control unit 53.

[0187] The density of the fertilizer calculated by the density calculation unit 57 is obtained by the density acquisition unit 56. Thus, the density acquisition unit 56 obtains the density of the fertilizer.

[0188] The density of the fertilizer acquired by the density acquisition unit 56 is sent to the first electric motor control unit 53.

[0189] The "density of the fertilizer" in this specification includes not only the weight per unit volume of the fertilizer, but also values and charts related to the weight per unit volume of the fertilizer. That is, the "density of the fertilizer" in this specification includes the weight of the fertilizer actually delivered during the period when the rotating members of the fertilizer application device 3 such as the drive shaft 331 and the rotating member 39 rotate a unit number of rotations at a specified rotational speed. And the "density of the fertilizer" in this specification includes a chart of the correlation between the rotational speed of the first electric motor 33 and the weight of the fertilizer actually delivered during the period when the rotating members of the fertilizer application device 3 such as the drive shaft 331 and the rotating member 39 rotate a unit number of rotations.

[0190] That is, the density of the fertilizer calculated by the density calculation unit 57 can be the weight per unit volume of the fertilizer, can also be the weight of the fertilizer actually delivered during the period when the drive shaft 331 or the rotating member 39 rotates a unit number of rotations at a specified rotational speed, and can also be a chart of the correlation between the rotational speed of the first electric motor 33 and the weight of the fertilizer actually delivered during the period when the drive shaft 331 or the rotating member 39 rotates a unit number of rotations.

[0191] (Target supply amount)

[0192] When the riding type transplanter 100 is operating in the farmland, the vehicle speed sensor SE1 detects the vehicle speed of the traveling body 1 over time. And, as Figure 5 shown, the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor SE1 is sent to the target supply amount determination unit 51 over time. In addition, the position of the traveling body 1 measured by the satellite positioning device 19 is also sent to the target supply amount determination unit 51 over time.

[0193] 0083 The target supply amount determination unit 51 determines the target supply amount over time based on the vehicle speed acquired from the vehicle speed sensor SE1 and the position of the traveling body 1 acquired from the satellite positioning device 19. The target supply amount is the target amount of fertilizer delivered per unit time through the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d.

[0194] Here, the determination of the target supply amount will be described in detail. The faster the vehicle speed, the larger the target supply amount. And, in this embodiment, the farmland is divided into a plurality of microzones. And a target spreading amount is set for each microzone respectively. The target spreading amounts for each microzone are stored in the target supply amount determination unit 51. And the target supply amount is determined based on the target spreading amount corresponding to the microzone where the traveling body 1 is located.

[0195] Further, the target supply amount determined by the target supply amount determination unit 51 is obtained by the target supply amount acquisition unit 52. Thus, the target supply amount acquisition unit 52 obtains the target supply amount.

[0196] The target supply amount obtained by the target supply amount acquisition unit 52 is sent to the first electric motor control unit 53.

[0197] (Control of the first electric motor in the normal mode)

[0198] In the normal mode, the first electric motor control unit 53 controls the rotational speed of the first electric motor 33 according to the density of the fertilizer obtained by the density acquisition unit 56 and the target supply amount obtained by the target supply amount acquisition unit 52.

[0199] The correspondence between the target supply amount obtained by the target supply amount acquisition unit 52 and the rotational speed of the first electric motor 33 is as Figure 7 shown.

[0200] Here, as an example of the control of the first electric motor 33 by the first electric motor control unit 53 in the normal mode, the case where the target supply amount increases from T1 to T2 is described. T2 is twice that of T1. That is, at this time, the increase rate of the target supply amount is 100%.

[0201] And, at this time, through the control of the first electric motor control unit 53, the rotational speed of the first electric motor 33 increases from V1 to V2. V2 is greater than twice that of V1. That is, at this time, the increase rate of the rotational speed of the first electric motor 33 is greater than 100%.

[0202] As described above, when the target supply amount obtained by the target supply amount acquisition unit 52 increases, the first electric motor control unit 53 controls the first electric motor 33 so that the increase rate of the rotational speed of the first electric motor 33 is greater than the increase rate of the target supply amount.

[0203] And, in the present embodiment, by correcting the rotational speed of the first electric motor 33 derived from the correspondence shown based on the density of the fertilizer, the final target value of the rotational speed of the first electric motor 33 is determined. It is also possible not to correct according to the density of the fertilizer. Figure 7 shown.

[0204] (Structure related to the overload state)

[0205] The current value sensor 91 obtains the current value of the first electric motor 33 over time (equivalent to the "load information" of the present invention). And, the rotational speed sensor 92 obtains the rotational speed of the first electric motor 33 over time (equivalent to the "load information" of the present invention).

[0206] That is, the load information acquisition unit 9 acquires the current value of the first electric motor 33 and the rotational speed of the first electric motor 33 over time. Both the current value of the first electric motor 33 and the rotational speed of the first electric motor 33 are information indicating the load applied to the first electric motor 33.

[0207] The current value and rotational speed of the first electric motor 33 acquired by the load information acquisition unit 9 are sent to the determination unit 7 over time.

[0208] The overload determination unit 71 of the determination unit 7 determines whether the first electric motor 33 is in an overload state based on the relationship between the current value of the first electric motor 33 and the rotational speed of the first electric motor 33 acquired by the load information acquisition unit 9.

[0209] The details are as follows. As Figure 8 shown, the operating region of the first electric motor 33 is divided into an overload region A1 and a normal region A2. The overload region A1 and the normal region A2 are set according to the current value of the first electric motor 33 and the rotational speed of the first electric motor 33, respectively.

[0210] Moreover, when the current value and rotational speed of the first electric motor 33 are included in the overload region A1, the overload determination unit 71 determines that the first electric motor 33 is in an overload state. And when the current value and rotational speed of the first electric motor 33 are included in the normal region A2, the overload determination unit 71 determines that the first electric motor 33 is not in an overload state.

[0211] After the overload determination unit 71 determines that the first electric motor 33 is in an overload state, the solution determination unit 72 determines whether the first electric motor 33 has exited the overload state.

[0212] The details are as follows. When the current value and rotational speed of the first electric motor 33 are included in the overload region A1, the solution determination unit 72 determines that the first electric motor 33 has not exited the overload state. And when the current value and rotational speed of the first electric motor 33 are included in the normal region A2, the solution determination unit 72 determines that the first electric motor 33 has exited the overload state.

[0213] The determination results of the overload determination unit 71 and the solution determination unit 72 are sent to the first electric motor control unit 53, the second electric motor control unit 54, the clutch control unit 8, and the touch screen 13.

[0214] When the overload determination unit 71 determines that the first electric motor 33 is in an overload state, the drive processing unit 55 of the second electric motor control unit 54 performs drive processing. The drive processing is processing for driving the second electric motor 40.

[0215] In the driving process, the second electric motor 40 is driven intermittently. That is, in the driving process, the second electric motor 40 repeats between driving and stopping.

[0216] While the riding rice transplanter 100 is working in the farmland, the second electric motor 40 is not driven except for the driving process.

[0217] After the drive processing unit 55 executes the drive processing, if the resolution determination unit 72 determines that the first electric motor 33 has not escaped the overload state, the stopping unit 60 of the first electric motor control unit 53 stops driving the first electric motor 33 .

[0218] Furthermore, after the drive processing unit 55 executes the drive processing, if the resolution determination unit 72 determines that the first electric motor 33 has not escaped the overload state, the touchscreen 13 displays information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the first, second, third, and fourth delivery units 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d delivery units. Thus, the touchscreen 13 notifies the user of the abnormality in the first, second, third, and fourth delivery units 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d delivery units.

[0219] When the overload determination unit 71 determines that the first electric motor 33 is in an overload state, the clutch control processing unit 81 of the clutch control unit 8 executes a clutch control process. The clutch control process is a process of controlling one of the first clutch 34a, the second clutch 34b, the third clutch 34c, and the fourth clutch 34d to be in an engaged state and controlling the remaining clutches to be in a disengaged state.

[0220] In the clutch control process of this embodiment, first, the first clutch 34a is controlled to be in the connected state, and the remaining clutches are controlled to be in the disconnected state. Then, the second clutch 34b is controlled to be in the connected state, and the remaining clutches are controlled to be in the disconnected state. Then, the third clutch 34c is controlled to be in the connected state, and the remaining clutches are controlled to be in the disconnected state. Finally, the fourth clutch 34d is controlled to be in the connected state, and the remaining clutches are controlled to be in the disconnected state.

[0221] Furthermore, after the clutch control processing unit 81 executes the clutch control processing, if the resolution determination unit 72 determines that the first electric motor 33 is no longer in the overload state, the drive processing unit 55 does not execute the drive processing.

[0222] When the overload determination unit 71 determines that the first electric motor 33 is overloaded, the forward / reverse rotation processing unit 58 of the first electric motor control unit 53 executes forward / reverse rotation processing to alternately drive the first electric motor 33 between forward and reverse rotation.

[0223] The forward and reverse rotation process is executed prior to the above-described drive process and clutch control process. And, when the forward and reverse rotation process is executed by the forward and reverse rotation processing unit 58, when it is determined by the solution determination unit 72 that the first electric motor 33 has been released from the overload state, the drive processing unit 55 does not execute the drive process. And, at this time, the clutch control processing unit 81 does not execute the clutch control process.

[0224] (Overload Process)

[0225] When the riding type transplanter 100 is operating in the farmland, the first electric motor control unit 53 operates in the normal mode. And, when the riding type transplanter 100 is operating in the farmland, the Figure 9 shown overload process is executed. This overload process is stored in the control unit 5. The following Figure 9 describes the shown overload process.

[0226] When the overload process is executed, first, the process of step S11 is executed. In step S11, it is determined by the overload determination unit 71 whether the first electric motor 33 is in an overload state.

[0227] 0114 When the first electric motor 33 is not in an overload state, it is determined as NO in step S11, and the overload process is temporarily ended.

[0228] When the first electric motor 33 is in an overload state, it is determined as YES in step S11, and the process proceeds to step S12.

[0229] In step S12, the forward and reverse rotation process is executed by the forward and reverse rotation processing unit 58. Then, the process proceeds to step S13.

[0230] In step S13, it is determined by the solution determination unit 72 whether the first electric motor 33 has been released from the overload state.

[0231] When the first electric motor 33 has been released from the overload state, it is determined as YES in step S13, and the overload process is temporarily ended.

[0232] When the first electric motor 33 has not been released from the overload state, it is determined as NO in step S13, and the process proceeds to step S14.

[0233] In step S14, the clutch control process is executed by the clutch control processing unit 81. Then, the process proceeds to step S15. When the process proceeds to step S15, the connection / disconnection states of the first clutch 34a, the second clutch 34b, the third clutch 34c, and the fourth clutch 34d each return to the state before the clutch control process is executed.

[0234] In step S15, the determination unit 72 determines whether the first electric motor 33 has exited the overload state.

[0235] When the first electric motor 33 has exited the overload state, it is determined to be "yes" in step S15, and this overload process is temporarily ended.

[0236] When the first electric motor 33 has not exited the overload state, it is determined to be "no" in step S15, and the process proceeds to step S16.

[0237] In step S16, the drive processing unit 55 executes drive processing. Then, the process proceeds to step S17.

[0238] In step S17, the determination unit 72 determines whether the first electric motor 33 has exited the overload state.

[0239] When the first electric motor 33 has exited the overload state, it is determined to be "yes" in step S17, and this overload process is temporarily ended.

[0240] When the first electric motor 33 has not exited the overload state, it is determined to be "no" in step S17, and the process proceeds to step S18.

[0241] In step S18, the stop unit 60 stops the drive of the first electric motor 33. Then, the process proceeds to step S19.

[0242] In step S19, information indicating an abnormality related to the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d is displayed on the touch screen 13. Thus, the touch screen 13 notifies the abnormality related to the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d. And this overload process is temporarily ended.

[0243] (Prediction of replacement timing)

[0244] The replacement timing prediction unit 61 predicts the timing when the components included in the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d need to be replaced based on the number of rotations of the rotating members 39 of the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d received from the counter unit 10.

[0245] Specifically, the replacement timing prediction unit 61 accumulates the number of rotations received from the counter unit 10 for each of the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d. And when the accumulated number of rotations reaches a specified threshold value, it predicts the timing when the component needs to be replaced based on the length of the period from the start of accumulation until the accumulated number of rotations reaches the specified threshold value.

[0246] Moreover, the replacement timing prediction unit 61 sends a signal of the predicted timing to the touch screen 13. The touch screen 13 displays the timing when the component needs to be replaced based on this signal. And the touch screen 13, based on this signal, displays information prompting component replacement when the predicted timing is approaching or when the predicted timing is reached.

[0247] (HST Abnormality Diagnosis)

[0248] The speed change device 16 of the riding type transplanter 100 has a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission (not shown). By operating the main speed change lever 14, the speed ratio of the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission changes.

[0249] Here, the HST rotation sensor SE2 detects the rotational speed of the output shaft of the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission. As Figure 5 shown, the detection result of the HST rotation sensor SE2 is sent to the HST abnormality diagnosis unit 62.

[0250] Moreover, the main speed change lever operation position sensor SE3 detects the operation position of the main speed change lever 14. The detection result of the main speed change lever operation position sensor SE3 is sent to the HST abnormality diagnosis unit 62.

[0251] The HST abnormality diagnosis unit 62 diagnoses whether an abnormality has occurred in the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission based on the detection result of the HST rotation sensor SE2 and the detection result of the main speed change lever operation position sensor SE3.

[0252] Specifically, when the rotational speed of the output shaft of the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission does not match the operation position of the main speed change lever 14, the HST abnormality diagnosis unit 62 diagnoses that an abnormality has occurred in the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission.

[0253] When the HST abnormality diagnosis unit 62 diagnoses that an abnormality has occurred in the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission, it sends a signal indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission to the touch screen 13. The touch screen 13 displays information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission based on this signal.

[0254] (Optical Sensor)

[0255] As Figure 3As shown, the optical sensor SE4 is installed at the bottom inside the hopper 31. The optical sensor SE4 detects the intensity of the light reaching the optical sensor SE4. As Figure 5 shown, the detection result of the optical sensor SE4 is sent to the fertilizer depletion warning unit 63.

[0256] Based on the detection result obtained from the optical sensor SE4, the fertilizer depletion warning unit 63 determines whether the intensity of the light reaching the optical sensor SE4 exceeds a specified threshold value. When the fertilizer depletion warning unit 63 determines that the intensity of the light reaching the optical sensor SE4 exceeds the specified threshold value, a signal indicating that the remaining amount of fertilizer in the hopper 31 is small or a signal indicating that the remaining amount of fertilizer in the hopper 31 is zero is sent to the touch screen 13. Based on this signal, the touch screen 13 displays information indicating that the remaining amount of fertilizer in the hopper 31 is small or information indicating that the remaining amount of fertilizer in the hopper 31 is zero.

[0257] In addition, the operator can operate the touch screen 13 to input the type of fertilizer in the hopper 31. Further, the touch screen 13 can communicate with a management server provided outside the riding type transplanter 100.

[0258] The information indicating the type of fertilizer input to the touch screen 13 is sent from the touch screen 13 to the management server. Based on this information, data representing an appropriate threshold value is generated in the management server. This data is sent to the fertilizer depletion warning unit 63 via the touch screen 13. Based on this data, the threshold value used for determination by the fertilizer depletion warning unit 63 is set.

[0259] Alternatively, when the above-set threshold value is actually inappropriate, this information can be reported from the operator to the management server via the touch screen 13. With this configuration, based on the reported content, the threshold value generated in the management server can be corrected.

[0260] (Hopper weight sensor)

[0261] The hopper weight sensor SE5 is a pressure sensor that detects the weight of the hopper 31 over time. The detection result of the hopper weight sensor SE5 is sent to the first electric motor control unit 53, the hopper clogging detection unit 59, and the touch screen 13 over time.

[0262] The first electric motor control unit 53 calculates the actual supply amount based on the change in the weight of the hopper 31 over time. The actual supply amount is the actual amount of fertilizer sent out by the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d per unit time.

[0263] Further, feedback control is performed on the rotational speed of the first electric motor 33 based on the actual supply amount calculated by the first electric motor control unit 53.

[0264] Further, the hopper clogging detection unit 59 detects clogging of the fertilizer in the hopper 31 or the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, or the fourth delivery unit 32d based on the change over time in the weight of the hopper 31.

[0265] Specifically, as described below, when the first electric motor 33 is driven, when the weight of the hopper 31 is equal to or greater than a specified weight and does not change over a specified period, the hopper clogging detection unit 59 detects clogging of the fertilizer in the hopper 31 or the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, or the fourth delivery unit 32d.

[0266] When the hopper clogging detection unit 59 detects clogging of the fertilizer in the hopper 31 or the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, or the fourth delivery unit 32d, a specified signal is sent to the first electric motor control unit 53. When the first electric motor control unit 53 receives this signal, the forward / backward rotation processing unit 58 performs the above-described forward / backward rotation processing. Thereby, the clogging of the fertilizer can be easily eliminated.

[0267] When the weight of the hopper 31 is less than the specified weight, the touch screen 13 displays information indicating that the remaining amount of fertilizer in the hopper 31 is small or that the remaining amount of fertilizer in the hopper 31 is zero.

[0268] According to the structure described above, the rotational power from the first electric motor 33 is decelerated and transmitted to the drive shaft 331. That is, the torque transmitted from the first electric motor 33 to the drive shaft 331 is increased by the first reduction mechanism RM1. Therefore, as the first electric motor 33, an electric motor with a relatively small maximum output torque can be used. As a result, it is not necessary to provide a battery with a large voltage, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be easily suppressed.

[0269] Therefore, according to the structure described above, not only can the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d be driven by the first electric motor 33, but an increase in manufacturing cost can also be easily suppressed.

[0270] In addition, according to the structure described above, the first electric motor 33 is controlled based on the density of the fertilizer. Therefore, for example, by controlling the first electric motor 33 in such a way as to eliminate the influence of the density of the fertilizer on the supply weight of the fertilizer, it is possible to avoid a situation where the supply weight of the fertilizer varies due to the density of the fertilizer.

[0271] That is, according to the structure described above, the accuracy of the supply weight of the fertilizer is good.

[0272] Further, according to the structure described above, when the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, or the fourth delivery unit 32d becomes blocked and the first electric motor 33 is in an overload state, the second electric motor 40 is driven. At this time, the torques of the first electric motor 33 and the second electric motor 40 act on the drive shaft 331. As a result, a larger torque acts on the drive shaft 331, and thus the blockage can be eliminated.

[0273] Moreover, according to the structure described above, as the first electric motor 33 and the second electric motor 40, electric motors with relatively small maximum output torques can be respectively adopted. As a result, it is not necessary to provide a battery with a high voltage, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be easily suppressed.

[0274] Therefore, according to the structure described above, the blockage occurring in any one of the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d can be eliminated, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be easily suppressed.

[0275] (First Other Embodiment)

[0276] In the above-described embodiment, the rotational power of the first electric motor 33 is distributed to the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d via the drive shaft 331.

[0277] However, the present invention is not limited to this. Hereinafter, the first other embodiment of the present invention will be mainly described with respect to the points different from the above-described embodiment. The structures other than those described below are the same as those of the above-described embodiment. Moreover, the same reference numerals are given to the structures that are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

[0278] As Figure 10 shown, in the first other embodiment of the present invention, the first clutch 34a, the second clutch 34b, the third clutch 34c, and the fourth clutch 34d are not provided.

[0279] Moreover, in this first other embodiment, first motors MT1, second motors MT2, third motors MT3, and fourth motors MT4 corresponding to the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d are provided, respectively.

[0280] Output gears 201 are mounted on the output shafts of the first motors MT1, the second motors MT2, the third motors MT3, and the fourth motors MT4, respectively. Moreover, the output gears 201 are respectively meshed with the input gears 321.

[0281] That is, the rotational power of each of the first row motors MT1 is transmitted to the first feeding unit 32a via the output gear 201 and the input gear 321. Also, the rotational power of each of the second row motors MT2 is transmitted to the second feeding unit 32b via the output gear 201 and the input gear 321. Also, the rotational power of each of the third row motors MT3 is transmitted to the third feeding unit 32c via the output gear 201 and the input gear 321. Also, the rotational power of each of the fourth row motors MT4 is transmitted to the fourth feeding unit 32d via the output gear 201 and the input gear 321.

[0282] Also, as Figure 11 shown, the control unit 5 of this first alternative embodiment has a row motor control unit 202. Also, the row motor control unit 202 can separately and individually control the first row motors MT1, the second row motors MT2, the third row motors MT3, and the fourth row motors MT4.

[0283] According to this configuration, the first feeding unit 32a, the second feeding unit 32b, the third feeding unit 32c, and the fourth feeding unit 32d can be separately and individually driven.

[0284] Also, the row motor control unit 202 has: a normal mode for supplying fertilizer to farmland; and a metering mode for calculating the fertilizer discharged from each of the first feeding unit 32a, the second feeding unit 32b, the third feeding unit 32c, and the fourth feeding unit 32d.

[0285] When the operator operates the metering start switch SW, a prescribed signal is sent to the row motor control unit 202. And thereby, the row motor control unit 202 enters the metering mode and executes Figure 12 the row metering processes shown. The row metering processes are stored in the control unit 5. The row metering processes shown will be described below. Figure 12 The row metering processes shown will be described.

[0286] When executing the row metering processes, first, the process of step S21 is executed. In step S21, under the control of the row motor control unit 202, the first row motors MT1 start rotating at a third rotational speed set in advance.

[0287] Then, the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, it is judged whether the number of rotations of the rotating member 39 of the first feeding unit 32a calculated by the counting unit 10 has reached a set number of rotations set in advance. The judgment in step S22 is made by the row motor control unit 202 based on the number of rotations sent from the counting unit 10 to the row motor control unit 202.

[0288] When the determination in step S22 is negative, the process returns to step S22. That is, during the period from when the first row motors MT1 start rotating at the third rotational speed in step S21 until the number of rotations of the rotating member 39 of the first delivery unit 32a reaches the set number, the process repeatedly executes step S22.

[0289] And when the number of rotations of the rotating member 39 of the first delivery unit 32a reaches the set number, the determination in step S22 is positive, and the process proceeds to step S23.

[0290] In step S23, the driving of the first row motors MT1 is stopped under the control of the row motor control unit 202.

[0291] Then, the process proceeds to step S24. In step S24, under the control of the row motor control unit 202, the second row motors MT2 start rotating at a preset third rotational speed.

[0292] Then, the process proceeds to step S25. In step S25, it is determined whether the number of rotations of the rotating member 39 of the second delivery unit 32b calculated by the counter unit 10 reaches a preset set number. The determination in step S25 is made by the row motor control unit 202 based on the number of rotations sent from the counter unit 10 to the row motor control unit 202.

[0293] When the determination in step S25 is negative, the process returns to step S25. That is, during the period from when the second row motors MT2 start rotating at the third rotational speed in step S24 until the number of rotations of the rotating member 39 of the second delivery unit 32b reaches the set number, the process repeatedly executes step S25.

[0294] And when the number of rotations of the rotating member 39 of the second delivery unit 32b reaches the set number, the determination in step S25 is positive, and the process proceeds to step S26.

[0295] In step S26, the driving of the second row motors MT2 is stopped under the control of the row motor control unit 202.

[0296] Then, the process proceeds to step S27. In step S27, under the control of the row motor control unit 202, the third row motors MT3 start rotating at a preset third rotational speed.

[0297] Then, the process proceeds to step S28. In step S28, it is determined whether the number of rotations of the rotating member 39 of the third delivery unit 32c calculated by the counter unit 10 reaches a preset set number. The determination in step S28 is made by the row motor control unit 202 based on the number of rotations sent from the counter unit 10 to the row motor control unit 202.

[0298] When the determination in step S28 is NO, the process returns to step S28. That is, during the period from when the third row motors MT3 start rotating at the third rotational speed in step S27 until the number of rotations of the rotating member 39 of the third delivery unit 32c reaches the set number of rotations, the process repeatedly executes step S28.

[0299] Moreover, when the number of rotations of the rotating member 39 of the third delivery unit 32c reaches the set number of rotations, the determination in step S28 is YES, and the process proceeds to step S29.

[0300] In step S29, the driving of the third row motors MT3 is stopped under the control of the row motor control unit 202.

[0301] Then, the process proceeds to step S30. In step S30, under the control of the row motor control unit 202, the fourth row motors MT4 start rotating at a preset third rotational speed.

[0302] Then, the process proceeds to step S31. In step S31, it is determined whether the number of rotations of the rotating member 39 of the fourth delivery unit 32d calculated by the counter unit 10 has reached a preset set number of rotations. The determination in step S31 is made by the row motor control unit 202 based on the number of rotations transmitted from the counter unit 10 to the row motor control unit 202.

[0303] When the determination in step S31 is NO, the process returns to step S31. That is, during the period from when the fourth row motors MT4 start rotating at the third rotational speed in step S30 until the number of rotations of the rotating member 39 of the fourth delivery unit 32d reaches the set number of rotations, the process repeatedly executes step S31.

[0304] Moreover, when the number of rotations of the rotating member 39 of the fourth delivery unit 32d reaches the set number of rotations, the determination in step S31 is YES, and the process proceeds to step S32.

[0305] In step S32, the driving of the fourth row motors MT4 is stopped under the control of the row motor control unit 202. And this row metering process ends.

[0306] During the execution of the row metering process, fertilizer is discharged from each hose 38. Specifically, the fertilizer is discharged in the order of the two hoses 38 connected to the first delivery unit 32a, the two hoses 38 connected to the second delivery unit 32b, the two hoses 38 connected to the third delivery unit 32c, and the two hoses 38 connected to the fourth delivery unit 32d.

[0307] The operator loads the fertilizer discharged from these hoses 38 into a container and measures its weight. At this time, the operator measures the weight of the fertilizer discharged from the two hoses 38 connected to the first delivery unit 32a, the weight of the fertilizer discharged from the two hoses 38 connected to the second delivery unit 32b, the weight of the fertilizer discharged from the two hoses 38 connected to the third delivery unit 32c, and the weight of the fertilizer discharged from the two hoses 38 connected to the fourth delivery unit 32d, respectively.

[0308] And the operator inputs the weight of the fertilizer obtained by measurement into the touch screen 13. As Figure 11 shown, the input weight of the fertilizer is sent to the density calculation unit 57. And the third rotation speed and the set number of times are sent from each row motor control unit 202 to the density calculation unit 57.

[0309] The density calculation unit 57 calculates the densities of the fertilizers corresponding to the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d, respectively, based on the weight of the fertilizer obtained from the touch screen 13 and the third rotation speed and the set number of times obtained from each row motor control unit 202.

[0310] The density of the fertilizer calculated by the density calculation unit 57 is obtained by the density acquisition unit 56. And the density of the fertilizer obtained by the density acquisition unit 56 is sent to each row motor control unit 202.

[0311] In the normal mode, each row motor control unit 202 individually controls the first row motors MT1, the second row motors MT2, the third row motors MT3, and the fourth row motors MT4 according to the density of the fertilizer obtained by the density acquisition unit 56.

[0312] That is, each row motor control unit 202 controls the first row motors MT1 according to the density of the fertilizer corresponding to the first delivery unit 32a. And each row motor control unit 202 controls the second row motors MT2 according to the density of the fertilizer corresponding to the second delivery unit 32b. And each row motor control unit 202 controls the third row motors MT3 according to the density of the fertilizer corresponding to the third delivery unit 32c. And each row motor control unit 202 controls the fourth row motors MT4 according to the density of the fertilizer corresponding to the fourth delivery unit 32d.

[0313] (Second Other Embodiment)

[0314] In the above embodiment, there is a second electric motor 40.

[0315] However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Hereinafter, a second other embodiment of the present invention will be described mainly focusing on the points different from the above-described embodiment. The structures other than those described below are the same as those in the above-described embodiment. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the structures that are the same as those in the above-described embodiment.

[0316] In the second other embodiment of the present invention, the second electric motor 40 is not provided. And, in this second other embodiment, the Figure 13 shown overload process is executed. In this overload process, the drive process is not executed. Hereinafter, the Figure 13 shown overload process will be described.

[0317] The processes executed from step S41 to step S45 in the overload process of this second other embodiment are the same as the processes executed from step S11 to step S15 in the overload process of the above-described embodiment. Therefore, here, the description will start from when the process transfers to step S46.

[0318] In step S46, the drive of the first electric motor 33 is stopped by the stop unit 60. Then, the process transfers to step S47.

[0319] In step S47, information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d is displayed on the touch screen 13. Thereby, the touch screen 13 notifies the abnormality in the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d. And, this overload process is temporarily ended.

[0320] As described above, in this second other embodiment, the second electric motor 40 is not provided, and the drive process is not executed.

[0321] Each of the above-described embodiments is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be appropriately changed.

[0322] (Remaining embodiments)

[0323] (1) The replacement timing prediction unit 61 may also predict the timing when the components included in each of the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d need to be replaced, based on the number of rotations of the rotating member 39 of any one of the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d. Further, the replacement timing prediction unit 61 may also predict the timing when the components included in each of the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d need to be replaced, based on the cumulative value or average value of the number of rotations of the rotating member 39 of each of the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d.

[0324] (2) The replacement timing prediction unit 61 may also be provided in a management server located outside the riding transplanter 100. In this case, the number of rotations of the rotating member 39 of each of the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d can be transmitted from the counter unit 10 to the management server. Further, a signal indicating the timing predicted by the replacement timing prediction unit 61 can be transmitted from the management server to the touch screen 13. Also, when the timing predicted by the replacement timing prediction unit 61 approaches or reaches the predicted timing, information urging replacement of the components can be transmitted from the management server to the touch screen 13.

[0325] (3) The HST abnormality diagnosis unit 62 may also be provided in a management server located outside the riding transplanter 100. In this case, the detection results of the HST rotation sensor SE2 and the main shift lever operation position sensor SE3 can be transmitted to the management server. Also, when the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission is diagnosed to be abnormal by the HST abnormality diagnosis unit 62, a signal indicating that the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission is abnormal can be transmitted from the management server to the touch screen 13.

[0326] (4) When the metering start switch SW is operated, the first electric motor 33, the first clutch 34a, the second clutch 34b, the third clutch 34c, and the fourth clutch 34d may also be controlled so that, among the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d, first, only the first delivery unit 32a rotates at the first rotation speed for a preset number of times, then only the second delivery unit 32b rotates at the first rotation speed for a preset number of times, then only the third delivery unit 32c rotates at the first rotation speed for a preset number of times, and finally only the fourth delivery unit 32d rotates at the first rotation speed for a preset number of times.

[0327] According to this structure, the density of the fertilizer corresponding to the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d can be calculated. And thus, in the normal mode, the first electric motor control unit 53 can also control the rotation speed of the first electric motor 33 according to the average value of the density of the fertilizer corresponding to the first delivery unit 32a, the second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d.

[0328] (5) The vehicle speed sensor SE1 may not be provided.

[0329] (6) The satellite positioning device 19 may not be provided.

[0330] (7) The HST rotation sensor SE2 may not be provided.

[0331] (8) The main shift lever operation position sensor SE3 may not be provided.

[0332] (9) The light sensor SE4 may not be provided.

[0333] (10) The HST abnormality diagnosis unit 62 may not be provided.

[0334] (11) The fertilizer depletion warning unit 63 may not be provided.

[0335] (12) The hopper weight sensor SE5 may not be provided.

[0336] (13) The hopper blockage detection unit 59 may not be provided.

[0337] (14) The second delivery unit 32b, the third delivery unit 32c, and the fourth delivery unit 32d may not be provided. That is, the number of delivery units provided may also be 1. And the number of delivery units provided may also be 2 or 3, or may also be 5 or more.

[0338] (15) The clutch control process may also be executed prior to the forward and reverse rotation process.

[0339] (16) The drive process may also be executed prior to the forward and reverse rotation process. And the drive process may also be executed prior to the clutch control process.

[0340] (17) The clutch control processing unit 81 may not be provided.

[0341] (18) The forward and reverse rotation processing unit 58 may not be provided.

[0342] (19) The touch screen 13 may not be provided.

[0343] (20) The stop unit 60 may not be provided.

[0344] (21) The determination unit 72 may not be provided either.

[0345] (22) In the driving process, the second electric motor 40 may be continuously driven.

[0346] 0221(23) The load information acquisition unit 9 may also acquire information other than the current value and the rotational speed of the first electric motor 33 as information indicating the load applied to the first electric motor 33. For example, the load information acquisition unit 9 may also acquire the temperature of the first electric motor 33 (equivalent to the "load information" of the present invention).

[0347] (24) The first electric motor 33 may be installed at a position other than the right end portion of the drive shaft 331. For example, the first electric motor 33 may be installed at the left end portion of the drive shaft 331, or may also be installed at the central portion.

[0348] (25) The second electric motor 40 may be installed at a position other than the left end portion of the drive shaft 331. For example, the second electric motor 40 may be installed at the right end portion of the drive shaft 331, or may also be installed at the central portion.

[0349] (26) The one-way clutch 41 may not be provided either.

[0350] (27) The counting unit 10 may not be provided either.

[0351] (28) The replacement timing prediction unit 61 may not be provided either.

[0352] (29) In the metering mode, after the first electric motor control unit 53 rotates the first electric motor 33 at the first rotational speed, it may not rotate at the second rotational speed. For example, in the metering mode, after the first electric motor control unit 53 rotates the first electric motor 33 at the first rotational speed, it may not rotate the first electric motor 33 but end the metering mode.

[0353] (30) The first electric motor control unit 53 may not have a metering mode.

[0354] (31) When the target supply amount acquired by the target supply amount acquisition unit 52 increases, the first electric motor control unit 53 may control the first electric motor 33 so that the increase rate of the rotational speed of the first electric motor 33 is equal to the increase rate of the target supply amount, or may control the first electric motor 33 so that the increase rate of the rotational speed of the first electric motor 33 is less than the increase rate of the target supply amount.

[0355] (32) The target supply amount determination unit 51 may also be provided in a management server located outside the riding transplanter 100. Further, the target supply amount determination unit 51 may not be provided.

[0356] (33) The target supply amount acquisition unit 52 may not be provided.

[0357] (34) When the metering start switch SW is operated, the clutch control unit 8 may control two or three of the first clutch 34a, the second clutch 34b, the third clutch 34c, and the fourth clutch 34d to be in a connected state, and control the remaining clutches to be in a disconnected state. Further, when the metering start switch SW is operated, the clutch control unit 8 may control all of the first clutch 34a, the second clutch 34b, the third clutch 34c, and the fourth clutch 34d to be in a connected state.

[0358] (35) The metering start switch SW may not be provided.

[0359] (Industrial Applicability)

[0360] The present invention can be used not only for a fertilizer application device, but also for a pesticide spraying device, a seeding device, and the like.

Claims

1. A powder and granular material supply device, characterized in that, comprising: a storage unit that stores granular agricultural resources; a plurality of delivery units that are driven by rotational power from a drive shaft and deliver the agricultural resources stored in the storage unit; an electric motor capable of imparting rotational power to the drive shaft; a motor control unit that controls the electric motor; and a density acquisition unit that acquires the density of the agricultural resources, wherein the motor control unit controls the rotational speed of the electric motor according to the density acquired by the density acquisition unit, the motor control unit has: a normal mode for supplying the agricultural resources to farmland; and a metering mode for metering the agricultural resources delivered from the delivery unit, when the motor control unit is in the metering mode, one delivery unit located on the outermost side among the plurality of delivery units is driven, and the remaining delivery units are not driven, in the metering mode, after rotating at a first rotational speed, the electric motor rotates at a second rotational speed different from the first rotational speed, the motor control unit controls the electric motor based on a chart representing the correlation between the first rotational speed and the amount of agricultural resources delivered during a preset number of rotations of the drive shaft at the first rotational speed, and the correlation between the second rotational speed and the agricultural resources delivered during the preset number of rotations of the drive shaft at the second rotational speed.

2. The powder and granular material supply device according to claim 1, wherein the delivery unit has a rotating member that rotates by rotational power from the drive shaft, the powder and granular material supply device has a counting unit that counts the number of rotations of the rotating member, in the metering mode, when the number of rotations counted by the counting unit reaches the preset number of rotations, the motor control unit stops driving the electric motor.

3. The powder and granular material supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein it has a metering start switch that is operated to cause the motor control unit to start driving the electric motor in the metering mode.

4. The powder and granular material supply device according to claim 3, wherein comprising: a plurality of clutches that connect or disconnect the transmission of rotational power from the drive shaft to the corresponding delivery unit; and a clutch control unit that controls the plurality of clutches, when the metering start switch is operated, the clutch control unit controls one clutch corresponding to the delivery unit located on the outermost side among the plurality of clutches to be in a connected state and controls the remaining clutches to be in a disconnected state.

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