A transplanter and method for transplanting pepper seedlings in pots.

Abstract

This invention discloses a transplanter and a method for transplanting potted chili seedlings. The transplanter includes a frame, on which a seedling tray conveying mechanism, a seedling picking mechanism, a seedling cup mechanism, and a transplanting mechanism are mounted. The seedling tray conveying mechanism includes a conveyor belt. The seedling cup mechanism includes multiple seedling cups forming a ring chain, and the lower side of each seedling cup can open at a preset position to release the chili seedlings inside. The conveyor belt surrounds the seedling cup mechanism, and the seedling cup mechanism has two rows of seedling cups protruding from the left and right sides of the conveyor belt, respectively. The seedling trays located on the second side of the conveyor belt sequentially release the chili seedlings inside to the transplanting mechanism. This invention, by rearranging the seedling cup mechanism, fully utilizes the space inside and on the sides of the conveyor belt, resulting in a compact overall layout of the transplanter. This reduces the size of the machine, improves its flexibility, and reduces the seedling picking stroke of the picking claws, thereby increasing transplanting efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of chili seedling transplanting technology, and in particular to a transplanting machine and method for transplanting potted chili seedlings. Background Technology

[0002] In modern agricultural production, chili peppers are an important economic crop, and their planting efficiency and quality directly impact agricultural economic benefits. Traditional chili pepper transplanting methods rely heavily on manual labor, resulting in high labor intensity, low efficiency, high costs, and difficulty in ensuring transplanting quality. With the improvement of agricultural mechanization, pot seedling transplanting technology has gradually become the mainstream. It not only improves transplanting efficiency and survival rate but also helps to achieve precision agriculture, ensuring uniform crop growth.

[0003] In the prior art, patent CN 108337967 A discloses an automatic seedling picking and placing device and method for a transplanter. This patent's seedling picking and placing device includes a seedling picking mechanism, a seedling guiding device, a transplanting box mechanism, and a seedling separating mechanism. The seedling guiding device and the seedling separating mechanism are located on the side of the transplanting box mechanism. The seedling picking mechanism includes multiple claws arranged in an array. After the claws pick up a seedling, a lifting mechanism raises the claws, and then all the seedling picking claws move laterally, placing all the picked seedlings into the guiding device. This transplanting equipment has the disadvantages of a dispersed structure, large size, poor machine maneuverability, difficult transportation, and low seedling picking efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Purpose of the invention: In order to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, the present invention provides a transplanter and a method for transplanting pepper seedlings in pots that are compact in structure and have high transplanting efficiency.

[0005] Technical Solution: To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a transplanter for transplanting pepper seedlings in pots, comprising a frame on which a seedling tray conveying mechanism, a seedling picking mechanism, a seedling cup mechanism, and a transplanting mechanism are mounted; the seedling tray conveying mechanism is used to convey seedling trays; the seedling picking mechanism includes seedling picking claws arranged in a linear array, and the seedling picking mechanism can transfer pepper seedlings from the seedling tray row by row to the seedling cup mechanism; the seedling tray conveying mechanism includes a conveyor belt; the seedling cup mechanism includes multiple seedling cups forming a ring-shaped cup chain, and the lower side of each seedling cup can be opened at a preset position to release the pepper seedlings therein;

[0006] The conveyor belt is arranged around the seedling cup mechanism, and the seedling cup mechanism has two rows of seedling cups exposed from the left and right sides of the conveyor belt respectively; the seedling picking mechanism transfers a row of seedlings from the seedling tray to a row of seedling cups located on the first side of the conveyor belt; the seedling trays located on the second side of the conveyor belt release the pepper seedlings inside to the transplanting mechanism in sequence.

[0007] Furthermore, the seedling tray conveying mechanism includes four pulleys, which are divided into two groups and placed at the front and rear ends of the conveyor belt, with the two pulleys at the same end arranged vertically. This allows for a proper increase in the height of the space within the conveyor belt, enabling the chili seedlings to pass through the conveyor belt from the first side to the second side.

[0008] Furthermore, a guiding mechanism is installed on the first side of the conveyor belt. The guiding mechanism includes an outer side plate and a plurality of partitions fixed on the outer side plate. A plurality of guiding channels are formed between the partitions, and all the guiding channels are aligned one-to-one with the plurality of seedling cups located on the first side of the conveyor belt.

[0009] Furthermore, the seedling-taking mechanism also includes an L-shaped track, which includes a horizontal track and a vertical track; a first slider and a second slider that are slidably mounted on the horizontal track and the vertical track respectively, and the two sliders are connected to each other by a connecting rod; the connecting rod and the two sliders are rotatably connected, and the distance between the axes of the two sets of rotatably connected relationships is the first distance;

[0010] The seedling-taking mechanism also includes a drive rod connected to the middle of the connecting rod, and a first motor driven by the drive rod; the connecting rod and the drive rod are rotatably connected, and the distance between the rotation axis of the two and the output shaft axis of the first motor is a second distance, and the first distance is twice the second distance.

[0011] All the seedling grippers are mounted on a moving beam, with two sliders rotatably connected to both ends of the moving beam, and the moving beam is capable of lifting and lowering relative to the track.

[0012] Specifically, the track has a vertically continuous groove. Both the first and second sliders are equipped with vertically oriented shafts, meaning there are two shafts in total. A connecting rod, a drive rod, and a first motor are located above the track, with both ends of the connecting rod connected to the two shafts respectively. A moving beam is located below the track and can slide vertically relative to the shafts. A fixed-height mounting base is erected between the two shafts, and a lifting drive unit that drives the moving beam to rise and fall is mounted on the mounting base.

[0013] In addition, a baffle is installed on the moving beam. When taking seedlings, part of the seedling clamping claw performs the seedling clamping operation in front of the baffle, and the baffle separates the moving beam, the mounting base and the chili seedlings.

[0014] In the above structure, the moving beam can switch between a horizontal and a vertical position. When the moving beam is in the horizontal position, its seedling-picking claws correspond one-to-one with a row of chili seedlings on the seedling tray. After the seedling-picking claws pick up the seedlings, the lifting drive unit raises the moving beam, and then the first motor rotates the drive rod. The two sliders slide relative to the horizontal and vertical tracks respectively until the moving beam becomes a vertical position. At this time, the baffle is located on the opposite side of the outer plate (e.g., Figure 7 As shown), the seedling clamp releases the chili seedlings, allowing each seedling to enter its respective seedling cup on the first side through the guide channel between the partitions.

[0015] Because the moving beam is supported by sliders at both ends, its movement is smooth. Furthermore, since both ends move simultaneously, the difference in the amplitude of movement of each seedling-picking claw is small. Compared to directly driving the moving beam to rotate, the seedling-picking mechanism described above will not have any seedling-picking claws throwing off the chili seedlings when the moving beam moves.

[0016] Furthermore, the seedling-picking gripper includes a rotating shaft and two gripper halves that rotate relative to the rotating shaft. Each gripper halves includes a rotating part, the middle of which is hinged relative to the rotating shaft. The lower front end and the upper rear end of the rotating part are respectively provided with a clamping rod and an operating rod. The moving beam is slidably mounted with operating components that act on the two gripper halves. Each of the two operating components has the same number of slotted holes as the seedling-picking gripper. The two operating rods corresponding to the two gripper halves in each seedling-picking gripper are respectively placed in the slotted holes corresponding to the two different operating components. The two operating components slide in opposite directions at the same speed.

[0017] Specifically, each of the two operating components has a gear section on its opposing surface, and a gear meshes with the gear sections of both operating components. The gear is driven by a second motor. With the above structure, the forward and reverse rotation of the gear driven by the second motor can make all the seedling grippers open and close synchronously.

[0018] Furthermore, the transplanting mechanism includes a swing arm and a duckbill mechanism located at the end of the swing arm, the swing arm being capable of reciprocating, and the duckbill mechanism being installed at the end of the swing arm; the seedling cup mechanism also includes a conical guide, all of the seedling cups being capable of opening sequentially above the guide.

[0019] Furthermore, the conveyor belt has equidistantly arranged protrusions. This ensures that the seedling trays do not shift relative to the conveyor belt, guaranteeing precise pushing of the seedling trays.

[0020] A method for transplanting pepper seedlings in pots, based on the aforementioned transplanter for transplanting pepper seedlings in pots, initially has the moving beam in a horizontal position and at a low position, and the seedling grippers in an open position; the method includes:

[0021] Control the operation of the seedling tray conveying mechanism so that the seedling tray on it moves forward by one step, so that a row of chili seedlings is within the gripping range of the seedling picking claw.

[0022] Control all seedling clamps to close, and control the moving beam to rise to the highest position;

[0023] Control the movement of the moving beam to change it from a horizontal to a vertical position, and all the seedling grippers move to the first side of the conveyor belt;

[0024] Control all the seedling grippers to open, so that a row of chili seedlings can be released and each seedling can be placed into a different seedling cup. Then, move the beam back to the initial position.

[0025] The seedling cup mechanism is controlled to transport the chili seedlings to the second side of the conveyor belt and then opens at the release position to release the chili seedlings to the transplanting mechanism.

[0026] The transplanting mechanism operates to transplant the chili seedlings into the soil.

[0027] Beneficial effects: The transplanter and method for transplanting pepper seedlings of the present invention, by rearranging the seedling cup mechanism, make full use of the space inside the conveyor belt and the side space, making the overall layout of the transplanter compact, reducing the size of the machine, improving the flexibility of the machine, reducing the seedling picking stroke of the seedling picking claw, and improving transplanting efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a side view of a transplanter used for transplanting pepper seedlings in pots.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a top view of a transplanter used for transplanting pepper seedlings in pots.

[0030] Figure 3 A first three-dimensional structural diagram of a transplanter used for transplanting pepper seedlings;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a second three-dimensional structural diagram of a transplanter used for transplanting pepper seedlings in pots;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a first-state structural diagram of the seedling-collecting mechanism;

[0033] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged structural diagram of section A;

[0034] Figure 7 This is a diagram of the second-state structure of the seedling-collecting mechanism.

[0035] In the diagram: 1-Frame; 2-Seedling tray conveying mechanism; 21-Conveyor belt; 22-Pulley; 23-Protruding plate; 3-Seedling picking mechanism; 31-Seedling picking gripper; 3101-Rotating shaft; 3102-Gripper half; 31a-Rotating part; 31b-Gripping rod; 31c-Operating lever; 32-Moving beam; 33-Railway; 33a-Horizontal track; 33b-Longitudinal track; 34-First slider; 35-Second slider ; 36-Connecting rod; 37-Drive rod; 38-First motor; 39-Shaft; 310-Mounting base; 311-Lifting drive unit; 312-Baffle; 4-Seedling cup mechanism; 41-Seedling cup; 42-Guide; 5-Transplanting mechanism; 51-Swing arm; 52-Duckbill mechanism; 6-Guide mechanism; 61-Outer side plate; 62-Partition; 71-Operating component; 72-Gear; 73-Second motor; a-Seedling tray. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] like Figures 1 to 4 The transplanter shown is for transplanting pepper seedlings in pots. It includes a frame 1, on which a seedling tray conveying mechanism 2, a seedling picking mechanism 3, a seedling cup mechanism 4, and a transplanting mechanism 5 are installed. The seedling tray conveying mechanism 2 is used to convey seedling trays a. The seedling picking mechanism 3 includes seedling picking claws 31 arranged in a linear array. The seedling picking mechanism 3 can transfer pepper seedlings on the seedling trays a row by row to the seedling cup mechanism 4. The seedling tray conveying mechanism 2 includes a conveyor belt 21. The seedling cup mechanism 4 includes a plurality of seedling cups 41 forming a ring cup chain. The lower side of the seedling cups 41 can be opened at a preset position to release the pepper seedlings inside.

[0038] The conveyor belt 21 is arranged around the seedling cup mechanism 4, and the seedling cup mechanism 4 has two rows of seedling cups 41 exposed from the left and right sides of the conveyor belt 21 respectively; the seedling taking mechanism 3 transfers a row of seedlings from the pot seedling tray a to a row of seedling cups 41 located on the first side of the conveyor belt 21; the pot seedling tray a located on the second side of the conveyor belt 21 releases the pepper seedlings inside to the transplanting mechanism 5 in sequence.

[0039] Preferably, the seedling tray conveying mechanism 2 includes four pulleys 22, which are divided into two groups and placed at the front and rear ends of the conveyor belt 21, with the two pulleys 22 at the same end arranged vertically. In this way, the space inside the conveyor belt 21 can be appropriately increased, allowing the chili seedlings to pass through the interior of the conveyor belt 21 from the first side to the second side.

[0040] By adopting the above structure and rearranging the seedling cup mechanism 4, the internal space and side space of the conveyor belt 21 are fully utilized, making the overall layout of the transplanter compact, reducing the size of the machine, improving the flexibility of the machine, reducing the seedling picking stroke of the seedling picking claw 31, and improving transplanting efficiency.

[0041] Preferably, a guide mechanism 6 is installed on the first side of the conveyor belt 21. The guide mechanism 6 includes an outer side plate 61 and a plurality of partitions 62 fixed on the outer side plate 61. A plurality of guide channels are formed between the partitions 62, and all the guide channels are aligned with the plurality of seedling cups 41 located on the first side of the conveyor belt 21.

[0042] Preferably, such as Figure 5 As shown, the seedling-taking mechanism 3 also includes an L-shaped track 33, which includes a horizontal track 33a and a vertical track 33b. A first slider 34 and a second slider 35 are slidably mounted on the horizontal track 33a and the vertical track 33b, respectively, and the two sliders are connected to each other by a connecting rod 36. The connecting rod 36 and the two sliders are rotatably connected, and the distance between the axes of the two sets of rotatably connected relationships is the first distance.

[0043] The seedling taking mechanism 3 also includes a drive rod 37 connected to the middle part of the connecting rod 36, and a first motor 38 driven by the drive rod 37; the connecting rod 36 and the drive rod 37 are rotatably connected, and the distance between the rotation axis of the two and the output shaft axis of the first motor 38 is a second distance, and the first distance is twice the second distance.

[0044] All the seedling grippers 31 are mounted on the moving beam 32, and two sliders are rotatably connected to both ends of the moving beam 32. The moving beam 32 can move up and down relative to the track 33.

[0045] Specifically, the track 33 has a vertically extending groove. Both the first slider 34 and the second slider 35 are equipped with vertically oriented shafts 39, meaning there are two shafts 39 in total. The connecting rod 36, drive rod 37, and first motor 38 are located above the track 33, with both ends of the connecting rod 36 connected to the two shafts 39 respectively. The moving beam 32 is located below the track 33 and can slide vertically relative to the shafts 39. A fixed-height mounting base 310 is erected between the two shafts 39, and a lifting drive unit 311 for driving the moving beam 32 to rise and fall is mounted on the mounting base 310.

[0046] In addition, a baffle 312 is installed on the movable beam 32. When taking seedlings, part of the seedling clamp 31 performs the seedling clamping operation in front of the baffle 312. The baffle 312 separates the movable beam 32, the mounting base 310 and the chili seedlings.

[0047] In the above structure, the movable beam 32 can switch between a horizontal state and a vertical state. When the movable beam 32 is in a horizontal state, the seedling-taking claws 31 on it correspond one-to-one with a row of chili seedlings on the seedling tray a. After the seedling-taking claws 31 take the seedlings, the lifting drive unit 311 causes the movable beam 32 to rise. Then the first motor 38 causes the drive rod 37 to rotate. The two sliders slide relative to the horizontal track 33a and the vertical track 33b respectively until the movable beam 32 becomes a vertical state. At this time, the baffle 312 is located on the opposite side of the outer plate 61. The seedling-taking claws 31 release the chili seedlings, so that each chili seedling enters the seedling cup 41 on the first side through the guide channel between the partitions 62.

[0048] Since the moving beam 32 is supported by sliders at both ends when it moves, the movement of the moving beam 32 is stable. And since both ends move at the same time, the difference in the movement amplitude of each seedling-picking claw 31 is small. Compared with directly driving the moving beam 32 to rotate, the seedling-picking mechanism 3 will not have any seedling-picking claws 31 throwing the chili seedlings off when the moving beam 32 moves.

[0049] Preferably, such as Figure 6 As shown, the seedling-picking gripper 31 includes a rotating shaft 3101 and two gripper halves 3102 that rotate relative to the rotating shaft 3101. Each gripper halves 3102 includes a rotating part 31a, the middle of which is hinged relative to the rotating shaft 3101. The lower front end and the upper rear end of the rotating part 31a respectively have a gripping rod 31b and an operating rod 31c. The moving beam 32 is slidably mounted with operating members 71 that act on the two gripper halves 3102 respectively. Each of the two operating members 71 has the same number of slotted holes as the seedling-picking gripper 31. The two operating rods 31c corresponding to the two gripper halves 3102 included in each seedling-picking gripper 31 are respectively placed in the slotted holes corresponding to the two different operating members 71. The two operating members 71 slide in opposite directions at the same speed.

[0050] Specifically, each of the two operating members 71 has a gear portion on its opposing surface, and a gear 72 meshes with the gear portions of both operating members 71. The gear 72 is driven by a second motor 73. With the above structure, the second motor 73 can drive the gear 72 to rotate in both directions, enabling all seedling grippers 31 to open and close synchronously.

[0051] Preferably, the transplanting mechanism 5 includes a swing arm 51 and a duckbill mechanism 52 located at the end of the swing arm 51. The swing arm 51 is capable of reciprocating swing, and the duckbill mechanism 52 is installed at the end of the swing arm 51. The seedling cup mechanism 4 also includes a conical guide 42, and all the seedling cups 41 can be opened sequentially above the guide 42.

[0052] Preferably, the conveyor belt 21 has equidistantly arranged protrusions 23. This ensures that the seedling tray a does not shift relative to the conveyor belt 21, guaranteeing precise pushing of the seedling tray a.

[0053] This invention also provides a method for transplanting pepper seedlings in pots, based on the above-mentioned transplanter for transplanting pepper seedlings in pots. Initially, the moving beam 32 is in a horizontal position and at a low position, and the seedling gripper 31 is in an open position. The method includes the following steps S101-S1,65:

[0054] Step S101: Control the operation of the seedling tray conveying mechanism 2 so that the seedling tray a on it moves forward by one step, so that a row of chili seedlings is within the clamping range of the seedling picking claw 31.

[0055] Step S102: Control all seedling clamps 31 to close, and control the moving beam 32 to rise to the high position;

[0056] Step S103: Control the movement of the moving beam 32 to change it from a horizontal position to a vertical position, and all the seedling grippers 31 move to the first side of the conveyor belt 21.

[0057] Step S104: Control all seedling grippers 31 to open, so as to release a row of chili seedlings, so that each chili seedling enters a different seedling cup 41, and then make the moving beam 32 return to the initial position.

[0058] Step S105: Control the operation of the seedling cup mechanism 4. After the seedling cup mechanism 4 transports the chili seedlings to the second side of the conveyor belt 21, it opens at the release position to release the chili seedlings to the transplanting mechanism 5.

[0059] In step S106, the transplanting mechanism 5 operates to transplant the chili seedlings into the soil.

[0060] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A transplanter for transplanting pepper seedlings in pots, comprising a frame (1), on which a seedling tray conveying mechanism (2), a seedling picking mechanism (3), a seedling cup mechanism (4), and a transplanting mechanism (5) are mounted; the seedling tray conveying mechanism (2) is used to convey seedling trays (a); the seedling picking mechanism (3) includes seedling picking claws (31) arranged in a linear array, and the seedling picking mechanism (3) can transfer pepper seedlings on the seedling trays (a) row by row to the seedling cup mechanism (4); the seedling tray conveying mechanism (2) includes a conveyor belt (21); the seedling cup mechanism (4) includes a plurality of seedling cups (41) forming a ring cup chain, the lower side of the seedling cups (41) being able to open at a preset position to release the pepper seedlings therein; characterized in that: The conveyor belt (21) is arranged around the seedling cup mechanism (4), and the seedling cup mechanism (4) has two rows of seedling cups (41) exposed from the left and right sides of the conveyor belt (21); the seedling taking mechanism (3) transfers a row of seedlings on the seedling tray (a) to a row of seedling cups (41) located on the first side of the conveyor belt (21); the seedling tray (a) located on the second side of the conveyor belt (21) releases the pepper seedlings inside to the transplanting mechanism (5) in turn. The seedling taking mechanism (3) also includes an L-shaped track (33), which includes a horizontal track (33a) and a vertical track (33b); a first slider (34) and a second slider (35) are slidably installed on the horizontal track (33a) and the vertical track (33b), respectively, and the two sliders are connected to each other by a connecting rod (36). The seedling taking mechanism (3) also includes a drive rod (37) connected to the middle of the connecting rod (36), and a first motor (38) driven by the drive rod (37). All the seedling clamps (31) are mounted on the moving beam (32), which is rotatably connected to two sliders at both ends, and the moving beam (32) can move up and down relative to the track (33).

2. The transplanter for transplanting pepper seedlings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The seedling tray conveying mechanism (2) includes four pulleys (22). The four pulleys (22) are divided into two groups and placed at the front and rear ends of the conveyor belt (21). The two pulleys (22) at the same end are arranged vertically.

3. The transplanter for transplanting pepper seedlings in pots according to claim 1, characterized in that, A guide mechanism (6) is installed on the first side of the conveyor belt (21). The guide mechanism (6) includes an outer plate (61) and a plurality of partitions (62) fixed on the outer plate (61). A plurality of guide channels are formed between the partitions (62), and all the guide channels are aligned with the plurality of seedling cups (41) located on the first side of the conveyor belt (21).

4. The transplanter for transplanting pepper seedlings in pots according to claim 1, characterized in that, The seedling clamp (31) includes a rotating shaft (3101) and two clamp halves (3102) that rotate relative to the rotating shaft (3101). Each clamp halves (3102) includes a rotating part (31a). The middle part of the rotating part (31a) is hinged relative to the rotating shaft (3101). The lower front end and the upper rear end of the rotating part (31a) are respectively provided with a clamping rod (31b) and an operating rod (31c). The moving beam (32) is slidably mounted with operating components (71) that act on the two clamp halves (3102).

5. The transplanter for transplanting pepper seedlings in pots according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transplanting mechanism (5) includes a swing arm (51) and a duckbill mechanism (52) located at the end of the swing arm (51). The swing arm (51) is capable of reciprocating, and the duckbill mechanism (52) is installed at the end of the swing arm (51). The seedling cup mechanism (4) also includes a conical guide (42), and all the seedling cups (41) can be opened sequentially above the guide (42).

6. The transplanter for transplanting pepper seedlings in pots according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveyor belt (21) has equidistantly arranged protrusions (23).

7. A method for transplanting pepper seedlings in pots, based on the transplanter for transplanting pepper seedlings in pots as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Initially, the moving beam (32) is in a horizontal position and at a low position, and the seedling clamp (31) is in the open position; the method includes: Control the operation of the seedling tray conveying mechanism (2) so that the seedling tray (a) on it moves forward by one step so that a row of chili seedlings is within the clamping range of the seedling picking claw (31). Control all seedling clamps (31) to close, and control the moving beam (32) to rise to the high position; Control the movement of the moving beam (32) to change it from a horizontal position to a vertical position, and all the seedling grippers (31) move to the first side of the conveyor belt (21); Control all seedling grippers (31) to open, so as to release a row of chili seedlings, so that each chili seedling enters a different seedling cup (41), and then make the moving beam (32) return to the initial position; Control the operation of the seedling cup mechanism (4). After the seedling cup mechanism (4) transports the chili seedlings to the second side of the conveyor belt (21), it opens at the release position to release the chili seedlings to the transplanting mechanism (5). The transplanting mechanism (5) operates to transplant the chili seedlings into the soil.

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