PROTECTION DEVICE FOR ROW-CROPS AGAINST CLIMATIC HAZARDS

Abstract

A protective device (1) against climatic hazards for a row crop comprising a support (2) for drive means (9) of a protective tarpaulin (4) between a folded and a deployed position. According to the invention, said drive means (9) comprise a deployment and folding mechanism (10) having a first end (7) connected to moving actuating means (11) and a free second end (8), as well as means for attaching it to said tarpaulin, said mechanism being capable of deploying the protective tarpaulin (4) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of a crop row and in a direction perpendicular to it when said actuating means push the free second end (8) away from said first end (7) of the mechanism (10) and of folding it when said free second end (8) is brought towards said first end (7).Figure for the summary: Fig. 2.

Description

Title of the invention: DEVICE FOR PROTECTING ROW-IN CROPS AGAINST CLIMATIC HAZARDS

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of agriculture and more particularly concerns a device for protecting against climatic hazards of row crops, such as vines, or market garden crops, or fruit crops, such as berries or other fruit.

[0002] The growth of plants in row crops depends on external weather conditions. However, recently, crops have been increasingly subjected to climatic hazards, which are becoming more frequent and intense, generally resulting in a sharp drop in yield, or even the loss of some crops. The need for effective protection against climatic hazards is therefore increasingly felt by farmers.

[0003] Certain solutions for protecting row crops against hail or frost are known, for example using candles or heating wires or hail nets. These solutions only protect against a single type of climatic damage and have drawbacks related to carbon dioxide emissions for some, or to the difficulty of implementation for others.

[0004] A solution for protecting crops against hail was proposed in document CN 218417667 U, which describes a device for deploying a hail net over a row of crops. The net is supported by means of longitudinal movement using an extension mechanism from a contracted position of the net, close to a support pillar of the device, to an extended position of the net along the crop row. Easier to use than the solutions previously described, this device is dedicated solely to hail protection. Furthermore, since this solution only allows deployment of the net in one direction, this device is limited to a width equal to that of the crop row in order to be compatible with mechanized farming, as machinery must be able to pass between the crop rows. This significantly limits the protection conferred on the crop by this device to the cultivated area.However, row crops often require broader protection to mitigate various climatic hazards.

[0005] Another solution for a device for deploying a protective tarpaulin along a row of vines is known from document FR 3056077 A, so as to confine, in the deployed position, all the vines in the row, right up to the base of their trunks. Of very complex construction, the solutions described in this document use traction cables and guide rails extending over the The row length, or a rotating longitudinal bar extending along the length of the row, implies a permanent installation of the device's components within the vine row. Such an installation proves highly intrusive for row crops and hinders mechanized cultivation operations, while also being difficult to implement.

[0006] An objective of the invention is to remedy the drawbacks of the aforementioned documents and to provide an original solution for a row crop protection device that protects crop rows against several climatic hazards, while being of simplified construction, able to easily integrate into the landscape.

[0007] This objective is achieved by the invention which proposes a device for protection against climatic hazards of a row crop comprising a support for means of driving a protective tarpaulin between a folded position and a deployed position thereof, characterized in that said driving means comprise a deployment and folding mechanism having a first end connected to moving actuation means and a second free end, as well as means of fixing to said tarpaulin, said mechanism being capable of deploying the protective tarpaulin in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of a row of crop and in a direction perpendicular to it when said actuation means push the second free end away from said first end of the mechanism and of folding it when said second end is brought towards said first end.

[0008] In other words, the invention proposes a device for protecting row crops against climatic hazards, comprising a support for drive components that move a protective cover in order to deploy and then retract it. All the components belong to the device, which is therefore self-supporting. Indeed, because the drive mechanism has a free end capable of moving the protective cover, there is no need to install it between several supports with traction cables running between them, as is the case in the prior art. The free end is understood to be a cantilevered end of the mechanism, the mechanism not being held by any support means at this free end.This solution provides a modular and simplified protection system that can be installed in a field without additional equipment or the need for neighboring protection systems. Furthermore, the device of the invention allows the protective cover to be deployed in two directions: a longitudinal direction parallel to the row of the crop, and a transverse direction perpendicular to the first, lying in a plane substantially parallel to the soil surface supporting the crop row. Such deployment in two directions... allows, with a device of small dimensions in folded position, to cover, in its deployed position, a large area not only in the direction of the length of the crop row, but also in the direction of its width, which allows to use fewer protection devices to cover a cultivated area, while offering better protection against the various climatic hazards of row cropping.

[0009] Thus, the undeployed device has a small footprint allowing access for agricultural machinery which can work the row crop without being hindered by the device which, in the deployed position, protects the crop over a large area against various climatic hazards, such as: frost, hail, burns (due to heat, UV radiation, etc.), high temperatures, rain or wind, with an environmental impact which reduces carbon emissions and the amount of plant protection product used.

[0010] Such a modular construction device is capable of covering a large area when deployed; for example, it can provide protection between 5 and 15 m in length and between 0.7 and 2 m in width. Its advantage lies in its ability to be installed on an ad hoc basis according to the farmer's needs, while also facilitating its deployment (in terms of transport and installation) and maintenance. When folded, the device of the invention has dimensions that allow it to be very discreet so that it can easily blend into the landscape. For example, it can have a length of 0.4 m and a width of 0.2 m when folded.

[0011] The device may include two deployment and folding mechanisms arranged on either side of said support, the free end of the first mechanism being able to move in the opposite direction to that of the free end of the second mechanism.

[0012] Each of the said first ends of said two deployment and folding mechanisms can be connected to actuation means common to the two mechanisms.

[0013] Said deployment and folding mechanism may include a pantograph comprising several modules, each module being formed of two arms articulated to each other around a central hinge, the modules being connected to each other in a pivotal manner around hinges at the ends of the arms.

[0014] The device may comprise several ribs, two ribs being connected to each other by pivoting around a hinge belonging to one of the ribs, each rib being mounted articulated at one of its ends around a hinge of the module, its opposite end being free, and in which the ribs are mounted pivoting around a hinge of the module at their end opposite to the one that connects it to the hinge.

[0015] The free end of the whale may include means for attaching the protective cover.

[0016] The device of the invention may include canvas lifting arms which can be mounted articulated around hinges on the ribs.

[0017] Said actuation means can move two tabs at the first end of the mechanism in translation in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support. This translational movement allows the pantograph mechanism to be extended and retracted in two other directions perpendicular to the first.

[0018] The device of the invention may include means for moving the deployment and folding mechanism in translation in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support. This allows the deployment and folding mechanism to be positioned at a height lower than its operating height, and then raised so that it can protect the crop in its deployed position.

[0019] Said deployment mechanism and said protective cover can be arranged inside a shell located in the upper part of said support. This allows them to be protected when they are in the folded position.

[0020] The said shell can be equipped with a solar panel. This makes the operation of the device of the invention electrically self-sufficient. In another embodiment, electrical energy self-sufficiency is ensured by batteries.

[0021] The device of the invention may include measuring sensors connected to automation means. This allows for automatic deployment and retraction of the protective tarpaulin drive mechanism.

[0022] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which is based on the following figures: Fig. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the protective device of the invention in its folded position; [Fig.2] is a schematic view illustrating the protection device of the invention in its deployed position; [Fig.3] is a side view of the deployment mechanism; [Fig.4] is a front view of the deployment mechanism; [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the deployment mechanism; Figures 6a to 6e illustrate the different deployment positions of the protective device of the invention arranged in rows of vines; Figure 7 illustrates a view from below of the device of the invention in its deployed position.

[0023] In the various figures, identical or similar elements bear the same reference. Their description is therefore not systematically repeated.

[0024] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a weather protection device 1 of the invention, the device being shown in its folded position. The device comprises a support 2 having a hollow cylindrical rod 2.1 with longitudinal axis z-z'. The rod 2.1 is connected, at its lower end, to a base 5 for anchoring the support 2 in the ground and, at its upper end, to a shell 3 enclosing the head of the protection device, the head of which includes a deployment mechanism 10 and a protective cover 4, shown in the folded position. The protective cover 4 is attached to the deployment mechanism 10 by means of fastening means, as will be explained below. The shell 3 includes a cover 6 at its upper part.

[0025] The support 2 also includes actuation means 11 for the movement of the deployment device 10. In the illustrated example, the actuation means 11 include an electric motor 12 and coupling means to a first worm screw 14 connected to the deployment mechanism 10. The electric motor 12 also includes connection means to a second worm screw 16 for vertically moving the head of the protective device 1.

[0026] The structure and operation of the deployment mechanism 10 will be explained in what follows with reference to figures 3, 4 and 5. The deployment mechanism 10 is formed of several rigid arms articulated together mounted with the possibility of pivoting around hinges, each hinge allowing the rotation of the arms around its central axis.

[0027] More specifically, longitudinal movement or movement along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the crop row is achieved using a scissor mechanism or pantograph. A pantograph comprises several modules A connected to each other by means of hinges at their ends, each module A having two rigid arms A1, A2 of the same length pivotally articulated at their center around a hinge 1x, and wherein each arm A1, A2 is pivotally connected at its end by means of a hinge x2, x4 to two arms A1, A2 of an adjacent module A. Several modules A thus connected form a pantograph. The pantograph is driven into motion by connecting the tabs 7.1 and 7.2 located at the first end 7 of the deployment mechanism 10 to the actuation means 11 which are represented in the example illustrated by the first worm screw 14 and the electric motor 12 for rotating the worm screw 14. .

[0028] Transverse movement, or movement in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the row, is achieved by means of the stays B1 and B2, which are mounted articulated to each other around hinges x3. More specifically, a stay B1 is an arm A rigid arm approximately twice the length of the arm forming a B2 splint. The B1 and B2 splints are hinged around the end hinges of each pantograph module A. A B1 splint pivots around hinge x2 and a B2 splint pivots around hinge x4 of module A, with B1 and B2 pivots relative to each other around hinge x3 ([Fig. 3]). The protective cover is attached to the B1 splints, specifically to their free ends, using fastening means 4.1 ([Fig. 7]), and follows the lateral expansion of the splints during deployment, giving the protective cover a two-sloped roof shape when deployed.

[0029] Each module A of the pantograph deployment mechanism 10 is also equipped with two canvas risers El and E2 ([Fig.4]) which are also made up of rigid articulated arms mounted on the ribs B1 by means of a hinge x6. The canvas risers El and E2 are raised by pivoting relative to each other along the axis of a hinge x5 by which they are connected to each other, allowing the canvas forming the protective cover 4 to rise and avoid being pinched by the elements Al and A2 of the pantograph or to give it the shape given by the ribs B1 during the deployment of the protective cover.

[0030] We will now explain the operation of the mechanism 10 for deploying and retracting the protective cover 4. In the closed position of the pantograph, the distance between the axes of its hinges x2 and x4 is at its maximum, and the pantograph is compressed longitudinally. During deployment, by axially translating the tabs 7.1 and 7.2 towards each other, the axes of the hinges x2 and x4 move closer together, causing the length of the pantograph (composed of modules A) to increase due to the pivoting of arms A1 and A2 around the axis of hinge A1. Thus, by periodic symmetry, at each module A, the axes of the pantograph's hinges x2 and x4 move closer together, causing the upper and lower parts of each module A to move apart longitudinally and simultaneously. This results in the overall lengthening of the device.The spars Bl, to which the canvas is attached, move apart due to the approach of axes x2 and x4. Axis x3, which connects the two spars Bl and B2, causes the free end of spar Bl to move apart, allowing the canvas to widen transversely and thus giving the protective cover a roof shape with two lateral slopes. The canvas risers El and E2 lower by pivoting around the axis of hinge x5, allowing the protective cover to conform to the roof shape imposed by the spars Bl as the pantograph is deployed. Thus, in the fully deployed position of the pantograph, the distance between these axes X2 and X4 is at its minimum, and the pantograph is then extended horizontally. the plane formed by a longitudinal direction Y-Y' and a transverse direction X-X' ([Fig.2]).

[0031] When the protective tarpaulin is to be folded, the two tabs 7.1 and 7.2 are actuated by means of the first worm gear 14 in an axial translational movement (parallel to the z-z' axis of the support 2), which causes the axes of the pantograph hinges x2 and x4 to move apart. The length of the pantograph (composed of modules A) is reduced by the pivoting of elements A1 and A2 around the axis of the hinge xl. Due to periodic symmetry, all pairs of axes x2 and x4 of the pantograph are at an increased distance, and the upper and lower parts of the pantograph all move longitudinally closer together simultaneously. This causes the longitudinal shortening of the device. The ribs B1 to which the tarpaulin is attached also move closer together and fold. Each upper rib B1 folds, allowing a transverse shortening of the tarpaulin.The canvas risers El and E2 are raised by articulation along the x5 axis, allowing the canvas to rise and preventing it from being pinched by the Al and A2 elements of the pantograph.

[0032] Figures 6a to 6e illustrate different operating stages of the protective device 1 of the invention. Figure 6a illustrates three protective devices 1 of the invention installed at a certain distance from each other, each in a row of vines, with the devices in the folded position. It can be seen that they are very compact and discreet and are designed to allow the passage of machinery through the vineyard. By way of example, the height of the device in the fully folded position is between approximately 0.8 and 3 m, and is chosen so that its upper part does not extend beyond the foliage of the vine.

[0033] Figure 6b illustrates the first stage of deployment of a protective tarpaulin 4, more precisely by moving vertically upwards (in the Z direction of [Fig.2]) the head of the device, i.e. the assembly formed by the protective cover 4 and the deployment mechanism 10. This movement is carried out by actuating in rotational motion (for example with the help of the electric motor 12) the second worm screw 16 contained in the rod 2.1 of the support 2. The components of the device are thus positioned above each row of vines and the protective cover 4 can be deployed.

[0034] Figure 6c shows the beginning of the longitudinal deployment of the protective tarpaulin 4 on either side of the support 2, Figure 6d illustrates an intermediate phase of the deployment, and Figure 6e shows the end of the deployment of the protective tarpaulin 4, which extends along the row of vines as well as laterally between two rows of vines. The total length of protection provided by the device is between 5 and 15 m. The total width of protection is between 0.7 and 2 m to accommodate the inter-row spacing, which depends on the specific density of the crop in the row. The height of the roof formed by the deployment of the protective tarpaulin can be 1.5 m. The double-sloped shape of the roof allows the row crop to be protected from rain, UV radiation, hail up to an angle of incidence of 40°, while allowing work to be carried out on the crop below.

[0035] The protective tarpaulin 4 is made from a single piece of fabric or several pieces of fabric joined together by stitching, possibly with gaps at the seams to reduce wind resistance. The fabric of the protective tarpaulin may be woven and treated to be waterproof and / or reinforced with stronger fibers to withstand the elements. The color may vary depending on the intended use; for example, a light color may be chosen, or even a metallic fabric to reflect UV radiation.

[0036] Folding the protective cover 4 is done by going through the same steps, but in reverse.

[0037] Fig. 7 illustrates, by means of a view from below of the deployed tarpaulin, the deployment mechanism thereof according to a variant comprising a mechanism where each module A includes a double pantograph (comprising two articulated arms Al, A2 in parallel) as well as its means of attachment 4.1 to a rib Bl.

[0038] The device of the invention may include sensors for measuring meteorological parameters (temperature, humidity, wind, etc.) which communicate with a central unit which controls the automatic deployment or retraction of the device 10. In another embodiment, the central unit includes means for remote communication with the user who can then remotely control the deployment or retraction of the device 10. In yet another embodiment, the deployment and retraction device 10 is equipped with a manual control.

[0039] The protection device 1 of the invention includes means for supplying electrical power to start the actuating means of the deployment and retraction device 10, such as electric batteries. These batteries can be rechargeable, for example by being retractable for connection to the electrical grid or by means of solar panels. Such a solar panel can advantageously be installed on the cover 6 of the shell 3. This allows it to be energy self-sufficient.

[0040] When the protective device 1 of the invention is installed in a cultivated area with row crops, it can be connected to existing trellis wires 20 ([Fig. 2]) for improved wind resistance. In one embodiment, the support 2 of the protective device 1 of the invention can be used to attach new trellis wires 20 when starting a new crop.

[0041] The protection device 1 of the invention provides complete protection against several climatic hazards and is compatible with the mechanization of cultivation. in rows, and it is compatible with existing row crop trellising. The system is modular in construction and has a minimal visual impact within the cultivated plot.

[0042] Other variations and embodiments of the invention can be envisaged within the scope of the invention as claimed. Thus, instead of the pantograph, an electric actuator can be used to apply the thrust force to the free end of the protective tarpaulin deployment mechanism.

[0043] In another variant, additional articulated ribs can be added, mounted articulated around hinges of the pantograph, in order to increase the coverage width when deploying the protective device of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. A protective device (1) against climatic hazards of a row crop comprising a support (2) for drive means (9) of a protective tarpaulin (4) between a folded position and a deployed position thereof, wherein said drive means (9) comprise a deployment and folding mechanism (10) having a first end (7) connected to moving actuating means (11) and a free second end (8), as well as means for attaching it to said tarpaulin, said mechanism being capable of deploying the protective tarpaulin (4) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of a row of crop and in a direction perpendicular to it when said actuating means push the free second end (8) away from said first end (7) of the mechanism (10) and of folding it when said free second end (8) is brought towards said first end (7),characterized in that said deployment and retraction mechanism (10) comprises a pantograph comprising several modules (A), each module being formed of two arms (A1, A2) articulated to each other around a central hinge (x1), the modules (A) being pivotally connected to each other around hinges (x2, x4) at the ends of the arms (A1, A2).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two deployment and folding mechanisms (10) arranged on either side of said support (2), the free end (8) of the first mechanism being able to move in the opposite direction to that of the free end (8) of the second mechanism (10).

3. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each of said first ends (7) of said two deployment and folding mechanisms (10) is connected to actuation means (11) common to the two mechanisms.

4. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises several ribs (B1, B2), two ribs being connected to each other by pivoting about a hinge (x3) belonging to one of the ribs (B1), each rib (B1) being mounted articulated at one of its ends about a hinge (x2) of the module (A), its opposite end being free, and wherein the ribs (B2) are pivotally mounted around a hinge (x4) of the module (A) at their end opposite to that which connects it to the hinge (x3).

5. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the free end of the whale (Bl) includes means for fixing (4.1) the protective cover (4).

6. Device according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that it comprises canvas raising arms (El, E2) mounted articulated around hinges (x6) on the ribs (Bl).

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuation means (11) move in translation in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (z-z') of the support (2) two tabs (7.1, 7.2) of the first end (7) of the mechanism (10).

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for moving in translation of the deployment and folding mechanism (10) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (z-z') of the support (2).

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said deployment mechanism and said protective cover (4) are arranged inside a shell (3) located in the upper part of said support (2).

10. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said shell (3) is equipped with a solar panel.

11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises measuring sensors connected to automation means.

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