A filling device for filling a plant culture substrate

Abstract

The application provides a filling device for filling plant culture medium, which comprises a first conveying mechanism for conveying a medium container to a first position, a filling mechanism comprising a plurality of filling assemblies, each of which can independently complete filling of the medium, each of the filling assemblies comprising a filling position for accommodating the medium container, and a second conveying mechanism for moving the medium container, a control mechanism for controlling the second conveying mechanism to move the medium container from the first position to the filling position, for controlling the second conveying mechanism to move the medium container located in one of the filling positions to another of the filling positions, and for controlling the second conveying mechanism to move the medium container in one of the filling positions out of the filling mechanism. Compared with the prior art, the filling device realizes automatic filling, saves human resources, and reduces cost.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of planting equipment, in particular to a filling device for filling plant culture medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] Container seedlings refer to crop or fruit tree, flower, and forest tree seedlings cultivated in specific containers. The container contains nutrient-rich culture soil and other substrates, and the seedlings are usually grown in plastic greenhouses, greenhouses, and other protective facilities, which can provide better nutrition and environmental conditions for the growth and development of seedlings. The seedlings are planted with the rhizosphere soil mass, and the root system is less damaged during transplanting and planting, with high survival rate, rapid root growth, and vigorous growth, which is particularly suitable for crops or trees that are not tolerant to transplanting. This method also provides convenience for mechanized and automated operation of factory seedling production. There are two types of seedling containers: one type has an outer wall and contains culture medium, such as various seedling pots, seedling trays, and seedling boxes. The other type has no outer wall, and compost or peat is mixed with garden soil and a small amount of fertilizer to form a pot-shaped or block-shaped substrate for seedling cultivation. This new seedling technology developed in the 1960s is widely used in forestry seedling technology at home and abroad, greatly improving the survival rate of afforestation.

[0003] Currently, container seedlings are mainly filled by manual filling, which has the disadvantages of low filling efficiency, high labor cost, and low consistency of soil material in each container, resulting in unstable quality. SUMMARY

[0004] To solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a filling device for filling plant culture medium, comprising:

[0005] A first conveying mechanism for conveying the substrate container to a first position;

[0006] A filling mechanism comprising a plurality of filling assemblies, each filling assembly being capable of independently completing the filling of the substrate; each filling assembly comprises a filling position for accommodating the substrate container; and,

[0007] A second conveying mechanism for moving the substrate container;

[0008] A control mechanism for controlling the second conveying mechanism to move the substrate container from the first position to the filling position; for controlling the second conveying mechanism to move the substrate container located in one filling position to another filling position; and for controlling the second conveying mechanism to move the substrate container in one filling position out of the filling mechanism.

[0009] Optionally, each filling assembly comprises a charging assembly, and the charging assembly comprises:

[0010] A first clamping member for clamping the substrate container,

[0011] a loading hopper, located at a position directly above the first clamping member, when the substrate container is clamped by the first clamping member, a bottom end opening of the loading hopper is directly opposite to a top end opening of the substrate container;

[0012] a storage bin for storing substrate; and

[0013] a feeding assembly for feeding the culture substrate from the storage bin to the loading hopper, and the substrate enters the substrate container through the loading hopper.

[0014] Optionally, each of the filling assemblies further comprises a compacting assembly, which comprises:

[0015] a supporting member, an upper end surface of the supporting member is provided with a supporting groove, the supporting groove is provided with an opening in a direction facing the second conveying mechanism;

[0016] a pressing plate, located directly above the supporting member;

[0017] a first driving member, the first driving member is used to drive the pressing plate to move in a vertical direction, and is used to adjust the distance between the pressing plate and the supporting member.

[0018] Optionally, three groups of the filling assemblies are included, and the control mechanism is used to control the substrate container to be filled to pass through the three groups of filling assemblies in sequence, so as to complete the filling after three filling steps and three compacting steps.

[0019] Optionally, the compacting assembly comprises a first sliding rail, the first sliding rail is vertically installed; the compacting assembly comprises a third connecting plate, the third connecting plate comprises a first surface facing the second conveying mechanism; a second surface of the third connecting plate is provided with a first sliding groove opposite to the first sliding rail, the first sliding groove and the first sliding rail are cooperatively installed, so that the third connecting plate is slidably installed on the first sliding rail; a second sliding rail is vertically installed on the first surface of the third connecting plate; the pressing plate is horizontally arranged, one end of the pressing plate is slidably installed on the second sliding rail; the supporting member is further installed on the first surface of the third connecting plate, the supporting member is located directly below the pressing plate; the first driving member comprises a first driving part and a first jack, a lower end of the first driving part is installed on an upper end surface of the supporting member; the first jack is vertically arranged, one end of the first jack is in transmission connection with the first driving part, and the other end of the first jack is installed on the pressing plate; the first driving part drives the first jack to move in a vertical direction, so as to control the pressing plate to move in a vertical direction.

[0020] Optionally, the compacting assembly further comprises a second driving member, the second driving member comprises a second driving part and a second top rod; the second top rod is vertically arranged, one end of the second top rod is in transmission connection with the second driving part, the second top rod moves linearly along the vertical direction under the driving of the second driving part; the height of the third connecting plate is adjusted by pushing the third connecting plate through the other end of the second top rod.

[0021] Optionally, the filling position comprises a first filling position and a second filling position, the first clamping member of the loading assembly forms the first filling position; the position between the carrier and the pressing plate forms the second filling position; the control mechanism is further used for controlling the second conveying mechanism to move one of the substrate containers located in the first filling position to the second filling position of the same filling assembly; the control mechanism is further used for controlling the second conveying mechanism to move one of the substrate containers located in the second filling position to the first filling position of the adjacent next filling assembly.

[0022] Optionally, the first interval exists between the loading assembly and the compacting assembly of the same filling assembly; the second interval exists between the adjacent two filling assemblies, and the first interval is equal to the second interval.

[0023] Optionally, three groups of the filling assemblies are included, and the three groups of filling assemblies are equidistantly arranged along the first direction x.

[0024] Optionally, the second conveying mechanism comprises:

[0025] a clamping assembly for clamping the substrate container

[0026] a third driving member for driving the clamping assembly to move along the first direction x; and

[0027] a fourth driving member for driving the clamping assembly to move along the second direction y.

[0028] Optionally, the clamping assembly comprises:

[0029] a second clamping member, one group of the second clamping member is arranged corresponding to each of the loading assembly and the compacting assembly, and is used for clamping the substrate container;

[0030] a fourth connecting plate, a plurality of groups of the second clamping member are arranged on one side of the fourth connecting plate facing the filling mechanism; the plurality of groups of the second clamping member are equidistantly arranged along the first direction x, and the interval between the adjacent two groups of the second clamping member is equal to the first interval or the second interval,

[0031] a fifth connecting plate, the fourth connecting plate is slidably arranged on the fifth connecting plate along the first direction x.

[0032] Optionally, the third driving member comprises a third driving part and a third top rod; the third driving part is fixedly installed on the fifth connecting plate; the third top rod is installed along the first direction x; one end of the third top rod is in transmission connection with the third driving part; the third driving part drives the third top rod to move linearly along the first direction x; the other end of the third top rod is connected with the fourth connecting plate, so as to drive the fourth connecting plate to move linearly along the first direction x.

[0033] Optionally, the fourth driving member comprises a fourth driving part and a fourth top rod; the fourth top rod is installed along the second direction y; one end of the fourth top rod is in transmission connection with the fourth driving part; the fourth driving part drives the fourth top rod to move linearly along the second direction y; the second direction y is perpendicular to the first direction x; the other end of the fourth driving part is connected with the fifth connecting plate, so as to drive the fifth connecting plate to move linearly along the second direction y, and make the fifth connecting plate close to or away from the filling mechanism.

[0034] Optionally, the first clamping member and the second clamping member are clamping jaw cylinders.

[0035] Optionally, the first conveying mechanism is a slide rail; the substrate container slides along the slide rail from the front end of the slide rail to the first position.

[0036] Optionally, the filling device further comprises a third conveying mechanism; the third conveying mechanism comprises a third clamping member and a fourth driving part; the fourth driving part drives the third clamping member to move along the first direction x; the control mechanism is further used for controlling the second conveying mechanism to move the substrate container of one filling position from the filling mechanism to the third clamping member of the third conveying mechanism.

[0037] Compared with the prior art, the filling device provided by the application realizes full automation, effectively saves human resources, reduces cost, and improves the quality consistency of products. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0038] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the application and serve to explain the principles of the application together with the specification.

[0039] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the application or the prior art, the accompanying drawings needed in the embodiments or the prior art description will be briefly introduced as follows. Obviously, for those skilled in the field, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings without creative labor.

[0040] Figure 1 A perspective view of the filling device provided by the present application.

[0041] Figure 2 A perspective view of a part of the filling assembly of the filling device provided by the present application.

[0042] Figure 3 A perspective view of a part of the compacting assembly of the filling device provided by the present application.

[0043] Figure 4 A perspective view of a part of the second conveying mechanism of the filling device provided by the present application.

[0044] Figure 5 A perspective view of a part of the second conveying mechanism of the filling device provided by the present application.

[0045] Figure 6 A perspective view of a part of the second conveying mechanism of the filling device provided by the present application.

[0046] Figure 7 A perspective view of the filling device provided by the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application but not all the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0048] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as“first” and“second”, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. Moreover, the terms“comprises”,“comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but can include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without more limitations, an element preceded by“comprises... a” does not, without more limitations, foreclose the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

[0049] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a filling device for filling plant culture medium, which realizes automatic filling of container seedlings.

[0050] Specifically, as shown in Figure 1 the filling device comprises: a first conveying mechanism for conveying the substrate container 6 to a first position 11; a filling mechanism 2 comprising a plurality of filling assemblies, each of which is capable of independently completing the filling of the substrate; each of the filling assemblies comprises a filling site for accommodating the substrate container 6; and a second conveying mechanism 3 for moving the substrate container 6; a control mechanism for controlling the second conveying mechanism 3 to move the substrate container 6 from the first position 11 to the filling site; and for controlling the second conveying mechanism 3 to move the substrate container 6 located in one of the filling sites to another of the filling sites; and for controlling the second conveying mechanism 3 to move the substrate container 6 in one of the filling sites out of the filling mechanism.

[0051] In an optional embodiment, the filling device comprises at least three groups of filling assemblies; the three groups of filling assemblies are arranged in sequence along a first direction x, and are respectively used for filling three different materials / substrates into one of the substrate containers 6, so that the materials / substrates in the substrate container 6 form a layered structure.

[0052] In other optional embodiments, the filling device comprises a plurality of groups of filling assemblies, and the plurality of groups of filling assemblies are arranged in sequence along a first direction x; and are respectively used for filling a plurality of different materials / substrates into one of the substrate containers 6.

[0053] It can be understood that, after one of the substrate containers 6 is filled with a first material in a first group of filling assemblies, the control mechanism controls the second conveying mechanism 3 to move the substrate container 6 from the first group of filling assemblies to a second group of filling assemblies for filling a second material.

[0054] In an optional embodiment, the filling assembly comprises a loading function and a compacting function.

[0055] In an optional embodiment, the filling assembly comprises a loading assembly for loading and a compacting assembly for compacting the material / substrate.

[0056] In an optional embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, each of the filling assemblies includes a filling assembly 21, which includes: a first clamping member 214 for clamping the matrix container 6; a filling hopper 213 located directly above the first clamping member 214, wherein when the matrix container 6 is clamped by the first clamping member 214, the bottom opening of the filling hopper 213 faces the top opening of the matrix container 6; a storage bin 211 for storing the matrix; and a feeding assembly 212 for conveying the culture matrix from the storage bin 211 to the filling hopper 213; the matrix enters the matrix container 6 through the filling hopper 213.

[0057] In one alternative implementation, such as Figure 2 As shown, the first clamping member 214 includes a first upper clamping member 2141 and a first lower clamping member 2142, which respectively clamp the upper end position and the lower end position of the matrix container 6.

[0058] In one alternative implementation, such as Figure 2 As shown, the first lower clamping member 2142 is located directly below the first upper clamping member 2141.

[0059] In one alternative implementation, such as Figure 2 As shown, the loading assembly includes a first connecting plate 215, which is vertically installed and includes a first surface facing the second conveying mechanism 3; the loading hopper 213 is installed at the top of the first surface; the first upper clamping member 2141 is installed on the first surface of the first connecting plate 215 and is located directly below the loading hopper 213; the first lower clamping member 2142 is installed on the first surface of the first connecting plate 215 and is located directly below the first upper clamping member 2141. The loading hopper 213 includes an inlet at the top and an outlet at the bottom; the feeding assembly 212 includes a feeding pipe and a feeding screw located within the feeding pipe; the inlet of the feeding pipe is located within the storage bin 211, and the material / matrix enters the inlet of the loading hopper 213 through the outlet of the feeding assembly 212.

[0060] In an alternative embodiment, the first clamping member 214 is a gripper cylinder.

[0061] In an optional implementation, each set of the filling components further includes a tamping component 22, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, the compaction component 22 includes: a support member 222, the upper end face of which is provided with a support groove 2221, the support groove 2221 having an opening 2222 in the direction facing the second conveying mechanism 3; a pressure plate 221, which is located directly above the support member 222; a first driving member 223, the first driving member 223 being used to drive the pressure plate 221 to move in the vertical direction; and for adjusting the distance between the pressure plate 221 and the support member 222; the bottom end of the matrix container 6 enters the support groove 2221 through the opening 2222 of the support groove 2221, and the pressure plate 221 moves linearly in the vertical direction under the drive of the first driving member 223. When the pressure plate 221 moves downward, it compacts the material / matrix in the matrix container 6. The compactness can be adjusted by adjusting the force applied by the first drive member 223 to the pressure plate 221, and / or by adjusting the stroke of the pressure plate 221, and / or by adjusting the number of times the pressure plate 221 is repeatedly pressed down.

[0062] In one alternative implementation, such as Figure 3 As shown, the sturdy assembly includes: a second connecting plate 233, which is vertically installed; a first slide rail 226, which is vertically installed on the side of the second connecting plate 233 facing the second conveying mechanism 3; the sturdy assembly includes a third connecting plate 234, which includes a first side facing the second conveying mechanism 3; a first sliding groove is formed on the side of the third connecting plate 234 facing the second connecting plate 233 opposite to the first slide rail 226, and the first sliding groove cooperates with the first slide rail 226 to allow the third connecting plate 234 to be slidably installed on the first slide rail 226; the third connecting plate 234... A second slide rail 234 is vertically mounted on the first surface; the pressure plate 221 is horizontally arranged, with one end slidably mounted on the second slide rail 234; the support member 222 is also mounted on the first surface of the third connecting plate 234, and the support member 222 is located directly below the pressure plate 221; the first driving member 23 includes a first driving part and a first push rod, with the lower end of the first driving part mounted on the upper end surface of the support member 222; the first push rod is vertically arranged, with one end connected to the first driving part and the other end mounted on the pressure plate 221; the first driving part drives the first push rod to move in the vertical direction, thereby controlling the pressure plate 221 to move in the vertical direction.

[0063] In an alternative implementation, the first drive unit may be a cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or a motor assembly.

[0064] In one alternative implementation, such as Figure 3As shown, the cross-section of the pressure plate 221 is inverted "L" shape, including a horizontal portion and a vertical portion connected to the end of the horizontal portion; the top end of the first top rod is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the vertical portion. A second sliding groove is provided on the side of the vertical portion facing the third connecting plate 234; the pressure plate 221 is slidably installed in the second sliding groove through the sliding connection between the second sliding groove and the second sliding rail 234.

[0065] In an optional implementation, limit blocks are installed at both ends of the first slide rail 226 and the second slide rail 234.

[0066] In one alternative implementation, such as Figure 3 As shown, the sturdy assembly further includes a second driving member 229, which includes a second driving part 2291 and a second push rod 2292. The second driving member 2291 is installed on one side of the second connecting plate 233. The second push rod 2292 is vertically arranged, and one end of the second push rod 2292 is connected to the second driving part 2291. The second push rod 2292 moves linearly in the vertical direction under the drive of the second driving part 2291. The height of the third connecting plate 234 is adjusted by pushing the third connecting plate 234 through the other end of the second push rod 2292.

[0067] In one alternative implementation, such as Figure 3 As shown, an inverted "L"-shaped stop bar 228 is installed on one side of the third connecting plate 234; the height of the third connecting plate 234 is adjusted by pushing the stop bar 228 with the top of the second push rod 2292.

[0068] In one alternative implementation, such as Figure 3 As shown, it includes a support plate; the second drive unit 2291 is mounted on the support plate; it also includes a guide rod 230, which is vertically arranged and installed on one side of the second push rod 2292; a guide block 231 is installed at the top of the second push rod 2292, and the guide block 231 is also fixedly connected to the top of the guide rod 230; the bottom end of the guide rod 230 passes through a guide hole opened on the support plate.

[0069] In an optional embodiment, the second drive unit 2291 may be a cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or a motor assembly.

[0070] In one alternative implementation, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 as well as Figure 3As shown, the filling position includes a first filling position 216 and a second filling position 232. The first clamping member 214 of the filling assembly forms the first filling position 216; the position between the support member 222 and the pressure plate 221 forms the second filling position 232; the control mechanism is also used to control the second conveyor 3 to move a matrix container 6 located at the first filling position 216 to the second filling position 232 belonging to the same filling assembly; the control mechanism is also used to control the second conveyor 3 to move a matrix container 6 located at the second filling position 232 to the first filling position 216 of the next adjacent filling assembly.

[0071] In one optional embodiment, a first spacing is provided between the filling component and the compaction component of the same filling assembly; a second spacing is provided between two adjacent filling components, the first spacing being equal to the second spacing.

[0072] In one alternative implementation set, three sets of the filling assemblies are included, the three sets of filling assemblies being arranged equidistantly along the first direction x.

[0073] In one alternative implementation, such as Figure 1 , Figures 4-6 The second conveying mechanism 3 includes: a clamping assembly for clamping the matrix container 6; a third driving member 34 for driving the clamping assembly to move along a first direction x; and a fourth driving member 35 for driving the clamping assembly to move along a second direction y. More specifically, in an optional embodiment, the clamping assembly includes: a second clamping member 31, with a set of second clamping members 31 provided corresponding to each of the filling assembly and the compaction assembly, for clamping the matrix container 6; a fourth connecting plate 32, with multiple sets of second clamping members 31 mounted on the side of the fourth connecting plate facing the filling mechanism 2; the multiple sets of second clamping members 31 are equidistantly arranged along the first direction x, the distance between adjacent sets of second clamping members 31 being equal to the first distance or the second distance; and a fifth connecting plate, with the fourth connecting plate slidably mounted on the fifth connecting plate 33 along the first direction x.

[0074] More specifically, such as Figure 1As shown, each group of second clamping members 31 includes a second upper clamping member 311 and a second lower clamping member 312, with the second upper clamping member 311 mounted directly above the second lower clamping member 312. The second upper clamping member 311 and the second lower clamping member 312 are offset from the first upper clamping member 2141 and the first lower clamping member 2142. In a specific installation method, according to their height, from top to bottom, they are the first upper clamping member 2141, the second upper clamping member 311, the first lower clamping member 2142, and the second lower clamping member 312.

[0075] In an alternative embodiment, the second clamping member 31 is a gripper cylinder.

[0076] In one alternative implementation, such as Figure 5 and me Figure 6 As shown, the third driving member 34 includes a third driving part and a third push rod; the third driving part is fixedly installed on the fifth connecting plate 33; the third push rod is installed along the first direction x, that is, after installation, the length direction of the third push rod extends along the first direction x; one end of the third push rod is connected to the third driving part, and the third driving part drives the third push rod to move linearly along the first direction x; the other end of the third push rod is connected to the fourth connecting plate 32 to drive the fourth connecting plate 21 to move linearly along the first direction x; thereby driving the second clamping member 31 to move along the first direction x. The first direction x is described as linear motion; in an optional embodiment, the fourth driving member 35 includes a fourth driving part and a fourth push rod; the fourth push rod is installed along the second direction y; one end of the fourth push rod is drivenly connected to the fourth driving part, and the fourth driving part drives the fourth push rod to move linearly along the second direction y, the second direction y being perpendicular to the first direction x; the other end of the fourth driving member is connected to the fifth connecting plate 33 to drive the fifth connecting plate 33 to move linearly along the second direction y, so that the second conveying mechanism 3 moves closer to or further away from the filling mechanism 2.

[0077] In an optional implementation, the third and fourth drive units may be cylinders, hydraulic cylinders, or motor assemblies.

[0078] In one alternative implementation, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, a third slide rail 331 is installed on one end of the fifth connecting plate 33 facing the fourth connecting plate 32; the third slide rail 331 extends along the first direction x; the fifth connecting plate 33 is provided with two third slide rails 331, located at the upper end and the lower end of the fifth connecting plate 33 respectively; a first slider 323 is installed on the fourth connecting plate 32 relative to each of the third slide rails 331; the first slider 323 has a third sliding groove relative to the third slide rail 331; the fourth connecting plate 32 includes at least two sets of the first sliders 323 installed at both ends along the first direction x; the fourth connecting plate 32 can slide along the length direction of the third slide rail 331 by sliding the first sliders 323 with the third slide rail 331.

[0079] In one alternative implementation, such as Figure 1 As shown, the loading device further includes a first housing 4, the internal space of which is used to install circuit components; a second conveying mechanism 3 is mounted on the upper end face of the first housing 4; more specifically, the fourth driving unit is fixedly mounted on the upper end face of the first housing 4. At least one fourth slide rail 335 is also mounted on the upper end face of the first housing 4, the fourth slide rail 335 extending along the second direction y; a second slider is mounted on the lower end of the fifth connecting plate 33 opposite to each of the fourth slide rails 335, the second slider having a fourth sliding groove on its side facing the fourth slide rail 335, allowing the fifth connecting plate 33 to slide along the length direction of the fourth slide rail 335 through the sliding connection between the second slider and the fourth slide rail 335. In an optional embodiment, two fourth slide rails 335 are included, and the fifth connecting plate 33 is mounted with two second sliders opposite to the two fourth slide rails 335. In an optional implementation, the two fourth slide rails 335 are located at the two ends of the orthographic projection of the fifth connecting plate 33 onto the upper surface of the first housing 4.

[0080] In one alternative implementation, such as Figure 1 As shown, the first housing 4 is equipped with a first limiting block 41, and the bottom surface of the fifth connecting plate 33 is equipped with a second limiting block 334; the second limiting block 334 moves as the fifth connecting plate 33 moves along the second direction y; the two first limiting blocks 41 are installed at both ends of the movement path of the second limiting block 334, and their function is to limit the movement range of the fifth connecting plate 33 along the second direction y to the area between the two first limiting blocks 41.

[0081] In one alternative implementation, such as Figure 6As shown, the fifth connecting plate 33 has an "L"-shaped cross-section, including a horizontal portion and a vertical portion. The lower end of the vertical portion is connected to the front end of the horizontal portion. The third driving part is fixedly installed on the side of the vertical portion facing the fourth connecting plate. The end of the fourth push rod is fixedly connected to the lower end face of the horizontal portion. The fifth connecting plate 33 also includes at least one first bracket 332, whose two right-angled sides are fixedly connected to the horizontal portion and the vertical portion respectively, serving to reinforce the fifth connecting plate 33.

[0082] In one alternative implementation, such as Figure 1 As shown, the first conveying mechanism 1 is a slide, and the substrate container 6 slides from the front end of the slide to the first position 11 along the direction of the slide. The slide is installed on the upper surface of the first box 4.

[0083] In an optional embodiment, the filling device further includes a third conveying mechanism comprising a robotic arm 5 that moves along the first direction x for removing the matrix container 6 from the filling device.

[0084] The present invention also provides a control method for a loading device, comprising the following steps:

[0085] S1: The control center controls the fourth driving member 35 to drive the second conveying mechanism 3 to move toward the filling mechanism 2; the control center controls the second clamping member 214 to clamp, at which time the first second clamping member 214 on the left clamps an empty matrix container 6 located at the first position 11 of the first conveying mechanism 1, and at the same time, the second second clamping member 31 on the left clamps the matrix container 6 that has been filled on the filling assembly 1 of the first group of filling components on the left.

[0086] S2: The control center controls the fourth drive member 35 to drive the second conveying mechanism 2 away from the filling mechanism 2. At the same time, the control center controls the first clamping member 214 to relax. At this time, the first second clamping member 31 on the left clamps an empty matrix container 6 located at the first position 11, and the second second clamping member 31 on the left clamps the matrix container 6 located on the loading assembly 21 of the first group of filling components on the left. Then, the control center controls the third drive member 34 to move the second conveying mechanism 3 to the right until the first second clamping member 31 on the left is directly facing the loading assembly 21 of the first group of filling components on the left, and the second second clamping member 31 on the left is directly facing the compacting assembly 22 of the first group of filling components on the left. The next matrix container located on the carriage slides freely down the carriage to the first position 11.

[0087] S3: The control center controls the fourth driving component 35 to drive the second conveying mechanism 3 to approach the filling mechanism 2, and the second second clamping component 31 at the left end to clamp the matrix container 6 to approach the compaction component 22 until the bottom of the matrix container 6 abuts against the bottom of the support groove 222 of the compaction component 22; at the same time, at this time, the first clamping component 214 of the loading component 21 of the first filling component at the left end is controlled to clamp the matrix container 6 located on the first second clamping component 31 at the left end.

[0088] S4: The control center controls the feeding screw of the first group of filling components on the left to start, transporting the material / matrix from the corresponding storage bin 211 to the matrix container 6 located in the filling component 21. At the same time, the control center controls the second drive member 223 to drive the pressure plate 221 downward until it abuts the top opening of the matrix container 6, compacting the matrix container 6 located in the compaction component 22. Then, the control center controls the second clamping member 31 to relax, causing the second clamping member 31 to release the matrix container 6 it was holding.

[0089] S5: The control center controls the fourth drive member 35 to drive the second conveying mechanism 3 away from the filling mechanism 2; then the control center controls the third drive member 34 to drive the second conveying mechanism 3 to move to the left until the first second clamping member 31 at the left end is directly facing the first position 11.

[0090] S6: The control center controls the fourth drive unit 35 to drive the second conveying mechanism 3 closer to the filling mechanism 2; then the control center controls the first second clamping member 31 at the left end to clamp the matrix container 6 located at the first position 11; correspondingly, the second second clamping member 31 at the left end clamps the matrix container 6 located on the loading assembly 21 of the first filling assembly at the left end; the third second clamping member 31 at the left end clamps the matrix container 6 located on the compacting assembly 22 of the first filling assembly at the left end.

[0091] S7: The control center controls the fourth drive member 35 to drive the second conveying mechanism 3 away from the filling mechanism 2, and then the control center controls the third drive member 34 to drive the second conveying mechanism 3 to move to the right until the first second clamping member 31 at the left end is directly opposite the loading component 21 of the first filling assembly at the left end; at the same time, the second second clamping member 31 at the left end is directly opposite the compacting component 22 of the first filling assembly at the left end, and the third second clamping member 31 at the left end is directly opposite the loading component 21 of the second filling assembly at the left end.

[0092] In this embodiment, the filling mechanism 2 is provided with 3 sets of filling components. According to the above cycle, the matrix container 6 sequentially goes through the filling step and compaction step of the 3 sets of filling components to complete the easy and automated filling of the matrix.

[0093] In a more specific embodiment, the system includes three sets of filling components, and the control mechanism controls the substrate container to be filled to pass sequentially through the three sets of filling components; that is, filling is completed after three filling and compaction steps. Currently, existing technologies generally involve only one filling. Compared to existing technologies, the multiple compaction method provided in this embodiment can control the differences in looseness between different layers within the substrate container, thereby simulating a natural environment. The soil at the bottom layer is compacted three times, resulting in the highest density, which is beneficial for improving the soil's water retention. The upper layers, due to fewer compaction steps, also have good air and water permeability, making the overall soil structure more conducive to root growth and downward rooting.

[0094] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features claimed herein.

Claims

1. A filling device for filling plant culture medium, characterized in that, include: A first conveying mechanism is used to convey a matrix container to a first position; A filling mechanism comprising multiple filling assemblies, each assembly capable of independently filling a matrix; each assembly including a filling position for receiving the matrix container; and, A second conveying mechanism is used to move the matrix container; A control mechanism is configured to control the second conveying mechanism to move the matrix container from the first position to the filling position; to control the second conveying mechanism to move the matrix container located at one of the filling positions to another filling position; and to control the second conveying mechanism to move the matrix container at one of the filling positions out of the filling mechanism. Each of the filling assemblies includes a loading assembly, the loading assembly comprising: A first clamping element is used to clamp the substrate container. The hopper is located directly above the first clamping member. When the matrix container is clamped by the first clamping member, the bottom opening of the hopper faces the top opening of the matrix container. Storage silos for storing substrate; and, A feeding assembly is used to transport the culture substrate from the storage bin to the loading hopper; the substrate enters the substrate container through the loading hopper. Each of the loading components further includes a compaction component, the compaction component comprising: The support component has a support groove on its upper end face, and the support groove has an opening in the direction facing the second conveying mechanism; A pressure plate is located directly above the support member; A first driving member is used to drive the pressure plate to move in the vertical direction and to adjust the distance between the pressure plate and the support member. The sturdy assembly includes a first slide rail, which is vertically installed; the sturdy assembly includes a third connecting plate, which has a first surface facing the second conveying mechanism; a first groove is formed on the second surface of the third connecting plate opposite to the first slide rail, and the first groove cooperates with the first slide rail to allow the third connecting plate to be slidably installed on the first slide rail; a second slide rail is vertically installed on the first surface of the third connecting plate; the pressure plate is horizontally arranged, and one end of it is slidably installed on the second slide rail; the support member is also installed on the first surface of the third connecting plate, and the support member is located directly below the pressure plate; the first driving member includes a first driving part and a first push rod, which... The lower end of the first driving unit is mounted on the upper end face of the support member; the first push rod is vertically arranged, one end of which is drivenly connected to the first driving unit, and the other end of which is mounted on the pressure plate; the first driving unit drives the first push rod to move in the vertical direction, thereby controlling the pressure plate to move in the vertical direction; the stabilizing assembly also includes a second driving member, which includes a second driving unit and a second push rod; the second push rod is vertically arranged, one end of which is drivenly connected to the second driving unit, and the second push rod moves linearly in the vertical direction under the drive of the second driving unit; the height of the third connecting plate is adjusted by pushing the connection of the third connecting plate through the other end of the second push rod.

2. The filling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It includes three sets of filling components, which are arranged at equal intervals along a first direction x; the control mechanism is used to control the substrate container to be filled to pass through the three sets of filling components in sequence, and complete the filling process by three filling and three compaction steps.

3. The filling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The filling position includes a first filling position and a second filling position. The first clamping member of the filling assembly forms the first filling position; the position between the support member and the pressure plate forms the second filling position; the control mechanism is further configured to control the second conveying mechanism to move a matrix container located at the first filling position to the second filling position belonging to the same filling assembly; the control mechanism is further configured to control the second conveying mechanism to move a matrix container located at the second filling position to the first filling position of the next adjacent filling assembly; there is a first gap between the filling assembly and the compaction assembly of the same filling assembly; there is a second gap between two adjacent filling assemblies, and the first gap and the second gap are equal.

4. The loading device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second conveying mechanism includes: Clamping assembly for clamping the matrix container A third driving member is used to drive the clamping assembly to move along a first direction x; and The fourth driving component is used to drive the clamping assembly to move along the second direction y; The clamping assembly includes: A second clamping member is provided for each of the loading assembly and the stabilizing assembly, for clamping the matrix container; A fourth connecting plate, on the side of the fourth connecting plate facing the filling mechanism, has multiple sets of the second clamping members installed; the multiple sets of the second clamping members are arranged equidistantly along the first direction x, and the distance between two adjacent sets of the second clamping members is equal to the first distance or the second distance. The fifth connecting plate is slidably mounted on the fourth connecting plate along the first direction x.

5. The filling device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The third driving component includes a third driving part and a third push rod; the third driving part is fixedly installed on the fifth connecting plate; the third push rod is installed along the first direction x, one end of the third push rod is connected to the third driving part, and the third driving part drives the third push rod to move linearly along the first direction x; the other end of the third push rod is connected to the fourth connecting plate to drive the fourth connecting plate to move linearly along the first direction x.

6. The filling device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The fourth driving component includes a fourth driving part and a fourth push rod; the fourth push rod is installed along the second direction y; one end of the fourth push rod is connected to the fourth driving part for transmission, and the fourth driving part drives the fourth push rod to move linearly along the second direction y, which is perpendicular to the first direction x; the other end of the fourth driving part is connected to the fifth connecting plate to drive the fifth connecting plate to move linearly along the second direction y, so that the fifth connecting plate moves closer to or further away from the filling mechanism.

7. The filling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The filling device further includes a third conveying mechanism, which includes a third clamping member and a fourth driving unit; the fourth driving unit drives the third clamping member to move along a first direction x; the control mechanism is also used to control the second conveying mechanism to move the matrix container of one of the filling positions from the filling mechanism to the third clamping member of the third conveying mechanism.

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