A compacting and planting integrated machine for adult switchgrass seedlings

Abstract

This invention discloses an integrated machine for transplanting and compacting mature switchgrass seedlings, comprising: a frame with a traction frame mounted at its front end; a rotating seedling feeding mechanism, including a support frame fixedly connected to the frame, a rotating seedling feeding disc rotatably connected to the top of the support frame, and several sets of seedling feeding buckets evenly spaced circumferentially on the rotating seedling feeding disc, with a drive assembly mounted on the support frame; a seedling dropping mechanism, including a mounting plate fixedly connected to the frame, a lifting assembly mounted on the mounting plate, and seedling dropping buckets mounted on the lifting assembly, the bottom of the seedling dropping buckets having a conical structure; a planting mechanism mounted at the rear end of the frame, with the planting mechanism and seedling dropping buckets arranged correspondingly; and a control system. This invention significantly reduces labor intensity and operating costs, with the efficiency of a single machine far exceeding that of manual labor and conventional transplanting equipment, meeting the high-efficiency operation requirements for large-scale switchgrass cultivation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of agricultural planting machinery and equipment technology, and in particular to an integrated machine for planting and compacting mature switchgrass seedlings. Background Technology

[0002] Switchgrass is a perennial warm-season herbaceous plant with multiple values, including biomass energy production, ecological restoration, and soil improvement. Achieving large-scale, standardized field cultivation is a core prerequisite for its industrial promotion. Transplanting mature seedlings is a crucial step in switchgrass cultivation, with clear agronomical requirements for transplanting efficiency, uniformity of planting depth, evenness of plant spacing, and the effectiveness of soil compaction after transplanting. These directly determine the survival rate and subsequent growth quality of the plants.

[0003] Current agricultural transplanting equipment is mostly developed for seedlings or seedlings of vegetables, flowers, and conventional grain crops. It is not designed to take into account the plant type, root system characteristics, and specific transplanting needs of mature switchgrass seedlings. There is currently no dedicated, large-scale, integrated mechanical equipment for transplanting and compacting mature switchgrass seedlings on the market. Traditional manual transplanting requires manual completion of the entire process of placing seedlings, digging holes, covering with soil, and compacting. This is not only inefficient and extremely labor-intensive, but also suffers from uneven planting depth, inaccurate plant spacing, and inconsistent soil compaction. This easily leads to seedling lodging and unsupported roots, significantly reducing the survival rate and failing to meet the efficiency and quality requirements of large-scale industrial planting.

[0004] Existing general-purpose crop transplanting equipment only has basic trenching and soil covering functions, and does not integrate a unified operation structure for precise seedling placement, automatic seedling lowering, and simultaneous compaction. It generally suffers from defects such as missed planting, damaged seedlings, uncontrolled planting depth, and poor operation continuity. At the same time, most equipment is not equipped with a dedicated soil compaction mechanism, requiring additional manual or separate equipment for soil covering and compaction after planting. This process is cumbersome, has high operating costs, and its overall adaptability and automation level are extremely low.

[0005] These technological and equipment shortcomings directly restrict the pace of large-scale switchgrass cultivation, increase planting costs, and reduce the degree of standardization, becoming a significant technological bottleneck for the industrialization of switchgrass. Therefore, developing a specialized integrated planting and compaction device suitable for mature switchgrass seedlings to address the problems of low efficiency, poor precision, and fragmented processes in existing technologies has become an urgent need in the field of mechanized cultivation of energy plants. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an integrated machine for planting and compacting mature switchgrass seedlings, in order to solve the problems existing in the prior art.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution: The present invention provides an integrated machine for transplanting and compacting mature switchgrass seedlings, comprising: Equipment rack, with a traction frame installed at the front end of the equipment rack; A rotating seedling feeding mechanism includes a support frame fixedly connected to the equipment frame, a rotating seedling feeding disc rotatably connected to the top of the support frame, a number of seedling feeding buckets evenly spaced around the circumference of the rotating seedling feeding disc, and a drive assembly installed on the support frame, the drive assembly being in transmission cooperation with the rotating seedling feeding disc. The seedling dropping mechanism includes a mounting plate, which is fixedly connected to the equipment frame. A lifting assembly is mounted on the mounting plate, and a seedling dropping bucket is mounted on the lifting assembly. The bottom of the seedling dropping bucket has a conical structure. A planting mechanism is installed at the rear end of the equipment frame, and the planting mechanism is arranged correspondingly to the seedling drop bucket; The control system is connected to both the drive assembly and the lifting assembly.

[0008] According to the integrated machine for planting and compacting mature switchgrass seedlings provided by the present invention, the driving component includes a drive motor, which is fixedly connected to the top of the support frame, and the output shaft of the drive motor is fixedly connected to the center position of the rotating seedling tray.

[0009] According to the integrated machine for planting and compacting mature switchgrass seedlings provided by the present invention, a seedling cover is rotatably connected to the bottom of the seedling feeding bucket, and a right-angle reciprocating rotary motor is installed at the bottom of the seedling feeding bucket. The right-angle reciprocating rotary motor is used to control the opening and closing of the seedling cover.

[0010] According to the integrated machine for planting and compacting mature switchgrass seedlings provided by the present invention, the lifting assembly includes two sets of gears rotatably connected to the mounting plate. The two sets of gears are connected by chain transmission. An eccentric shaft is installed on each of the two sets of gears. A mounting frame is vertically fixedly connected to the top of the seedling drop bucket. A connecting shaft is rotatably connected to the eccentric shaft. One end of the connecting shaft is rotatably connected to the mounting frame. The mounting frame is arranged perpendicular to the axis of the seedling drop bucket. A servo motor is fixedly connected to the mounting plate. The servo motor is in transmission cooperation with one of the sets of gears.

[0011] According to the present invention, the integrated machine for planting and compacting mature switchgrass seedlings includes a planting mechanism comprising two sets of planting wheels, which are symmetrically rotatably connected to the rear end of the equipment frame.

[0012] The integrated machine for planting and compacting mature switchgrass seedlings provided by the present invention has symmetrically mounted casters on the equipment frame.

[0013] According to the integrated machine for planting and compacting mature switchgrass seedlings provided by the present invention, two sets of symmetrically arranged induction switches are installed on the mounting plate, an induction contact is provided at one end of the connecting shaft, the induction contact is arranged corresponding to the induction switch, and an electronically controlled end cover is installed at the bottom of the seedling dropping bucket, the electronically controlled end cover is connected to the induction switch.

[0014] The present invention discloses the following technical effects: This equipment integrates the entire process of seedling placement, transplanting, and compaction, replacing the traditional manual segmented operation and multi-machine joint operation mode of general equipment. The level of automation and continuity is significantly improved, greatly reducing the labor intensity and operating costs of manual labor. The operating efficiency of a single machine far exceeds that of manual labor and conventional transplanting equipment, meeting the high-efficiency operation needs of large-scale planting of switchgrass.

[0015] This device uses a control system to precisely regulate the seedling release rhythm, seedling depth, and plant spacing. Combined with cams and position switches, it achieves precise seedling placement, avoiding missed plantings and seedling damage. The rear-end compaction wheel evenly compacts the soil, preventing roots from being suspended and seedlings from falling over. The planting depth and compaction effect are consistent and stable, significantly improving the survival rate of mature switchgrass seedlings. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the integrated machine for transplanting and compacting mature switchgrass seedlings according to the present invention. Figure I ; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the integrated machine for transplanting and compacting mature switchgrass seedlings according to the present invention. Figure II .

[0018] The components include: 1. Equipment frame; 2. Traction frame; 3. Support frame; 4. Rotating seedling tray; 5. Seedling bucket; 6. Mounting plate; 7. Seedling drop bucket; 8. Drive motor; 9. Seedling drop cover; 10. Right-angle reciprocating rotary motor; 11. Gear; 12. Connecting shaft; 13. Mounting frame; 14. Planting wheel; 15. Moving wheel. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0021] Reference Figures 1-2 This invention provides an integrated machine for transplanting and compacting mature switchgrass seedlings, comprising: Equipment frame 1, with a traction frame 2 installed at the front end of equipment frame 1; The rotating seedling feeding mechanism includes a support frame 3 fixedly connected to the equipment frame 1. A rotating seedling feeding disc 4 is rotatably connected to the top of the support frame 3. Several sets of seedling feeding buckets 5 are installed circumferentially at equal intervals on the rotating seedling feeding disc 4. A drive component is installed on the support frame 3, and the drive component is in transmission cooperation with the rotating seedling feeding disc 4. The seedling dropping mechanism includes a mounting plate 6, which is fixedly connected to the equipment frame 1. A lifting component is installed on the mounting plate 6, and a seedling dropping bucket 7 is installed on the lifting component. The bottom of the seedling dropping bucket 7 is a conical structure. The planting mechanism is installed at the rear end of the equipment frame 1, and the planting mechanism is arranged correspondingly to the seedling drop bucket 7. The control system, drive components, and lifting components are all connected to the control system.

[0022] During operation, a tractor, pulled by a front-end traction frame 2, moves at a constant speed across the field. Workers place mature willow millet seedlings sequentially into the circumferentially spaced seedling containers 5 on a rotating seedling tray 4. The control system activates the drive assembly according to a preset sequence, causing the rotating seedling tray 4 to rotate intermittently 90 degrees counter-clockwise, precisely moving the seedling containers 5 containing the willow millet seedlings directly above the seedling dropping mechanism. The lifting assembly of the seedling dropping mechanism then drives the conical-bottomed seedling container 7 downwards until it reaches the standard planting depth for willow millet. At this point, a rotating cam synchronously rotates, triggering a corresponding switch to open the seedling dropping cover 9, allowing the willow millet seedlings to fall smoothly from the seedling container 5 into the seedling dropping container 7, where they are then precisely planted into the soil. After planting, the lifting assembly quickly moves the seedling dropping container 7 upwards to reset, and the control system synchronously instructs the drive assembly to rotate the rotating seedling tray 4 another 90 degrees, completing one planting cycle and initiating the next round of seedling placement and dropping. The planting compaction wheel at the rear of the equipment moves forward continuously with the machine, evenly compacting the soil around the roots of the planted seedlings to ensure close contact between the roots and the soil, preventing roots from being suspended and seedlings from falling over. The entire system coordinates the rotation of the seedling release mechanism, the lifting and lowering mechanism, and the timing of the compaction process through a unified control system. This enables continuous and automated operation of seedling release, lowering, planting, and soil compaction, eliminating the need for manual digging, covering, or separate compaction. The planting depth, plant spacing, and soil compaction intensity remain stable and consistent, making it suitable for large-scale, continuous planting of mature switchgrass seedlings in open fields.

[0023] The scheme is further optimized. The drive component includes a drive motor 8, which is fixedly connected to the top of the support frame 3. The output shaft of the drive motor 8 is fixedly connected to the center position of the rotating seedling tray 4.

[0024] The drive motor 8 is fixed to the top of the support frame 3, and its output shaft is rigidly connected to the center of the rotating seedling tray 4. The start, stop and rotation angle are uniformly controlled by the control system. After the motor is powered on, it directly drives the rotating seedling tray 4 to rotate intermittently at a fixed angle. There is no intermediate loss or transmission gap in the power transmission. It can accurately control the seedling bucket 5 to align with the seedling dropping mechanism in sequence, ensuring accurate positioning of the seedling dropping position and avoiding misalignment and missing seedlings.

[0025] The design is further optimized by adding a seedling cover 9 to the bottom of the seedling container 5. A right-angle reciprocating motor 10 is installed at the bottom of the seedling container 5 to control the opening and closing of the seedling cover 9.

[0026] The seedling cover 9 is rotatably mounted at the bottom of the seedling container 5, and the right-angle reciprocating motor 10 is fixed to the bottom of the container and connected to the seedling cover 9 for transmission. When the seedling container 5 rotates to be directly above the seedling dropping mechanism, the control system triggers the motor to drive the seedling cover 9 to open quickly in one direction, allowing the willow branch millet seedlings to fall smoothly; after the seedlings are dropped, the motor rotates in the opposite direction, and the seedling cover 9 closes and resets. The reciprocating motion of the motor is fast-responding and opens and closes completely, preventing seedling jamming and scattering.

[0027] The design is further optimized. The lifting assembly includes two sets of gears 11 rotatably connected to the mounting plate 6. The two sets of gears 11 are connected by chain drive. An eccentric shaft is installed on each of the two sets of gears 11. A mounting frame 13 is vertically fixedly connected to the top of the seedling drop bucket 7. A connecting shaft 12 is rotatably connected to the eccentric shaft. One end of the connecting shaft 12 is rotatably connected to the mounting frame 13. The mounting frame 13 is arranged perpendicular to the axis of the seedling drop bucket 7. A servo motor is fixedly connected to the mounting plate 6. The servo motor is driven by one of the sets of gears 11.

[0028] The servo motor serves as the lifting power source, driving a set of gears 11 to rotate, which in turn drives another gear 11 to rotate synchronously via a chain. The eccentric shafts on the two gears 11 move in a circular motion with the gears 11, pushing the top mounting frame 13 of the seedling drop bucket 7 through the connecting shaft 12, converting the circular motion into lifting motion, and driving the seedling drop bucket 7 to precisely descend to the planting depth and then return to its original position. The double gear 11 chain drive ensures the synchronization of lifting, and the eccentric shaft structure makes the lifting stroke stable and controllable. During the lifting process, the mounting frame 13 only has a rigid limit in the vertical direction of the connecting part, and there is no interference in the plane direction of the mounting plate 6. Therefore, by adjusting the lifting speed, the seedling drop bucket 7 can be made to deviate to a certain extent during the lifting process, thus avoiding long-distance seedling drop holes during the movement of the device.

[0029] The design was further optimized so that the planting mechanism includes two sets of planting wheels 14, which are symmetrically connected to the rear end of the equipment frame 1.

[0030] The design was further optimized by installing symmetrical casters 15 on the equipment rack 1.

[0031] Two sets of planting wheels 14 are symmetrically arranged at the rear end of the equipment frame 1. They roll synchronously with the movement of the whole machine, compacting the soil on both sides of the roots of the planted seedlings, so that the roots are in close contact with the soil, preventing the roots from being suspended and the seedlings from falling over.

[0032] The design is further optimized by installing two sets of symmetrically arranged inductive switches on the mounting plate 6, and an inductive contact is provided at one end of the connecting shaft 12. The inductive contact is arranged in correspondence with the inductive switch. An electronically controlled end cover is installed at the bottom of the seedling drop bucket 7, and the electronically controlled end cover is connected to the inductive switch.

[0033] Two sets of inductive switches are symmetrically fixed on the mounting plate 6. The inductive contacts on the connecting shaft 12 move with the lifting assembly, forming a position triggering interaction with the inductive switches. When the seedling dropper 7 descends to the planting depth, the contacts trigger the inductive switches, and the control system instructs the electronically controlled end cover to open, allowing the seedling to be planted in the soil. When the seedling dropper 7 rises to reset, the contacts trigger another switch, and the electronically controlled end cover closes. The entire process is automatically linked, achieving precise timing control of lifting and dropping.

[0034] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0035] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention should fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A compact integrated machine for planting and compacting adult switchgrass seedlings, characterized in that, include: Equipment frame (1), with a traction frame (2) installed at the front end of the equipment frame (1); The rotating seedling feeding mechanism includes a support frame (3) fixedly connected to the equipment frame (1), a rotating seedling feeding disc (4) rotatably connected to the top of the support frame (3), a number of seedling feeding buckets (5) are installed circumferentially at equal intervals on the rotating seedling feeding disc (4), and a drive component is installed on the support frame (3), which is in transmission cooperation with the rotating seedling feeding disc (4). The seedling dropping mechanism includes a mounting plate (6), which is fixedly connected to the equipment frame (1). A lifting assembly is installed on the mounting plate (6), and a seedling dropping bucket (7) is installed on the lifting assembly. The bottom of the seedling dropping bucket (7) is a conical structure. The planting mechanism is installed at the rear end of the equipment frame (1) and is arranged correspondingly to the seedling drop bucket (7); The control system is connected to both the drive assembly and the lifting assembly.

2. The machine of claim 1, wherein, The drive assembly includes a drive motor (8), which is fixedly connected to the top of the support frame (3), and the output shaft of the drive motor (8) is fixedly connected to the center position of the rotating seedling tray (4).

3. The machine of claim 1, wherein, The bottom of the seedling container (5) is rotatably connected to a seedling cover (9), and a right-angle reciprocating rotary motor (10) is installed at the bottom of the seedling container (5). The right-angle reciprocating rotary motor (10) is used to control the opening and closing of the seedling cover (9).

4. The integrated machine for transplanting and compacting mature switchgrass seedlings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lifting assembly includes two sets of gears (11) rotatably connected to the mounting plate (6). The two sets of gears (11) are connected by a chain drive. An eccentric shaft is installed on each of the two sets of gears (11). A mounting frame (13) is vertically fixedly connected to the top of the seedling drop bucket (7). A connecting shaft (12) is rotatably connected to the eccentric shaft. One end of the connecting shaft (12) is rotatably connected to the mounting frame (13). The mounting frame (13) is arranged perpendicular to the axis of the seedling drop bucket (7). A servo motor is fixedly connected to the mounting plate (6). The servo motor is connected to one of the sets of gears (11) in a transmission engagement.

5. The integrated machine for transplanting and compacting mature switchgrass seedlings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The planting mechanism includes planting wheels (14), and two sets of planting wheels (14) are provided. The two sets of planting wheels (14) are symmetrically rotated and connected to the rear end of the equipment frame (1).

6. The integrated machine for transplanting and compacting mature switchgrass seedlings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The equipment frame (1) is symmetrically equipped with casters (15).

7. The integrated machine for transplanting and compacting mature switchgrass seedlings according to claim 4, characterized in that, Two sets of symmetrically arranged inductive switches are installed on the mounting plate (6). One end of the connecting shaft (12) is provided with an inductive contact. The inductive contact is arranged in correspondence with the inductive switch. An electric control end cover is installed at the bottom of the seedling bucket (7). The electric control end cover is connected to the inductive switch.

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