Overhead line power supply system to agricultural machine

Abstract

To improve operability of an electric agricultural machine by weight reduction of the electric agricultural machine and a long continuous work time.SOLUTION: A structure 2 is installed in a farm filed 1, and when an electric agricultural machine 3 passes under the structure, a power collector 3a mounted on the agricultural machine 3 is brought into contact with metal bars 2 placed in the structure 2. Thus, electric power is supplied, and a long continuous work can be performed while the capacity of a rechargeable battery mounted in the agricultural machine 3 can be minimized.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for supplying power to an electric agricultural machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Electric agricultural machinery equipped with an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine has been put to practical use. The electricity to drive the electric motor is stored in a storage battery, and the electric agricultural machinery can perform farm work within the range of the amount of electricity stored in the storage battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Although electric agricultural machinery such as electric tractors has been put to practical use, its use is limited. Specifically, if the storage battery capacity is increased, the continuous working time becomes longer, but the vehicle weight becomes heavier, and workability in plowing, etc. decreases. Conversely, if the storage battery capacity is decreased, workability in plowing, etc. improves, but the continuous working time becomes shorter. In any case, since the storage battery is heavier than the internal combustion engine, the work efficiency is poor, and the current electric agricultural machinery is limited to short-time, light-load plowing, etc.

[0006] One possible method would be to set up charging equipment in the field and gradually charge the electric agricultural machinery, but this would take time to charge, which would reduce work efficiency per hour.There is also a fast charging system that charges at high power, but setting this up in the field would require large-scale substation equipment, which would significantly increase costs.

[0007] Although it is possible to replace the storage batteries, this would require transporting the replacement batteries to the field. In addition, the batteries are heavy, so a machine would be required for replacement, or if they were divided into small pieces so that they could be replaced manually, the number of batteries would increase, which would take time to replace. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In the system of the present invention, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, a structure 2 is installed in a farm field 1, and when an agricultural machine 3 passes under the structure 2, a current collector 3a mounted on the agricultural machine 3 comes into contact with a metal rod 2f laid on the structure 2, and the agricultural machine 3 receives power from the contact point. When the agricultural machine 3 is under the structure 2, the received power is used to drive the motor and charge the storage battery, and when the agricultural machine 3 is not under the structure 2, the power charged in the storage battery is used to drive the motor, allowing agricultural work to be performed continuously for long periods of time. Power is supplied to the metal rod 2f from a group of electrical equipment 4, and the group of electrical equipment 4 is connected to a power grid and receives power.

[0009] As one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 shows a plan view in which a structure 2 is arranged in part of a field 1. By installing the structure 2 in part of the field 1 rather than the whole field 1, the scale of the structure 2 can be reduced, improving economy. Preferably, by arranging the structure 2 in the center of the field 1, the agricultural work time in parts where there is no structure can be shortened. The size of the structure is calculated based on the shape of the field 1, the capacity of the storage battery installed in the agricultural machine 3, and the load of the agricultural work.

[0010] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, one embodiment of the structure 2 is constructed in a field 1 with a screw pile foundation 2a, to which a support 2b is fixed, a cross beam 2c is fixed on top of the support, and a vertical beam 2d is fixed on top of the support. The support 2b, the cross beam 2c, and the vertical beam 2d are each fixed with a diagonal member 2e. An insulator 2f is installed on the cross beam 2c, and a metal rod 2g is placed on the insulator.

[0011] As one embodiment of the agricultural machine 3, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, a current collector 3a is mounted on the agricultural machine. The current collector 3a is provided with an arm 3b that is extendable and swingable back and forth, and two metal bodies 3c mounted on the upper part of the arm 3b are capable of contacting the metal rod 2g of the structure 2. Similarly, by mounting the current collector 3a, transplanters, combine harvesters, and the like can also be operated by the overhead power supply system.

[0012] When the agricultural machine 3 is located under the structure 2, a left-right movable device 3d and a camera 3e may be installed on the current collector 3a so that the metal body 3c of the current collector 3a of the agricultural machine 3 and the metal rod 2g of the structure 2 can be in reliable contact with each other, and the positional relationship may be recognized from an image obtained by the camera 3e, and the position may be adjusted by the left-right movable device 3d. Alternatively, the left-right movable device 3d may not be installed, and the agricultural machine 3 itself may be operated automatically, and the position may be adjusted by its operation.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 8, the number of overhead lines can be reduced by widening the horizontal movable range of the horizontally movable device 3d. Preferably, power can be supplied between the pillars 2b with only one set of overhead lines.

[0014] Fig. 9 shows one embodiment of the electrical equipment. An electric wire from the power distribution equipment is received on a utility pole 4a, and is connected to a power meter 4c installed by a power transmission and distribution company via a power cable 4b, which is then connected to a plastic box 4d containing a circuit breaker, and then to a DC unit 4e. The power cable then connects the wire to a metal rod 2g, through which DC power is supplied.

[0015] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the electric circuit of the present invention. Power is received from the distribution line of the power system, and the AC power is converted to DC power by the DC unit 4e via the watt-hour meter 4c and the circuit breaker 4d, and the DC power is passed through the metal body 2g of the structure 2. Inside the agricultural machine 3, the power received by the metal body 3c is connected in parallel to the drive inverter 4h and the DC / DC converter 4j for the storage battery via the DC breaker 4g to drive the motor. When the agricultural machine 3 is located under the structure 2, a part of the DC power supplied from the overhead line is converted to AC power by the motor drive inverter 4h to drive the synchronous motor 4i. In addition, a part of the DC power supplied from the overhead line is converted to a voltage that can be charged into the storage battery 4k by the DC / DC converter 4j, and the storage battery 4k is charged. On the other hand, when the agricultural machine 3 is not located under the structure 2, DC power is sent from the storage battery 4k via the DC / DC converter 4j to the motor drive inverter 4h, which converts it to AC power to drive the synchronous motor 4i.

[0016] The electrical equipment of the structure 2 and the agricultural machinery 3 are linked by communication devices 4m-4n, with the DC unit's control computer 4o controlling the AC / DC converter 4p, and the agricultural machinery 3's control computer 4l controlling the motor drive inverter 4h and DC / DC converter 4j. When the metal rod 2g and the metal body 3c are not in contact with each other, the AC / DC converter 4p and the DC breaker 4c of the agricultural machinery 3 can be opened to reduce accidents such as electric shock.

[0017] A solar power generation facility may be installed on the structure 2. One embodiment of this is shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 12 shows one embodiment of an electric circuit when a solar power generation facility 5 is installed.

[0018] 13, the current collector 3a of the agricultural machine 3 may be made detachable so that an internal combustion engine power generator 6a or a fuel cell power generator 6b can be attached instead of the current collector 3a. In this case, even in a field where there is no structure 2, the agricultural machine 3 can perform farm work by attaching the internal combustion engine power generator 6a or the fuel cell power generator 6b.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 14, an internal combustion engine power generation device 6a or a fuel cell power generation device 6b may be attached to a system connector 6c connected to a power system so that power can be supplied to the power system. Fig. 15 shows one embodiment of an electric circuit when a solar power generation facility 5 is installed. Effect of the Invention

[0017] By supplying power to electric agricultural machinery in the field, the size of the storage battery can be kept small, and continuous working time can be extended while maintaining workability for plowing, etc. Also, by charging the storage battery 4i of the agricultural cooperative machinery 3, it becomes possible to install the structure 2 only in a part of the field 1, rather than the entire field 1, and the cost of installing the structure can be reduced.

[0018] Machines that run on overhead power lines have been put to practical use in trains, trams, trolleybuses, etc., but the running routes of all of these are fixed, making it easy to supply power via overhead lines. The present invention makes it possible to supply power to agricultural machines in the middle of agricultural work in fields where the running route is not fixed.

[0019] By moving the position of the metal body 3c with the left-right movable device 3d, the agricultural machine 3 can travel along a route where farm work is required. Preferably, by increasing the movable range of the left-right movable device 3d, the number of overhead wires can be reduced, leading to cost savings.

[0020] By installing solar power generation equipment on the structure 2, revenue from power generation will be added, and the investment for the structure will be recovered sooner. In addition, by performing agricultural work with the agricultural machinery 3 during the sunshine, the amount of electricity purchased from the power grid will be reduced, improving the business viability of agriculture.

[0021] By making the current collector 3a detachable, in fields without structures 3, it is possible to install an internal combustion engine power generation device 6a that uses liquid fuel such as gasoline, diesel, or vegetable oil as fuel to operate the agricultural machine 3. Furthermore, if hydrogen becomes available as an energy medium in the future, it may be replaced with a fuel cell power generation device 6b that uses hydrogen as fuel.

[0022] By attaching the internal combustion engine power generation device 6a or the fuel cell power generation device 6b to the grid connection device, electricity generated using the internal combustion engine or the fuel cell can be supplied to the grid when the supply and demand of the power grid is tight. By selling the electricity, additional income can be obtained, which may improve the management situation of the farm. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of an overhead line power supply system for an agricultural machine according to the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the overhead line power supply system for the agricultural machine. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an example of installation of an overhead power supply system in a farm field. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of a structure in which electric power supply lines are installed. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a front view of a structure in which power supply lines are installed. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a side view of an agricultural machine equipped with a current collector. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the agricultural machine equipped with the current collector. [Figure 8] This is a rear view of a structure and agricultural machinery with a reduced number of overhead lines. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an elevation view of an example of an installation of power receiving and power conversion equipment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an electrical circuit diagram of the overhead power supply system. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a side view of a structure with a solar power generation facility attached. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is an electrical circuit diagram of an overhead power supply system with an additional solar power generation facility. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a side view of a detachable multi-purpose power unit and an agricultural machine. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a side view of a device for transmitting power from a power supply unit to a power grid. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is an electrical circuit diagram of a system that transmits power from a power supply unit to a power grid. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, a structure 2 is installed in the center of a long side of a field 1. The agricultural machine 2 travels in the long side of the field 1 and performs agricultural work such as plowing. When passing under the structure 2, the agricultural machine 3 moves the current collector 3a, and the two metal bodies 3a come into contact with the two metal bodies 2a of the structure 2 to receive electric power.

[0025] The agricultural machine 3 needs to be moved between the warehouse or the like where it is stored and the field, but the agricultural machine 3 of the present invention is equipped with a storage battery, and the power stored in the battery enables it to be moved on general roads and farm roads without overhead power lines. Unlike agricultural work in fields, movement on general roads and farm roads imposes a small load, so it is possible to travel longer distances than in fields, even without overhead power supply.

[0026] Automated driving technology for agricultural machinery has advanced and has been partially put to practical use. In the present invention, it is preferable to combine it with automatic driving. In particular, the support pillars 2b of the structure 2 are an obstacle for the person operating the agricultural machinery, but with automatic driving, this becomes irrelevant. Furthermore, more accurate operation is possible by accurately grasping the position of the support pillars using a camera or laser scanner mounted on the automatic agricultural machinery.

[0027] The number of overhead lines can be reduced by increasing the movable range of the left and right movable device 3d of the agricultural machine 3. If the movable range of the left and right movable device 3d is small, one set of overhead lines is required for the width where agricultural work such as plowing can be done in one direction, but if the movable range of the left and right movable device 3d exceeds the width where agricultural work can be done, it becomes possible to receive power with one set of overhead lines for two widths where agricultural work can be done.

[0028] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, a solar power generation system 5 can be installed on the structure 2. By installing the solar power generation system 5, it becomes possible to generate electricity in addition to supplying power to the agricultural machinery 3, and the structure 2 and power receiving equipment from the power grid can be effectively utilized, improving the economic efficiency of the entire system.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 13, there is also a method in which the current collector 3a can be detached from the agricultural machine 3. There are various power sources such as an internal combustion engine generator 6a and a fuel cell generator 6b as power supply devices that can be attached to the agricultural machine 3. By making it detachable in this way, for example, in a field without an overhead power supply system, the internal combustion engine device 6a can be attached to the agricultural machine 3 and work such as plowing the field can be performed.

[0030] As shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the internal combustion engine power generating device 6a and the fuel cell power generating device 6b may be attached to a system connection device that can be connected to a power system, and used as a generator to supply power to the power system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 1. Field 2 structures 2a basics 2b Post 2c crossbeam 2d longitudinal beam 2e Diagonal 2f Insulator 2g metal rod 3. Agricultural machinery 3a Current collector 3b Arm 3c metal body 3D left and right moving device 3e Camera 4. Electrical Equipment Group 4a Electric pole 4b Power cable 4c electricity meter 4d Plastic Box 4e DC unit 5. Solar power generation facilities 5a Mount 5b Photovoltaic module 6a Internal combustion engine power generating unit 6b Fuel cell power generation unit 6c Grid connection device

Claims

1. The system supplies electricity to an electric agricultural machine (3) from a metal rod (2a) installed on a structure (2) installed in a field (1) via a current collector (3a) mounted on the agricultural machine (3).

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that a solar power generation facility (5) is installed on the structure (2).

3. The agricultural machine is characterized in that the arm (3b) of the current collector (3a) moves left and right so as to come into contact with the metal rod (2a).

4. The agricultural machine has an attachment / detachment mechanism that enables an internal combustion engine power supply device (6a) or a fuel cell power supply device (6b) to be attached in addition to the current collecting device (3a).

5. The system supplies electric power to an electric power grid by mounting the internal combustion engine power supply device (6a) or the fuel cell power supply device (6b) on an electric power grid connection device (6c).

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