Transplantation device

Abstract

To provide a technique that can properly transplant seedlings to a farm field while reducing a time interval between planting of the seedlings in a transplantation device for the seedlings having a planting cup.SOLUTION: A transplantation device 20 comprises: a first case 31 that rotates around a central axis O together with a power input shaft 41; a first power conversion mechanism 51 that transmits power from the power input shaft 41 to a first output shaft 42 which rotates together with the first case 31; a second case 32 that rotates around the first axis O1 together with the first output shaft 42; and a planting unit 33 that is rotatably supported around a second axis O2 that rotates around the first axis O1 together with the second case 32. The first power conversion mechanism 51 includes: a non-uniform speed ratio conversion unit which modifies the rotational power output from the power input shaft 41 to slow it down on the upper side and speed it up on the lower side of the central axis O; and a speed ratio conversion unit which converts the rotational power output from the non-uniform speed ratio conversion unit into a double rotational speed in an opposite direction and outputs the rotational power to the first output shaft 42. When there are the multiple planting units 33, the movement in a front-rear direction near a bottom dead point can be minimized.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to implant devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as a transplanter for transplanting seedlings of rice, vegetables, etc. into a field, a transplanter for transplanting potted seedlings grown in a seedling box into a field has been known. A conventional transplanter for transplanting potted seedlings into a field is described, for example, in Patent Document 1. FIG. 11 is a side view of the transplanter described in Patent Document 1.

[0003] In the transplanter (X1) described in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 11, a transplanting mechanism having a planting cup (planting cup X18) and a compacting wheel (soil covering wheel X13) are arranged in order from the front to the rear in the direction of travel of the transplanter (X1).

[0004] In this transplanter (X1), the planting cup (planting cup X18) moves up and down, picking up the seedlings near the top dead center and releasing the seedlings while creating a hole in the field near the bottom dead center, planting the seedlings in the field. Then, the pressure wheel (soil cover wheel X13) backfills the hole where the seedlings were planted and covers the roots of the seedlings with soil. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Registered Utility Model No. 2511414 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In a transplanting device having such a planting cup, in order to shorten the distance between seedlings in the moving direction of the transplanting device (transplanting pitch) or to increase the moving speed of the transplanting device, it is necessary to shorten the time interval between planting seedlings. In order to shorten the time interval between planting seedlings without changing the configuration of a conventional transplanting device, it is necessary to increase the moving speed of the planting cup.

[0007] However, simply increasing the moving speed of the planting cup can cause various problems. For example, when the planting cup descends, the seedlings in the planting cup fall freely and descend with the planting cup. Therefore, simply increasing the moving speed of the planting cup can cause the seedlings in the planting cup to float up because they cannot catch up with the planting cup.

[0008] Furthermore, when the moving speed of the transplanting device is increased, the entire transplanting device moves forward significantly while the planting cup is in contact with the field near the bottom dead center, causing the planting cup to be dragged forward and the planting hole to extend forward and backward.

[0009] As another method for shortening the time interval between planting seedlings, it is possible to provide multiple planting cups. When multiple planting cups are provided, if the planting cups are moved vertically as in the case of conventional transplanting devices, the planting cups will come into contact with each other. For this reason, it becomes necessary to move the multiple planting cups between the upper seedling receiving position and the lower seedling planting position without causing them to come into contact with each other.

[0010] The present invention has been developed in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a technology in a seedling transplanting device having a planting cup that can properly transplant seedlings into a field while shortening the time interval between seedling planting. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to solve the above problems, a first invention of the present application is a transplanting device for transplanting a plurality of pot seedlings held in seedling boxes while moving in a traveling direction, the transplanting device comprising: a power input shaft that rotates relative to a fixed case fixed to a transplanting device body and extends along a central axis extending in a left-right direction; a first case that rotates together with the power input shaft around the central axis; a plurality of first output shafts that extend along first axes that are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction on the first case, revolve together with the first case around the central axis, and output rotational power; and a plurality of first output shafts that are housed inside the first case and convert the rotational power from the power input shaft and transmit it to the plurality of first output shafts. the first power conversion mechanism includes a variable speed ratio conversion unit that converts the rotational power from the power input shaft into a variable speed power, a plurality of second cases that rotate together with the first output shaft about the first axis, and a plurality of mounting parts that are rotatably supported on the second case about a second axis that rotates together with the second cases about the first axis, and the first power conversion mechanism includes a variable speed ratio conversion unit that converts the rotational power output from the variable speed ratio conversion unit into a rotation in the opposite direction and at twice the rotational speed, and outputs the rotational power to the first output shaft.

[0012] The second invention of the present application is a transplantation device of the first invention, further comprising a second power conversion mechanism that is housed inside the second case and converts the rotational power input from the first output shaft into rotation in the opposite direction and at half the rotational speed, and outputs it to the second output shaft, and each of the planting parts has a planting cup and an arm that holds the planting cup at its tip and extends in the forward / backward direction, the base end of the arm is fixed to the second output shaft, and the arm and the planting cup rotate together with the second output shaft around the second axis relative to the second case.

[0013] The third invention of the present application is a transplant device of the first or second invention, wherein the variable speed ratio conversion part includes a first eccentric gear rotating around the central axis, and a plurality of second eccentric gears meshing with the first eccentric gear.

[0014] The fourth invention of the present application is a transplantation device of any one of the first to third inventions, comprising the first case, the first power conversion mechanism, a plurality of the second cases, and two transplant sections having a plurality of the planting portions, the two transplant sections being arranged symmetrically relative to the fixed case with a gap between them in the left-right direction, and the angle of the transplant sections relative to the fixed case being variable. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the first and second inventions of the present application, the second case rotates in the opposite direction to the first case, so that the second shaft holding the planting parts is positioned above the first case on the upper side, behind the first case on the front side, below the first case on the lower side, and in front of the first output shaft on the rear side. This makes the track of the planting parts narrower in the front-to-rear direction and longer in the up-to-down direction than the circular track of the first output shaft. This makes it possible to reduce the front-to-back movement near the bottom dead center when there are multiple planting parts, while maintaining a front-to-back distance that allows the planting parts to pass each other without touching each other.

[0016] In addition, by converting the power at an unequal speed ratio in the first power conversion mechanism, the second case rotates slower on the upper side of the power input shaft and faster on the lower side of the power input shaft. This makes the orbit of the second shaft (i.e., the planting part) wider in the front-to-rear direction on the upper side and narrower in the front-to-rear direction on the lower side. As a result, the front-to-rear movement of the planting part near the bottom dead center can be further reduced.

[0017] In particular, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the planting part oscillates without rotating relative to the fixed case. As a result, when the planting cup moves from the front to the bottom dead center, the lower end of the planting cup faces backward, and when the planting cup moves from the bottom dead center to the rear, the lower end of the planting cup faces forward. As a result, the trajectory of the lower end of the planting cup becomes narrower in the front-to-back direction below than the axis of the second shaft. Therefore, the movement of the planting part in the front-to-back direction near the bottom dead center can be further reduced.

[0018] In particular, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the attachment angle of the transplanting parts can be changed to change the distance between the seedling planting positions at the lower ends of the two transplanting parts. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view of the transplanter. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the transplanter from the rear near the transplantation section. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a side view of the implant. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a top view of the implant. [Diagram 5] 4 is a side view of a first power conversion mechanism disposed inside the first case. FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is a side view of a second power conversion mechanism disposed inside the second case. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the trajectories of each part of the transplanted portion. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the trajectories of each part of the transplanted portion. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 shows the trajectory of the planting cup. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a side view of a conventional transplanter according to Patent Document 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this application, the moving direction of the transplant device is referred to as the "forward direction", and the direction opposite to the moving direction of the transplant device is referred to as the "rear direction". In addition, the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction is referred to as the left-right direction. In this application, the up-down direction is defined according to the posture of the transplant device when in use.

[0021] <1. First embodiment> <1-1. Overall configuration of the transplanter> 1 is a side view of a transplanter 1. This transplanter 1 is a device that removes pot seedlings of multiple vegetables grown in seedling boxes from the seedling boxes and transplants them into a farm field 100. The pot seedlings transplanted by this transplanter 1 may be, for example, seedlings of dicotyledonous plants such as broccoli, or seedlings of monocotyledonous vegetables such as green onions.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, the transplanter 1 has a traveling part 10 and a transplanting device 20. In Fig. 1, the transplanting device 20 is disposed at a planting position where it is possible to plant potted seedlings in a farm field 100. When seedlings are not being transplanted, the transplanting device 20 can be lifted and held upward so as not to come into contact with the farm field or the road surface.

[0023] The traveling unit 10 can travel forward while supporting the transplanting device 20. The transplanting device 20 takes out the potted seedlings from the seedling boxes and transplants them into the farm field 100. The transplanter 1 has the traveling unit 10, so that the transplanter 1 transplants the multiple potted seedlings held in the seedling boxes while moving in the traveling direction.

[0024] The traveling unit 10 has a vehicle body 11, wheels 12, an operating unit 13, a seat 14, and a seedling box placement platform 15. The vehicle body 11 has an engine 111 and, as a power transmission mechanism for transmitting the power output from the engine 111 to the transplanting device 20, a PTO shaft (not shown) for transmitting power to a seedling removal unit 21 and a seedling transport unit 22 described later, and a power transmission unit 16 (see FIG. 2) for transmitting power to a transplanting unit 23 described later.

[0025] Fig. 2 is a rear view of the transplantation device 20. As shown in Fig. 2, the power transmission unit 16 has two roller chains 161, one on the left and one on the right, one or two front sprockets (not shown), and two rear sprockets 162, one on the left and one on the right. The roller chain 161, the front sprockets, and the rear sprockets 162 are housed in a chain case 160. When the front sprockets rotate due to the rotational power output from the engine 111, the power is transmitted to the rear sprocket 162 via the roller chain 161, and the rear sprocket 162 rotates.

[0026] The wheels 12 support the other parts of the traveling section 10 and the transplanting device 20 so that they can move freely. The wheels 12 rotate by the power output from the engine 111, causing the transplanter 1 to move. In this embodiment, the operation section 13, the seat 14 and the seedling box placement platform 15 are located behind the traveling section 10 and behind the transplanting device 20. The seedling boxes can be placed on the seedling box placement platform 15 before or after transplanting.

[0027] While remaining seated in the seat 14, the worker can operate the operating unit 13 to drive the transplanting device 20 while moving the traveling unit 10, thereby transplanting seedlings in the field 100. In addition, while transplanting seedlings, the worker can remove seedling boxes containing potted seedlings from the seedling box placing table 15 and supply them to the transplanting device 20, or retrieve empty seedling boxes from the transplanting device 20 and store them on the seedling box placing table 15.

[0028] <1-2. Configuration of the implantation device> Next, the detailed configuration of the transplanting device 20 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 2 shows a part of the seedling transport section 22 as viewed from the back, and the transplanting section 23 and the pressing section 24 as viewed from the back in cross sections showing the main parts of each section. The cut surfaces of the cross sections shown for each section differ for each member.

[0029] In this transplanter 1, pot seedlings grown in the seedling boxes are removed from the seedling boxes and planted in the field 100. The seedling boxes are in the form of thick rectangular mats, with multiple cup-shaped seedling chambers, recessed from the front side to the back side, arranged two-dimensionally. After soil is placed in each seedling chamber, seeds are sown in each seedling chamber and grown to produce potted seedlings. The potted seedlings have roots made up of soil and roots in the seedling chamber, and stems and leaves extending from the roots. The grown potted seedlings are placed in the seedling boxes and then loaded onto the transplanter 1.

[0030] The transplanting device 20 of this embodiment has a seedling removal section 21, a seedling transport section 22, two transplanting sections 23 on the left and right, and two pressing sections 24 on the left and right. The seedling removal section 21 sequentially removes pot seedlings from the seedling boxes that have been inserted and transfers them to the seedling transport section 22.

[0031] The seedling transport section 22 transports potted seedlings to each of the two left and right transplant sections 23. Specifically, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the seedling transport section 22 has two left and right conveyors 221, two left and right seedling push-out claws 222, and two left and right pairs of feed rollers 223.

[0032] The seedling removal unit 21 drops and arranges the potted seedlings removed from the seedling boxes in a horizontally tilted position onto the conveyor 221. The right conveyor 221 transports the potted seedlings to the right in the horizontal direction, and the left conveyor 221 transports the potted seedlings to the left in the horizontal direction.

[0033] Then, the right seedling pushing claw 222 pushes downward the roots of the potted seedlings that have reached the right end of the right conveyor 221. As a result, the potted seedlings are pushed toward the right send-out roller 223 in an upright position with their roots facing down and their stems and leaves facing up. Also, the left seedling pushing claw 222 pushes downward the roots of the potted seedlings that have reached the left end of the left conveyor 221. As a result, the potted seedlings are pushed toward the left send-out roller 223 in an upright position with their roots facing down and their stems and leaves facing up.

[0034] Each of the sending rollers 223 has two rollers 220 extending in the front-rear direction. The two rollers 220 are aligned on the left and right, and rotate so that the surfaces facing each other face downward. As a result, the potted seedling pushed from above between the two rollers 220 is transported downward while being held between the two rollers 220 with the roots raised downward. As a result, the potted seedling is delivered from the sending rollers 223 to the transplanting section 23 arranged below the sending rollers 223.

[0035] The transplanting section 23 has three planting cups 230. The planting cups 230 are cup-shaped members with an open top. The lower end of the planting cups 230 can be opened and closed in the front-rear direction. In addition, in the closed state, the planting cups 230 are narrowed downward and have a pointed lower end. The planting cups 230 receive potted seedlings from the seedling transport section 22 and plant the potted seedlings in the field 100 by repeatedly moving up and down.

[0036] Specifically, the planting cup 230 is disposed at a seedling receiving position below the sending roller 223 near the top dead center. At this position, the pot seedling is dropped into the planting cup 230 from the opening at the top and stored therein. Then, near the bottom dead center, the planting cup 230 changes from a closed state to an open state. As a result, the lower end of the planting cup 230 is stuck into the field 100 to form a hole, and the lower end of the planting cup 230 opens, widening the hole back and forth and dropping the pot seedling into the hole. Thereafter, the planting cup 230 moves upward while remaining in the open state, so that it can move upward while leaving the pot seedling in the field 100.

[0037] Each of the compression units 24 has two compression wheels 240 arranged at a distance from each other on the left and right. The compression unit 24 presses down the soil around the pot seedlings transplanted in the transplanting unit 23 from both the left and right sides of the pot seedlings with the two compression wheels 240. This causes the holes formed by the planting cups 230 to be backfilled. This allows the pot seedlings to be transplanted stably in the field 100.

[0038] <1-3. About the composition of the transplanted part> Next, the configuration for operating the transplantation portion 23 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 4. In this embodiment, the two transplantation portions 23, left and right, are formed symmetrically. Therefore, the following describes the left transplantation portion 23, and the description of the right transplantation portion 23 will be omitted.

[0039] Fig. 3 is a side view of the left transplantation part 23. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the left transplantation part 23. Specifically, Fig. 4 shows a cross section passing one first axis O1-central axis O-another first axis O1 for the first case 31 and the first power conversion mechanism 51, a cross section passing the first axis O1 and the second axis O2 for the second case 32 and the second power conversion mechanism 52, and a cross section passing the second axis O2 for the planting part 33.

[0040] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the transplantation section 23 has a first case 31, three second cases 32, three planting sections 33, a power input shaft 41, three first output shafts 42, three second output shafts 43, a first power conversion mechanism 51, and three second power conversion mechanisms 52.

[0041] The first case 31 is supported rotatably about a central axis O extending left and right with respect to a chain case 160 fixed to the main body of the transplant device 20. As described above, the central axis O coincides with the rotation axis of the left rear sprocket 162.

[0042] Here, the central axis O may be horizontal, or may be slightly inclined from the horizontal direction as shown in Fig. 2. By using a chain sprocket in the power transmission unit 16, the angle of the power input shaft 41 that outputs rotational power to the first case 31 can be adjusted. In this embodiment, by changing the inclination of the central axis O, the interval between the planting positions of the left and right planting cups 230 can be changed.

[0043] The power input shaft 41 is a member extending along a central axis O. The power input shaft 41 is supported rotatably about the central axis O extending left and right with respect to a chain case 160 (fixed case) fixed to the main body of the transplant device 20. The power input shaft 41 is fixed to a rear sprocket 162 and rotates together with the rear sprocket 162. That is, rotational power is input to the power input shaft 41 from the rear sprocket 162.

[0044] The first case 31 and the power input shaft 41 are fixed to each other. As a result, the first case 31 rotates together with the power input shaft 41 about the central axis O due to the rotational power input from the power input shaft 41. As shown by the solid arrow in Fig. 3, when the left transplantation part 23 is viewed from the outside (left side), the first case 31 rotates counterclockwise.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a side view of the first power conversion mechanism 51 disposed inside the first case 31. As shown in FIG. 5, three first output shafts 42 are disposed in the first case 31 at intervals in the circumferential direction. The three first output shafts 42 are disposed at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The first output shafts 42 are members extending along a first axis O1 extending parallel to the central axis O. The first axis O1 revolves around the central axis O together with the first case 31. In addition, the first output shaft 42 is supported by the first case 31 so as to be rotatable around the first axis O1. Therefore, the first output shaft 42 revolves around the central axis O together with the first case 31 and rotates around the first axis O1.

[0046] The first power conversion mechanism 51 is housed inside the first case 31. The first power conversion mechanism 51 has a fixed eccentric gear 511, three rotating eccentric gears 512, three first rotating gears 513, and three second rotating gears 514. The fixed eccentric gear 511 constitutes the first eccentric gear, and the rotating eccentric gear 512 constitutes the second eccentric gear.

[0047] The fixed eccentric gear 511 is fixed to the chain case 160. The fixed eccentric gear 511 is a circular gear, but its center is disposed at a position offset from the central axis O. Therefore, when the first case 31 rotates about the central axis O, the fixed eccentric gear 511 rotates eccentrically relative to the first case 31. The center of the fixed eccentric gear 511 is disposed below the central axis O.

[0048] The rotating eccentric gear 512 and the first rotating gear 513 are fixed to each other. The three sets of rotating eccentric gears 512 and first rotating gears 513 are respectively arranged at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the central axis O. The rotating eccentric gears 512 and the first rotating gears 513 are supported rotatably with respect to the first case 31 around an intermediate axis Om arranged between the central axis O and the first axis O1. The intermediate axis Om revolves around the central axis O together with the first case 31, similar to the first axis O1. Therefore, the rotating eccentric gear 512 and the first rotating gear 513 revolve around the central axis O together with the first case 31, and rotate around the intermediate axis Om.

[0049] The rotating eccentric gear 512 is a gear that meshes with the fixed eccentric gear 511. In this embodiment, the fixed eccentric gear 511 and the rotating eccentric gear 512 have the same size and the same number of gear teeth. The rotating eccentric gear 512 is a circular gear, but is arranged so that the center of the intermediate axis Om does not coincide with the center of the rotating eccentric gear 512. As a result, the rotating eccentric gear 512 rotates at a non-uniform speed with respect to the rotation speed of the fixed eccentric gear 511 depending on the relative position with respect to the fixed eccentric gear 511. Note that while the first case 31 rotates once counterclockwise with respect to the fixed eccentric gear 511, the rotating eccentric gear 512 rotates once counterclockwise around the intermediate axis Om.

[0050] 5, when the rotating eccentric gear 512 is located above the fixed eccentric gear 511, the distance from the central axis O, which is the rotation center of the fixed eccentric gear 511, to the meshing between the fixed eccentric gear 511 and the rotating eccentric gear 512 is short, and the distance from the intermediate axis Om, which is the rotation center of the rotating eccentric gear 512, to the meshing is long. As a result, when the rotating eccentric gear 512 is located above the fixed eccentric gear 511, the rotation speed of the rotating eccentric gear 512 is slower than the rotation speed of the first case 31.

[0051] On the other hand, when the rotating eccentric gear 512 is located below the fixed eccentric gear 511, the distance from the central axis O which is the rotation center of the fixed eccentric gear 511 to the meshing between the fixed eccentric gear 511 and the rotating eccentric gear 512 is long, and the distance from the intermediate axis Om which is the rotation center of the rotating eccentric gear 512 to the meshing is short. As a result, when the rotating eccentric gear 512 is located below the fixed eccentric gear 511, the rotation speed of the rotating eccentric gear 512 becomes faster than the rotation speed of the first case 31.

[0052] For this reason, the rotating eccentric gear 512 rotates about the intermediate axis Om above the fixed eccentric gear 511 at a speed slower than the rotation speed of the first case 31. In addition, the rotating eccentric gear 512 rotates about the intermediate axis Om below the fixed eccentric gear 511 at a speed faster than the rotation speed of the first case 31.

[0053] That is, fixed eccentric gear 511 and rotating eccentric gear 512 constitute variable speed ratio conversion unit 51a that converts the rotational power from power input shaft 41 into a variable speed ratio so as to slow down the rotational power above central axis O and to speed up the rotational power below central axis O. First rotating gear 513 rotates together with rotating eccentric gear 512. As a result, the rotational power converted into a variable speed ratio in variable speed ratio conversion unit 51a is input to first rotating gear 513.

[0054] Here, the rotation speed of the rotating eccentric gear 512 relative to the first case 31 is (1-α) times the rotation speed of the first case 31 directly above the central axis O (top dead center), and is (1+β) times the rotation speed of the first case 31 directly below the central axis O (bottom dead center). Note that α and β are constants, and 0<α<1 and 0<β<1.

[0055] At this time, if the rotation speed of first case 31 is v, the rotation speed of rotating eccentric gear 512 and first rotating gear 513 relative to first case 31 is v(1-α) at ​​top dead center, increases as it moves from the top dead center through the front toward the bottom dead center, becomes v(1+β) at the bottom dead center, and decelerates as it moves from the bottom dead center through the rear toward the top dead center. Therefore, the rotation speed of rotating eccentric gear 512 is the same as the rotation speed v of first case 31 at predetermined positions in front of and behind central axis O.

[0056] In this embodiment, the variable speed ratio conversion unit 51a has three pairs of eccentric gears, consisting of one fixed eccentric gear 511 and three rotating eccentric gears 512, in order to transmit power from the power input shaft 41 to the three first rotating gears 513 at variable speed ratios. However, the variable speed ratio conversion unit 51a may have a configuration other than eccentric gears as long as it can branch in multiple directions and perform variable speed ratio conversion of the rotational power. The variable speed ratio conversion unit 51a may have, for example, three pairs of non-circular gears. In that case, the variable speed ratio conversion unit 51a is composed of one first non-circular gear to which the rotational power is input and three second non-circular gears that mesh with the first non-circular gear.

[0057] The second rotating gear 514 is supported rotatably around the first axis O1 relative to the first case 31. The second rotating gear 514 meshes with the first rotating gear 513. The gear tooth ratio between the first rotating gear 513 and the second rotating gear 514 is 2:1, and the speed transmission ratio is 1:2. Therefore, the clockwise rotation speed of the second rotating gear 514 around the first axis O1 relative to the first case 31 is twice the counterclockwise rotation speed of the first rotating gear 513 around the intermediate axis Om relative to the first case 31. That is, the rotation speed of the second rotating gear 514 relative to the first case 31 is 2v(1-α) at ​​the top dead center and 2v(1+β) at the bottom dead center.

[0058] The second rotating gear 514 is fixed to the first output shaft 42. As a result, the first output shaft 42, together with the second rotating gear 514, rotates relative to the first case 31 about the first axis O1 in the opposite direction to the rotational power input from the power input shaft 41 to the first case 31 and at twice the rotational speed.

[0059] That is, first rotating gear 513 and second rotating gear 514 constitute speed ratio conversion unit 51b that converts the rotational power output from variable speed ratio conversion unit 51a to first rotating gear 513 into a rotation in the opposite direction and at twice the rotational speed, and outputs it to first output shaft 42. The rotational power whose speed ratio has been converted in speed ratio conversion unit 51b is input to first output shaft 42. In this way, first power converting mechanism 51 is made up of variable speed ratio conversion unit 51a and speed ratio conversion unit 51b.

[0060] The second case 32 is fixed to the first output shaft 42. As a result, the second case 32 rotates due to the rotational power output from the first power conversion mechanism 51. As a result, the second case 32 rotates clockwise around the first axis O1 relative to the first case 31. At this time, the average rotational speed of the second case 32 is twice the rotational speed of the first case 31. Therefore, while the first case 31 rotates once counterclockwise relative to the chain case 160, the second case 32 rotates twice clockwise relative to the first case 31. As a result, while the first case 31 rotates once counterclockwise relative to the chain case 160, the second case 32 rotates once clockwise relative to the chain case 160.

[0061] In addition, the rotational speed of the second case 32 relative to the first case 31 is slowest when the second case 32 is positioned directly above the central axis O (top dead center), and is fastest when the second case 32 is positioned directly below the central axis O (bottom dead center).

[0062] Specifically, while the first case 31 rotates counterclockwise relative to the chain case 160 at a rotational speed v, the second case 32 rotates clockwise relative to the first case 31 at a rotational speed of 2v(1-α) at ​​top dead center and at a rotational speed of 2v(1+β) at bottom dead center. Therefore, the second case 32 rotates clockwise relative to the chain case 160 at a rotational speed v(1-2α) at ​​top dead center and at a rotational speed v(1+2β) at bottom dead center.

[0063] Fig. 6 is a side view of the second power conversion mechanism 52 disposed inside the second case 32. As shown in Fig. 6, the second power conversion mechanism 52 housed in the second case 32 has a third rotating gear 521, an idle gear 522, and a fourth rotating gear 523.

[0064] The third rotating gear 521 is fixed relative to the first case 31. Therefore, the third rotating gear 521 rotates relative to the second case 32 around the first axis O1. At this time, since the second case 32 rotates clockwise relative to the first case, the third rotating gear 521 rotates counterclockwise relative to the second case 32. The rotation speed of the third rotating gear 521 relative to the second case 32 is the same as the rotation speed of the second case 32 relative to the first case 31, although the rotation direction is reversed.

[0065] For this reason, the rotation speed of third rotating gear 521 relative to second case 32 is slowest when second case 32 is disposed directly above central axis O (top dead center), and is fastest when second case 32 is disposed directly below central axis O (bottom dead center). That is, third rotating gear 521 rotates counterclockwise relative to second case 32 at a rotation speed of 2v(1-α) at ​​top dead center and at a rotation speed of 2v(1+β) at bottom dead center.

[0066] The idle gear 522 is a gear rotatably supported with respect to the second case 32. The idle gear 522 meshes with the third rotating gear 521 and the fourth rotating gear 523. As a result, the idle gear 522 transmits the rotational power of the third rotating gear 521 to the fourth rotating gear 523 without changing the rotational direction.

[0067] The fourth rotating gear 523 is a gear supported rotatably relative to the second case 32. The fourth rotating gear 523 rotates relative to the second case 32 about a second axis O2 that revolves around the central axis O together with the second case 32. The gear tooth ratio between the third rotating gear 521 and the fourth rotating gear 523 is 1:2, and the speed transmission ratio is 2:1. Therefore, the counterclockwise rotation speed of the fourth rotating gear 523 about the second axis O2 relative to the second case 32 is 1 / 2 the counterclockwise rotation speed of the third rotating gear 521 about the first axis O1 relative to the second case 32.

[0068] That is, while the first case 31 rotates once, the fourth rotating gear 523 rotates once relative to the second case 32. The rotation speed of the fourth rotating gear 523 relative to the second case 32 is slowest when the second case 32 is disposed directly above the central axis O (top dead center), and is fastest when the second case 32 is disposed directly below the central axis O (bottom dead center). Specifically, the fourth rotating gear 523 rotates counterclockwise relative to the second case 32 at a rotation speed v(1-α) at ​​top dead center and at a rotation speed v(1+β) at bottom dead center.

[0069] The fourth rotary gear 523 is fixed to the second output shaft 43. As a result, the second output shaft 43 rotates together with the fourth rotary gear 523 relative to the second case 32 in the same direction as the rotational power input from the power input shaft 41 to the first case 31, around the second axis O2, at the same average speed, and with an unequal speed ratio that is slower at top dead center and faster at bottom dead center.

[0070] As described above, the second case 32 rotates clockwise relative to the chain case 160 at a rotation speed v(1-2α) at ​​the top dead center and at a rotation speed v(1+2β) at the bottom dead center. The second output shaft 43 and the fourth rotating gear 523 rotate counterclockwise relative to the second case 32 at a rotation speed v(1-α) at ​​the top dead center and at a rotation speed v(1+β) at the bottom dead center. As a result, the second output shaft 43 has a point at the front and rear relative to the chain case 160 where the rotation speed is 0, and rotates clockwise at the top dead center and at a rotation speed βv at the bottom dead center. That is, the second output shaft 43 rotates counterclockwise relative to the chain case 160 while moving forward from the rear through the top dead center and clockwise while moving backward from the front through the bottom dead center, thereby swinging back and forth once during one rotation of the first case 31.

[0071] Fig. 7 is a side view of the planting unit 33. Note that Fig. 7 also shows members that cannot be seen from the outside. The planting unit 33 has a planting cup 230, an arm 331, a cam 332, a cam follower 333, a traction force transmission unit 334, and a cup opening and closing mechanism 335.

[0072] The arm 331 is a member for supporting the planting cup 230. The arm 331 is disposed in a direction extending forward and backward. The planting cup 230 is attached to the tip (rear end) of the arm 331 so as to be openable and closable via a cup opening and closing mechanism 335. The arm 331 is supported rotatably relative to the second case 32. Specifically, the base end (tip) of the arm 331 is fixed to the second output shaft 43. As a result, when rotational power is input from the power input shaft 41 to the first case 31 and the first case 31 rotates, the planting part 33 revolves around the central axis O along the orbit of the second axis O2 of the second case 32. At this time, the arm 331 swings around the second axis O2 relative to the chain case 160.

[0073] 8 and 9 are diagrams showing the main part of the transplantation part 23 and the trajectory of a part of the transplantation part 23. Specifically, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 show each part of the first power conversion mechanism 51 and the second power conversion mechanism 52, the second case 32, the planting part 33, the trajectory T1 of the intermediate axis Om, the trajectory T2 of the first axis O1, the trajectory Tu of the center of the upper end of the planting cup 230, and the trajectory Tb of the lower end of the planting cup 230.

[0074] 8 and 9 show six positions of the planting section 33: top dead center P1, front upper point P2, front lower point P3, bottom dead center P4, rear lower point P5, and rear upper point P6. Top dead center P1 is the position of the planting section 33 when the first axis O1 is at the top dead center directly above the central axis O. Front upper point P2, front lower point P3, bottom dead center P4, rear lower point P5, and rear upper point P6 are the positions of the planting section 33 when the first axis O1 is rotated 60°, 120°, 180°, 240°, and 300° clockwise around the central axis O from the top dead center P1, respectively.

[0075] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the orbit Tu of the center of the upper end of the planting cup 230 and the orbit Tb of the lower end of the planting cup 230. In FIG. 10, the positions of the center of the upper end and the lower end of the planting cup 230 are indicated by black dots on each orbit Tu and Tb when the first case 31 rotates 15° from the top dead center P1. The dotted line connecting the center of the upper end and the lower end of the planting cup 230 at each position indicated by the black dots is called the cup posture line Tp. The signs of the cup posture line Tp at the top dead center P1, the front upper point P2, the front lower point P3, the bottom dead center P4, the rear lower point P5 and the rear upper point P6 are indicated by Tp1, Tp2, Tp3, Tp4, Tp5 and Tp6, respectively.

[0076] 8 and 9, the arm 331 is adjusted to be approximately horizontal at the top dead center P1 and the bottom dead center P4. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 10, the cup position lines Tp1 and Tp4 at the top dead center P1 and the bottom dead center P4 both extend approximately vertically.

[0077] The arm 331 rotates counterclockwise around the second axis O2 when moving forward from the rear through the top dead center together with the second output shaft 43. It can be seen from Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 that the arm 331 rotates counterclockwise around the second axis O2 in the order of the rear upper point P6, the top dead center P1, and the front upper point P2.

[0078] Moreover, when the arm 331 moves rearward from the front through the bottom dead center together with the second output shaft 43, it rotates clockwise about the second shaft O2. It can also be seen from Figures 8 and 9 that the arm 331 rotates clockwise about the second shaft O2 in the order of the front bottom point P3, the bottom dead center P4, and the rear bottom point P5.

[0079] 8 and 9, while moving from the top dead center P1 to the bottom dead center P4 through the front, the lower end of the planting cup 230 is tilted backward so that it faces rearward from the center of the upper end of the planting cup 230. Therefore, in FIG. 10, the cup position lines Tp2 and Tp3 extend rearward as they move downward.

[0080] 8 and 9, while moving from the bottom dead center P4 to the rear toward the top dead center P1, the lower end of the planting cup 230 is tilted forward so as to face forward from the center of the upper end of the planting cup 230. Therefore, in FIG. 10, the cup position lines Tp4 and Tp5 extend forward as they move downward.

[0081] 10, the trajectory Tb of the tip of the planting cup 230 is smaller overall in width from front to back and even smaller in width from front to back near the bottom dead center compared to the trajectory Tu of the center of the upper end of the planting cup 230. Also, near the bottom dead center, the lower end of the planting cup 230 pierces the field 100 from the front to the rear and then exits to the rear.

[0082] The cam 332 is a substantially circular, plate-like cam. The cam 332 is supported by the arm 331 so as to be rotatable about the second axis O2. The cam 332 is fixed to the second case 32 and rotates together with the second case 32. Therefore, the cam 332 rotates clockwise relative to the arm 331 at a rotation speed v(1-α) at ​​the top dead center and at a rotation speed v(1+β) at the bottom dead center. Therefore, while the first case 31 rotates once, the cam 332 rotates once relative to the arm 331. The cam 332 has a pressing portion 332a in a circumferential portion having a longer diameter than other portions.

[0083] The cam follower 333 has a main body 333a which is a V-shaped plate-like member, and a cylindrical cam follower 333b fixed to the main body 333a. One end 333c of the main body 333a is rotatably fixed to the arm 331. The other end 333d of the main body 333a is fixed to one end of the traction force transmission part 334. The cam follower 333b is fixed near the center of the main body 333a. The cam follower 333b is disposed opposite to the outer periphery of the cam 332.

[0084] The other end 333d of the main body 333a is biased backward by a biasing member of the cup opening / closing mechanism 335 (described later) via the traction force transmission unit 334. The cam 332 rotates, and the circumferential position of the outer periphery facing the cam follower 333b moves with the rotation. When the outer periphery of the cam 332 facing the cam follower 333b is not the pressing portion 332a, a small gap is generated between the outer periphery of the cam 332 and the cam follower 333b. When the outer periphery of the cam 332 facing the cam follower 333b moves from the portion not the pressing portion 332a to the position where the pressing portion 332a faces the cam follower 333b due to the rotation, the cam 332 presses the cam follower 333b radially outward. This causes the cam follower 333b to be pushed forward and upward. Then, the other end of the main body 333a is also pushed forward and upward, and as a result, one end of the traction force transmission part 334 is pulled forward and upward.

[0085] The traction force transmission unit 334 transmits the traction force from the cam follower 333 to the cup opening and closing mechanism 335. One end (front end) of the traction force transmission unit 334 is attached to the other end 333d of the main body 333a of the cam follower 333. In addition, the other end (rear end) of the traction force transmission unit 334 is attached to the cup opening and closing mechanism 335. The traction force transmission unit 334 may be, for example, a metal wire or metal rod whose length is adjustable.

[0086] The cup opening / closing mechanism 335 opens and closes the planting cup 230. The planting cup 230 has a front cup 231 and a rear cup 232. In the closed state, the front cup 231 and the rear cup 232 approach each other from the upper end to the lower end, so that the upper part is open and the lower part is reduced in diameter and closed, forming an inverted cone shape. Therefore, in the closed state, the potted seedling can be delivered from above the planting cup 230 and held in the planting cup 230.

[0087] In the planting cup 230 in the open state, the lower ends of the front cup 231 and the rear cup 232 are separated from each other in the front-rear direction. This allows the potted seedling held in the planting cup 230 to be delivered to below the planting cup 230.

[0088] The cup opening / closing mechanism 335 has a front cup holding part 335a, a rear cup holding part 335b, and a biasing member (not shown). The front cup holding part 335a is fixed to the upper part of the front cup 231 and can rotate around the first cup rotation axis C1. The rear cup holding part 335b is fixed to the upper part of the rear cup 232 and can rotate around the second cup rotation axis C2. The biasing member connects the lower end of the front cup holding part 335a and the lower end of the rear cup holding part 335b, and biases the lower end of the front cup holding part 335a and the lower end of the rear cup holding part 335b in a direction in which they approach each other in the front-rear direction. In other words, the biasing member biases the planting cup 230 to be in a closed state.

[0089] The other end of the traction force transmission part 334 is connected to the lower end of the front cup holding part 335a. The upper end of the front cup holding part 335a has a protrusion 335c that fits into a notch 335d provided at the upper end of the rear cup holding part 335b. When one end of the traction force transmission part 334 is pulled forward by the cam follower 333, the other end of the traction force transmission part 334 pulls the lower end of the front cup holding part 335a forward. As a result, when the front cup holding part 335a rotates clockwise around the first cup rotation axis C1, the protrusion 335c moves downward. As a result, the notch 335d moves downward together with the protrusion 335c, and the rear cup holding part 335b rotates counterclockwise around the second cup rotation axis C2, and the planting cup 230 is in an open state.

[0090] When rotational power is input from the power input shaft 41 and the first case 31 rotates, the planting part 33 revolves around the central axis O together with the second case 32 while the first case 31 rotates once. At the same time, the cam 332 rotates once relative to the arm 331 while the first case 31 rotates once.

[0091] Immediately after the planting part 33 is placed at the bottom dead center, the pressing part 332a faces the cam follower 333b. As a result, the pressing part 332a presses the cam follower 333b, causing the cam follower 333b to move in a direction away from the second axis O2. As a result, the cam follower 333 pulls the traction force transmission part 334 forward. This causes the planting cup 230 to be in an open state.

[0092] Thereafter, before the planting part 33 reaches the top dead center, the rotation of the cam 332 causes the cam follower 333b to come out of contact with the pressing part 332a of the cam 332. As a result, the pulling of the pulling force transmission part 334 by the cam follower part 333 stops, and the planting cup 230 becomes closed.

[0093] As a result, the planting unit 33 is positioned at the bottom dead center, and the planting cup 230 opens when the planting cup 230 in the closed state comes into contact with the field 100 and begins to form a hole. As a result, the planting cup 230 widens the hole in the front-to-rear direction, and the potted seedling held in the planting cup 230 is dropped into the hole. Then, while remaining in the open state, the planting cup 230 is raised so as to avoid contact with the potted seedling as much as possible. Then, before the planting unit 33 receives the potted seedling from the seedling transport unit 22 near the top dead center, the planting cup 230 is closed.

[0094] With the above-described configuration, the transplanting unit 23 plants the potted seedlings using the planting cup 230 by the rotational power input from the power input shaft 41.

[0095] In a traveling transplanter that transplants potted seedlings into a field using a planting cup, if one wishes to narrow the planting pitch without slowing down the traveling speed of the transplanter, or if one wishes to increase the traveling speed of the transplanter while keeping the same planting pitch, one could, for example, simply increase the moving speed of the planting cup. However, if one simply increases the moving speed of the planting cup, the free fall of the potted seedlings cannot keep up with the descending speed of the planting cup, causing the potted seedlings to float up inside the planting cup.

[0096] Therefore, in this transplanter 1, each of the left and right transplanting sections 23 has multiple (three) planting cups 230. By sequentially planting potted seedlings in the multiple planting cups 230, the planting pitch can be narrowed. However, when there are multiple planting cups 230, particularly when there are three or more planting cups 230, each planting cup 230 must be moved alternately between an upper seedling receiving position and a lower seedling planting position so that all the planting cups 230 do not come into contact with each other. Therefore, in this transplanter 1, the planting section 33 having the planting cups 230 is configured to revolve around the central axis O.

[0097] However, if the planting section 33 simply rotates at a constant speed in a circular motion around the central axis O, the entire transplanter 1 moves forward with the planting cup 230 in contact with the field near the bottom dead center, causing the planting cup 230 to be dragged forward, resulting in problems such as the planting cup 230 tilting and making it difficult to drop the potted seedlings into the field 100 or the planting hole extending back and forth.

[0098] In the transplanter 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, when the left transplanting section 23 is viewed from the left side, the second case 32 rotates one revolution clockwise around the first axis O1 while the second case 32 revolves one revolution counterclockwise around the central axis O together with the first axis O1. As a result, the orbit of the second axis O2 of the second case 32 is not circular when viewed from the left side, but is substantially elliptical, long vertically and short front-to-back. This makes it possible to reduce the front-to-back movement of the planting section 33 that plants the pot seedlings in the field 100 near the bottom dead center. This makes it possible to reduce the front-to-back movement of the planting cup 230 near the bottom dead center while maintaining a front-to-back distance at a position where the planting sections 33 overlap each other front-to-back and pass each other.

[0099] In addition, in this transplanter 1, the rotational power input from the power input shaft 41 is transmitted to the second case 32 by the first power conversion mechanism 51 not simply in the reverse direction but in the reverse direction after the unequal speed ratio conversion. Therefore, the second case 32 rotates slower on the upper side of the central axis O and the power input shaft 41 and faster on the lower side. As a result, the orbit of the second shaft O2 and the second output shaft 43 is wider in the front-rear direction on the upper side of the central axis O and the power input shaft 41 and narrower in the front-rear direction on the lower side. As a result, as shown in Figures 8 to 10, the orbit Tu of the center of the upper end of the planting cup 230 is wider in the front-rear direction on the upper side of the central axis O and the power input shaft 41 and narrower in the front-rear direction on the lower side, similar to the orbit of the second shaft O2 and the second output shaft 43. In this way, the first power conversion mechanism 51 can further reduce the front-rear movement of the planting cup 230 near the bottom dead center.

[0100] In addition, in this transplanter 1, the rotational power input to the second case 32 is transmitted to the planting section 33 by the second power conversion mechanism 52 at half the rotational direction opposite to that of the second case 32. As a result, when the left transplanting section 23 is viewed from the left side, the planting section 33 swings around the second axis O2. As a result, as shown in Figs. 8 to 10, the orbit Tb of the lower end of the planting cup 230 becomes narrower in the front-rear direction below the central axis O and the power input shaft 41 compared to the orbit Tu of the center of the upper end of the planting cup 230. In this way, by combining the first power conversion mechanism 51 and the second power conversion mechanism 52, the movement of the lower end of the planting cup 230 in the front-rear direction near the bottom dead center can be further reduced.

[0101] <2. Modifications> Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In the transplantation device of the above embodiment, one transplantation part has three planting cups. That is, one transplantation part has three second cases and three planting parts. However, the transplantation device of the present invention is not limited to this. The number of planting cups that one transplantation part has may be two, or may be four or more. That is, the number of second cases and planting parts that one transplantation part has may be two, or may be four or more.

[0102] In addition, the transplanter of the above embodiment is a so-called two-row transplanter that can simultaneously transplant two rows of pot seedlings on the left and right. Therefore, the transplanting device mounted on the transplanter of the above embodiment is a two-row transplanting device having two transplanting parts on the left and right, but the transplanting device of the present invention may be a one-row transplanting device having only one transplanting part. In addition, the transplanter of the present invention is not limited to two-row planting. For example, in addition to one-row planting, the present invention may be applied to four-row, six-row, and eight-row transplanting transplanters equipped with multiple two-row transplanting devices.

[0103] In addition, the transplanter in the above embodiment is a ride-on type transplanter in which an operator rides on the transplanter to operate it, but the present invention is not limited to this. The transplanter of the present invention may be a walk-behind type transplanter in which the transplanting unit is mounted on a running unit that runs automatically, and an operator operates the running unit while walking.

[0104] In addition, the detailed configuration of the transplanter may differ from the shapes shown in the drawings of the present application. Furthermore, the elements appearing in the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications may be appropriately combined within the scope of not causing any contradiction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1:Transplant machine 20: Implantation device 23:Transplant part 31: Case 1 32: Case 2 33: Planting section 41: Power input shaft 42: First output shaft 43: Second output shaft 51: First power conversion mechanism 51a: Variable speed ratio conversion section 51b: Speed ​​ratio change section 52: Second power conversion mechanism 160: Chain case (fixed case) 230: Planting cup 331: Arm 511: Fixed eccentric gear (first eccentric gear) 512: Rotating eccentric gear (second eccentric gear) O: Central axis O1: First axis O2: Second axis

Claims

1. A transplanting device for transplanting a plurality of potted seedlings held in a seedling box while moving in a forward direction, a power input shaft that rotates relative to a fixed case that is fixed to the implantation device body and extends along a central axis that extends in the left-right direction; a first case that rotates together with the power input shaft about the central axis; a plurality of first output shafts extending along first axes arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction on the first case, revolving together with the first case about the central axis, and outputting rotational power; a first power conversion mechanism that is housed inside the first case and converts rotational power from the power input shaft and transmits the rotational power to the first output shafts; a plurality of second cases that rotate together with the first output shaft about the first shaft; a plurality of planting parts supported rotatably with respect to the second case about a second axis that rotates together with the second case about the first axis; having The first power conversion mechanism includes: a variable speed ratio conversion unit that converts the rotational power from the power input shaft into a variable speed ratio so as to slow down the rotational power above the central axis and to speed up the rotational power below the central axis; a speed ratio conversion unit that converts the rotational power output from the variable speed ratio conversion unit into a rotation in a reverse direction and at twice the rotational speed, and outputs the rotational power to the first output shaft; 13. An implantation device comprising:

2. 10. The implant device of claim 1, a second power conversion mechanism that is housed inside the second case and converts the rotational power input from the first output shaft into a rotation in the opposite direction and at half the rotational speed, and outputs the converted rotational power to a second output shaft; and Each of the planting portions is Planting cup and An arm that holds the planting cup at its tip and extends in the front-rear direction; having A base end of the arm is fixed to the second output shaft, The arm and the planting cup, together with the second output shaft, rotate about the second axis relative to the second case.

3. 3. The implantation device of claim 1 or 2, The variable speed ratio conversion unit is a first eccentric gear that rotates about the central axis; a plurality of second eccentric gears meshing with the first eccentric gear; 13. An implantation device comprising:

4. 3. The implantation device of claim 1 or 2, The present invention relates to a planting device, and a planting unit that includes a first case, a first power conversion mechanism, a plurality of second cases, and a plurality of planting portions. The two transplant parts are arranged symmetrically with respect to the fixed case with a gap therebetween in the left-right direction, An implantation device, wherein the angle of the implant portion relative to the fixed case is variable.

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