A device for non-destructive separation of duckweed from paddy fields

Abstract

This invention relates to a non-destructive duckweed separating device for paddy fields, belonging to the field of agricultural machinery technology. The non-destructive duckweed separating device includes a frame with rollers at the bottom and an outer shell covering the frame. A separating mechanism and a water pump are fixed inside the frame. The separating mechanism includes an upper separating device and a lower separating device through which water flows. The upper separating device is connected to the water pump via a water pipe, and the water pump is connected to an inlet located on the outer shell. The lower separating device has an outlet extending out of the outer shell. This invention is ingeniously conceived, compact in structure, and easy to use. Its beneficial effects are: it replaces manual labor to achieve non-destructive duckweed sowing, significantly improving the propagation efficiency of duckweed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a non-destructive duckweed separating device for paddy fields, belonging to the field of agricultural machinery technology. Background Technology

[0002] Planting green manure has advantages such as altering soil physicochemical properties, increasing soil organic matter, and improving crop yield and quality. It is also an important technical means for crop rotation and fallow, improving arable land quality, and reducing the application of chemical fertilizers. There are many types of green manure, with aquatic green manure being an important component. Commonly used aquatic green manures in production are the "three waters and one red": water hyacinth, water lettuce, water peanut, and duckweed. Aquatic green manures are widely distributed, with duckweed being the most widespread. Duckweed has biological nitrogen-fixing capabilities, absorbing nitrogen from the air and converting it into organic nitrogen. Therefore, releasing duckweed into paddy fields not only opens up a fertilizer source but also improves the water system and farmland ecological environment without occupying arable land. Because most duckweed varieties cannot form spore fruits or simultaneously form male and female spore fruits under natural production conditions, duckweed production is carried out through live release for propagation. Currently, duckweed is collected manually from duckweed nurseries and then manually released into paddy fields for propagation. Because duckweed plants are small and fragile, the force of holding and throwing them during manual spreading causes them to break apart, resulting in most of them dying by the time they reach the paddy fields. This primitive spreading method is one of the bottlenecks hindering the large-scale production and utilization of duckweed. Furthermore, manual spreading is labor-intensive and results in uneven distribution. Given the current context of farmland protection, improved soil quality, and green agriculture, coupled with the increasingly prominent contradiction between heavy manual labor and rural labor shortages, there is an urgent need for a duckweed spreading and separating device that can replace manual labor, achieving high efficiency, speed, and no damage. This would promote the large-scale utilization of duckweed and contribute to the production of organic agricultural products. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by proposing a non-destructive duckweed separation device for paddy fields, which reduces damage during duckweed sowing and improves the propagation efficiency of duckweed.

[0004] The present invention solves the technical problem through the following technical solution: a non-destructive duckweed separating device for paddy fields, comprising a frame with rollers at the bottom and a shell covering the frame, wherein a separating mechanism and a water pump are fixed inside the frame, the separating mechanism includes an upper separating device and a lower separating device through which water flows, the upper separating device is connected to the water pump via a water pipe, the water pump is connected to an inlet located on the shell, and the lower separating device has a duckweed outlet extending out of the shell.

[0005] The upper distribution device is fixed to the upper part of the frame and consists of a water storage tank, a water pipe elbow connected to the water storage tank and a water pipe, a water distribution plate placed inside the water storage tank and above the water pipe elbow, and an upper distribution plate connected to the water storage tank.

[0006] The upper part of the water storage tank is open, and one side of the opening is connected to a downwardly inclined upper drainage plate. The surface of the upper drainage plate is fixed with a drainage plate.

[0007] One side of the opening is lower than the horizontal plane formed after the water is stored in the water tank, and the dividing plates are fixed in an alternating manner.

[0008] The dividing plate has a welding surface and a working surface. The welding surface is a horizontal plane and fixed to the upper dividing plate. The working surface is perpendicular to the horizontal plane and has a pointed tip that tapers towards the direction of water flow. The corners of the working surface are rounded.

[0009] The surface of the water distribution plate is evenly distributed with at least two sets of water outlet holes, and the diameter of each set of water outlet holes is adapted to its distance from the water inlet.

[0010] The lower duckweed separating device is fixed on the frame and located directly below the upper duckweed separating device, forming a zigzag duckweed channel with the upper duckweed separating device. The lower duckweed separating device consists of a turning trough connected to the upper duckweed separating plate, a lower duckweed separating plate connected to the turning trough, a duckweed collecting trough located at the end of the lower duckweed separating plate, and a duckweed outlet connected to the collecting trough.

[0011] The turning trough has an arc-shaped bottom that is tangent to the upper and lower walls of the turning trough.

[0012] The lower drainage plate is at a 45° angle to the horizontal plane, and the drainage columns are fixed at equal intervals on the lower part of the plate. The head of each drainage column is arc-shaped.

[0013] The collecting trough is evenly spaced with dividing plates. Each dividing plate consists of two intersecting partitions, each with a pointed top and a forked bottom, dividing the collecting trough into areas corresponding to the duckweed outlets. These outlets connect to a flexible duckweed conveying hose. The pointed design ensures a smooth transition between the dividing plate and the upper duckweed conveying plate, thus guaranteeing an upward force during separation. This allows the dividing plate to separate the duckweed from the bottom first, then the leaves, reducing damage to the duckweed. It avoids using a straight plate to separate the duckweed from the side, which would damage the leaves and cause the duckweed to accumulate and crush. The rounded end of the dividing plate ensures that any duckweed that is not completely separated slides quickly off the dividing plate, allowing for secondary separation by the dividing column.

[0014] Based on the average height of 3-4 cm for duckweed plants, this invention utilizes 3-inch standard pipes for the inlet, outlet, and water pipes of the aforementioned device to ensure smooth passage of duckweed under hydraulic pressure. Calculations and experiments show that a 3-inch pipe provides a suitable water flow thickness on the separating plate. Too large a pipe diameter results in a thicker flow, obscuring the duckweed and directly affecting the separating effect of the separating plate and columns; too small a diameter reduces duckweed transport efficiency. The 3-inch outlets, with three outlets, ensure that the water flow only occupies 1 / 3 of the outlet cross-section. This leaves space for floating duckweed to pass through the upper part of the pipe. Too large an outlet would prevent the water flow from carrying the duckweed, while too small an outlet would leave no space. This design ensures a compact structure and prevents damage to the duckweed, maintaining a minimum water level below half the pipe diameter, allowing for smooth passage without damaging the leaves. The water pipe is connected to the outlet of the water separator and the water pump to establish a non-destructive water supply channel inside the water separator.

[0015] In use, connect the inlet and the field irrigation ditch with a steel wire hose to form a water supply channel. Then, connect the outlet and the paddy field where duckweed needs to be released with three hoses. Start the water pump to supply water to the device, and adjust the throttle to maximize the water level in the loading trough without overflowing. Continuously add duckweed into the loading trough. Driven by the water flow, the duckweed enters the upper separating device and flows through it with the water flow, then enters the lower separating device. As the duckweed flows through the upper and lower separating devices, the internal separating plates and columns flexibly break up the duckweed clumps into individual plants or smaller clumps that flow out of the outlet and then into the paddy field through the hoses, completing the duckweed separation operation.

[0016] The invention is ingeniously conceived, compact in structure, and easy to use. Its beneficial effects are: it replaces manual labor to achieve non-destructive sowing of duckweed and significantly improves the propagation efficiency of duckweed. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the internal structure.

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the upper and middle parting device.

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of the water leveling plate.

[0021] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of the centrally divided duckweed plate.

[0022] Figure 6 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the middle and lower separating device.

[0023] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Top view.

[0024] Figure 8 for Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of CIMC Pingchao.

[0025] Figure 9 for Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of the middle partition plate.

[0026] Figure 10 for Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of the centrally divided water hyacinth column.

[0027] Figure 11 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the middle frame. Detailed Implementation Example 1

[0028] The structure of this embodiment is as follows: Figure 1-11As shown, a non-destructive duckweed separating device for paddy fields includes a frame 8 with rollers at the bottom and an outer shell 2 covering the frame 8. The frame 8 is welded from rectangular thin-walled stainless steel tubes and has two universal wheels 81 and two directional wheels 82 at the bottom for easy transport in the field and manual pushing. A separating mechanism and a water pump 9 are fixed inside the frame 8. The separating mechanism includes an upper separating device 5 and a lower separating device 7 through which water flows. The upper separating device 5 is connected to the water pump 9 via a water pipe 6. The water pump 9 is connected to an inlet 1 located on the outer shell 2. The lower separating device 7 has an outlet 3 extending out of the outer shell 2. The upper separating device 5 is fixed to the upper part of the frame 8 and consists of a water storage tank 52, a water pipe elbow 51 connected to the water storage tank 52 and the water pipe 6, a water distribution plate 53 located above the water pipe elbow 51 inside the water storage tank 52, and an upper duckweed guide plate 55 connected to the water storage tank 52. The water pipe elbow 51 facilitates connection to the water supply hose and also serves as the water inlet channel for the water storage tank 52. The upper part of the water storage tank 52 is open, acting as the duckweed loading trough 4 for the duckweed separating device. The water storage tank 52 provides the water source for forming the water belt and the duckweed that needs to be separated. Its connection surface with the upper duckweed guide plate 55 is 10cm lower than the other three surfaces, providing a channel for water and duckweed overflow. One side of the open upper part of the water storage tank 52 connects to the downward-sloping upper duckweed guide plate 55, and this open side is lower than the horizontal plane formed after the water is stored in the tank. The surface of the water distribution plate 53 is evenly distributed with at least two sets of water outlet holes 53-1, the diameter of each set of outlet holes 53-1 being adapted to its distance from the water inlet. Because the water flow velocity at the inlet is very fast, it will form eddies within the water storage tank 52, affecting the overflow of duckweed from the water surface. The function of the water distribution plate 53 is to disrupt the eddies, making the water surface relatively uniform and allowing for a smooth overflow. The water distribution plate 53 has regularly distributed water outlet holes with continuously varying hole diameters. The requirement is that the closer to the water inlet, the larger the hole diameter. Under the action of the water distribution plate 53, the water surface in the water storage tank 52 is horizontal, with the water level 3-4 cm higher than the upper edge of the upper duckweed-distributing plate 55. A uniform water band is formed on the upper duckweed-distributing plate 55, causing the duckweed in the water storage tank 52 to flow downwards. The upper duckweed-distributing plate 55 is the channel for water and duckweed to flow from the water storage tank 52 to the lower duckweed-distributing device 7. The plate surface forms a 45° angle with the horizontal plane, and two rows of duckweed-distributing plates 54 are evenly distributed on the surface in a staggered manner. This three-upper-four-lower arrangement effectively solves the problem of duckweed distribution without affecting the flow rate of water and duckweed. The dividing plate 54 has a welding surface 54-1 and a working surface 54-2. The welding surface 54-1 is horizontal and welded to the upper flowing plate 54. The working surface 54-2 is perpendicular to the horizontal surface and has a tapering tip that tapers towards the water flow direction, ensuring that the working surface is perpendicular to the upper flowing plate 55. Because the working surface 54-2 is wedge-shaped with its tip facing the water flow, when the water flow carries duckweed clumps through the dividing plate 54, it can lift the duckweed clumps from below and separate them into smaller clumps. This process does not damage the most vulnerable duckweed leaves, mimicking the process of separating duckweed in water with human fingers. The tail 54-3 of the working surface 54-2 is arc-shaped, which avoids cutting the duckweed while ensuring that any duckweed that is not completely separated quickly slides off the dividing plate and is then further separated by the dividing column.The lower duckweed separating device 7 is fixed on the frame 8 and located directly below the upper duckweed separating device 5, forming a zigzag duckweed conveyor channel with the upper duckweed separating device 5, which increases the flow distance and reduces the equipment size. The lower duckweed conveyor 7 consists of a turning trough 71 connected to the upper duckweed conveyor plate, a lower duckweed conveyor plate 72 connected to the turning trough, a collecting trough 74 located at the end of the lower duckweed conveyor plate, and a duckweed outlet 3 connected to the collecting trough 74. The turning trough 71 has an arc-shaped bottom 713 that is tangent to the upper edge wall 711 and the lower edge wall 712 of the turning trough 71. It receives the small red duckweed clumps and water mixture flowing out of the upper duckweed separating device 5. Through structural design, when the small red duckweed clumps and water mixture flow into the turning trough 71, they enter along its upper edge. This design makes full use of the guiding function of the arc-shaped bottom design of the turning trough 71. The red duckweed clumps and water mixture are turned over at least once upon entering the turning trough 71, which is conducive to further loosening of the red duckweed clumps and facilitates subsequent separation. The lower sluice plate 72 is at a 45° angle to the horizontal plane, providing a channel for the downward flow of water containing small clumps of duckweed. Its lower end connects to the duckweed collection trough 74. The lower middle part of the lower sluice plate 72 is equipped with five rows of blind-hole type rivet nuts at equal intervals, 11 nuts per row, for a total of 55 blind-hole type rivet nuts. These are used to install duckweed dividing columns 73. The heads of the dividing columns 73 are arc-shaped, and the tails are threaded, connecting to the blind-hole type rivet nuts on the lower sluice plate 72. Under the action of water flow and hydraulic force, the dividing columns 73 break up the small clumps of duckweed, which is beneficial for the rapid propagation of duckweed in the paddy field. The dividing columns 73 are arranged in an evenly spaced, staggered pattern, ensuring that all small clumps of duckweed are broken up. The number of dividing columns 73 can be increased or decreased according to the duckweed variety or agronomical requirements. When individual plants are large or when a large amount of duckweed needs to be released in poor paddy fields, the number of dividing columns 73 can be reduced, and the spacing increased. This design improves the applicability of the device. The collecting trough 74 contains evenly spaced dividing plates 75. Each dividing plate consists of two intersecting partitions with a pointed top and a forked bottom. The pointed design ensures a smooth transition between the dividing plate and the upper conveyor plate, providing upward support during separation. This allows the dividing plate to separate the duckweed from the bottom first, then the leaves, minimizing damage. A straight plate would separate the duckweed from the side, damaging the leaves and causing accumulation and crushing. The rounded end of the dividing plate ensures that any duckweed not completely separated slides off quickly and is further separated by the dividing columns. The collecting trough serves as a temporary storage area for the dispersed duckweed and water, stabilizing the amount of duckweed entering the outlet 3 and preventing sudden increases in the amount of duckweed flowing in. Three outlets are installed on its outer side, ensuring that outlet 3 is always partially filled, thus preventing excessive water pressure or duckweed accumulation and achieving lossless transport. The dividing plate 75 divides the duckweed collection trough 74 into areas corresponding to the duckweed outlets 3. In this embodiment, two dividing plates 75 are installed and welded into the duckweed collection trough. The purpose is to divide the duckweed and water in the collection trough 74 into three equal parts, balance the amount of duckweed discharged from the three outlets 3, eliminate dead zones in the collection trough 74, avoid the retention of duckweed, and ensure that all duckweed and water in the collection box 74 are discharged. The outlets 3 are connected to duckweed conveying hoses.Under the action of the upper duckweed separating device 5, the duckweed clumps that flow out of the upper duckweed separating device 5 have been divided into smaller clumps. The smaller duckweed clumps and the water flow together flow into the lower duckweed separating device 7 along the upper wall of the duckweed turning trough 71. Under the action of the water flow force and the arc-shaped wall edge of the duckweed turning trough 71, the small duckweed clumps and water are fully mixed, making the small duckweed clumps of duckweed further loosen and overflow the duckweed turning trough 71 into the lower duckweed flowing plate 72. Under the action of the duckweed separating column 73, the small duckweed clumps of duckweed are further divided into smaller clumps suitable for field propagation and flow into the duckweed collecting trough 74. Under the guidance of the dividing plate 75, the water and duckweed mixture is divided into three equal parts and flows out through the three duckweed outlets 3 respectively.

[0029] In use, a steel wire hose connects the inlet 1 to the field irrigation ditch to form a water supply channel. Three hoses then connect the outlet 3 to the paddy field where duckweed needs to be released. The water pump 9 is started to supply water to the device, and the throttle is adjusted to maximize the water level in the loading trough 4 without overflowing. Duckweed is continuously placed into the loading trough 4, and driven by the water flow, it enters the upper separating mechanism 5 and flows with the water flow through it, then into the lower separating mechanism 7. As the duckweed flows through the upper and lower separating mechanisms 5 and 7, the internal separating plates and columns flexibly break up the duckweed clumps into individual plants or smaller clumps that flow into the outlet 3 and then into the paddy field through the hoses, completing the duckweed separation operation.

[0030] Currently, when manually releasing duckweed into paddy fields, 150 kilograms are needed per acre. Because this requires walking around the paddy field carrying the load, it typically takes one hour per acre. Furthermore, there's no process of separating the duckweed during manual release; it's simply thrown into the paddy field in clumps. After release, a broom-like tool is used to beat the duckweed apart. After this manual process, less than 100 kilograms of duckweed survive per acre.

[0031] In this embodiment, only 100 kg of duckweed needs to be applied per mu (approximately 0.16 acres). Because the application process does not harm the duckweed, it saves on the amount of duckweed used, thus reducing production costs. Moreover, this machine can apply duckweed to one mu in just 10 minutes, greatly improving application efficiency and saving on labor costs.

[0032] In addition to the above-described embodiments, the present invention may have other implementations. All technical solutions formed by equivalent substitution or equivalent transformation fall within the protection scope claimed by the present invention.

Claims

1. A non-destructive duckweed separation device for paddy fields, comprising a frame with rollers at the bottom and a shell covering the frame, characterized in that: The frame houses a water distribution mechanism and a water pump. The water distribution mechanism includes an upper water distribution device and a lower water distribution device through which water flows. The upper water distribution device is connected to the water pump via a water pipe. The water pump is connected to an inlet located on the outer casing. The lower water distribution device has an outlet extending out of the outer casing. The upper water distribution device is fixed to the upper part of the frame and consists of a water storage tank, a water pipe elbow connected to the water storage tank and a water pipe, a water distribution plate located above the water pipe elbow inside the water storage tank, and an upper water flow plate connected to the water storage tank. The upper part of the water storage tank is open, and a downwardly inclined upper water flow plate is connected to one side of the opening. The water distribution plate is fixed to the surface of the upper water flow plate. The water distribution plate has a welding surface and a working surface. The welding surface is horizontal and fixed to the upper water flow plate. The working surface is perpendicular to the horizontal plane and has a pointed tip that tapers towards the direction of water flow. The tail of the working surface is arc-shaped. The lower duckweed separating device is fixed on the frame and located directly below the upper duckweed separating device, forming a zigzag duckweed channel with the upper duckweed separating device. The lower duckweed separating device consists of a turning trough connected to the upper duckweed separating plate, a lower duckweed separating plate connected to the turning trough, a duckweed collecting trough located at the end of the lower duckweed separating plate, and a duckweed outlet connected to the collecting trough. The lower duckweed separating plate is at a 45° angle to the horizontal plane, and duckweed separating columns are fixed at equal intervals on the lower part of the plate. The head of the duckweed separating column is arc-shaped. The collecting trough is evenly distributed with dividing plates. The dividing plate is formed by two partitions intersecting to form a pointed top and a forked bottom, dividing the collecting trough into areas corresponding to the duckweed outlet. The duckweed outlet is connected to a duckweed conveying hose.

2. The non-destructive duckweed separation device for paddy fields according to claim 1, characterized in that: One side of the opening is lower than the horizontal plane formed after the water is stored in the water tank, and the dividing plates are fixed in an alternating manner.

3. The non-destructive duckweed separation device for paddy fields according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the water distribution plate is evenly distributed with at least two sets of water outlet holes, and the diameter of each set of water outlet holes is adapted to its distance from the water inlet.

4. The non-destructive duckweed separation device for paddy fields according to claim 1, characterized in that: The turning trough has an arc-shaped bottom that is tangent to the upper and lower walls of the turning trough.

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