Transplanting machine

Abstract

The invention provides a transplanting machine which can easily cope with the planting of vegetable seedlings requiring a larger longitudinal conveying movement amount compared with the planting of rice seedlings through a simple structure. The transplanter is provided with: a seedling longitudinal conveying mechanism for longitudinally conveying and moving a seedling raising pad placed on a seedling carrying table to a seedling taking-out side; a rotating longitudinal conveying operation member; and a swing member which rotates repeatedly in one direction and the opposite direction along with the rotation of the longitudinal conveying operation member so as to drive the seedling longitudinal conveying mechanism. The longitudinal conveying operation member has a plurality of driving bodies arranged side by side in the rotation direction. The oscillating member has a plurality of driven bodies arranged side by side in one direction and sequentially in contact with the plurality of driving bodies, respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a transplanter. Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a transplanter that longitudinally conveys and moves a seedling mat toward the seedling extraction side. Regarding the above transplanter, a link-type width expansion mechanism is provided at a portion where the longitudinal conveyor drive shaft rotates in the axial conveyance direction, and the longitudinal conveyance amount of the seedling longitudinal conveyor is increased by increasing the rotation angle of the longitudinal conveyor drive shaft.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-156477 Summary of the Invention

[0006] However, since the width expansion mechanism of Patent Document 1 is of a link type, the structure is complex. In addition, there are restrictions on the shaft arrangement and the link ratio. Therefore, it is difficult to cope with the planting of vegetable seedlings that require a larger longitudinal conveyance movement amount compared to the planting of rice seedlings, and there is room for improvement.

[0007] The present invention has been completed to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a transplanter that can also easily cope with the planting of vegetable seedlings that require a larger longitudinal conveyance movement amount compared to the planting of rice seedlings with a simple structure.

[0008] The transplanter according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a seedling longitudinal conveyance mechanism that longitudinally conveys and moves a seedling mat placed on a seedling stage toward the seedling extraction side; a rotating longitudinal conveyance operation member; and a swing member that drives the seedling longitudinal conveyance mechanism by repeatedly rotating in one direction and the opposite direction as the longitudinal conveyance operation member rotates. The longitudinal conveyance operation member has: a plurality of drive bodies arranged in the rotation direction, and the swing member has: a plurality of driven bodies arranged in the one direction and sequentially contacting the plurality of drive bodies respectively.

[0009] Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the above structure, a transplanter can be realized that can also easily cope with the planting of vegetable seedlings that require a larger longitudinal conveyance movement amount compared to the planting of rice seedlings with a simple structure provided with a plurality of drive bodies and a plurality of driven bodies. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] Figure 1 It is a side view showing a schematic structure of a transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 It is a side view of the planting part of the said transplanting machine.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a rear view of the rice seedling loading device of the planting section as viewed from the rear.

[0014] Figure 4 It is a side view of the rice seedling planting mechanism of the planting section.

[0015] Figure 5 It is a perspective view showing an enlarged planting unit of the above-mentioned rice seedling planting mechanism.

[0016] Figure 6 It is a side view showing a part of the said planting part.

[0017] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional view of the planting frame of the planting part as seen from the rear obliquely.

[0018] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of a roll holding portion of a multi-sheet material feeding and laying mechanism provided in the transplanter as viewed from below.

[0019] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of a sheet lead-out guide portion of the multi-sheet lead-out and laying mechanism as viewed from the front.

[0020] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of a pressing mechanism included in the transplanter as seen from the rear obliquely.

[0021] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of a sheet lower acting body provided in the transplanter as seen from the oblique rear.

[0022] Figure 12 It is a perspective view showing the rear side of the furrow opener of the sheet lower acting body in an enlarged manner.

[0023] Figure 13 This is a three-dimensional view of the backfilling component of the soil-raising mechanism of the above-mentioned sheet lower acting body when viewed from the rear.

[0024] Figure 14 It is a top view of the working body under the above-mentioned sheet.

[0025] Figure 15 This is a cross-sectional view of the backfill component when it is cut along line AA'.

[0026] Figure 16 It is a side view showing the state of the driving part before the longitudinal conveyor belt is longitudinally conveyed.

[0027] Figure 17It is a side view showing the state of the above-mentioned drive unit before the longitudinal conveyance of the above-mentioned longitudinal conveyor is about to end.

[0028] Figure 18A It is a side view schematically showing the rotational position of the follower cam at an arbitrary rotational position of the drive cam of the above-mentioned drive unit.

[0029] Figure 18B It is schematically showing the above-mentioned drive cam and Figure 18A A side view of the rotational position of the above-mentioned follower cam when it rotates further compared to the state of.

[0030] Figure 18C It is schematically showing the above-mentioned drive cam and Figure 18B A side view of the rotational position of the above-mentioned follower cam when it rotates further compared to the state of.

[0031] Figure 18D It is schematically showing the above-mentioned drive cam and Figure 18C A side view of the rotational position of the above-mentioned follower cam when it rotates further compared to the state of.

[0032] Figure 19 It is an enlarged side view showing the state of the drive mechanism before the swing member of the above-mentioned drive unit rotates.

[0033] Figure 20 It is a side view of the braking mechanism of the above-mentioned drive unit in the waiting state.

[0034] Figure 21 It is a perspective view of the above-mentioned braking mechanism in the waiting state.

[0035] Figure 22 It is of the above-mentioned braking mechanism, Figure 21 A perspective view observed from a direction different from.

[0036] Figure 23 It is a side view of the above-mentioned braking mechanism in the operating state.

[0037] Figure 24 It is a perspective view of the above-mentioned braking mechanism in the operating state.

[0038] Figure 25 It is of the above-mentioned braking mechanism, Figure 24 A perspective view observed from a direction different from.

[0039] Figure 26 It is a side view schematically showing the structure of the above-mentioned drive unit equipped with a power transmission mechanism.

[0040] Figure 27 It is Figure 26 A perspective view of the drive unit shown.

[0041] Figure 28 It is a side view schematically showing the structure of the drive unit in the state where the above-mentioned longitudinal transfer operation member is rotated.

[0042] Figure 29 is Figure 28 a perspective view of the drive unit shown.

[0043] Explanation of reference numerals

[0044] 1... Transplanter; 311... Seedling stage; 312... Longitudinal conveyor belt (seedling longitudinal conveyor belt); 313... Longitudinal transfer mechanism (seedling longitudinal transfer mechanism); 313a... Driven cam (driven body); 313a1... First driven cam (driven body); 313a2... Second driven cam (driven body); 313c... Rotating shaft; 314a... Driving cam (driving body); 314a1... First driving cam (driving body); 314a2... Second driving cam (driving body); 315... Longitudinal transfer drive shaft; 319... Driving mechanism (ratchet type one-way driving mechanism); 319a... Ratchet; 319a1... Protrusion; 319b... Pawl; 600... Power transmission mechanism; 610... Gear train; 611... First gear; 612... Second gear; 613... Third gear; MT... Seedling mat; RM... Swing member; SP... Gap; VM... Longitudinal transfer operation member. Detailed implementation mode

[0045] The embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in the following description, for convenience, the directions are defined in the following manner in advance. First, the traveling direction of the traveling machine body 2 ( Figure 1 the left side) is set as the front (front), and the opposite direction is set as the rear (rear). In addition, the left side is referred to as the left (left side) toward the traveling direction of the traveling machine body 2, and the right side is referred to as the right (right side) toward the traveling direction. In addition, the direction of gravity is set as the vertical direction, the upstream side is set as the upper (upper), and the downstream side is set as the lower (lower). In the drawings, as needed, the front is indicated by the symbol "F", the rear is indicated by the symbol "B", the left side is indicated by the symbol "L", the right side is indicated by the symbol "R", the upper side is indicated by the symbol "U", and the lower side is indicated by the symbol "D".

[0046] <1. Overview of the transplanter>

[0047] Figure 1 It is a side view showing the schematic structure of the transplanter 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is Figure 1 a side view of the planting part 3 of the transplanter 1. In addition, Figure 2 for convenience, Figure 1Illustration of the left soil discharging plate 34L, the left lower pressing roller 51L, and the left soil covering plate 52L shown in the figure. The transplanter 1 of the present embodiment is a vegetable transplanter for transplanting (planting) seedlings of vegetables such as cabbages into the soil. The transplanter 1 includes a traveling body 2 and a planting unit 3.

[0048] The traveling body 2 is supported by the left and right front wheels 1a and the left and right rear wheels 1b. An engine 1c as a drive source is mounted on the traveling body 2. The power output from the engine 1c is transmitted to the driven part via a transmission part 1d. In addition to the front wheels 1a and the rear wheels 1b, the driven part also includes the planting unit 3 described later. Therefore, the above-mentioned transmission part 1d includes a PTO (Power Take Off) shaft 1d1 for driving the planting unit 3 (refer to Figure 2 ).

[0049] The traveling body 2 includes: a seat 2a for the operator to sit on; an operation part 2b operated by the operator; and a preliminary placement part 2c for placing a preliminary seedling mat. The operation part 2b includes: a steering wheel for operating the traveling direction; a gearshift lever for operating the traveling speed; and an operation lever for operating the planting unit 3.

[0050] The planting unit 3 is connected to the rear of the traveling body 2 in a vertically movable manner by means of a lifting mechanism 4. The lifting mechanism 4 includes an upper link 41, a lower link 42, and a lifting cylinder 43. The upper link 41 and the lower link 42 connect the traveling body 2 and the planting unit 3. The lifting cylinder 43 is connected to the lower link 42 by means of a connecting part 44. For example, by operating the operation part 2b (operation lever), the lifting cylinder 43 expands and contracts, and the lower link 42 rotates and the upper link 41 rotates by means of the connecting part 44. Thereby, the planting unit 3 can be lifted and lowered relative to the traveling body 2.

[0051] The planting unit 3 has a seedling placement device 31 and a seedling planting mechanism 32 (refer to Figure 2 ). The seedling planting mechanism 32 rakes one seedling from the seedling mat MT placed on the seedling placement device 31 (refer to Figure 3 ) and plants the raked seedling into the soil (ridge) from above the plurality of sheets S described later.

[0052] Figure 3 It is a rear view of the seedling placement device 31 observed from the rear. The seedling placement device 31 is provided with a longitudinal conveyor belt 312 (refer to Figure 2) is driven to convey the seedling-raising mat MT placed on the seedling stage 311 downward. The transplanter 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that six seedling stages 311 for one row, each capable of placing one row of the seedling-raising mat MT, are arranged in the left-right direction, so that the transplantation of seedlings for up to six rows can be performed. In addition, an example of the structure for transplanting seedlings for one row is shown here for simplicity of explanation.

[0053] The longitudinal conveyor belt 312 is driven for longitudinal conveyance by a longitudinal conveyance mechanism 313 (refer to Figure 2 ). The longitudinal conveyance mechanism 313 causes the longitudinal conveyor belt 312 to be conveyed longitudinally in units of one plant (one row) at the timing when the raking of the seedlings for one row in the left-right direction from the seedling-raising mat MT is completed. Thereby, the seedling planting mechanism 32 can rake the seedlings in the next row from the seedling-raising mat MT. In addition, the seedling stage 311 is driven for lateral conveyance by a lateral conveyance mechanism 314 (refer to Figure 2 ). The lateral conveyance mechanism 314 laterally conveys the seedling stage 311 in either the left or right direction after the longitudinal conveyor belt 312 longitudinally conveys the seedling-raising mat MT. In particular, every time the longitudinal conveyor belt 312 longitudinally conveys the seedling-raising mat MT (every time the raking of the seedlings for one row from the seedling-raising mat MT is completed), the lateral conveyance mechanism 314 reverses the lateral conveyance direction of the seedling stage 311. Thereby, the seedling planting mechanism 32 can continuously rake the seedlings in the next row after the raking of the seedlings for one row from the seedling-raising mat MT is completed.

[0054] The lateral conveyance mechanism 314 has a drive shaft (lateral conveyance shaft) for laterally conveying the seedling stage 311. The lateral conveyance shaft is driven by the power transmitted from the engine 1c via the PTO shaft 1d1. A drive cam 314a is mounted on the lateral conveyance shaft. The drive cam 314a rotates together with the rotation of the lateral conveyance shaft.

[0055] The longitudinal conveyance mechanism 313 has: a drive shaft (longitudinal conveyance shaft) for driving the longitudinal conveyor belt 312 for longitudinal conveyance; and a rotating shaft for rotating the longitudinal conveyance shaft. A driven cam 313a is mounted on the rotating shaft. The driven cam 313a contacts the drive cam 314a of the lateral conveyance mechanism 314 at a prescribed timing. Here, the above-mentioned prescribed timing refers to the timing when the raking of the seedlings for one row from the seedling-raising mat MT is completed.

[0056] By the rotation of the lateral transfer shaft, the drive cam 314a contacts the driven cam 313a at the above-mentioned specified timing. If the rotating shaft and the driven cam 313a are rotated by a specified angle together, the power generated by the rotation of the rotating shaft is transmitted to the longitudinal transfer shaft via a power transmission mechanism (not shown). Thus, the longitudinal conveyor belt 312 is longitudinally driven at the above-mentioned specified timing. When the contact between the drive cam 314a and the driven cam 313a is released, the driven cam 313a rotates in the opposite direction by the action of a biasing member (not shown) and returns to the initial position before rotation. In addition, the above-mentioned power transmission mechanism is configured to include, for example, gears, belts, chains, etc., but it may be provided as needed. That is, it may also be configured to directly transmit the power of the rotating shaft on which the driven cam 313a is mounted (without providing a power transmission mechanism) to the longitudinal transfer shaft. In addition, the structure related to the longitudinal transfer of the longitudinal conveyor belt 312 and the power transmission mechanism will be described in detail later.

[0057] Figure 4 It is a side view of the seedling planting mechanism 32. The seedling planting mechanism 32 has a rotating box 321 and a planting unit 322. The seedling planting mechanism 32 is driven by the power taken out from the PTO shaft 1d1.

[0058] The rotating box 321 is rotatably supported by the planting box 33a of the planting part 3. The planting box 33a is fixed to the planting frame 33 (especially the rear surface of the post-planting frame 332 (refer to Figure 7 ). The rotation axis 321a of the rotating box 321 extends in the left-right direction.

[0059] The planting unit 322 has planting claws 322a. Two planting units 322 are supported by the rotating box 321. The two planting units 322 are pivotally supported by the rotating box 321 at positions that are point-symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis 321a of the rotating box 321 in a side view. When the rotating box 321 rotates, the planting claws 322a of each planting unit 322 rake seedlings one by one from the seedling-raising mat MT (refer to Figure 3 ) and plant the raked seedlings in the ridges in sequence. In addition, the number of planting units 322 supported by the rotating box 321 may also be one.

[0060] Figure 5FIG. is an enlarged perspective view showing one planting unit 322. The planting unit 322 also has a pushing member 322b and a holding member 322c. The pushing member 322b is provided to push out the seedlings raked by the planting claws 322a from the seedling-raising mat MT. The pushing member 322b slides in the direction opposite to the pushing direction at a prescribed timing before raking. Thereby, the seedlings can be raked by the planting claws 322a from the seedling-raising mat MT. The raked seedlings are held by the planting claws 322a and the holding member 322c. Further, the pushing member 322b slides in the pushing direction at a prescribed timing before planting. Thereby, the seedlings held by the planting claws 322a and the holding member 322c are pushed out and planted in the ridge.

[0061] The planting unit 322 also has a cutter 322d. The cutter 322d is located on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotary box 321 with respect to the planting claws 322a. That is, the cutter 322d is in a positional relationship such that it reaches the front position with respect to the planting claws 322a when the rotary box 321 rotates. Due to the rotation of the rotary box 321, the cutter 322d opens a rectangular hole in plan view in the multi-sheet S (see Figure 1 , Figure 2 ) led out from the multi-sheet lead-out laying mechanism 36 described later just before the seedlings are planted by the planting claws 322a. Thereby, the seedlings held by the planting claws 322a and the holding member 322c can be planted in the ridge through the above-mentioned hole in the multi-sheet S. In addition, the sheet piece that closes the above-mentioned hole in the multi-sheet S is not completely separated from the multi-sheet S and is connected to the surrounding sheets by a part of the outer shape of the above-mentioned hole (one side of the rectangle).

[0062] The cutter 322d has a main body portion 322d1 having a shape in which a flat plate is bent; and protruding claws (locking claws) 322d2. The protruding claws 322d2 are provided at the left and right corner portions on the end side (the side in contact with the multi-sheet S) of the main body portion 322d1 and protrude toward the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotary box 321 with respect to the main body portion 322d1. That is, the protruding claws 322d2 are in a positional relationship such that they reach the front position with respect to the main body portion 322d1 when the rotary box 321 rotates. Regarding the structure of such a cutter 322d, the sharp claws such as the protruding claws 322d2 contact the multi-sheet S at an angle (from a direction substantially perpendicular to the multi-sheet S). Therefore, the situation where the cutter 322d slides above the multi-sheet S is reduced. That is, the protruding claws 322d2 reliably catch on the multi-sheet S and penetrate into the multi-sheet S. Thereby, the multi-sheet S can be reliably opened with a hole, and the hole can be opened in the multi-sheet S with an accurate size and position. In addition, the multi-sheet S is cut by the two protruding claws 322d2 on the left and right sides to open a minimum hole through which the seedlings can pass in the multi-sheet S.

[0063] As Figure 2As shown, a soil discharging plate 34, a planting depth adjusting mechanism 35, a multi-sheet discharging and laying mechanism 36, a pressing mechanism 37, and a sheet lower acting body 38 are supported by the planting frame 33 of the planting unit 3. In addition, the multi-sheet discharging and laying mechanism 36, the pressing mechanism 37, and the sheet lower acting body 38 will be described in detail later.

[0064] The soil discharging plate 34 includes a right soil discharging plate 34R and a left soil discharging plate 34L (see Figure 1 ). The right soil discharging plate 34R and the left soil discharging plate 34L dig the soil due to the traveling of the traveling body 2 to form ridges for planting seedlings. The mounting positions of the right soil discharging plate 34R and the left soil discharging plate 34L in the left-right direction and the up-down direction relative to the planting frame 33 can be adjusted according to the width and height of the formed ridges.

[0065] The planting depth adjusting mechanism 35 is a mechanism for adjusting the planting depth of the seedlings relative to the surface of the soil (here, the upper surface of the ridge). For example, if the planting depth adjusting rod 351 is rotated upward, the position of the lifting sensor 352 in contact with the soil surface moves upward. In this case, the position of the seedling planting mechanism 32 relative to the lifting sensor 352 decreases relatively. Therefore, the planting of the seedlings by the seedling planting mechanism 32 becomes deep planting. On the contrary, if the planting depth adjusting rod 351 is rotated downward, the position of the lifting sensor 352 moves downward. In this case, the position of the seedling planting mechanism 32 relative to the lifting sensor 352 increases relatively. Therefore, the planting of the seedlings by the seedling planting mechanism 32 becomes shallow planting.

[0066] A lower pressing roller 51, a soil covering plate 52, and a soil covering wheel 53 are supported by the planting frame 33 via an auxiliary frame (not shown). The lower pressing roller 51 includes a right lower pressing roller 51R and a left lower pressing roller 51L (see Figure 1 ). The right lower pressing roller 51R and the left lower pressing roller 51L press both ends (the parts exposed to the outside of the ridge) of the multi-sheet S discharged from the multi-sheet discharging and laying mechanism 36 and covering the ridge.

[0067] The soil covering plate 52 includes a right soil covering plate 52R and a left soil covering plate 52L (see Figure 1 ). The right soil covering plate 52R and the left soil covering plate 52L cover the soil on both ends of the multi-sheet S pressed by the right lower pressing roller 51R and the left lower pressing roller 51L so as not to let the multi-sheet S fly up. The soil covering wheel 53 includes a right soil covering wheel (not shown) and a left soil covering wheel 53L. The right soil covering wheel and the left soil covering wheel 53L press the soil on the right side and the left side of the seedlings planted in the ridge across the multi-sheet S. As a result, the surrounding of the planted seedlings is strengthened with soil. As a result, the lodging of the seedlings is suppressed.

[0068] <2. Details of the multi-sheet export and laying mechanism>

[0069] Figure 6 It is a side view showing a part of the planting unit 3. As shown in this figure, the multi-sheet export and laying mechanism 36 has a roll-like object holding part 361 and a sheet export guiding part 362. The roll-like object holding part 361 holds the roll-like object S0 in which the multi-sheets S are wound into a roll, and exports the multi-sheet S on the outermost periphery of the roll-like object S0. The multi-sheets S are made of, for example, plastic sheets. The sheet export guiding part 362 guides the multi-sheets S exported from the roll-like object holding part 361 toward the surface H of the soil (ridge) in front of the planting position of the seedlings by the seedling planting mechanism 32 and lays them on the surface H of the soil. That is, the transplanter 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a multi-sheet export and laying mechanism 36 that exports and lays the multi-sheets S on the surface H of the soil. The roll-like object holding part 361 and the sheet export guiding part 362 of the multi-sheet export and laying mechanism 36 are supported by the planting frame 33. That is, the multi-sheet export and laying mechanism 36 is provided in the planting unit 3.

[0070] Here, the details of the planting frame 33 will be described in advance. Figure 7 It is a perspective view when observing the planting frame 33 from the obliquely rear side. The planting frame 33 has a pre-planting frame 331, a post-planting frame 332, and side tubes 333. The pre-planting frame 331 extends in the left-right direction and is located on the front side of the planting frame 33. The post-planting frame 332 extends in the left-right direction and is located at a position further rearward than the pre-planting frame 331. The post-planting frame 332 is longer than the pre-planting frame 331 in the left-right direction.

[0071] The side tubes 333 include a right tube 333R and a left tube 333L. The right tube 333R is arranged to extend in the front-rear direction and connects the right end portion of the pre-planting frame 331 and the post-planting frame 332. The left tube 333L is arranged to extend in the front-rear direction and connects the left end portion of the pre-planting frame 331 and the post-planting frame 332.

[0072] On the right end of the post-planting frame 332, a right frame 334R is erected. On the left end of the post-planting frame 332, a left frame 334L is erected. The right frame 334R and the left frame 334L have a shape that extends upward from the connecting side with the post-planting frame 332 and bends obliquely forward midway. The right frame 334R and the left frame 334L are connected by an upper frame 335 and a cross frame 336. The upper frame 335 extends in the left-right direction and connects the upper parts of the right frame 334R and the left frame 334L to each other. The cross frame 336 is located at a position more rearward and more obliquely downward than the upper frame 335 and extends in the left-right direction, and connects the right frame 334R and the left frame 334L. Along the upper frame 335 and the cross frame 336, the above-mentioned seedling placing device 31 (refer to Figure 1 etc.) is driven for lateral transfer while maintaining the forward inclination posture unchanged.

[0073] Figure 8 is a perspective view when observing the above-mentioned roll holding part 361 from below. As shown in this figure, the roll holding part 361 has a shaft holding frame 361a. The shaft holding frame 361a extends in the left-right direction and holds the axial end parts of the roll body S0. The shaft holding frame 361a is mounted on the pre-planting frame 331 by means of a frame support brace 361b. The frame support brace 361b is connected to the substantially central part in the left-right direction of the rear surface of the pre-planting frame 331 by, for example, bolt fastening.

[0074] Figure 9 is a perspective view when observing the above-mentioned sheet discharging guide part 362 from the front. As shown in this figure, the sheet discharging guide part 362 has a first guide roller 362a, a second guide roller 362b, and a roller holding frame 362c. The first guide roller 362a is located at a position more forward than the second guide roller 362b and guides the multiple sheets S discharged from the shaft holding frame 361a toward the second guide roller 362b. The second guide roller 362b presses the multiple sheets S guided by the first guide roller 362a downward and guides them in a manner close to the surface H of the soil.

[0075] The roller holding frame 362c includes a right holding frame 362cR and a left holding frame 362cL. The right holding frame 362cR and the left holding frame 362cL have a shape that extends downward from above and bends obliquely rearward midway.

[0076] The right holding frame 362cR is respectively disposed on the right sides of the first guide roller 362a and the second guide roller 362b, and supports the right ends of the respective rotating shafts of the first guide roller 362a and the second guide roller 362b so as to be rotatable. The left holding frame 362cL is respectively disposed on the left sides of the first guide roller 362a and the second guide roller 362b, and supports the left ends of the respective rotating shafts of the first guide roller 362a and the second guide roller 362b so as to be rotatable. The first guide roller 362a is supported in a rotatable manner near the bent portions of the right holding frame 362cR and the left holding frame 362cL. The second guide roller 362b is supported in a rotatable manner at the lower ends (rear end portions) of the right holding frame 362cR and the left holding frame 362cL.

[0077] The right holding frame 362cR is mounted on the post-planting frame 332 by means of a right support bar 363R at a position above the first guide roller 362a. The right support bar 363R is connected to the front surface of the post-planting frame 332 by, for example, bolt fastening. Similarly, the left holding frame 362cL is mounted on the post-planting frame 332 by means of a left support bar 363L. The left support bar 363L is connected to the front surface of the post-planting frame 332 by, for example, bolt fastening.

[0078] <3. Details of the pressing mechanism>

[0079] Figure 10 It is a perspective view when observing the above-mentioned pressing mechanism 37 from an obliquely rearward direction. The pressing mechanism 37 is provided for pressing the multi-sheet S guided by the sheet guiding portion 362 of the multi-sheet export laying mechanism 36 against the surface H of the soil. Such a pressing mechanism 37 includes a pressing roller 371 and a roller holding mechanism 372.

[0080] Two pressing rollers 371 are arranged and disposed in the left-right direction (refer to Figure 11 ). The rotating shafts of the respective pressing rollers 371 extend in the left-right direction. Each pressing roller 371 is disposed above the ridge groove processing portion 381b of the furrow opener 381 of the sheet lower acting body 38 described later, and is disposed on the left and right sides of the ridge groove processing portion 381b in a plan view.

[0081] The roller holding mechanism 372 holds the two pressing rollers 371 so as to be rotatable. Such a roller holding mechanism 372 is configured to include an arm portion 372a, an arm support body 372b, and a biasing member 372c.

[0082] There are two arm parts 372a provided corresponding to each pressing roller 371. Each arm part 372a supports the rotating shaft of the pressing roller 371 so as to be rotatable. The arm support 372b supports the two arm parts 372a so as to be rotatable. The biasing member 372c is constituted by a spring, for example. There are two biasing members 372c provided corresponding to each arm part 372a. One end of the biasing member 372c is fixed to the arm support 372b. The other end of the biasing member 372c is connected to the end on the opposite side of the supporting side of the pressing roller 371 across the rotation axis of the arm part 372a. Such a roller holding mechanism 372 is fixed to the left side surface of the planting box 33a by, for example, bolt fastening connection.

[0083] If the arm part 372a is rotated by the acting force of the biasing member 372c, each pressing roller 371 is pressed downward. Moreover, each pressing roller 371 presses the multi-sheet S against the surface H of the soil. Thereby, tension is applied to the multi-sheet S. Therefore, when the cutter 322d (refer to Figure 5 etc.) of the seedling planting mechanism 32 makes a hole in the multi-sheet S, the cutter 322d easily penetrates into the multi-sheet S, and thus it is easy to make a hole with a prescribed size.

[0084] <4. Details of the sheet lower acting body>

[0085] Figure 11 is a perspective view when observing the sheet lower acting body 38 from the obliquely rear side. Before planting the seedlings, the sheet lower acting body 38 forms a ridge groove G (refer to Figure 14 ) for planting seedlings in the soil below the multi-sheet S led out by the multi-sheet leading and laying mechanism 36 as the traveling body 2 travels forward. Such a sheet lower acting body 38 has a furrow opener 381 and a soil covering mechanism 382.

[0086] Before planting the seedlings, the furrow opener 381 excavates a part of the soil (ridge) as the traveling body 2 travels to form a ridge groove G for planting seedlings. The furrow opener 381 is mounted on the pre-planting frame 331 via the acting body support portion 300. The acting body support portion 300 is connected to the right side of the frame support brace 361b (refer to Figure 8 ) on the rear surface of the pre-planting frame 331 by, for example, bolt fastening connection. Thus, the transplanter 1 of the present embodiment includes the acting body support portion 300 that supports the sheet lower acting body 38 (particularly the furrow opener 381). In addition, since the furrow opener 381 is mounted on the pre-planting frame 331 via the acting body support portion 300, it can be said that the sheet lower acting body 38 having the furrow opener 381 is provided in the planting part 3.

[0087] The furrow opener 381 has a main body portion 381a and a furrow processing portion 381b. The main body portion 381a extends obliquely downward as it moves rearward from the support side of the actuator support portion 300, bends at the bending portion 381a1, and further extends rearward. When transplanting seedlings using the seedling transplanting mechanism 32, the rear side of the furrow opener 381 that is posterior to the bending portion 381a1 is located below the surface H of the soil (ridge) (refer to Figure 6 ).

[0088] The furrow processing portion 381b is joined to the rear end of the main body portion 381a by welding, for example. Therefore, when transplanting seedlings using the seedling transplanting mechanism 32, like a part of the main body portion 381a, the furrow processing portion 381b is also located below the surface H of the soil (ridge) (refer to Figure 6 ).

[0089] Figure 12 is a perspective view showing an enlarged rear side of the furrow opener 381. The furrow processing portion 381b of the furrow opener 381 has a V shape and is joined to the main body portion 381a at the root of the V. That is, the width of the furrow processing portion 381b in the left - right direction increases as it moves rearward from the joining side with the main body portion 381a. The maximum width of the furrow processing portion 381b in the left - right direction (corresponding to the width W in Figure 14 ) is greater than the width of the main body portion 381a in the left - right direction. Thus, the soil excavation width of the furrow processing portion 381b is greater than the soil excavation width of the main body portion 381a, enabling a furrow G of an appropriate width for transplanting seedlings to be formed in the soil.

[0090] Figure 11 The soil covering mechanism 382 shown in

[0091] Figure 13 covers the furrow G from the side of the furrow G formed in the soil by the furrow opener 381 as the traveling machine body 2 travels. Such a soil covering mechanism 382 has a backfilling member 383. The backfilling member 383 is a member for backfilling and covering the furrow G with soil from the soil. The backfilling member 383 is attached to the main body portion 381a of the furrow opener 381 by means of a mounting bracket 382a.

[0092] As shown in Figure 11 , the pair of rod - shaped portions 3831 are located on the left and right sides of the furrow opener 381, respectively. That is, the pair of rod - shaped portions 3831 are located on one side and the other side in the width direction perpendicular to the front - rear direction of the traveling machine body 2. Moreover, the pair of rod - shaped portions 3831 are arranged to extend in the front - rear direction of the traveling machine body 2 in the soil.

[0093] The rod-shaped body is bent into a U-shape to form a connecting portion 3832. Both end portions of the connecting portion 3832 are respectively connected to the front end portions 3831a of a pair of rod-shaped portions 3831. In addition, a part of the connecting portion 3832 is located above the soil (see Figure 6 ).

[0094] A pair of clamping portions 3833 are respectively connected to the rear end portions 3831b of the pair of rod-shaped portions 3831, and the interval in the width direction decreases as it goes toward the rear. In order to improve the soil banking efficiency (in order to bank as much soil as possible), a flat plate 3833a is installed at the rear ends of the pair of clamping portions 3833 (the end portions on the side opposite to the connecting side connected to the pair of rod-shaped portions 3831).

[0095] Figure 14 It is a top view of the sheet-under action body 38. Figure 14 The ridge ditch G formed in the soil by the furrow opener 381 and the situation of banking the ridge ditch G by the soil banking mechanism 382 (backfilling member 383) are shown together in [Fig.]. In addition, Figure 14 For convenience, the illustration of the multiple sheets S covering the soil surface is omitted. The same applies to the following drawings (especially the top view), and sometimes the illustration of the multiple sheets S is omitted.

[0096] In a state where a part of the furrow opener 381 (especially the ridge ditch processing portion 381b) and a part of the soil banking mechanism 382 (especially the pair of rod-shaped portions 3831 and the pair of clamping portions 3833) are located in the soil, if the traveling body 2 travels (advances), the ridge ditch processing portion 381b of the furrow opener 381 excavates the soil with a prescribed width W. As a result, a ridge ditch G with a width W is formed in the soil below the multiple sheets S. Then, the seedling E is planted in the ridge ditch G by the seedling planting mechanism 32 (see Figure 4 etc.). In addition, when the seedling planting mechanism 32 plants the seedling E, the same as described above, the multiple sheets S are perforated before planting, and the seedling E is planted from above the multiple sheets S through the above-mentioned holes.

[0097] Regarding the transplanter 1 of the present embodiment, the sheet-under action body 38 (especially the furrow opener 381) forms the ridge ditch G in the soil before the planting of the seedling E. Therefore, even in paddy fields with hard soil, it is possible to easily plant the seedling E in the soil (ridge ditch G). In particular, regarding the planting of vegetable seedlings E, from the viewpoints of heat preservation and the like, the multiple sheets S made of plastic film cover the soil. Since the transplanter 1 of the present embodiment further includes a multiple-sheet guiding and laying mechanism 36, it is possible to perform the laying of the multiple sheets S and the formation of the ridge ditch G in the soil by the sheet-under action body 38 in parallel, and at the same time, plant the vegetable seedlings E. Therefore, it is possible to realize the transplanter 1 suitable for planting the vegetable seedlings E in soil with hard soil that requires the laying of the multiple sheets S.

[0098] The sheet-under working body 38 has a furrow opener 381. As the traveling body 2 travels, the furrow opener 381 excavates a part of the soil, and thus, ridges G for planting seedlings E are reliably formed in the soil.

[0099] The sheet-under working body 38 has a soil banking mechanism 382. Regarding this structure, after the seedlings E are planted in the ridges G formed in the soil by the furrow opener 381, or almost simultaneously with the planting of the seedlings E, the soil banking mechanism 382 (especially a pair of clamping parts 3833) backfills the ridges G with soil from the sides. Therefore, the soil covers the roots of the seedlings E planted in the ridges G, thereby stably maintaining the good transplanting posture (planting posture) of the seedlings E.

[0100] The soil banking mechanism 382 has a backfilling member 383. Regarding this structure, the soil backfilled into the ridges G by the backfilling member 383 supports the seedlings E planted in the ridges G. Therefore, the seedlings E can be held in a stable posture in the soil.

[0101] The above-mentioned backfilling member 383 has a pair of rod-shaped parts 3831, a connecting part 3832, and a pair of clamping parts 3833. The pair of rod-shaped parts 3831 extend in the front-rear direction of the traveling body 2 in the soil and do not cross in the width direction (left-right direction). Here, Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view when the backfilling member 383 in Figure 13 is sectioned along the line A - A'. As shown in this figure, regarding the structure in which each rod-shaped part 3831 extends in the front-rear direction in the soil, the projected area of each rod-shaped part 3831 in the front-rear direction is equal to the cross-sectional area (the area of the shaded part) of each rod-shaped part 3831, and is reliably reduced compared with the configuration in which each rod-shaped part 3831 crosses in the width direction. Thereby, as the traveling body 2 travels, the backfilling member 383 forms ridges that are much larger than the ridges G formed by the furrow opener 381, thus reducing the concern that the posture of the planted seedlings E becomes unstable. Therefore, even when the height of the planted seedlings E is low, the seedlings E can grow through the holes opened in the multi-sheets S, thereby reducing the concern that the seedlings E do not pass through the above holes and get into the lower part of the multi-sheets S. That is, since the backfilling member 383 does not cross in the width direction of the traveling body 2 in the field and does not form wide ridges in the soil, even when planting seedlings E with a low planting height, the planting posture of the seedlings E can be stabilized to achieve good planting.

[0102] As Figure 14As shown, regarding the soil banking mechanism 382, the rear ends of a pair of clamping portions 3833 are located at positions further rearward than the planting position of the seedling E. Regarding this structure, after planting the seedling E in the furrow G, the furrow G is reliably backfilled with soil using the pair of clamping portions 3833. Therefore, the planted seedling E can be held in a stable posture.

[0103] The soil banking mechanism 382 banks the furrow G from below the multi-sheet S. Regarding this structure, even when the multi-sheet S is laid on the surface H of the soil and the seedling E is planted, the soil banking mechanism 382 can bank the soil from below the multi-sheet S, maintaining a good planting posture of the seedling E and keeping it stable.

[0104] In the present embodiment, as described above, the actuator support portion 300 supports the under-sheet actuator 38. As Figure 11 shown, the actuator support portion 300 is supported by the planting frame 33 (specifically, the pre-planting frame 331) of the planting portion 3. Moreover, as Figure 6 shown, the actuator support portion 300 extends downward from the support side with respect to the planting frame 33 (pre-planting frame 331) toward the multi-sheet guiding and laying mechanism 36. As a result, the actuator support portion 300 is disposed below the multi-sheet S guided out by the multi-sheet guiding and laying mechanism 36.

[0105] Regarding this structure, the actuator support portion 300 is supported by the planting frame 33 in such a way as not to interfere with the guiding of the multi-sheet S by the multi-sheet guiding and laying mechanism 36. Moreover, the under-sheet actuator 38 supported by the actuator support portion 300 is inserted into the soil below the multi-sheet S. Thereby, the furrow opener 381 of the under-sheet actuator 38 can reliably form the furrow G in the soil. In addition, the soil banking mechanism 382 of the under-sheet actuator 38 can reliably backfill the soil into the furrow G.

[0106] In the present embodiment, the multi-sheet guiding and laying mechanism 36 and the under-sheet actuator 38 are provided in the planting portion 3. Regarding this structure, the multi-sheet guiding and laying mechanism 36 and the under-sheet actuator 38 can be lifted and lowered while being lifted and lowered relative to the traveling machine body 2 in the planting portion 3 by the lifting mechanism 4. Therefore, there is no need to separately provide a dedicated lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering the multi-sheet guiding and laying mechanism 36 and the under-sheet actuator 38 different from the lifting mechanism 4 and perform lifting and lowering control different from that of the planting portion 3. This simplifies the structure of the transplanter 1.

[0107] In addition, since the sheet-under working body 38 is provided in the planting part 3, it can be said that the soil covering mechanism 382 of the sheet-under working body 38 is also provided in the planting part 3. Regarding this structure, even when the height of the planting part 3 is adjusted by the lifting mechanism 4 according to the height of the soil ridge, the position (height) of the soil covering mechanism 382 can follow the change of the planting part 3, so that the position of the soil covering mechanism 382 relative to the soil ridge surface (especially the position in the height direction) can be kept constant. Thus, even if the height of the planting part 3 changes according to the height of the soil ridge, the soil covering mechanism 382 can be used to appropriately cover the soil at a constant position relative to the soil ridge surface.

[0108] <5. Regarding the longitudinal conveyance of the longitudinal conveyor belt>

[0109] Next, the structure related to the longitudinal conveyance of the longitudinal conveyor belt 312 shown in Figure 2 will be described in detail. Figure 16 and Figure 17 are side views schematically showing the structure of the drive part DP that drives the longitudinal conveyor belt 312. In particular, Figure 16 shows the state before the longitudinal conveyor belt 312 is longitudinally conveyed, Figure 17 and shows the state just before the longitudinal conveyance of the longitudinal conveyor belt 312 ends.

[0110] The transplanter 1 of the present embodiment is equipped with the above-mentioned drive part DP. The drive part DP is equipped with the above-mentioned longitudinal conveyance mechanism 313, the longitudinal conveyance operation member VM, and the swing member RM.

[0111] The longitudinal conveyance mechanism 313 is a seedling longitudinal conveyance mechanism that longitudinally conveys and moves the seedling raising mat MT (refer to Figure 3 ) placed on the seedling stage 311 toward the seedling taking-out side. Here, the seedling taking-out side refers to one end side in the moving direction of the seedling raising mat MT on the seedling stage 311, and is the side where the seedlings are raked by the seedling planting mechanism 32 (refer to Figure 2 ). ( Figure 16 and Figure 17 are the lower sides in the figures). The seedling raising mat MT is placed on the seedling stage 311 at a position clamped by the left and right seedling placing frames 311F.

[0112] The longitudinal transfer mechanism 313 includes a longitudinal conveyor belt 312, a longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315, and a longitudinal transfer driven shaft 316. The longitudinal conveyor belt 312 is a seedling longitudinal conveyor belt that longitudinally transfers the seedling raising mat MT on the seedling stage 311 toward the seedling removal side. The longitudinal conveyor belt 312 is an endless belt and is tensioned and installed by a drive roller 315R and a driven roller 316R. The drive roller 315R is installed on the longitudinally extending longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 (equivalent to the aforementioned longitudinal transfer shaft) in the left-right direction. The driven roller 316R is installed on the longitudinally extending longitudinal transfer driven shaft 316. The longitudinal transfer driven shaft 316 is biased by a tension spring TS toward the side opposite to the seedling removal side.

[0113] If the drive roller 315R and the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 rotate by a specified angle at a specified timing (from the time point when the raking of one row of seedlings on the seedling raising mat MT is completed), the longitudinal conveyor belt 312 moves a specified distance (a distance corresponding to one row of seedlings) on the track outside the drive roller 315R and the driven roller 316R. Thus, the seedling raising mat MT on the seedling stage 311 is conveyed (longitudinally transferred) a specified distance toward the seedling removal side. That is, the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 drives the longitudinal conveyor belt 312 at a specified timing to convey the seedling raising mat MT a specified distance toward the seedling removal side.

[0114] The longitudinal transfer operation member VM includes the aforementioned drive cam 314a and a rotation shaft 314b extending in the left-right direction. The rotation shaft 314b is constituted by the transverse transfer shaft of the aforementioned transverse transfer mechanism 314 (refer to Figure 2 ). The drive cam 314a is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the rotation shaft 314b. If the rotation shaft 314b (transverse transfer shaft) rotates in the A1 direction in the figure, the drive cam 314a fixed to the rotation shaft 314b also rotates in the A1 direction with the rotation shaft 314b as the center. Thus, the transplanter 1 includes a rotating longitudinal transfer operation member VM.

[0115] The drive cam 314a has a shape extending in the radial direction of the rotation shaft 314b, but the above shape is not particularly limited. For example, the drive cam 314a may also have a shape extending linearly in the radial direction of the rotation shaft 314b, or may have a shape that buckles (folds) or bends midway from the inner side to the outer side in the radial direction of the rotation shaft 314b.

[0116] In the present embodiment, a plurality of drive cams 314a as driving bodies are arranged and fixed in the circumferential direction with respect to the rotary shaft 314b. Here, two drive cams 314a, i.e., the first drive cam 314a1 and the second drive cam 314a2, are fixed to the rotary shaft 314b. In addition, the number of drive cams 314a is not limited to the above two, and may be three or more. Further, the first drive cam 314a1 and the second drive cam 314a2 are connected in the circumferential direction on the side closer to the rotary shaft 314b in the radial direction of the rotary shaft 314b, but may be formed to be separated in the circumferential direction. That is, the first drive cam 314a1 and the second drive cam 314a2 may be completely separated in the circumferential direction. Thus, the longitudinal transfer operation member VM has a plurality of drive cams 314a (the first drive cam 314a1, the second drive cam 314a2) arranged and disposed in the rotational direction (A1 direction) as driving bodies.

[0117] Here, for convenience, the drive cam 314a located on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the longitudinal transfer operation member VM is defined as the first drive cam 314a1, and the drive cam 314a located on the upstream side in the rotational direction is defined as the second drive cam 314a2. That is, when the longitudinal transfer operation member VM rotates in the A1 direction, a positional relationship is formed in which the first drive cam 314a1 rotates earlier than the second drive cam 314a2. Thus, the longitudinal transfer operation member VM has the first drive cam 314a1 disposed on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the longitudinal transfer operation member VM and the second drive cam 314a2 disposed on the upstream side in the rotational direction as driving bodies.

[0118] The swing member RM has the above-described driven cam 313a as a follower. The driven cam 313a is also referred to as a follow-up cam. The driven cam 313a is held by the holding portion 317 via a shaft portion 313b extending in the left-right direction. The holding portion 317 is provided so as to be able to rotate relative to the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the driven cam 313a (swing member RM) can rotate to one side or the other side in the circumferential direction of the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 while being held by the holding portion 317. That is, the driven cam 313a can rotate in the circumferential direction with the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 as the rotation center (rotation axis) via the holding portion 317. Here, for convenience, the direction (one direction) in which the driven cam 313a rotates to one side in the circumferential direction of the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 is defined as the B1 direction, and the direction (opposite direction) in which it rotates to the other side in the circumferential direction is defined as the B2 direction.

[0119] As multiple driven bodies, the swing member RM has two driven cams 313a, namely a first driven cam 313a1 and a second driven cam 313a2. Here, the driven cam 313a located on the downstream side in the B1 direction in which the swing member RM rotates is defined as the first driven cam 313a1, and the driven cam 313a located on the upstream side in the B1 direction is defined as the second driven cam 313a2. Therefore, when the swing member RM rotates in the B1 direction, a positional relationship is formed in which the first driven cam 313a1 rotates earlier than the second driven cam 313a2. Thus, as multiple driven bodies, the swing member RM has the first driven cam 313a1 and the second driven cam 313a2.

[0120] The driven cams 313a (the first driven cam 313a1 and the second driven cam 313a2) have a shape extending in the radial direction of the shaft portion 313b. At this time, the driven cam 313a may also have a shape extending linearly in the radial direction of the shaft portion 313b, or may have a shape that buckles (folds) or bends midway from the inner side to the outer side in the above-mentioned radial direction. In the present embodiment, the first driven cam 313a1 and the second driven cam 313a2 have different shapes. Specifically, the first driven cam 313a1 is longer in the radial direction than the second driven cam 313a2. In addition, the first driven cam 313a1 has a shape in which the vicinity of the end (the portion separated from the shaft portion 313b) buckles downward to the downstream side. In contrast, the second driven cam 313a2 has a shape extending linearly in the radial direction.

[0121] The number of the driven cams 313a as the driven bodies is not limited to the above two, and may be three or more, but is preferably the same as the number of the drive cams 314a. In addition, the first driven cam 313a1 and the second driven cam 313a2 are connected in the circumferential direction on the side closer to the shaft portion 313b in the radial direction of the shaft portion 313b, but may also be formed to be separated in the circumferential direction. That is, the first driven cam 313a1 and the second driven cam 313a2 may be completely separated in the circumferential direction.

[0122] The holding portion 317 is biased in the B2 direction by a biasing member (not shown) such as a helical spring. A positioning portion 318a is provided on the holding portion 317. The movement of the positioning portion 318a in the B2 direction is restricted by a stopper 318b. That is, the positioning portion 318a abuts against the stopper 318b to restrict the movement of the holding portion 317 and the driven cam 313a in the B2 direction.

[0123] In the present embodiment, the shapes, sizes, and circumferential intervals (circumferential positions) of the first driven cam 313a1 and the second driven cam 313a2 are set such that when the longitudinal transfer operation member VM rotates in the A1 direction, the first driven cam 313a1 contacts only the first drive cam 314a1, and then the second driven cam 313a2 contacts only the second drive cam 314a2.

[0124] The longitudinal transfer mechanism 313 further includes a drive mechanism 319. The drive mechanism 319 is constituted by a ratchet type one-way drive mechanism. The ratchet type one-way drive mechanism rotates the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 by a specified angle only when the swing member RM rotates in one direction (here, the B1 direction). This drive mechanism 319 includes a ratchet 319a and a pawl 319b.

[0125] The ratchet 319a and the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 are coaxially fixed. A protrusion 319a1 is provided on the ratchet 319a. The protrusions 319a1 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315. In the present embodiment, five protrusions 319a1 are provided in the circumferential direction of the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315, but the number of protrusions 319a1 is not particularly limited. Each protrusion 319a1 has a shape that protrudes radially outward from the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315. Thus, any protrusion 319a1 can be engaged with the pawl 319b.

[0126] The pawl 319b is fixed to the shaft portion 313b of the swing member RM. Therefore, if the swing member RM (driven cam 313a) and the holding portion 317 rotate about the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 in the B1 direction or the B2 direction, the pawl 319b also rotates about the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 in the B1 direction or the B2 direction. In this way, the pawl 319b rotates as the swing member RM rotates.

[0127] Here, the pawl 319b is formed in a shape that engages with the protrusion 319a1 of the ratchet 319a only when rotating in the B1 direction. Therefore, the pawl 319b passes over the protrusion 319a1 of the ratchet 319a in the B2 direction when rotating in the B2 direction. In addition, the pawl 319b is always urged by a spring so that the end (claw portion) contacts the ratchet 319a.

[0128] Next, the operation of the drive unit DP will be described. Figures 18A to 18DSchematically shows the rotational positions of the follower cam 313a at various rotational positions of the drive cam 314a. In addition, 315a in the figure is a cover portion covering the end of the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315, and 315b is a plate-like member located between the cover portion 315a and the ratchet 319a. Since the cover portion 315a and the plate-like member 315b do not directly affect the operation of the drive portion DP, Figure 16 and Figure 17 their illustrations are omitted for convenience in

[0129] If the rotary shaft 314b of the longitudinal transfer operation member VM rotates in the A1 direction, the first drive cam 314a1 rotates in the A1 direction earlier than the second drive cam 314a2. Then, as Figure 18A shown, the first drive cam 314a1 contacts the first follower cam 313a1 of the swing member RM, and presses the first follower cam 313a1 upward in the B1 direction against the acting force of a biasing member (not shown) in the B2 direction. Thereby, the swing member RM starts to rotate in the B1 direction about the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 together with the holding portion 317 (refer to Figure 16 ).

[0130] Here, as Figure 18A shown, the first follower cam 313a1 has a shape that is radially longer than the second follower cam 313a2. Therefore, the first drive cam 314a1 can enter between the first follower cam 313a1 and the second follower cam 313a2 in the rotational direction of the swing member RM and then contact the first follower cam 313a1. That is, the first drive cam 314a1 can contact only the first follower cam 313a1 without contacting the second follower cam 313a2.

[0131] As Figure 18B shown, if the longitudinal transfer operation member VM rotates further in the A1 direction, the first drive cam 314a1 further presses the first follower cam 313a1 upward in the B1 direction. Thereby, the swing member RM rotates further in the B1 direction. At this time, the second follower cam 313a2 cannot catch up with and overtake the first drive cam 314a1 in the B1 direction and enters between the first drive cam 314a1 and the second drive cam 314a2 as it rotates in the B1 direction.

[0132] If the longitudinal transfer operation member VM rotates further in the A1 direction, before the upward pressing of the first follower cam 313a1 by the first drive cam 314a1 in the B1 direction ends, the second drive cam 314a2 of the longitudinal transfer operation member VM starts to contact the second follower cam 313a2 of the swing member RM. Moreover, if the longitudinal transfer operation member VM rotates further in the A1 direction, as Figure 18CAs shown, the second driven cam 314a2 presses the second driven cam 313a2 upward in the B1 direction. At this time, the first driven cam 313a1 disengages from the first driving cam 314a1 and rotates in the B1 direction.

[0133] If the longitudinal transfer operation member VM rotates further in the A1 direction, then as Figure 18D shown, the second driven cam 314a2 further presses the second driven cam 313a2 upward in the B1 direction. Moreover, if the longitudinal transfer operation member VM rotates further in the A1 direction and the contact between the second driving cam 314a2 and the second driven cam 313a2 is released (if the state of Figure 17 is passed), then due to the acting force of the biasing member in the B2 direction, the swing member RM rotates in the B2 direction, and the positioning portion 318a abuts against the stopper 318b and stops. Then, the above-described actions are repeated by the rotation of the longitudinal transfer operation member VM in the A1 direction.

[0134] As described above, the first driving cam 314a1 and the second driving cam 314a2 sequentially come into contact with the first driven cam 313a1 and the second driven cam 313a2. If the swing member RM together with the holding portion 317 rotates in the B1 direction, the pawl 319b also rotates in the B1 direction around the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 at the same time. If the pawl 319b comes into contact with the protruding portion 319a1 of the ratchet wheel 319a due to this rotation, the pawl 319b moves the protruding portion 319a1 in the B1 direction. Thereby, the ratchet wheel 319a rotates in the B1 direction, and the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 fixed with the ratchet wheel 319a rotates in the B1 direction. The longitudinal conveyor belt 312 is driven by the rotation of the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 in the B1 direction, and the nursery mat MT on the seedling stage 311 is moved toward the seedling taking-out side.

[0135] On the other hand, if the contact between the second driving cam 314a2 and the second driven cam 313a2 is released by the rotation of the longitudinal transfer operation member VM in the A1 direction, and the swing member RM rotates in the B2 direction, the pawl 319b passes over the protruding portion 319a1 of the ratchet wheel 319a in the B2 direction. Therefore, the rotation of the ratchet wheel 319a in the B1 direction stops. That is, the rotation of the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 in the B1 direction stops, and the driving of the drive roller 315R stops. As a result, the movement of the longitudinal conveyor belt 312, that is, the longitudinal transfer of the nursery mat MT stops.

[0136] By repeatedly performing the above actions, the longitudinal conveyor belt 312 and the nursery mat MT are intermittently longitudinally transferred in units of a specified amount (in units of one row of seedlings).

[0137] As described above, the transplanter 1 of the present embodiment includes a swing member RM. The swing member RM drives the longitudinal transfer mechanism 313 by repeatedly rotating in one direction (direction B1) and the opposite direction (direction B2) as the longitudinal transfer operation member VM rotates (in the A1 direction). The swing member RM has a plurality of driven bodies (first driven cam 313a1, second driven cam 313a2). The plurality of driven bodies are arranged in one direction (direction B1) and sequentially come into contact with a plurality of driving bodies (first driving cam 314a1, second driving cam 314a2) respectively.

[0138] When the distance between the rotation center (rotation shaft 314b) of the longitudinal transfer operation member VM and the rotation center (longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315) of the swing member RM (hereinafter also referred to as "core distance") is set to be constant, as in the present embodiment, by causing each driving body and each driven body to come into contact sequentially as the longitudinal transfer operation member VM rotates, for example, compared with a structure in which one driving body and one driven body are provided respectively, it is possible to easily increase the rotation angle (transfer angle) of the swing member RM in one direction when the longitudinal transfer operation member VM rotates one turn. As a result, it is possible to easily increase the amount of movement when longitudinally transferring the seedling mat MT by using the longitudinal transfer mechanism 313 driven by the swing member RM. In other words, by providing a simple structure of a plurality of driving bodies and a plurality of driven bodies, for example, it is possible to easily increase the longitudinal transfer movement amount of the seedling mat MT without making design changes such as changing the core distance and making the driving bodies and driven bodies larger. Therefore, it is possible to achieve easy handling of the planting of vegetable seedlings that require a larger longitudinal transfer movement amount compared to rice seedlings.

[0139] In order to reliably increase the transfer angle of the swing member RM when the longitudinal transfer operation member VM rotates one turn, it is preferable that after the first driven cam 313a1 is pressed upward in one direction (direction B1) by the first driving cam 314a1 and rotated, and before the first driven cam 313a1 returns to its original position (position before rotation), the second driven cam 313a2 is continuously pressed upward in one direction by the second driving cam 314a2 and rotated. In this regard, as in the present embodiment, preferably, when the longitudinal transfer operation member VM rotates, the first driving cam 314a1 constituting the above driving body comes into contact with the first driven cam 313a1 constituting the above driven body, and then, after the second driving cam 314a2 comes into contact with the second driven cam 313a2, the contact between the first driving cam 314a1 and the first driven cam 313a1 is released (see Figure 18C ).

[0140] When the first driven cam 313a1 and the second driven cam 313a2 have different shapes as in the present embodiment, it is preferable that the first drive cam 314a1 and the second drive cam 314a2 respectively have shapes corresponding to the respective shapes of the first driven cam 313a1 and the second driven cam 313a2. For example, as Figure 18A etc. show, when the first driven cam 313a1 has a shape that is longer and bent in the radial direction than the second driven cam 313a2, and the second driven cam 313a2 has a linear shape in the radial direction, preferably, the first drive cam 314a1 has a bent shape that is in line contact or surface contact with the first driven cam 313a1, and the second drive cam 314a2 has a shape that linearly extends in the inclined direction with respect to the radial direction.

[0141] In this case, when the longitudinal transfer operation member VM rotates, it is possible to avoid interference between the first drive cam 314a1 and the second driven cam 313a2, and to reliably bring the first drive cam 314a1 into contact with the first driven cam 313a1 and reliably press the first driven cam 313a1 upward in one direction (direction B1), and then bring the second drive cam 314a2 into contact with the second driven cam 313a2 to cause the swing member RM to rotate in one direction (direction B1). In addition, after bringing the second drive cam 314a2 into contact with the second driven cam 313a2, it is possible to separate the first drive cam 314a1 from between the first driven cam 313a1 and the second driven cam 313a2.

[0142] In addition, by appropriately setting the shapes of the first drive cam 314a1 and the second drive cam 314a2, it is also possible to make different the transfer speed of the swing member RM based on the contact between the first drive cam 314a1 and the first driven cam 313a1 (also referred to as the first transfer speed), and the transfer speed of the swing member RM based on the contact between the second drive cam 314a2 and the second driven cam 313a2 (also referred to as the second transfer speed). For example, it is possible to make the second transfer speed less than the first transfer speed. In this case, it is possible to avoid the swing member RM rotating such that the second driven cam 313a2 catches up with and overtakes the first drive cam 314a1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the so-called overrun operation in which the swing member RM rotates excessively such that the amount of seedling transfer is greater than the specified amount.

[0143] In this embodiment, the ratchet-type drive mechanism 319 causes the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 to rotate in units of a specified angle only when the swing member RM rotates in one direction (direction B1). Thereby, it is possible to reliably intermittently longitudinally transfer the longitudinal conveyor belt 312 in units of a specified amount. For example, in the case of using a one-way clutch as the drive mechanism, there may be a deviation in the rotation angle of the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 in terms of structure. Since the ratchet-type drive mechanism 319 can cause the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 to rotate in units of a specified angle (the deviation of the above rotation angle can be reduced), it is possible to reliably realize the transplanter 1 suitable for the planting of vegetable seedlings.

[0144] More specifically, as the drive mechanism of the longitudinal conveyor belt 312, regarding the structure using a one-way clutch, when the rotation angle of the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 for one rotation of the longitudinal transfer operation member VM is greater than the specified angle, the error (the difference from the specified angle) of the rotation angle of the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 accumulates every time the longitudinal transfer operation member VM rotates. Regarding the planting of rice seedlings, even if the above error accumulates, it will not affect the raking and planting of the seedlings. However, regarding the planting of vegetable seedlings, if the above error accumulates, the position of the vegetable seedlings on the seedling-raising mat MT shifts relative to the raking position of the seedlings by the seedling planting mechanism 32, and thus it may not be possible to accurately rake the vegetable seedlings. Therefore, the ratchet-type drive mechanism 319 is very effective in preventing the accumulation of the above error and being able to appropriately rake the vegetable seedlings from the seedling-raising mat MT.

[0145] When the swing member RM rotates in one direction (direction B1), the pawl 319b of the drive mechanism 319 engages with the protrusion 319a1 to cause the ratchet 319a to rotate (in the above one direction). On the other hand, when the swing member RM rotates in the opposite direction (direction B2), the pawl 319b of the drive mechanism 319 (in the above opposite direction) passes over the protrusion 319a1. Regarding this structure, it is possible to reliably realize a structure in which the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 rotates in one direction in units of a specified angle only when the swing member RM rotates in one direction.

[0146] In the structure where the ratchet wheel 319a of the drive mechanism 319 has five protrusions 319a1 in the circumferential direction as in the present embodiment, when the swing member RM rotates in the B1 direction, the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 rotates 360° / 5 = 72° in the B1 direction. On the other hand, when the swing member RM rotates in the B2 direction, the pawl 319b passes over the protrusion 319a1. Therefore, the ratchet wheel 319a does not rotate in either the B1 direction or the B2 direction but remains stationary. Thus, by repeatedly rotating the swing member RM in the B1 direction and the B2 direction, the ratchet wheel 319a can be made to rotate only in the B1 direction always in units of a specified angle (72° in the above example).

[0147] Figure 19 FIG. is a side view showing an enlarged state of the drive mechanism 319 before the swing member RM rotates in the B1 direction. In the present embodiment, in the state before the swing member RM rotates in the B1 direction, the pawl 319b is arranged with a specified gap SP in the circumferential direction of the ratchet wheel 319a between the protrusion 319a1 with which the pawl 319b first engages when the swing member RM rotates in the B1 direction. The reason is as follows.

[0148] Let the rotation angle of the swing member RM when the longitudinal transfer operation member VM rotates in the A1 direction and the swing member RM rotates in the B1 direction be A (°). Also, let the rotation angle of the ratchet wheel 319a accompanying the rotation of the swing member RM be B (°). In addition, let the number of protrusions 319a1 of the ratchet wheel 319a be n (pieces). By providing the above gap SP, even if the rotation angle A of the swing member RM is set to an angle greater than the rotation angle B (= 360 / n) of the ratchet wheel 319a for one time, the rotation of the ratchet wheel 319a can always be made in units of a certain angle B with respect to the rotation of the swing member RM at an angle A, so that the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 can be rotated in units of a specified angle. For example, when n = 5 as in the present embodiment, B = 360° / 5 = 72°. Therefore, even in the following design: when the longitudinal transfer operation member VM rotates one turn in the A1 direction and the swing member RM rotates an angle greater than 72° (for example, 90°) in the B1 direction, the ratchet wheel 319a can always be rotated in units of 72°, so that the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 can always be rotated in units of 72°. That is, the difference between the rotation angle A of the swing member RM and the rotation angle B of the ratchet wheel 319a is absorbed by the above gap SP.

[0149] Therefore, it is possible to achieve the design of the swing member RM (for example, the shape and arrangement of the first driven cam 313a1 and the second driven cam 313a2) such that when the longitudinal transfer operation member VM rotates one turn in the A1 direction, the swing member RM rotates at an angle greater than 72°, thereby increasing the design freedom of the swing member RM. In addition, when the longitudinal transfer operation member VM rotates one turn in the A1 direction, the ratchet 319a and the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 do not rotate at an angle greater than 72°, so it is also possible to prevent the overrun of the longitudinal conveyor belt 312 caused by the rotation of the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 beyond the required degree.

[0150] Assume that even if the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 rotates at an angle greater than a specified angle (for example, 72°) due to some reason, in the next process, only the clearance SP increases, and the longitudinal conveyor belt 312 can be longitudinally transferred to a specified position. For example, even if the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 rotates at an angle greater than a specified angle (for example, 72°) from the reference rotation position, in the next process, by engaging the pawl 319b with the ratchet 319a (the protrusion 319a1), the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 can be rotated from the above-mentioned reference rotation position to a rotation position of 144°. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the overrun of the longitudinal conveyor belt 312 in the next process.

[0151] <6. Regarding the braking mechanism for longitudinal transfer>

[0152] For example, when the seedling-raising mat MT longitudinally transferred by the longitudinal conveyor belt 312 contains moisture, the weight of the seedling-raising mat MT increases compared to the case where it does not contain moisture. In this case, after the longitudinal transfer of the longitudinal conveyor belt 312, even if the swing member RM returns to the initial position ( Figure 16 position) and stops, the longitudinal conveyor belt 312 may overrun due to the weight of the seedling-raising mat MT, which may cause the position of the seedlings to deviate from the standard raking position. In addition, to avoid this phenomenon, if a resistance (load) is always applied to the longitudinal conveyor belt 312 using a brake shoe or the like, it is difficult to manually rotate the longitudinal conveyor belt 312 for position adjustment of the seedling-raising mat MT, etc. Therefore, it is not preferable to always apply a resistance to the longitudinal conveyor belt 312 in advance.

[0153] Therefore, the transplanter 1 of the present embodiment adopts a structure in which the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 is braked at the end of the longitudinal transfer of the longitudinal conveyor belt 312. That is, the transplanter 1 is equipped with Figure 20 the braking mechanism 500 as shown in etc. Hereinafter, the braking mechanism 500 will be described in detail.

[0154] Figure 20 It is a side view of the braking mechanism 500 in the waiting state. Figure 21 andFigure 22 It is a perspective view of the braking mechanism 500 in the waiting state as observed from different directions. On the other hand, Figure 23 It is a side view of the braking mechanism 500 in the working state. Figure 24 and Figure 25 It is a perspective view of the braking mechanism 500 in the working state as observed from different directions. Here, the waiting state refers to the state before the braking mechanism 500 enters the working state. The working state refers to the state from when the braking mechanism 500 starts to perform the action of braking the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 until the braking is completed and released.

[0155] The braking mechanism 500 includes a holding member 501. The holding member 501 is formed by bending a metal flat plate. More specifically, the holding member 501 has a right wall portion 501R, a left wall portion 501L, and a rear wall portion 501B. The right wall portion 501R and the left wall portion 501L are located at positions opposed to each other in the left - right direction. The rear wall portion 501B connects the rear portions of the right wall portion 501R and the left wall portion 501L in the left - right direction. The rear wall portion 501B is fastened and connected to the seedling stage 311 (refer to Figure 16 ) by bolts, or to the frame that supports the seedling stage 311.

[0156] The right wall portion 501R and the left wall portion 501L support the mounting shaft 501a extending in the left - right direction so as to be rotatable. The first braking strut 502 and the second braking strut 503 are mounted on the mounting shaft 501a in a left - right arrangement. Therefore, the first braking strut 502 and the second braking strut 503 can rotate relative to the holding member 501 with the mounting shaft 501a as the rotation center.

[0157] The first bearing support shaft 502a is provided in the first braking strut 502 so as to penetrate in the left - right direction. The first bearing support shaft 502a is located above the mounting shaft 501a in the waiting state of the braking mechanism 500. The first bearing 504 (especially the inner ring) is mounted on the right - hand end side of the first bearing support shaft 502a. The above - mentioned driven cam 313a (especially the first driven cam 313a1) can contact the outer peripheral portion (outer ring) of the first bearing 504.

[0158] A recess 501Ra is formed in the upper part of the right wall portion 501R of the holding member 501. The right - hand end portion of the first bearing support shaft 502a can contact the recess 501Ra. The recess 501Ra has the function of restricting the downward movement of the first bearing support shaft 502a. In other words, the recess 501Ra has the function of restricting the rotation of the first braking strut 502 in which the downward movement of the first bearing support shaft 502a is restricted.

[0159] The second braking brace 503 is located at a position more to the left than the first braking brace 502. The spring support shaft 505 is disposed in the second braking brace 503 so as to penetrate in the left-right direction. The spring support shaft 505 is located at a position more forward than the mounting shaft 501a in the standby state of the braking mechanism 500. One end portion of the biasing spring 506 is engaged with the spring support shaft 505. The other end portion of the biasing spring 506 is engaged with the first bearing support shaft 502a at a position more to the left than the first braking brace 502. In the present embodiment, two biasing springs 506 are arranged in the left-right direction, but the number of biasing springs 506 may be one, or may be three or more.

[0160] The return spring support portion 503a is provided on the second braking brace 503. The return spring support portion 503a is located at a position more rearward than the mounting shaft 501a in the standby state of the braking mechanism 500. One end portion of the return spring 507 is engaged with the return spring support portion 503a. The other end portion of the return spring 507 is engaged with one end portion of the elongated support member 508. The other end portion in the longitudinal direction of the support member 508 is attached to the left wall portion 501L of the holder 501.

[0161] The second bearing support shaft 503b extending in the left-right direction is provided on the second braking brace 503. The second bearing support shaft 503b is located at a position more downward than the mounting shaft 501a and between the spring support shaft 505 and the return spring support portion 503a in the standby state of the braking mechanism 500. The second bearing 509 (particularly the inner ring) is mounted on the second bearing support shaft 503b to be more to the right than the second braking brace 503. The outer peripheral portion (outer ring) of the second bearing 509 can contact the outer peripheral portion of the aforementioned ratchet 319a due to the rotation of the second braking brace 503.

[0162] The restricting member 501Ls is provided on the left wall portion 501L of the above-described holder 501. The restricting member 501Ls is a stopper for abutting against the left end portion of the spring support shaft 505 to restrict the upward movement of the spring support shaft 505. In other words, the restricting member 501Ls has a function of restricting the rotation of the second braking brace 503 that causes the spring support shaft 505 to move upward. Further, the restricting member 501Ls is provided so that its position in the direction of separating from and contacting the spring support shaft 505 can be adjusted.

[0163] Regarding the structure of the above-described braking mechanism 500, as Figures 20 to 22As shown, in the waiting state, a weak tensile load of the return spring 507 is used to apply a force to the second brake stay 503 in the rotational direction of pressing the spring support shaft 505 downward with the mounting shaft 501a as the rotation center. Thereby, the biasing spring 506 that is caught by the spring support shaft 505 applies a downward force to the first bearing support shaft 502a. As a result, the right end portion of the first bearing support shaft 502a is inserted into and contacts the recess 501Ra of the right wall portion 501R. In addition, a force is applied to the second brake stay 503 in the above rotational direction to dispose the second bearing 509 supported by the second bearing support shaft 503b on the second brake stay 503 so as to be separated from the ratchet wheel 319a.

[0164] When the longitudinal transfer operation member VM rotates in the A1 direction to drive the cam 314a (particularly the second drive cam 314a2) to press the driven cam 313a (particularly the second driven cam 313a2) in the B1 direction by an angle greater than a certain angle, the braking mechanism 500 changes from the waiting state to the operating state. In the operating state, as Figures 23 to 25 shown, the first driven cam 313a1 presses the first bearing 504 so that the first bearing support shaft 502a disengages from the recess 501Ra. Due to the movement of the first bearing support shaft 502a, the first brake stay 502 rotates with the mounting shaft 501a as the rotation center, and the spring support shaft 505 is pulled upward by the biasing spring 506. Thereby, the second brake stay 503 having the spring support shaft 505 mounted thereon rotates in the same direction as the first brake stay 502 with the mounting shaft 501a as the rotation center. Therefore, the second bearing 509 supported by the second bearing support shaft 503b on the second brake stay 503 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the ratchet wheel 319a. As a result, the rotation of the ratchet wheel 319a, in other words, the rotation of the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315, is braked.

[0165] The rotation of the second brake stay 503 that restricts the upward movement of the spring support shaft 505 is restricted by the above restricting member 501Ls. Therefore, no matter how much the first driven cam 313a1 presses the first bearing 504, in other words, no matter how much the first brake stay 502 rotates, after the spring support shaft 505 abuts against the restricting member 501Ls, the second brake stay 503 does not rotate. Therefore, after the spring support shaft 505 abuts against the restricting member 501Ls, the pressing force of the second bearing 509 against the ratchet wheel 319a remains constant. That is, excessive braking of the ratchet wheel 319a (longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315) is suppressed.

[0166] As described above, in the waiting state, no resistance is applied to the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315. Therefore, the driving torque of the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 is also suppressed to a low level, and it is also easy to rotate it manually. In addition, in the working state, the second bearing 509 is pressed against the ratchet 319a from the opposite direction with respect to the rotation direction of the ratchet 319a. As a result, the rotation of the ratchet 319a and the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 can be reliably stopped, and thus the overrun of the longitudinal conveyor belt 312 can be reliably prevented.

[0167] In addition, by restricting the position adjustment of the restricting member 501Ls, it is also possible to easily adjust the pressing force (braking force) of the second bearing 509 against the ratchet 319a. As a result, even when the seedling-raising mat MT contains moisture and is heavy, it is easy to cope with the prevention of overrun. In addition, when the restricting member 501Ls abuts against the spring support shaft 505, the second brake strut 503 stops rotating until the driven cam 313a rotates to the end of the stroke (maximum rotation position), and the biasing spring 506 is stretched. Therefore, a load can be accumulated in the second brake strut 503 in advance, so that the second bearing 509 can be pressed against the ratchet 319a without bouncing off, and the stopped state of the ratchet 319a can be maintained. In addition, the biasing spring 506 is a safety device, so that the entire braking mechanism 500 can also be prevented from being damaged.

[0168] <7. Details of the power transmission mechanism>

[0169] Figure 16 The case where the rotation axis of the swing member RM is coaxial with the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 has been described in etc., but the rotation axis of the swing member RM may also be an axis different from the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315. In this case, the power of the rotation axis of the swing member RM can be transmitted to the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 by the power transmission mechanism to drive the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315. Hereinafter, the power transmission mechanism will be described in detail.

[0170] Figure 26 is a side view schematically showing the structure of the drive unit DP provided with the power transmission mechanism 600. Figure 27 is Figure 26 a perspective view of the drive unit DP shown. The power transmission mechanism 600 transmits power between the rotation axis of the swing member RM and the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315. More specifically, the power transmission mechanism 600 transmits the power generated by the rotation of the swing member RM to the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315.

[0171] The power transmission mechanism 600 is configured to have, for example, a gear train 610 in which a plurality of gears are engaged. Figure 26 and Figure 27As an example, the gear train 610 is shown as being composed of three gears, i.e., a first gear 611, a second gear 612, and a third gear 613. The first gear 611 is mounted on the rotation shaft 313c of the swing member RM. The rotation shaft 313c is the shaft that forms the rotation center of the driven cam 313a and is arranged to extend in the left - right direction. The third gear 613 is mounted on the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315. The second gear 612 is arranged between the first gear 611 and the third gear 613. The first gear 611 and the second gear 612 mesh with each other, and the second gear 612 and the third gear 613 mesh with each other. Figure 26 and Figure 27 For convenience, only the gear shape of the first gear 611 is shown.

[0172] As Figure 27 shown, the third gear 613 is connected to the holding body 614. The holding body 614 holds the pawl 319b and is arranged to be rotatable about the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315. The longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 is supported by a shaft support portion 615 (refer to Figure 27 ) so as to be rotatable. The shaft support portion 615 is fastened and connected to the seedling table 311 (refer to Figure 16 ) or the frame that supports the seedling table 311 by means of a support bracket 616 and bolts.

[0173] If the longitudinal transfer operating member VM rotates in the A1 direction, the drive cam 314a of the longitudinal transfer operating member VM causes the driven cam 313a of the swing member RM to rotate in the B1 direction. As a result, the rotation shaft 313c of the swing member RM and the first gear 611 rotate in the positive direction (B1 direction) together. Moreover, the second gear 612 that meshes with the first gear 611 rotates in the opposite direction to the first gear 611, and the third gear 613 that meshes with the second gear 612 and the holding body 614 rotate in the positive direction together. As a result, as Figure 28 and Figure 29 shown, the pawl 319b mounted on the holding body 614 meshes with the ratchet wheel 319a to rotate the ratchet wheel 319a. The rotation of the ratchet wheel 319a causes the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 to rotate to longitudinally transfer the longitudinal conveyor belt 312.

[0174] Depending on changes in the specifications, layout of the transplanter 1, the planting trajectory of the seedlings by the seedling planting mechanism 32, etc., sometimes the distance (core distance) between the rotation shaft 314b of the longitudinal transfer operating member VM and the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 increases. Even in this case, by providing the power transmission mechanism 600, the power of the swing member RM that rotates in one direction (B1 direction) due to the rotation of the longitudinal transfer operating member VM can be transmitted to the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315 through the power transmission mechanism 600 and the ratchet - type drive mechanism 319 to longitudinally transfer the longitudinal conveyor belt 312.

[0175] In particular, the power transmission mechanism 600 has a gear train 610, so that it can cope with the specification of the increased core pitch with a simple structure using the gear train 610. In addition, it is also easy to expand to different specifications of the transplanter 1. For example, according to different specifications, even when the longitudinal transfer stroke (the longitudinal transfer movement amount of the seedling-raising mat MT) needs to be changed, it can be easily coped with by changing the gear ratio.

[0176] In addition, when the power transmission mechanism 600 is composed only of a gear train, in order to make the rotation direction of the swing member RM consistent with the rotation direction of the longitudinal transfer drive shaft 315, the number of gears used is odd. However, belts, chains, cams, etc. other than gears can also be used to form a structure in which the number of gears is even to transmit power. In addition, the power transmission mechanism 600 is not limited to a structure having gears, and can also be constituted by combining at least any one of belts, chains, and cams.

[0177] In addition, the longitudinal transfer mechanism 313 described in the present embodiment can also be applied to a transplanter that does not have the multi-sheet export and laying mechanism 36.

[0178] <8. Supplementary Note>

[0179] The transplanter described in the present embodiment can also be expressed as the transplanter shown in the following supplementary notes.

[0180] The transplanter of Supplementary Note (1) includes:

[0181] A seedling longitudinal transfer mechanism that longitudinally transfers and moves the seedling-raising mat placed on the seedling stage toward the seedling removal side;

[0182] A rotating longitudinal transfer operating member; and

[0183] A swing member that drives the seedling longitudinal transfer mechanism by repeatedly rotating in one direction and the opposite direction as the longitudinal transfer operating member rotates.

[0184] The longitudinal transfer operating member has: a plurality of driving bodies arranged in the rotation direction.

[0185] The swing member has: a plurality of driven bodies arranged in the one direction and sequentially contacting the plurality of driving bodies respectively.

[0186] The transplanter of Supplementary Note (2) is based on the transplanter described in Supplementary Note (1), wherein

[0187] The plurality of driving bodies include: a first driving cam disposed on the downstream side of the longitudinal transfer operation member in the rotational direction; and a second driving cam disposed on the upstream side of the rotational direction.

[0188] The plurality of driven bodies include: a first driven cam disposed on the downstream side of the swinging member in one direction of rotation; and a second driven cam disposed on the upstream side of the one direction.

[0189] When the longitudinal transfer operation member rotates, after the first driving cam contacts the first driven cam, the second driving cam contacts the second driven cam, and then the contact between the first driving cam and the first driven cam is released.

[0190] The transplanter according to Note (3) is based on the transplanter described in Note (2), wherein

[0191] The first driven cam and the second driven cam have different shapes.

[0192] The first driving cam and the second driving cam respectively have shapes corresponding to the shapes of the first driven cam and the second driven cam.

[0193] The transplanter according to Note (4) is based on the transplanter described in any one of Notes (1) to (3), wherein

[0194] The seedling longitudinal transfer mechanism includes:

[0195] A seedling longitudinal conveyor belt for longitudinally conveying the seedling mat;

[0196] A longitudinal transfer drive shaft for driving the seedling longitudinal conveyor belt; and

[0197] A ratchet one-way drive mechanism that causes the longitudinal transfer drive shaft to rotate at a specified angle only when the swinging member rotates in the one direction.

[0198] The transplanter according to Note (5) is based on the transplanter described in Note (4), wherein

[0199] The ratchet one-way drive mechanism includes:

[0200] A ratchet fixed coaxially with the longitudinal transfer drive shaft and having protrusions provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction; and

[0201] A pawl that rotates as the swinging member rotates.

[0202] When the swing member rotates in the one direction, the pawl engages with the protrusion to rotate the ratchet wheel. On the other hand, when the swing member rotates in the opposite direction, the pawl passes over the protrusion.

[0203] The transplanter according to note (6) is based on the transplanter described in note (5), wherein

[0204] In a state before the swing member rotates in the one direction, the pawl is arranged to have a gap in the circumferential direction of the ratchet wheel between the pawl and the protrusion with which the pawl first engages when the swing member rotates in the one direction.

[0205] The transplanter according to note (7) is based on the transplanter described in any one of notes (4) to (6), wherein

[0206] The transplanter further includes a power transmission mechanism that transmits power between the rotation shaft of the swing member and the longitudinal transfer drive shaft.

[0207] The transplanter according to note (8) is based on the transplanter described in note (7), wherein

[0208] The power transmission mechanism has a gear train that meshes multiple gears.

[0209] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and it can be implemented by expanding or changing within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention.

[0210] Industrial Applicability

[0211] The transplanter of the present invention can be used, for example, as a transplanter for planting vegetable seedlings in soil (ridges).

Claims

1. A transplanter, wherein: The transplanter has: A seedling longitudinal conveying mechanism, which allows the seedling mat placed on the seedling carrier to be longitudinally conveyed to the seedling removal side; A rotating longitudinal transport operating member; and A swinging member, which repeatedly rotates in one direction and in the opposite direction as the longitudinal conveying operating member rotates, thereby driving the longitudinal conveying mechanism of the seedlings. The longitudinal conveying operation component comprises: a plurality of driving bodies arranged in a row in the rotation direction; The swing member includes a plurality of driven bodies arranged side by side in the one direction and contacting the plurality of driving bodies in sequence.

2. The transplanter according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of driving bodies include: a first driving cam disposed on the downstream side of the longitudinal conveying operation member in the rotation direction; and a second driving cam disposed on the upstream side in the rotation direction, The plurality of followers include: a first follower cam disposed on the downstream side of the one direction in which the swing member rotates; and a second follower cam disposed on the upstream side of the one direction. When the longitudinal conveying operation member rotates, after the first drive cam comes into contact with the first driven cam, the second drive cam comes into contact with the second driven cam, and then the first drive cam is released from contact with the first driven cam.

3. The transplanter according to claim 2, wherein: The first driven cam and the second driven cam have different shapes, The first driving cam and the second driving cam have shapes corresponding to shapes of the first driven cam and the second driven cam, respectively.

4. The transplanter according to claim 1, wherein: The rice seedling longitudinal conveying mechanism comprises: A seedling longitudinal conveyor belt, which conveys the seedling mat longitudinally; A longitudinal transmission drive shaft, which drives the longitudinal conveyor belt of the seedlings; as well as The ratchet-type one-way driving mechanism causes the longitudinal conveying driving shaft to rotate at a prescribed angle only when the swinging member rotates in the one direction.

5. The transplanter according to claim 4, wherein: The ratchet type one-way driving mechanism has: a ratchet wheel coaxially fixed to the longitudinal transmission drive shaft and provided with protrusions at equal intervals in the circumferential direction; and a ratchet pawl which rotates with the rotation of the swinging member, The pawl engages with the protrusion to rotate the ratchet when the swing member rotates in the one direction, and on the other hand, rides over the protrusion when the swing member rotates in the opposite direction.

6. The transplanter according to claim 5, wherein: In a state before the swing member rotates in the one direction, the pawl is arranged to have a gap in the circumferential direction of the ratchet wheel between the pawl and the protrusion with which the pawl first meshes when the swing member rotates in the one direction.

7. The transplanter according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein: The transplanter further includes a power transmission mechanism that transmits power between the rotation shaft of the swing member and the vertical conveyance drive shaft.

8. The transplanter according to claim 7, wherein: The power transmission mechanism has a gear train in which a plurality of gears are meshed.

9. The transplanter according to claim 3, wherein: A first transmission speed at which the first driving cam contacts the first driven cam to rotate the swing member and a second transmission speed at which the second driving cam contacts the second driven cam to rotate the swing member are different speeds.

10. The transplanter according to claim 9, wherein: The second transmission speed is made lower than the first transmission speed.

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