A sweet potato seedling horizontal transplanter and transplanting method

Abstract

This invention relates to a horizontal transplanting machine and method for sweet potato seedlings, comprising a frame, a rotary tillage and ridging device, a fertilization device, a seedling planting device, a mulching device, and a mulch-breaking device mounted on the frame. It also includes a soil-covering device for covering the sweet potato seedlings and mulch film, and a drip irrigation device for laying drip irrigation tape. In use, the rotary tillage and ridging device is used to open furrows and loosen the soil, and the fertilization device applies fertilizer. Then, the seedling planting device is used to horizontally plant the sweet potato seedlings perpendicular to the ridge direction, and the soil-covering device covers the seedlings with soil. Next, the drip irrigation device is laid over the sweet potato seedlings, and the mulching device covers the seedlings and drip irrigation tape with mulch film. The soil-covering device then covers the mulch film with soil to press it down. Finally, when mulch film breaking is required, the mulch-breaking device breaks the film. This invention can simultaneously perform rotary tillage, ridging, fertilization, seedling planting, pipe laying, and mulching, and can also break the film, thus realizing mechanized horizontal mulching and transplanting of sweet potato seedlings.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of crop transplanting machinery, and more particularly to the field of sweet potato seedling transplanting, specifically referring to a horizontal sweet potato seedling transplanter. Background Technology

[0002] Sweet potato is an important food crop in my country, possessing high economic and medicinal value. Sweet potato transplanting is primarily achieved through bare-root seedling ridge planting. There are various ridge planting methods for sweet potatoes, mainly including direct planting, slanted planting, horizontal planting, and boat-shaped planting. During the growth process, many factors such as planting depth, plant spacing, and the number of nodes buried in the soil all affect the growth and development of sweet potatoes, resulting in significant differences in growth effects among different planting methods. Horizontal planting has a strong tuber-forming ability and a high yield of marketable tubers, and is currently the mainstream planting method for sweet potato cultivation.

[0003] Currently, when planting sweet potato seedlings horizontally, mechanical ridging followed by manual mulching and planting is commonly used. This method is labor-intensive and inefficient, which has severely restricted the development of the sweet potato industry. There is an urgent need to realize mechanized horizontal mulching and planting of sweet potato seedlings. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a sweet potato seedling horizontal transplanting machine and transplanting method, which realizes mechanized horizontal mulching and planting of sweet potato seedlings while meeting various needs of sweet potato seedlings during planting.

[0005] The present invention is achieved through the following technical solution: a sweet potato seedling horizontal transplanter, including a frame with ground wheels, a rotary tillage and ridging device located at the front end of the frame, a fertilization device located directly above the rotary tillage and ridging device, a seedling planting device located behind the fertilization device, a mulching device located behind the seedling planting device, a mulching breaking device located behind the mulching device, a soil covering device for covering the sweet potato seedlings and mulch film with soil, and a drip irrigation device for laying drip irrigation tape before mulching.

[0006] In use, this invention employs a rotary tillage and ridging device to open furrows and loosen the soil, and a fertilization device to apply fertilizer. Then, a seedling planting device is used to plant sweet potato seedlings horizontally perpendicular to the ridge direction, and a soil covering device is used to cover the sweet potato seedlings with soil. Next, a drip irrigation device is used to lay drip irrigation tape over the sweet potato seedlings, and a mulching device is used to cover the sweet potato seedlings and drip irrigation tape with mulch film. The soil covering device then covers the mulch film with soil to fix it in place. Finally, when it is necessary to break the mulch film, the mulch film breaking device breaks the mulch film.

[0007] Compared with the single function of existing mechanical devices, this solution is fully functional and can simultaneously complete rotary tillage, ridging, fertilization, seedling planting, pipe laying, and mulching. The mulching device is set according to the number of times the soil is mulched. Based on the process sequence of sweet potato seedling planting, it overcomes the structural interference between the various devices. Moreover, the devices complement each other, with the device in front providing conditions for the device behind, thereby realizing the mechanized horizontal mulching and planting of sweet potato seedlings.

[0008] The fertilization device is positioned directly above the rotary tillage and ridging device to facilitate timely fertilization of the tilled and ridged soil. The seedling planting device is positioned behind the fertilization device to facilitate timely planting of seedlings after fertilization. At the same time, the soil covering device covers the sweet potato seedlings with soil to stabilize them. The drip irrigation device is positioned behind the seedling planting device to facilitate the laying of drip irrigation tape over the sweet potato seedlings for drip irrigation. The mulching device is positioned behind the drip irrigation device to cover the sweet potato seedlings and drip irrigation tape with mulch film. Finally, the mulch film is covered with soil and fixed in place by the soil covering device.

[0009] Preferably, the seedling planting device includes a seedling delivery belt for transporting sweet potato seedlings. The seedling delivery belt includes a horizontally extending seedling release section, a vertically extending conveying section connected to the seedling release section, and an inclinedly extending return section connecting the seedling release section and the conveying section. The seedling release section is located above the conveying section, and the conveying section is located in front of the seedling release section.

[0010] The seedling planting device also includes a baffle bar located on one side of the conveying section, a seedling pressing rope that passes around the seedling placement section and the seedling delivery belt and is conveyed in a rectangular shape, and seedling storage boxes located on both sides of the seedling placement section for placing sweet potato seedlings. The sweet potato seedlings are located between the baffle bar and the conveying section, and the seedling pressing rope is conveyed along the sweet potato seedling conveying direction.

[0011] This preferred design features a compact and efficient right-angled triangular arrangement of the seedling placement section, conveying section, and return section, saving internal space while ensuring the continuity of seedling planting operations.

[0012] In use, sweet potato seedlings are taken out of the seedling storage box and placed horizontally on the seedling placement section, ensuring the roots are aligned. As the seedling conveyor belt moves the seedlings from the placement section into the transport section, the seedlings are kept vertically downwards by the baffles and the transport section. The transport section conveys downwards, while the return section conveys upwards at an angle. Therefore, the intersection of the transport and return sections is the planting point. As the seedlings pass the planting point, they fall into the furrow under the influence of the soil. The return section moves upwards at an angle, while the pressing rope moves horizontally backwards. The different directions of movement between the pressing rope and the planting claw completely separate the sweet potato seedling from the planting claw, thus achieving horizontal planting of the sweet potato seedlings.

[0013] Preferably, the seedling conveyor belt includes two parallel chains arranged longitudinally to form a seedling placement section, a conveying section, and a return section, and a plurality of seedling claws arranged longitudinally on the chains. Each seedling claw includes a base plate connected to the chains, and a soil-entry group and a soil-exit group fixed to the base plate and arranged in the conveying direction, with the soil-entry group located in front of the soil-exit group. The soil-entry group includes a plurality of soil-entry baffles arranged sequentially along the two chain directions. The soil-exit group includes soil-exit baffles arranged longitudinally and corresponding to the soil-entry baffles. The soil-entry baffles are perpendicular to the base plate, and the angle between the soil-exit baffles and the base plate is 45°.

[0014] The frame is shafted with a pressure roller located directly below the rear end of the seedling section, through which the pressing rope passes. The pressing rope passes between two soil exit baffles and out between two soil entry baffles. The baffle includes a vertically extending long strip and an arc segment connected to the bottom end of the long strip with a central angle of 90°. The center of the arc segment is located behind the arc segment.

[0015] In this preferred design, the planting claw transports sweet potato seedlings to the planting point via the placement of the soil entry and exit baffles. The turn at the connection between the chain conveyor section and the return section causes the vertical soil entry baffle at the bottom of the planting claw to break up the soil. The bottom of the planting claw, together with the pressing rope, presses the sweet potato seedling into the fertilized and ridged soil. The different directions of movement of the pressing rope and the planting claw completely separate the seedling from the claw, and the exit baffle, at a 45° angle to the bottom, lifts the seedling out of the soil, completing the horizontal planting. After planting, the planting claw returns diagonally upwards to the seedling release section via the return section, while the pressing rope moves horizontally backwards around the pressing wheel. Furthermore, the planting spacing can be adjusted by regulating the forward speed of the frame and adjusting the conveyor belt speed.

[0016] During the sweet potato seedling planting process, the seedling pressing rope and the bottom of the planting claw work together to press the sweet potato seedling into the soil and separate the seedling planted in the soil from the planting claw; the baffle passes through the gap between the soil entry baffle and the soil exit baffle to fix the sweet potato seedling during the downward transportation process and prevent the sweet potato seedling from falling off the planting claw; the angle of the soil entry baffle and the soil exit baffle is set to facilitate the planting of sweet potato seedlings; by setting the main and auxiliary seedling boxes on both sides of the frame, the sweet potato seedlings can be placed in an orderly manner and the frame space can be used in a reasonable way, which helps to improve the work efficiency of sweet potato seedling planting.

[0017] Preferably, the rotary tillage and ridging device includes a furrow opener, a rotary tillage shaft located behind the furrow opener and extending longitudinally, a plurality of rotary tillage blades disposed on the rotary tillage shaft, and two ridging plates located behind the rotary tillage shaft and arranged longitudinally, wherein the front opening of the channel formed between the two ridging plates is larger than the rear opening, and the conveying section is located between the two ridging plates.

[0018] In this preferred configuration, the furrow opener is fixed to the front of the frame, and the rotary tiller shaft is connected to the output shaft of the gearbox on the frame via a belt. As the machine moves forward, the furrow opener initially turns over the soil, and the gearbox drives the rotary tiller shaft and rotary blades to rotate via belt drive, completing the land reclamation and loosening. The ridging plate gathers the loosened soil, initially forming ridges for planting sweet potatoes.

[0019] Preferably, the fertilization device includes a fertilizer tank, a fertilizer discharge pipe located below the fertilizer tank, and an impeller fertilizer applicator connecting the fertilizer discharge pipe and the fertilizer tank discharge port. The impeller fertilizer applicator's rotating shaft is connected to the frame. The impeller fertilizer applicator's feed port is connected to the fertilizer tank discharge port, and the impeller fertilizer applicator's discharge port is connected to the fertilizer discharge pipe. Fixed blades are provided between the discharge port and the discharge port, and the fixed blades are fixed to the rotating shaft. The frame is also equipped with a first motor that drives the rotating shaft to rotate.

[0020] In this preferred embodiment, the rotation speed of the impeller fertilizer applicator on the rotating shaft is controlled by the first motor, thereby adjusting the fertilizer discharge rate from the fertilizer box. The fertilizer is then applied to the soil tilled by the rotary tillage and ridging device through the fertilizer discharge pipe.

[0021] In this preferred embodiment, the first motor drives the fertilizer tank shaft to rotate, and an impeller fertilizer applicator is fixed on the fertilizer tank shaft, which can adjust the fertilizer discharge rate. The fertilizer loaded in the fertilizer tank is applied into the rotary tilled soil through the fertilizer discharge pipe to complete the fertilization work.

[0022] Preferably, the mulching device includes a film hanging frame for placing the mulch film and a film pressing wheel located behind the film hanging frame.

[0023] In this preferred solution, before operation, the front end of the plastic film is fixed with soil. When the machine frame moves forward, the machine frame drives the plastic film to rotate on the film hanging frame. The plastic film suspended on the film hanging frame is pressed onto the surface of the field ridge by the film pressing wheel. Then, the soil covering device covers the surface of the field ridge to fix the plastic film and complete the mulching work.

[0024] Preferably, the film-breaking device includes a second motor located behind the camera and electrically connected to the camera via an industrial control computer, and a film-breaking shaft extending rearward and downward. An electric heating rod is fixedly connected to the lower end of the film-breaking shaft. A linear bearing for the film-breaking shaft to pass through is also fixedly connected to the frame. A film-breaking connecting rod is hinged to the upper end of the film-breaking shaft. The other end of the film-breaking connecting rod is hinged to the eccentric position of the turntable. The turntable, which is coaxial with the turntable, is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the second motor.

[0025] In this preferred solution, the camera first identifies and locates the growth points of the sweet potato seedlings planted horizontally on the raised ridges, and transmits the location information of the seedling growth points to the industrial control computer. The industrial control computer adjusts the speed of the second motor through the control system, thereby adjusting the movement speed of the film-breaking connecting rod in real time to achieve precise film breaking at the growth point of the sweet potato seedling. The film-breaking connecting rod is installed at the growth point of the planted sweet potato seedling in the lateral position of the frame. The film-breaking connecting rod passes through a linear bearing, which fixes the movement direction of the film-breaking connecting rod and optimizes the smoothness of the connecting rod structure movement. The electric heating rod fixed at the head of the film-breaking connecting rod is cylindrical and is heated directly by the tractor. The second motor drives the film-breaking connecting rod to reciprocate along the direction determined by the linear bearing. When the film-breaking connecting rod moves downward to the lower stop point, the electric heating rod contacts the film covering the ridge, thereby achieving film breaking during the machine's movement. The diameter of the electric heating rod is designed to be 20mm according to the agronomic requirements of sweet potato planting.

[0026] Preferably, the drip irrigation device includes a drip irrigation frame fixed to the frame and a pressure roller fixed to the frame, a pressure roller fixed to the drip irrigation frame and located in front of the pressure roller, and a drip irrigation tape fixing roller located above and behind the pressure roller and axially connected to the drip irrigation frame. The drip irrigation tape passes over the drip irrigation tape fixing roller and then exits from the pressure roller. The drip irrigation tape fixing roller is correspondingly arranged with the drip irrigation frame and is used to fix the lateral position of the drip irrigation tape on the drip irrigation frame.

[0027] In this preferred solution, before operation, the drip irrigation tape is wrapped around the pressure roller and one end is fixed with soil. When the machine frame moves forward, it drives the drip irrigation tape to rotate on the drip irrigation frame. The pressure roller rolls on the top of the field ridge to press the drip irrigation tape into the field ridge, thus completing the laying of the drip irrigation tape. The depth of the drip irrigation tape into the soil can be adjusted by the pressure roller.

[0028] Preferably, the covering device includes a soil applicator group located between the ridging plate and the pressure roller, a soil applicator group located behind the pressure roller, and a covering plate between the two soil applicator groups. The soil applicator group includes two soil applicators that are axially connected to the frame and arranged longitudinally. The frame is also provided with soil applicator baffles with adjustable angles corresponding to the soil applicators.

[0029] In use, this preferred solution facilitates the covering of sweet potato seedlings with soil by setting up the soil-covering device group at the front, and facilitates the covering of mulch film with soil by setting up the soil-covering device group at the rear. The rotating soil-covering device breaks up the soil and covers the sweet potato seedlings with soil. The amount and distance of soil covering can be changed by adjusting the angle of the soil-covering baffle, ensuring that the surface of the field ridge is adequately covered with soil after planting seedlings and laying drip irrigation tape, and that the mulch film is firmly fixed after covering. The soil-covering plate moves forward along the side surface of the field ridge created by the rotary tillage and ridging device to complete the work of covering the soil and trimming the ridge surface.

[0030] A method for transplanting sweet potato seedlings using a horizontal transplanter includes the following steps:

[0031] a. Load fertilizer into the fertilizer box of the fertilizer application device and place sweet potato seedlings in the seedling storage box. Move the whole machine in the field by pulling a tractor.

[0032] b. Manually place the sweet potato seedlings in the seedling feeding section of the seedling planting device chain in the same direction, and place the sweet potato seedlings on the seedling pressing rope. Use the chain drive to send the sweet potato seedlings in the seedling feeding section to the planting point.

[0033] c. When the planting claw transports the sweet potato seedlings to the planting point, it uses the turn at the connection between the chain conveyor section and the return section. The vertical soil entry baffle at the bottom of the planting claw digs open the soil. The bottom of the planting claw and the pressing rope together press the sweet potato seedling into the soil after fertilization and ridging. The different movement directions of the pressing rope and the planting claw completely separate the sweet potato seedling from the planting claw. The soil exit baffle at a 45° angle to the bottom leaves the soil, completing the planting.

[0034] d. The chain drives the planting claw to move obliquely upward from the planting point, return empty to the seedling release section via the return section, and the seedling pressing rope moves horizontally backward from the planting point on the ridge, passes over the pressing wheel, and returns vertically upward to the seedling release section. After the planting claw returns to the seedling release section, sweet potato seedlings are continuously placed into the planting claw in the seedling release section in the same direction, thus continuously completing the planting operation;

[0035] e. The soil covering device, mulching device, and mulch breaking device respectively complete the tasks of covering the soil, covering the mulch film, and breaking the mulch film. The soil applicator breaks up the soil by rotating and covers the sweet potato seedlings with soil. The amount of soil applied and the distance between the soil applicators are changed by adjusting the angle of the soil applicator baffle. The soil covering device is divided into two stages: the first stage is to cover the sweet potato seedlings with soil after planting, and the second stage is to cover and fix the mulch film after mulching film is applied.

[0036] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0037] 1. Design a sweet potato seedling horizontal transplanting machine according to the agronomic requirements of the horizontal planting method. It can complete all processes in the field at one time, including rotary tillage, ridging and fertilization, horizontal planting, soil covering and compaction, laying drip irrigation tape, covering with mulch film, and precise film breaking.

[0038] 2. A sweet potato seedling horizontal transplanter can effectively reduce the planting spacing of sweet potato seedlings, increase the number of sweet potato seedlings planted per unit area, realize horizontal dense planting of sweet potato seedlings, and increase the number of tubers per plant, thus greatly improving the economic benefits of sweet potato planting.

[0039] 3. The lateral horizontal planting is achieved by using a chain wheel and chain and a seedling claw circulation movement structure. The seedling claw is perpendicular to the ridge direction, which can realize the lateral horizontal planting of sweet potato seedlings. This not only meets the agronomic requirements of horizontal planting of sweet potatoes, but also improves the continuity of planting work and greatly improves planting efficiency.

[0040] 4. The planting depth and spacing of sweet potato seedlings can be kept fixed, ensuring that the seedlings are properly buried in the soil and that the spacing between plants is uniform after transplanting. In addition, the planting depth can be adjusted by adjusting the hanging height, and the planting spacing can be adjusted by changing the forward speed or the spacing between the seedling claws, so as to meet different planting needs.

[0041] 5. Laying drip irrigation tape over the sweet potato seedlings after transplanting can achieve integrated water and fertilizer management, which saves on the cost of sweet potato planting, effectively improves the growth quality of sweet potatoes, and further increases the economic benefits of sweet potato planting.

[0042] 6. By adopting a film-breaking method that first identifies and then breaks the film, it is possible to automatically and accurately break the film at the growth point of the sweet potato seedling, replacing manual film breaking and further reducing the labor intensity of sweet potato planting. Attached Figure Description

[0043] Figure 1 This is a schematic front view of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 2 This is a schematic left view of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 3 This is a top view schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 4 This is an isometric schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 5 This is a side view schematic diagram of the seedling planting device of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the seedling planting claw structure of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the membrane breaking linkage structure of the present invention;

[0050] As shown in the figure:

[0051] 1. Frame, 2. Rotary tillage and ridging device, 3. Fertilizer applicator, 4. Seedling planting device, 5. Soil covering device, 6. Drip irrigation device, 7. Mulching device, 8. Mulching device, 11. Ground wheel, 12. Gearbox, 13. Soil entry baffle, 14. Soil exit baffle, 15. Output shaft, 18. Suspension frame, 21. Furrow opener, 22. Rotary tillage shaft, 23. Rotary tillage blade, 24. Ridging plate, 31. Fertilizer box, 32. Fertilizer box shaft, 33. Fertilizer discharge pipe, 34. First motor, 41. 42. Planting claw, 43. Chain, 44. Stop bar, 45. Pressing rope, 46. Main seedling box, 57. Secondary seedling box, 58. First soil-laying device, 59. First soil-laying baffle, 50. Soil-covering board, 51. Second soil-laying device, 52. Second soil-laying baffle, 63. Drip irrigation frame, 64. Fixed wheel, 65. Pressing wheel, 76. Film hanging frame, 77. Film pressing wheel, 78. Camera, 79. Industrial control computer, 70. Motor II, 71. Film breaking connecting rod, 72. Electric heating rod, 73. Linear bearing. Detailed Implementation

[0052] To clearly illustrate the technical features of this solution, the following detailed implementation method will be used to explain the solution.

[0053] See attached document Figure 1-7 The present invention discloses a sweet potato seedling horizontal transplanter and transplanting method. The transplanter includes a frame 1 with ground wheels 11, a rotary tillage and ridging device 2 located at the front end of the frame 1, and a fertilization device 3 located directly above the ridging device. It also includes a seedling planting device 4 located behind the fertilization device 3, a mulching device 7 located behind the seedling planting device 4, and a mulching breaking device 8 located behind the mulching device 7. It also includes a soil covering device 5 for covering the sweet potato seedlings and mulch film with soil, and a drip irrigation device 6 for laying drip irrigation tape before mulching.

[0054] The transplanter also includes a suspension frame 18 connected to the tractor at the front of the frame, a transmission 12 that transmits power to the tractor, a seedling storage box for storing sweet potato seedlings installed above the frame, and a camera 73 for collecting information on the location of the sweet potato seedlings' growth points.

[0055] The seedling planting device 4 includes a seedling conveyor belt for transporting sweet potato seedlings, a baffle 43 for restricting the position of sweet potato seedlings during transport, and a ring-shaped seedling pressing rope 44 for pressing the sweet potato seedlings into the soil and separating the sweet potato seedlings from the seedling planting claws during planting.

[0056] The seedling delivery belt includes a horizontally extending seedling placement section, a vertically extending conveying section connected to the seedling placement section, and an inclined return section connecting the seedling placement section and the conveying section. The seedling placement section is located above the conveying section, and the conveying section is located in front of the seedling placement section. On both sides of the seedling placement section, there are seedling storage boxes for placing sweet potato seedlings. The seedling storage boxes include two main seedling boxes 45 located on both sides of the seedling delivery belt, and two auxiliary seedling boxes 46 located on both sides of the seedling delivery belt. By setting the main and auxiliary seedling boxes on both sides of the frame 1, it is convenient to place sweet potato seedlings in an orderly manner, and the space of the frame 1 can be used reasonably, which is conducive to improving the work efficiency of sweet potato seedling planting.

[0057] The seedling delivery belt includes two parallel chains 42 forming a seedling placement section, a conveying section, and a return section, as well as several seedling claws 41 arranged longitudinally on the chains 42.

[0058] The seedling claw 41 includes a base plate connected to the chain 42, and a soil entry group and a soil exit group fixed to the base plate and arranged along the conveying direction. The soil entry group is located in front of the soil exit group. The soil entry group includes a number of soil entry baffles arranged sequentially along the arrangement direction of the two chains 42. The soil exit group includes soil exit baffles arranged sequentially along the longitudinal direction and corresponding to the soil entry baffles. The soil entry baffles are set perpendicular to the base plate, and the angle between the soil exit baffles and the base plate is 45°.

[0059] The frame is also connected to a pressure roller located directly below the rear end of the seedling feeding section. A rectangular pressing rope is wound around the pressure roller, the seedling feeding section, and the conveying section. The pressing rope passes through several seedling claws in sequence, and enters between two adjacent soil exit baffles and exits between two soil entry baffles.

[0060] The frame 1 is also provided with a baffle 43 located between the soil entry baffle and the soil exit baffle and cooperating with the bottom plate to restrict the sweet potato seedlings. The baffle 43 extends vertically and is set corresponding to the conveying section. The baffle 43 includes a vertically extending long strip and an arc segment connected to the bottom end of the long strip with a central angle of 90°. The length of the long strip is 900mm and the diameter of the arc segment is 40mm.

[0061] The rotary tillage and ridging device 2 includes a furrow opener 21, a rotary tillage shaft 22 located behind the furrow opener 21 and extending longitudinally, a plurality of rotary tillage blades 23 disposed on the rotary tillage shaft 22, and two ridging plates 24 located behind the rotary tillage shaft 22 and arranged longitudinally. The front opening of the channel formed between the two ridging plates 24 is larger than the rear opening. The conveying section is located between the ridging plates 24 and the rotary tillage shaft 22.

[0062] The fertilization device includes a fertilizer tank, a fertilizer discharge pipe located below the fertilizer tank, and an impeller fertilizer applicator connecting the fertilizer discharge pipe and the fertilizer tank's discharge port. The impeller fertilizer applicator's rotating shaft is connected to the frame. The impeller fertilizer applicator's inlet is connected to the fertilizer tank's discharge port, and the impeller fertilizer applicator's outlet is connected to the fertilizer discharge pipe. Fixed blades are provided between the discharge port and the outlet, and the fixed blades are fixed to the rotating shaft. The frame is also equipped with a first motor 34 that drives the rotating shaft to rotate. The first motor 34 controls the rotation speed of the rotating shaft 32, thereby adjusting the fertilizer discharge rate of the fertilizer tank 31. The fertilizer is applied to the soil that has been rotary tilled by the rotary tillage and ridging device 2 through the fertilizer discharge pipe 33.

[0063] The film covering device 7 includes a film hanging frame 71 for placing the film and a film pressing wheel 72 located behind the film hanging frame 71.

[0064] The film-breaking device 8 includes a second motor 75 located behind the camera 73 and electrically connected to the camera 73 via an industrial control computer 74, and a film-breaking shaft extending rearward and downward. An electric heating rod 77 is fixedly connected to the lower end of the film-breaking shaft. A linear bearing 78 for the film-breaking shaft to pass through is also fixedly connected to the frame 1. A film-breaking connecting rod 76 is hinged to the upper end of the film-breaking shaft. The other end of the film-breaking connecting rod 76 is connected to the eccentric position of the turntable. The turntable, which is coaxial with the output shaft 15 of the second motor 75, is fixedly connected to it.

[0065] The drip irrigation device 6 includes a drip irrigation frame 61 fixed to the frame 1, a pressure roller 63 fixed to the drip irrigation frame 61 and located in front of the pressure roller 72, and a drip irrigation belt fixing roller 62 located above and behind the pressure roller 63 and axially connected to the drip irrigation frame 61.

[0066] The drip irrigation tape is placed on the drip irrigation frame, passes over the drip irrigation tape fixing wheel 62, and then passes over the pressure wheel 63. The drip irrigation tape fixing wheel 62 is correspondingly set with the drip irrigation frame 61 and is used to fix the lateral position of the drip irrigation tape on the drip irrigation frame 61. The drip irrigation tape and the seedling pressing tape pass over the pressure wheel 63 together.

[0067] The soil covering device 5 includes a soil-laying assembly located between the ridging plate 24 and the pressure roller 63, a soil-laying assembly located behind the pressure roller 72, and a soil-covering plate 53 between the two soil-laying assemblies. Each soil-laying assembly includes two soil-laying devices that are axially connected to the frame 1 and arranged longitudinally. The frame 1 is also equipped with adjustable-angle soil-laying baffles corresponding to the soil-laying devices. The soil-laying device located in front is the first soil-laying device 51, and the soil-laying baffle corresponding to the first soil-laying device 51 is the first soil-laying baffle 52. The soil-laying device located behind is the second soil-laying device 54, and the soil-laying baffle corresponding to the second soil-laying device 54 is the second soil-laying baffle 55.

[0068] The soil-covering device includes a central disc and blades. The blades are bolted to the central disc. The soil-covering device rotates via belt drive to break up the soil and cover it onto the sweet potato seedlings. The amount and distance of soil covered are changed by adjusting the angle of the soil-covering baffle, ensuring sufficient soil coverage on the ridge surface after planting seedlings and laying drip irrigation tape, and ensuring that the mulch film is firmly fixed after covering. The soil-covering plate moves forward along the side surface of the ridge created by the rotary tillage and ridging device to complete the work of covering the soil and trimming the ridge surface.

[0069] Specifically, see Appendix Figure 2 Left side is front, right side is back, height direction is vertical, horizontal direction is horizontal, and direction perpendicular to height and horizontal direction is vertical.

[0070] A method for transplanting sweet potato seedlings using a horizontal transplanter includes the following steps:

[0071] a. Load fertilizer into fertilizer box 31 of fertilizer application device 3, place sweet potato seedlings in seedling box, fix one end of plastic film with soil, wrap drip irrigation tape around pressure roller 63 and fix one end with soil, and move frame 1 in the field by pulling tractor.

[0072] b. The rotary tillage shaft 22 is connected to the output shaft 15 of the gearbox via a belt. When the machine moves forward, the gearbox 12 drives the rotary tillage shaft 22 to rotate via belt drive. The rotary tillage shaft drives the rotary tillage blade 23 to rotate, completing the land reclamation and loosening. The ridging plate 24 gathers the loosened soil and initially forms the ridges for planting sweet potatoes.

[0073] c. The first motor 34 drives the fertilizer box shaft 32 to rotate. The fixed blades on the fertilizer box shaft 32 can adjust the fertilizer discharge rate. The fertilizer loaded in the fertilizer box 31 is applied into the rotary tilled soil through the fertilizer discharge pipe 33 to complete the fertilization work.

[0074] d. The sweet potato seedlings are manually placed in the same direction into the seedling claws 41 of the seedling placement section of the chain 42 of the seedling device 4, and the sweet potato seedlings are placed on the seedling pressing rope. As the seedling conveyor belt is used, the sweet potato seedlings enter the conveyor section from the seedling placement section. The conveyor section conveys downwards, while the return section conveys upwards. Therefore, the intersection of the conveyor section and the return section is the seedling point. When the sweet potato seedling passes the seedling point, the soil entry baffle digs open the soil at the turn of the connection between the conveyor section and the return section. The soil exit baffle and the seedling pressing rope together press the sweet potato seedling into the soil after fertilization and ridging. As the soil exit baffle leaves the soil, the sweet potato seedling will fall into the field ridge. The seedling pressing rope completely separates the sweet potato seedling from the seedling claw, thereby realizing the horizontal planting of sweet potato seedlings.

[0075] e. The chain drives the planting claw to move obliquely upward from the planting point, return empty to the seedling release section, and the pressing rope moves horizontally backward from the planting point on the ridge, passes around the pressing wheel, and returns vertically upward to the seedling release section; the sweet potato seedlings are continuously placed into the planting claw 41 in the seedling release section in the same direction, thus continuously completing the planting operation.

[0076] f. As the frame 1 continues to move forward, the soil-covering assembly at the front covers the sweet potato seedlings with soil.

[0077] g. As the frame 1 moves forward, it drives the drip irrigation tape to rotate on the drip irrigation frame 61, and the pressure roller 63 rolls on the top of the field ridge to press the drip irrigation tape into the field ridge;

[0078] h. As the frame 1 continues to move forward, the frame 1 drives the plastic film to rotate on the film hanging frame 71. The plastic film suspended on the film hanging frame 71 is pressed onto the surface of the field ridge by the film pressing wheel 72. Then, the soil covering device 5 covers the surface of the field ridge with soil, fixing the plastic film and completing the mulching work.

[0079] i. As the frame 1 moves forward, the soil-covering assembly located at the rear covers the mulch film with soil.

[0080] When the film-breaking device 8 is in use, the camera 73 first identifies and locates the growth point of the sweet potato seedlings planted horizontally on the raised ridges, and transmits the identified growth point location information to the industrial control computer 74. The industrial control computer 74 adjusts the speed of the second motor 75 through the control system, thereby adjusting the movement speed of the film-breaking connecting rod 76 in real time to complete the precise film breaking at the growth point of the sweet potato seedling. The film-breaking connecting rod 76 is installed at the growth point of the planted sweet potato seedling in the horizontal position of the frame 1. The film-breaking connecting rod 76 passes through the linear bearing 78, which fixes the movement direction of the film-breaking connecting rod 76 and also optimizes the smoothness of the connecting rod structure movement.

[0081] The electric heating rod 77 fixed at the head of the film-breaking connecting rod 76 is cylindrical and is heated directly by the tractor. The second motor 75 drives the film-breaking connecting rod to reciprocate along the direction determined by the linear bearing 78. When the film-breaking connecting rod 76 moves downward to the lower stop point, the electric heating rod 77 contacts the film covering the ridge, thereby breaking the film during the machine's movement. The diameter of the electric heating rod is designed to be 20mm according to the agronomic requirements of horizontal planting of sweet potato seedlings.

[0082] Of course, the above description is not limited to the examples above. Technical features not described in this invention can be implemented by or using existing technology, and will not be repeated here. The above embodiments and drawings are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this invention and are not intended to limit this invention. This invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art should understand that any changes, modifications, additions or substitutions made by those skilled in the art within the scope of this invention do not depart from the spirit of this invention and should also fall within the scope of protection of the claims of this invention.

Claims

1. A sweet potato seedling horizontal transplanter, comprising a frame (1) equipped with ground wheels, a rotary tillage and ridging device (2) located at the front end of the frame (1), and a fertilization device (3) located directly above the rotary tillage and ridging device, characterized in that: It also includes a seedling planting device (4) located behind the fertilization device (3), a mulching device (7) located behind the seedling planting device (4), and a film breaking device (8) located behind the mulching device (7), as well as a soil covering device (5) for covering sweet potato seedlings and mulch film, and a drip irrigation device (6) for laying drip irrigation tape before mulching film. The seedling planting device (4) includes a seedling conveying belt for transporting sweet potato seedlings. The seedling conveying belt includes a horizontally extending seedling release section, a vertically extending conveying section connected to the seedling release section, and an inclinedly extending return section connecting the seedling release section and the conveying section. The seedling release section is located above the conveying section, and the conveying section is located in front of the seedling release section. The seedling planting device (4) also includes a baffle on one side of the conveying section, a seedling pressing rope (44) that passes around the seedling placement section and the seedling conveying belt and is conveyed in a rectangular shape, and seedling storage boxes located on both sides of the seedling placement section for placing sweet potato seedlings. The sweet potato seedlings are located between the baffle and the conveying section, and the seedling pressing rope is conveyed along the sweet potato seedling conveying direction. The seedling conveyor belt includes two parallel chains (42) arranged longitudinally to form a seedling placement section, a conveying section, and a return section, and several seedling claws (41) arranged longitudinally on the chains (42). Each seedling claw (41) includes a base plate connected to the chains (42), and a soil entry group and a soil exit group fixed to the base plate and arranged in the conveying direction. The soil entry group is located in front of the soil exit group. The soil entry group includes several soil entry baffles arranged sequentially along the arrangement direction of the two chains (42). The soil exit group includes soil exit baffles arranged longitudinally and corresponding to the soil entry baffles. The soil entry baffles are perpendicular to the base plate, and the angle between the soil exit baffles and the base plate is 45°. The frame is connected to a pressure roller located directly below the rear end of the seedling section, through which the pressing rope passes. The pressing rope passes between two soil exit baffles and out between two soil inlet baffles. The baffle (43) includes a vertically extending long strip and an arc segment connected to the bottom of the long strip with a central angle of 90°, the center of the arc segment being located behind the arc segment.

2. The sweet potato seedling horizontal transplanter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotary tillage and ridging device (2) includes a furrow opener (21), a rotary tillage shaft (22) located behind the furrow opener (21) and extending longitudinally, a plurality of rotary tillage blades (23) arranged on the rotary tillage shaft (22), and two ridging plates (24) located behind the rotary tillage shaft (22) and arranged longitudinally. The front opening of the channel formed between the two ridging plates (24) is larger than the rear opening, and the conveying section is located between the two ridging plates (24).

3. The sweet potato seedling horizontal transplanter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fertilization device (3) includes a fertilizer box (31), a fertilizer discharge pipe (33) located below the fertilizer box, and an impeller fertilizer applicator connecting the fertilizer discharge pipe and the fertilizer box discharge port. The impeller fertilizer applicator's rotating shaft is connected to the frame. The impeller fertilizer applicator's feed port is connected to the fertilizer box discharge port, and the impeller fertilizer applicator's discharge port is connected to the fertilizer discharge pipe. Fixed blades are provided between the discharge port and the discharge port. The fixed blades are fixed to the rotating shaft. The frame is also equipped with a first motor (34) that drives the rotating shaft to rotate.

4. The sweet potato seedling horizontal transplanter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mulching device (7) includes a film hanging frame (71) for placing the mulch film, and a film pressing wheel (72) located behind the film hanging frame (71).

5. The sweet potato seedling horizontal transplanter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The film breaking device (8) includes a second motor (75) located behind the camera (73) and electrically connected to the camera (73) via an industrial control computer (74), and a film breaking shaft extending downward and backward. An electric heating rod (77) is fixedly connected to the lower end of the film breaking shaft. A linear bearing (78) for the film breaking shaft to pass through is also fixedly connected to the frame (1). A film breaking connecting rod (76) is hinged to the upper end of the film breaking shaft. The other end of the film breaking connecting rod (76) is hinged to the eccentric position of the turntable. The turntable, which is coaxial with the output shaft (15) of the second motor (75), is fixedly connected to it.

6. The sweet potato seedling horizontal transplanter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drip irrigation device (6) includes a drip irrigation frame (61) fixed to the frame (1), a pressure roller (63) fixed to the drip irrigation frame (61) and located in front of the pressure roller (72), and a drip irrigation tape fixing roller (62) located above and behind the pressure roller (63) and axially connected to the drip irrigation frame (61). The drip irrigation tape is placed on the drip irrigation frame, passes over the drip irrigation tape fixing roller (62) and then passes out from the pressure roller (63). The drip irrigation tape fixing roller (62) is correspondingly arranged with the drip irrigation frame (61) and is used to fix the lateral position of the drip irrigation tape on the drip irrigation frame (61).

7. The sweet potato seedling horizontal transplanter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The covering device (5) includes a soil-laying assembly located between the ridging plate (24) and the pressure roller (63), a soil-laying assembly located behind the pressure roller (72), and a covering plate (53) between the two soil-laying assemblies. The soil-laying assembly includes two soil-laying devices that are axially connected to the frame (1) and arranged longitudinally. The frame (1) is also provided with adjustable-angle soil-laying baffles that correspond to the soil-laying devices.

8. The transplanting method of the sweet potato seedling horizontal transplanter according to claim 1, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: a. Load fertilizer into the fertilizer box (31) of the fertilizer application device (3), place sweet potato seedlings in the seedling storage box, and move the whole machine in the field by pulling the tractor. b. The sweet potato seedlings are placed in the same direction in the seedling placement claw (41) of the seedling placement section of the chain (42) of the seedling device (4), and the sweet potato seedlings are placed on the seedling pressing rope. The sweet potato seedlings in the seedling claw (41) are sent to the seedling point by the transmission of the chain (42). c. When the planting claw (41) transports sweet potato seedlings to the planting point, it uses the turn at the connection between the conveying section and the return section of the chain (42) to dig open the soil with the vertical soil entry baffle (13) at the bottom of the planting claw (41). The bottom of the planting claw (41) and the pressing rope together press the sweet potato seedling into the soil after fertilization and ridging. The different movement directions of the pressing rope and the planting claw make the sweet potato seedling completely separate from the planting claw. The soil exit baffle (14) at a 45° angle to the bottom leaves the soil, completing the horizontal planting of the sweet potato seedling. d. The chain drives the seedling claw to return from the return section to the seedling release section when it is empty. The seedling pressing rope moves horizontally backward from the seedling point on the ridge, passes around the pressing wheel and returns vertically upward to the seedling release section. After the seedling claw (41) returns to the seedling release section, the sweet potato seedlings are continuously placed into the seedling claw (41) of the seedling release section in the same direction, so as to continuously complete the seedling planting operation. e. The soil covering device (5), the film covering device (7) and the film breaking device (8) respectively complete the soil covering, film covering and film breaking; the soil spreading device breaks up the soil by rotating and covers the sweet potato seedlings with soil, and the amount of soil and the distance of soil spreading are changed by adjusting the angle of the soil spreading baffle; the soil covering device (5) is divided into two stages. The first stage is to cover the sweet potato seedlings with soil after planting, and the second stage is to cover the film and fix the film after film covering.

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