Tying-up equipment

Abstract

The present invention relates to tying-up equipment (24) provided to be arranged on an agricultural plot (10) and comprising at least one tying-up row (12, 14) designed to allow the tying-up of plants (22), each tying-up row (12, 14) comprising at least two end posts (16) which carry at least one tying-up wire (18, 20) made of electrically conductive material, characterised in that it comprises: at least one electrical power supply source (30) which is electrically connected to said tying-up wire (18, 20), and at least one electrical apparatus (28) which is electrically connected to said tying-up wire (18, 20) so as to be able to be supplied with electric current by the electrical power supply source (30) via said tying-up wire (18, 20).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: TRELLISING INSTALLATION

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to the field of trellising installations for plants.

[0005] Technical background

[0006] Trellising is an agricultural technique by which plant branches are tied to horizontal wires to optimize the foliage's sunlight exposure, increasing quality and yield. Trellising is widely used in the wine industry.

[0007] With each arrival of spring, in vineyards, market gardens or fruit tree areas, spring frosts cause havoc during the sap flow period, also called the "budding" period, i.e. in April and May in Western Europe (Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland and Portugal). The phenomenon is similar in the countries of the southern hemisphere of the temperate zone in October and November.

[0008] Most farms, to protect themselves from an event that is difficult to cover with insurance, use protection techniques.

[0009] The existing systems currently in use are wind turbines, helicopters, intensive watering (1 m3 of water per second), the setting up of burning paraffin drums (400 to 500 15 kg drums per hectare) and traditional gas burners and other fuel heaters. These are all systems which, regardless of their relative effectiveness, are very expensive to operate.

[0010] To solve these problems, the applicant proposed in its application WO2020 / 201494 a combustion heating device, also called a heater, using biomass-based fuel, for example granules or pellets.

[0011] When a risk of spring frost is detected in an agricultural plot, it is necessary to activate all combustion heating devices installed in the agricultural plot. For example, when the farmer of the agricultural plot uses candles to combat spring frost, he may have installed up to 500 candles per hectare.

[0012] There is therefore a need for a solution that allows the grouped combustion device to be ignited or triggered, without the need for a complex and costly installation.

[0013] Summary of the invention

[0014] The invention proposes a trellising installation intended to be arranged on an agricultural plot and comprising at least one row of trellises intended to allow the trellising of plants, each row of trellises comprising at least two end stakes which carry at least one trellising wire made of electrically conductive material, characterized in that it comprises:

[0015] - at least one electrical power source which is electrically connected to said trellis wire, and

[0016] - at least one electrical device which is electrically connected to said trellis wire so as to be able to be supplied with electric current by the electrical power source through said trellis wire.

[0017] Thanks to the invention, it is possible to produce a centralized power supply device to power various electrical devices, for example to trigger the ignition of several heating devices, without it being necessary to implement a heavy infrastructure requiring for example to pull electrical wires over significant lengths or requiring a large number of communication devices and as many power batteries to keep these devices operational.

[0018] The invention is particularly suitable for covering large areas such as vineyard plots of several hectares, by exploiting the metal wires already present on the trellis rows in the agricultural plot. Even in the case where the trellis wires are connected to earth, it is nevertheless possible to pass sufficient low-voltage electric current to power electrical ignition devices for the time needed to light the associated combustion heating devices. Since the power supply is only required for relatively short periods, the electrical consumption of the installation does not constitute an obstacle to its implementation.

[0019] According to other characteristics of the invention:

[0020] - the electrical power source is connected by a first power terminal to a first trellis wire and by a second power terminal to a second trellis wire, the electrical appliance being connected to the first trellis wire by a first connection wire and being connected to the second trellis wire by a second connection wire, so that the power supply to the electrical appliance passes through the two trellis wires;

[0021] - the installation comprises at least two rows of trellising and in that the first trellis wire belongs to a first row of trellising and the second trellis wire belongs to a second row of trellising separate from the first row of trellising;

[0022] - the electrical device is an electrical ignition device, the electrical ignition device being capable of causing the ignition of a heating device placed near said row of trellises;

[0023] - each electrical ignition device is connected to an electrical connection box which is interposed between said trellis wire and the electrical ignition device, the electrical connection box comprising a decoupling circuit configured to isolate the electrical ignition device after triggering;

[0024] - the electrical connection box includes a diagnostic device which can signal a fault in the connection of the electrical ignition device to the power supply source;

[0025] - the installation includes a switch which, when the electrical connection box is powered according to a first polarity, causes the diagnostic device to be powered and which, when the electrical connection box is powered according to a second polarity, causes the electrical ignition device to be powered;

[0026] - each electrical connection box has connection terminals fitted with a mechanical device facilitating the physical connection and disconnection of the electrical ignition device from the electrical connection box;

[0027] - the electrical connection box is equipped with a communication module;

[0028] - the installation comprises an electronic control unit configured to collect operating parameters of the electrical connection box and / or the electrical ignition device via the communication module;

[0029] - the electrical ignition device is a pyrotechnic device or a resistive device.

[0030] The invention also proposes a heating device intended to equip a trellising installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is equipped with an electrical ignition device comprising means for electrical connection to at least one trellising wire.

[0031] Brief description of the figures

[0032] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0033] [Fig.1] is a schematic view which represents an agricultural plot equipped with a trellising installation comprising means of protection against frost according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0034] [Fig.2] is a diagram which represents in more detail the electrical connection box which equips the trellising installation of figure 1;

[0035] [Fig.3] is a schematic view similar to that of Figure 1 which represents a second embodiment of the invention, where the trellising installation comprises an electrical circuit which uses two wires from two separate trellis rows;

[0036] [Fig. 4] is an electrical diagram which represents a first example of electrical connection for the electrical supply circuit of the trellising installation of Figure 1; [Fig. 5] is an electrical diagram which represents a second example of electrical connection for the electrical supply circuit of the trellising installation of Figure 1;

[0037] [Fig. 6] is a diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the electrical ignition devices equipping the trellising installation of Figure 1 are equipped with a wireless communication module and a centralized electronic control unit. Detailed description of the invention

[0038] In the following description, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numbers.

[0039] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a trellising installation 24 which is arranged on an agricultural plot 10. The trellising installation comprises a first row of trellises 12 and a second row of trellises 14. These two rows of trellises 12, 14 are here arranged parallel to each other.

[0040] Each row of trellises 12, 14 here comprises two end stakes 16 which carry an upper trellis wire 18 and a lower trellis wire 20. The upper and lower trellis wires 18, 20 are here also carried by intermediate stakes 21 distributed regularly between the end stakes 16. In addition, plants 22 are arranged along each row of trellises 12, 14 and they are trained, that is to say that some of their branches are attached to the trellis wires 18, 20 of the associated row of trellises 12, 14.

[0041] Plants 22 are, for example, vines, but they could also be fruit trees or other types of plants.

[0042] It is noted that the end stakes 16 and the intermediate stakes 21 are here made of non-metallic material, for example wood or plastic.

[0043] Of course, according to alternative embodiments (not shown), the rows of trellises 12, 14 may each comprise a single trellis wire 18, 20, or more than two trellis wires 18, 20.

[0044] The trellising installation 24 shown here comprises frost protection means. Thus, according to this first embodiment, the trellising installation 24 comprises a series of heating devices 26, for example of the type described in document WO2020 / 201494. These heating devices 26 are here placed on the agricultural plot 10, between the first and second rows of trellising 12, 14, so as to be able to cause a rise in temperature near the plants 22 of the two rows, which makes it possible to combat the risks linked in particular to spring frosts.

[0045] Each heating device 26 is here provided with an electrical ignition device 28. This electrical ignition device 28 is for example a pyrotechnic device which, when supplied with electric current, causes ignition of the fuel contained in the heating device 26. According to an alternative embodiment, the pyrotechnic device can be replaced by a resistive device for example.

[0046] The trellising installation 24 also comprises an electrical power source 30 which is electrically connected to the electrical triggering devices 28 by the trellis wires 18, 20 and which is capable of supplying a direct or alternating electric current at low voltage, for example a voltage lower than 50V, preferably a voltage of 12V or 24V. According to the embodiment shown, the electrical power supply passes only through the trellis wires 18, 20 of the first row of trellises 12. Indeed, since the stakes 16, 21 are not made of metallic material, they are not electrically conductive, which allows relative insulation between the two trellis wires 18, 20.

[0047] Advantageously, an insulator for supporting a trellis wire 18, 20 can be used in the case of metal stakes.

[0048] In the case where the trellis wires 18, 20 are connected to each other at their end or at any intermediate point, the electrical supply can pass through two trellis wires 18, 20 belonging to two separate trellis rows 12, 14, as illustrated in FIG. 3 and as will be described later.

[0049] According to the first embodiment of FIG. 1, the upper trellis wire 18 of the first row of trellises 12 is connected to a first power supply terminal 32 of the electrical power source 30 by a first power supply wire 34 and the lower trellis wire 20 of the first row of trellises 12 is connected to a second power supply terminal 36 of the electrical power source 30 by a second power supply wire 38. Thus, the electrical power source 30 forms, with the upper and lower trellis wires 18, 20 and with the power supply wires 34, 38, an electrical power supply circuit 39.

[0050] It is noted that the choice of connection to an upper or lower trellis wire 18, 20 is not decisive, the important thing being to form an operational electrical supply circuit 39 making it possible to supply the electrical energy necessary for the operation of the electrical ignition devices 28.

[0051] According to this embodiment, each electrical ignition device 28 is electrically connected to the two trellis wires 18, 20 of the first row of trellises 12 respectively by a first connection wire 40 and by a second connection wire 42.

[0052] Advantageously, the trellising installation 24 comprises an electrical connection box 44, shown in more detail in FIG. 2, which is interposed between each electrical ignition device 28 and the two associated connection wires 40, 42. This electrical connection box 44 comprises a decoupling circuit 46 which is configured so as to decouple the electrical ignition device 28 from the electrical supply circuit 39 after the heating device 26 has been ignited. When decoupled, the electrical ignition device 28 is electrically isolated from the electrical supply circuit 39. This decoupling function is particularly useful when there is a risk that the electrical ignition device 28 will short-circuit after ignition, which could prevent the other heating devices 26 from being ignited.

[0053] Advantageously, the electrical connection box 44 also comprises a diagnostic device 48 which makes it possible to signal a connection fault of the electrical ignition device 28 to the electrical supply circuit 39 preventing the electrical supply and the triggering of the electrical ignition device 28. Such a connection fault is for example caused by oxidation of one of the trellis wires 18, 20 where one of the supply wires 34, 38 is connected, or where one of the connection wires 40, 42 is connected.

[0054] Advantageously, the decoupling circuit 46 comprises a switch 50 which, when the electrical power supply circuit 39 is powered in a first direction, or first polarity, causes the diagnostic device 48 to be powered and decouples the electrical ignition device 28 from the electrical power supply circuit 39 and which, when the electrical power supply circuit 39 is powered in a second direction, or second polarity, causes the electrical ignition device 28 to be powered.

[0055] This embodiment makes it possible to implement two operating modes of the trellising installation 24. According to a first operating mode, called installation mode, the electrical power supply circuit 39 is powered according to the first polarity, for example by connecting the upper trellis wire 18 to the negative terminal of the electrical power source 30. This makes it possible to arrange the electrical ignition devices 28 with their electrical connection boxes 44 in the agricultural plot 10 and to connect them to the electrical power supply circuit 39 without risk of triggering the ignition since only the diagnostic devices 48 of each electrical connection box 44 can be powered.

[0056] Each diagnostic device 48 comprises, for example, a light-emitting diode 52 which lights up when the electrical connection box 44 is connected to the electrical supply circuit 39 and the trellising installation 24 is in installation mode. If the light-emitting diode 52 does not light up, this signals a connection fault and indicates to the operator responsible for the trellising installation 24 that the associated heating device 26 cannot be switched on until the fault has been corrected.

[0057] Advantageously, the diagnostic device 48 can signal a connection fault of the electrical ignition device 28 to the electrical connection box 44 or a defective electrical ignition device 28. It can comprise several light-emitting diodes 52 to facilitate identification of the type of fault. According to a second operating mode, called ignition mode, the electrical power supply circuit 39 is powered according to the second polarity, that is to say according to a polarity reversed with respect to the first, here by connecting the upper trellis wire 18 to the positive terminal of the electrical power source 30. This ignition mode makes it possible, once the electrical ignition devices 28 have been correctly installed in the agricultural plot 10, with their electrical connection boxes 44, to trigger the ignition of the heating devices 26 by powering each electrical ignition device 28.

[0058] It is noted that, in addition to the installation mode and the ignition mode, there is a standby mode during which the electrical supply circuit 39 is not supplied with current. This standby mode is implemented after the installation of the trellising installation 24, while waiting for the moment of triggering of the heating devices 26, as long as no frost requiring the ignition of the heating devices 26 is detected.

[0059] The electrical power source 30 is for example an electric battery provided with a switch 54 making it possible to trigger the power supply to the electrical power supply circuit 39 according to the first or second polarity, and making it possible to cut off its power supply.

[0060] Advantageously, the electrical power source 30 can be connected to a vehicle such as an all-terrain vehicle capable of coming close to the agricultural plot 10. The connection can be made for example by means of a cigarette lighter socket on the vehicle. Thus, it is the vehicle which provides the energy necessary to supply the electrical power supply circuit 39.

[0061] Advantageously, each electrical connection box 44 comprises connection terminals 56 provided with a mechanical device (not shown) which facilitates the physical connection and disconnection of the electrical ignition device 28 with respect to the electrical connection box 44. This mechanical device comprises, for example, a lever provided with an elastic return element capable of pressing an electrical contact of the electrical ignition device 28 against an electrical contact of the electrical connection box 44. As indicated previously, in certain cases it is not possible to use two trellis wires 18, 20 of the same row of trellises 12, 14. Figure 3 proposes a second embodiment in which the electrical power source 30 is connected to the lower trellis wire 20 of the first row of trellises 12 and to the upper trellis wire 18 of the second row of trellises 14.In the same way, each electrical ignition device 28 is connected by its first connection wire 40 to the lower trellis wire 20 of the first row of trellises 12 and by its second connection wire 42 to the upper trellis wire 18 of the second row of trellises 14.

[0062] Of course, the trellising installation 24 according to the second embodiment is compatible with non-insulated metal stakes 16, 21.

[0063] It is noted that it is possible to use in this case one or other of the upper and lower trellis wires 18, 20 for each row of trellises 12, 14.

[0064] The operation of the trellising installation 24 according to the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment.

[0065] In Figure 4, a first electrical diagram is shown which illustrates a first example of electrical connection for the trellising installation 24 according to the invention when it is desired to independently control several series of electrical ignition devices 28. According to this first example of electrical connection, the electrical power source 30 comprises two series of connections B1, B2 which allow it to independently control the power supply of a first series S1 of electrical ignition devices 28, arranged for example in a first agricultural plot 10, and of a second series S2 of electrical ignition devices 28, arranged for example in a second agricultural plot 10.

[0066] According to an alternative embodiment, the first and second series S1, S2 can be arranged in the same agricultural plot 10 but between different rows of trellises 12, 14. This configuration allows partial ignition of the heating devices 26 of the agricultural plot 10, for example in the event of low-intensity frost. In Figure 5, a second electrical diagram is shown which illustrates a second example of electrical connection for the trellis installation 24 according to the invention when it is desired to simultaneously control several series S1, S2 of electrical ignition devices 28. In this second example, the two series S1, S2 of electrical ignition devices 28 are connected to the same power supply terminals 32, 36 on the electrical power source 30.

[0067] It is noted that, in the alternative embodiment of FIG. 5, even if two pairs of power supply wires 34, 38 are shown for connection to the two pairs of trellis wires 18, 20 of the first and second rows 12, 14, the trellis installation 24 could use only two power supply wires 34, 38 which would leave the electrical power source 30 to connect to the associated trellis wires 18, 20.

[0068] According to an alternative embodiment, which is illustrated by FIG. 6, each electrical connection box 44 can be equipped with a communication module 58, for example configured for wireless communication, which makes it possible to communicate remotely with each electrical connection box 44. The communication module 58 makes it possible, for example, to send diagnostic information to an electronic control unit 60 making it possible to know whether the electrical ignition device 28 is functional or faulty. It is also possible to equip the electrical connection box 44 with sensors which provide meteorological information, which allows the electronic control unit 60 to determine, via the communication module 58, the temperature and / or the humidity level and / or the wind speed at each electrical ignition device 28.

[0069] It is noted that the installation 24 can also provide that only a portion of the electrical connection boxes 44 are equipped with communication modules 58, for example one in two or one in three.

[0070] The electronic control unit 60 can also be connected by a communication module 58 to the electrical power source 30 in order to allow remote triggering of the ignition of the heating devices 26 according to parameters provided by sensors or following a remote command from the user.

[0071] The communication modules 58 can use, for example, radio waves, the Wifi standard or the Bluetooth standard, or carrier currents passing through the electrical power supply circuit 39.

[0072] It is noted that the communication modules 58 can communicate with each other, without the presence of a central module such as the electronic control unit 60.

[0073] For example, an electrical ignition device 24 can communicate with the communication modules 58 around it to obtain weather information from the nearest sensors. Depending on the available readings, it decides whether or not to turn on the associated heating device 26. In this case, all communications are local.

[0074] According to an alternative embodiment, the electrical power supply circuit 39 can be used solely for the electrical power supply of the electrical ignition devices 28 and the ignition can be triggered by another system, for example via a communication module 58.

[0075] According to another alternative embodiment, the electrical power supply circuit 39 can be used for the electrical power supply of other electrical devices, for example lighting devices, sensors, or a device for stopping the heating device 26.

[0076] It is noted that the electrical power supply circuit 39 may comprise measurement modules, powered by the trellis installation 24 in a manner similar to the communication modules 58. These measurement modules can thus benefit from the power supply in installation mode to have energy, make local measurements and transmit them. Thus, these measurement modules exploit the principle of electrical power supply via the trellis wires 18, 20, without being connected to an ignition device 28.

[0077] The invention thus provides a technical solution making it possible to use at least one trellis wire 18, 20 to carry electrical energy and / or an electrical signal. It is noted that the invention also proposes the use of the trellis wires 18, 20 in combination with other electrical circuit elements. For example, it is possible to use a single trellis line 18, 20, for example on the first row 12, by supplementing it with a conventional insulated electrical wire, which replaces the second trellis line 18, 20 to form the electrical supply circuit 39. In such a case, the conventional electrical wire can be installed on the trellis wire 18, 20, for example by making one or two turns around the trellis wire 18, 20 between two adjacent stakes 16, 21.

[0078] According to yet another embodiment, a single line of trellising 18, 20 is used and the second line is replaced by a metal structure such as a greenhouse, metal planter support trays, metal irrigation pipes, etc., or even an earth connection.

[0079] It is noted that the trellis wires 18, 20 of the trellis installation 24 according to the invention can be used to convey information, jointly or separately from the electrical supply.

[0080] The use of several trellis lines 18, 20 can be used to convey different electrical signals, or to convey the same electrical signal in order to strengthen it or make it more reliable.

[0081] LEGEND

[0082] 10: agricultural plot

[0083] 12: first row of trellising

[0084] 14: second row of trellising

[0085] 16: end stake

[0086] 18: upper trellis wire

[0087] 20: lower trellis wire

[0088] 21: intermediate stake

[0089] 22: vegetable

[0090] 24: trellis installation

[0091] 26: heating device

[0092] 28: electrical ignition device

[0093] 30: Power supply source 32: First power terminal 34 First power wire

[0094] 36 second power terminal

[0095] 38 second power wire

[0096] 39 power supply circuit 40 first connection wire

[0097] 42 second connecting wire

[0098] 44 electrical connection box

[0099] 46 decoupling circuit

[0100] 48 diagnostic device 50 switch

[0101] 52 light emitting diode

[0102] 54 switch

[0103] 56 connection terminal

[0104] 58 communication module 60 electronic control unit

[0105] B1, B2: branching series

[0106] S1, S2: series of electrical ignition devices

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Trellising installation (24) intended to be arranged on an agricultural plot (10) and comprising at least one row of trellising (12, 14) intended to allow the trellising of plants (22), each row of trellising (12, 14) comprising at least two end posts (16) which carry at least one trellising wire (18, 20) made of electrically conductive material, characterized in that it comprises: - at least one power supply (30) which is electrically connected to said trellis wire (18, 20), and - at least one electrical device (28) which is electrically connected to said trellis wire (18, 20) so as to be able to be supplied with electric current by the power supply source (30) through said trellis wire (18, 20).

2. Trellising installation (24) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the power supply (30) is connected by a first power terminal (32) to a first trellis wire (18) and by a second power terminal (36) to a second trellis wire (20), the electrical device (28) being connected to the first trellis wire (18) by a first connecting wire (40) and being connected to the second trellis wire (20) by a second connecting wire (42), so that the power supply to the electrical device (28) passes through the two trellis wires (18, 20).

3. Trellising installation (24) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises at least two rows of trellising (12, 14) and in that the first trellising wire (18) belongs to a first row of trellising (12) and the second trellising wire (20) belongs to a second row of trellising (14) distinct from the first row of trellising (12).

4. Trellising installation (24) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical apparatus is an electrical ignition device (28), the device An electrical ignition device (28) capable of igniting a heating device (26) located near said trellising wire (12, 14). A trellising installation (24) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each electrical ignition device (28) is connected to an electrical junction box (44) which is interposed between said trellising wire (18, 20) and the electrical ignition device (28), the electrical junction box (44) comprising a decoupling circuit (46) configured to isolate the electrical ignition device (28) after activation. A trellising installation (24) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the electrical junction box (44) comprises a diagnostic device (48) that signals a fault in the connection of the electrical ignition device (28) to the power supply (30).A trellising system (24) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a switch (50) which, when the electrical connection box (44) is powered according to a first polarity, powers the diagnostic device (48) and which, when the electrical connection box (44) is powered according to a second polarity, powers the electrical ignition device (28). A trellising system (24) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that each electrical connection box (44) comprises connection terminals (56) equipped with a mechanical device facilitating the physical connection and disconnection of the electrical ignition device (28) from the electrical connection box (44).Trellising installation (24) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the electrical connection box (44) is equipped with a communication module (58). Trellising installation (24) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises an electronic unit of.

11. Control (60) configured to collect operating parameters of the electrical connection box (44) and / or the electrical ignition device (28) via the communication module (58).

12. Trellising installation (24) according to any one of the preceding claims taken in combination with claim 4, characterized in that the electrical ignition device (28) is a pyrotechnic device or a resistive device.

13. Heating device (26) intended to equip a trellising installation (24) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is equipped with an electrical ignition device (28) comprising means for electrical connection (40, 42) to at least one trellis wire (18, 20).

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