Seedling transplanter

Abstract

To provide a seedling transplanter that makes traveling with aligned adjacent rows easy.SOLUTION: A seedling transplanter according to an aspect of an embodiment includes: a traveling vehicle body; a seedling transplanting part attached to the traveling vehicle body; and a side marker that is attached to the traveling vehicle body and emits light. The side marker can emit light toward an adjacent row adjacent to a transplanting route for transplanting seedlings by the seedling transplanting part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a seedling transplanter.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when transplanting seedlings in a field, a seedling transplanter that draws a driving reference line for the next process on the field with a line marker is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). When the seedling transplanter travels in the next process, by traveling along the driving reference line, it becomes possible to travel in accordance with the working position of the immediately preceding working strip, and the adjacent strip intervals can be aligned.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Further, when the water volume in the field is large, etc., the driving reference line by the line marker may be difficult to visually recognize. Therefore, it is known that the seedling transplanter is provided with adjacent markers that project in the left-right direction of the traveling vehicle body on the lateral side of the front side of the machine body. Even when the driving reference line is difficult to visually recognize, the operator can align the adjacent strip intervals and plant the seedlings in the field by driving the seedling transplanter with the adjacent markers aligned with, for example, the end of the immediately preceding working strip.

[0005] However, it is not easy for the operator to drive the seedling transplanter with the adjacent markers aligned with the end of the immediately preceding working strip, and it may be difficult to align the adjacent strip intervals and plant the seedlings in the field.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a seedling transplanter that facilitates traveling with adjacent strip intervals aligned.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a seedling transplanter according to one aspect of the embodiment includes a traveling vehicle body, a seedling planting unit attached to the traveling vehicle body, and a side marker attached to the traveling vehicle body and irradiating light. The side marker can irradiate light toward an adjacent strip adjacent to a planting process in which seedlings are planted by the seedling planting unit.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the embodiment, the seedling transplanter can facilitate traveling with the adjacent strips aligned.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

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Figure 19

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] (First Embodiment) First, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an overview of the seedling transplanter 1 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a side view showing the seedling transplanter 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the seedling transplanter 1.

[0011] In the following description, the front-rear direction is the traveling direction when the seedling transplanter 1 travels straight, and the front side in the traveling direction is defined as "front" and the rear side as "rear". The traveling direction of the seedling transplanter 1 is the direction from the driver's seat 41 to the steering wheel 35 when traveling straight (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0012] The left-right direction is a direction that is horizontally orthogonal to the front-rear direction, and the left and right are defined toward the "front" side. That is, with the operator (also referred to as the worker) sitting in the driver's seat 41 and facing forward, the left hand side is "left" and the right hand side is "right".

[0013] The up-down direction is the vertical direction. The front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction are orthogonal to each other. Each direction is defined for the convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not limited by these directions.

[0014] In the embodiment, the seedling transplanter 1 includes a seedling planting unit 4 as a working unit, and will be described as a riding-type seedling transplanter that receives seedlings in a field. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the seedling transplanter 1 includes a vertically movable seedling planting unit 4 that plants seedlings in a field via a lift link mechanism 3 on the rear side of a traveling vehicle body 2. The main body portion of a fertilizer applicator 5 is disposed on the upper rear portion of the traveling vehicle body 2.

[0015] The traveling vehicle body 2 is a four-wheel drive vehicle including left and right front wheels 10 and rear wheels 11 that are wheels and drive wheels. On the front side of a main frame 15 that constitutes the vehicle body skeleton of the traveling vehicle body 2, there are provided a transmission case 13 that transmits driving force to the seedling planting unit 4 and the like, and a hydraulic continuously variable transmission 14 that outputs the driving force supplied from an engine 30, that is, the rotation generated by the engine 30, to the transmission case 13.

[0016] The continuously variable transmission 14 is a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission so-called HST (Hydro Static Transmission). Hereinafter, the case where the continuously variable transmission is the HST 14 will be described.

[0017] A sub-transmission mechanism 16 for switching the traveling mode of the traveling vehicle body 2 during road travel in high speed mode or during seedling planting in low speed mode is provided in the transmission case 13. Front wheel final cases 10a are provided on the left and right sides of the transmission case 13, and the front wheels 10 are attached to left and right front axles 10b that project outward from front wheel support portions capable of changing the steering direction of the left and right front wheel final cases 10a.

[0018] In addition, on the rear portion side of the main frame 15, rear wheel gear cases 11a are attached to both the left and right sides of a rear frame 22 provided in the lateral direction (see FIG. 2), and the rear wheels 11 are respectively attached to left and right rear axles 11b that project outward from the rear wheel gear cases 11a.

[0019] Further, on the upper part of the rear frame 22, left and right link support frames 23 for supporting the lifting link mechanism 3 project upward. On the lower sides of the left and right link support frames 23 and between the left and right, a pair of left and right lower link arms 24 are provided. Between the left and right of the left and right lower link arms 24, a lifting cylinder 25 that operates by hydraulic pressure is provided.

[0020] Above the lifting cylinder 25, an upper link arm 26 is provided, and the lifting link mechanism 3, which is a parallel link mechanism, is configured. Note that one end of each of the left and right lower link arms 24, the lifting cylinder 25, and the other end side of the upper link arm 26, which are each connected to the traveling vehicle body 2 side, are attached to the front part of the seedling planting part 4.

[0021] Also, an engine 30 is mounted on the main frame 15. The rotational power of the engine 30 is transmitted to the transmission case 13 via the belt transmission device 21 and the HST 14. The rotational power transmitted to the transmission case 13 is shifted by the sub-shifting mechanism 16 in the transmission case 13 and then divided into traveling power and externally extractable power.

[0022] Also, the rotational power of the engine 30 is transmitted to a hydraulic pump (not shown). The hydraulic pressure generated by the hydraulic pump is supplied to the HST 14, the power steering mechanism 88 (see FIG. 5) of the handle 35, the lifting cylinder 25, and the like.

[0023] The externally extractable power extracted from the rotational power transmitted to the transmission case 13 is transmitted to the planting clutch case 27 provided at the rear of the traveling vehicle body 2, and is transmitted from the planting clutch case 27 to the seedling planting part 4 by the planting transmission shaft 67.

[0024] On the other hand, on the rear part of the transmission case 13, left and right drive shafts 42 are provided. The rotational power from the engine 30 is transmitted to the left and right rear wheel gear cases 11a via the transmission case 13 and the drive shafts 42.

[0025] Note that a side clutch 44 (see FIG. 5) for engaging and disengaging power transmission to the left and right drive shafts 42 is disposed on the upstream side in the transmission direction from the left and right drive shafts 42. As shown in FIG. 1, a side clutch pedal 43a for engaging and disengaging the left and right side clutches 44 is provided at the lower front side of the driver's seat 41 and on one side of the left and right sides.

[0026] When the side clutch pedal 43a on the inner side of the turn is depressed to disengage the side clutch 44 and then the steering wheel 35 is operated to perform a turning drive, the driving rotation of the rear wheel 11 on the inner side of the turn can be completely interrupted.

[0027] A bonnet 39 with a control panel 38 for operating each part disposed on the upper part is provided at the upper front side of the traveling vehicle body 2. The control panel 38 is provided with a monitor 86 (see FIG. 5) and the like.

[0028] In addition, the bonnet 39 is provided with a steering wheel 35 for steering the traveling vehicle body 2, a shift operation lever 36 for operating the HST 14 and the seedling planting part 4, a sub-shift operation lever 37 for operating the sub-transmission mechanism 16, and the like. By operating the shift operation lever 36, the traveling vehicle body 2 can be switched to forward or reverse.

[0029] In addition, an openable and closable front cover 40 is provided on the front side of the bonnet 39. Inside the front cover 40, a fuel tank, a battery, and an interlocking mechanism for rotating the lower sides of the left and right front wheels 10 and the left and right front wheel final cases 10a in response to the steering of the steering wheel 35 are provided. The front wheels 10 are, for example, steering wheels that steer in response to the steering of the steering wheel 35.

[0030] An engine cover 30a for covering the upper part and the side part of the engine 30 is provided on the rear side of the bonnet 39 and above the engine 30, and a driver's seat 41 on which the driver sits is provided on the upper part of the engine cover 30a.

[0031] On the rear side of the driver's seat 41 and at the rear end side of the main frame 15, a fertilizer applicator 5 is provided. The driving force of the fertilizer applicator 5 is transmitted by a fertilizer transmission mechanism provided so as to face the fertilizer applicator 5 from one side of the left and right rear wheel gear cases 11a.

[0032] On both the left and right sides at the lower part of the engine cover 30a and the bonnet 39, substantially horizontal floor steps 33 are formed. As shown in FIG. 2, the floor steps 33 are partially lattice-shaped. For example, even if mud attached to the shoes of the operator walking on the floor steps 33 falls, the fallen mud and the like fall onto the field.

[0033] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, a rear step 330 is connected to the rear of the floor step 33. It is preferable that the surface of the rear step 330 is subjected to an anti-slip process in which, for example, a plurality of protrusion patterns are formed so that the feet are less likely to slip during work.

[0034] Also, on the front side of the traveling vehicle body 2 and on both the left and right sides, a spare seedling frame 50 is provided in which a plurality of spare seedling placing tables 52 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction on the seedling frame support 51, and work materials such as seedlings to be replenished to the seedling planting part 4 and fertilizer bags can be placed.

[0035] Also, at the rear end of the lifting link mechanism 3, a seedling tank 53 for loading seedlings to be planted in the field is mounted together with a sliding mechanism that slides in the left-right direction. In the seedling tank 53, long seedling partition fences 54 in the vertical direction are arranged at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction. Below the seedling tank 53, a seedling planting device 55 for scraping up the loaded seedlings and planting them in the field is arranged.

[0036] The seedling planting device 55 is configured to plant 8 rows simultaneously, which is the same number as the number of planting operation rows separated by the seedling partition fences 54. Four planting transmission cases 56 are arranged at intervals below the seedling tank 53, and planting rotaries 57 that pick up seedlings with planting rods 58 while rotating are respectively mounted on both the left and right sides of the planting transmission cases 56.

[0037] The fertilizer application device 5 has a fertilizer application hopper 70 for storing fertilizer, which is partitioned into the same number as the number of working rows of the seedling planting section 4 (in the example shown in FIG. 2, for 8 rows). Since the fertilizer application hopper 70 for 8 rows is long in the left-right direction, the convenience of fertilizer input and attachment / detachment is reduced. Therefore, a so-called side fertilizer application structure in which those partitioned into 4 rows each are arranged side by side on the left and right may be used.

[0038] Below the fertilizer application hopper 70, a feeding device 71 for supplying fertilizer in set amounts is provided for each row. Below the feeding device 71, a ventilation duct 72 through which the conveying air for moving the fertilizer passes is provided in the left-right direction. Below the feeding device 71, a fertilizer application hose 73 for guiding the fertilizer to the vicinity of the seedling planting position of the seedling planting section 4 is provided. Further, at one side end of the ventilation duct 72, a blower 74 that is operated by a blower electric motor 76 to generate the conveying air is provided.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, below the seedling planting section 4, a center float 62C that contacts the field surface and slides, and two side floats 62L and 62R on the left and right are provided so as to be rotatable about an axis. In some cases, the center float 62C and the left and right side floats 62L and 62R are collectively referred to as the float 62.

[0040] Also, below the seedling planting section 4, in front of the float 62, a leveling rotor 63 for leveling the unevenness of the field surface is provided. A driving force is transmitted to the leveling rotor 63 from the rear wheel gear case 11a on the left and right other sides via a rotor transmission shaft 63a.

[0041] Also, as shown in FIG. 1, on both the left and right sides of the seedling planting section 4, line drawing markers 65 are respectively provided, with either the left or the right side contacting the field surface to form a groove as a guide for traveling in the next working row (next pass). When either the left or the right side of the left and right line drawing markers 65 contacts the ground, the other side is separated upward. When the seedling planting section 4 is raised during turning, both the left and right sides are separated upward. When the seedling planting section 4 descends after turning, one side is separated upward and the other side contacts the ground.

[0042] Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a center mascot 66 that is long in the vertical direction is provided at the left-right center of the traveling vehicle body 2 and in front of the bonnet 39. By aligning the center mascot 66 with the groove formed in the field by the left and right guiding markers 65, it becomes possible to travel in accordance with the working position of the working strip (adjacent strip) immediately before the planting process (working process) adjacent to the planting process, and it is possible to improve the working accuracy and prevent the occurrence of non-working.

[0043] Note that depending on the soil quality of the field, the guide lines formed by the left and right guiding markers 65 may be buried immediately, and the reference for straight travel may disappear. In such a case, it is advisable to use the left and right side markers 19 provided on the front side of the left and right guiding markers 65.

[0044] The side marker 19 irradiates light. The side marker 19 is attached to the main frame 15 of the traveling vehicle body 2. For example, the side marker 19 is provided closer to the center in the left-right direction than the ends of the seedling planting section 4 in the left-right direction. The side marker 19 can irradiate light toward the adjacent strip.

[0045] The side marker 19 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the side marker 19 seen from the rear. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the side marker 19 seen from above. FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams showing the schematic of the side marker 19 provided on the left side of the traveling vehicle body 2.

[0046] The side marker 19 includes an irradiation unit 19a and a rotating unit 19b. The irradiation unit 19a is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The irradiation unit 19a irradiates linear light parallel to the front-rear direction of the traveling vehicle body 2. In FIG. 4, the linear light by the irradiation unit 19a is indicated by a dashed line. The irradiation unit 19a irradiates light when the power switch of the seedling transplanter 1 is ON, and does not irradiate light when the power switch is OFF. That is, the irradiation unit 19a interlocks with the ON / OFF of the power switch and switches the presence or absence of light irradiation. Note that the irradiation unit 19a may switch the presence or absence of light irradiation according to the operation of a switch that switches the presence or absence of light irradiation. Further, the side marker 19 may irradiate light by the irradiation unit 19a on the side where the seedling transplanter 1 plants seedlings. In this case, for example, based on the operation direction (operation history) of the handle 35, the controller 100 sets the irradiation unit 19a that irradiates light.

[0047] The rotating unit 19b includes a side marker adjustment motor 19c (motor) and a transmission mechanism 19d. The side marker adjustment motor 19c rotates the irradiation unit 19a via the transmission mechanism 19d. The transmission mechanism 19d includes, for example, a plurality of gears 19e, 19f. For example, the first gear 19e receives rotation from the rotation shaft of the side marker adjustment motor 19c. The first gear 19e meshes with the second gear 19f and transmits the rotation transmitted from the side marker adjustment motor 19c to the second gear 19f.

[0048] The second gear 19f is rotatably supported by the traveling vehicle body 2 by a support shaft 19g. The support shaft 19g is a shaft parallel to the front-rear direction. The irradiation unit 19a is attached to the second gear 19f. The irradiation unit 19a rotates together with the second gear 19f. When the second gear 19f rotates, the irradiation unit 19a rotates, and the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a is changed. Specifically, the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a in the left-right direction is changed. That is, the irradiation unit 19a is attached to the traveling vehicle body 2 so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction.

[0049] Note that the above-described transmission mechanism 19d is an example and is not limited thereto. The transmission mechanism 19d may have three or more gears. The transmission mechanism 19d only needs to transmit the rotation of the side marker adjustment motor 19c and support the irradiation unit 19a so as to be rotatable.

[0050] For example, the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a is changed to an initial angle and an alignment angle. The initial angle is an angle at which the light irradiated by the irradiation unit 19a is directed downward. The alignment angle is an angle at which, by aligning the light irradiated from the side marker 19 and the transplanter 1 traveling straight, the transplanter 1 can travel in alignment with the working position of the adjacent row.

[0051] For example, when the rotation angle becomes the alignment angle and the transplanter 1 travels straight while aligning the light irradiated from the irradiation unit 19a with the seedlings in the adjacent row (for example, the seedlings at the end closest to the transplanter 1 side), it becomes possible to travel with the plant spacing (between adjacent rows) aligned with respect to the adjacent row.

[0052] Next, the control system of the transplanter 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system centered on the control device 100 of the transplanter 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the transplanter 1 is capable of controlling each part by electronic control and includes a control device (hereinafter referred to as a controller) 100 that controls each part.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 6, the controller 100 is provided with a processing unit 110a having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, a storage unit 110b such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an input / output unit 110c, and these are connected to each other and can transfer signals to each other. FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of the controller 100.

[0054] The storage unit 110b stores a computer program for controlling the seedling transplanter 1 and the like. The storage unit 110b stores the machine information of the seedling transplanter 1. The machine information of the seedling transplanter 1 includes information such as the model of the seedling transplanter 1 and the vehicle width of the seedling transplanter 1. Further, the machine information of the seedling transplanter 1 includes information on the alignment angle of the irradiation unit 19a of the side marker 19 according to the model of the seedling transplanter 1.

[0055] The controller 100 exhibits each function by reading a computer program and the like stored in the storage unit 110b.

[0056] Returning to FIG. 5, for example, as actuators, a throttle motor 80, hydraulic control valves 81, 82, a planting clutch operating solenoid 83, a side clutch operating solenoid 84, an HST motor 85, a wire drawing marker lifting motor 87, a differential lock switching motor 96, a side marker adjustment motor 19c, a ridge clutch operating solenoid 120, etc. are connected to the controller 100.

[0057] The throttle motor 80 increases or decreases the rotational speed of the output shaft of the engine 30 by operating a throttle that adjusts the intake air amount of the engine 30. The hydraulic control valve 81 controls the telescopic operation of the lifting cylinder 25. The hydraulic control valve 82 controls the power steering mechanism 88. The power steering mechanism 88 changes the direction of the front wheels 10 which are the steering wheels of the traveling vehicle body 2. The planting clutch operating solenoid 83 operates the planting clutch 27a.

[0058] The side clutch operating solenoid 84 operates a side clutch 44 that switches the power transmission state to the rear wheels 11 (see FIG. 1). The side clutch 44 is provided on each of the left and right rear wheels 11, and two side clutch operating solenoids 84 are provided corresponding to each side clutch 44.

[0059] The ridge clutch operating solenoid 120 activates the ridge clutch 121 (number-of-rows switching section). A plurality of ridge clutch operating solenoids 120 and ridge clutches 121 are provided. For example, when the number of working rows of the seedling planting section 4 is 8, four ridge clutch operating solenoids 120 and ridge clutches 121 are provided. Four ridge clutches 121 are provided corresponding to each planting transmission case 56. Each ridge clutch 121 switches the power transmission state to each planting transmission case 56. When the ridge clutch 121 is in the disengaged state (OFF), the power to the planting transmission case 56 corresponding to the disengaged ridge clutch 121 is no longer transmitted. Then, the transplantation of seedlings by the planting rod 58 of the planting transmission case 56 to which the power is no longer transmitted is no longer performed.

[0060] The HST motor 85 changes the inclination angle of the swash plate of the HST 14 by changing the rotation angle of the trunnion of the HST 14. The line-drawing marker lifting motor 87 raises and lowers the line-drawing marker 65.

[0061] The differential lock switching motor 96 is a motor that switches the operation and the stop of the differential lock mechanism 97 (hereinafter referred to as the differential lock mechanism), which rotates the left and right traveling wheels, specifically, the left and right front wheels 10, at the same rotational speed. When the differential lock mechanism 97 is in the engaged state, the left and right traveling wheels rotate at the same rotational speed.

[0062] Connected to the controller 100 are detection devices such as the rotation speed sensor 90, the steering amount sensor 91, the inclination sensor 92, and the rotation angle detection sensor 124. Two rotation speed sensors 90 are provided corresponding to the left and right rear wheels 11, and each detects the rotation speed of the left and right rear wheels 11. Note that the rotation speed sensor 90 may detect the rotation speed of the left and right front wheels 10.

[0063] The steering angle sensor 91 detects the operating position of the steering wheel 35, which is a steering device, that is, the steering angle (steering angle) of the front wheels 10. The steering angle sensor 91 is provided, for example, on a shaft connected to the pitman arm. The steering angle is detected in each of the left and right directions with the value when the steering wheel 35 is in the preset straight-ahead position as the reference value.

[0064] The inclination sensor 92 detects the inclination of the traveling vehicle body 2. The inclination sensor 92 detects the inclination of the traveling vehicle body 2 in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction. A plurality of inclination sensors 92 may be provided.

[0065] The rotation angle detection sensor 124 detects the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a. The rotation angle detection sensor 124 is, for example, a potentiometer. The rotation angle detection sensor 124 detects the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a by detecting the angle of the second gear 19f (see FIG. 3), for example.

[0066] Also, signals are input to the controller 100 as operation signals from the shift operation lever 36, the sub-shift operation lever 37, the planting unit lift switch 47, the ridging clutch button 123, and the monitor 86, etc.

[0067] The planting unit lift switch 47 is a switch that switches whether to raise or lower the seedling planting unit 4. The planting unit lift switch 47 is changed to the "raise" and "lower" positions.

[0068] When the planting unit lift switch 47 is in the "raise" position, the seedling planting unit 4 rises to a predetermined non-working position, and the seedling planting device 55 stops in a non-working state. When the planting unit lift switch 47 is in the "lower" position, the seedling planting unit 4 descends to a predetermined working position, and the seedling planting device 55 operates in a working state. That is, the planting unit lift switch 47 is a switch that detects the working state of the seedling planting unit 4. Note that a switch for detecting the working state of the seedling planting unit 4 may be provided separately.

[0069] The ridge clutch button 123 is a button for operating the ridge clutch 121. A plurality of ridge clutch buttons 123 are provided corresponding to the ridge clutches 121. For example, when the number of working rows of the seedling planting unit 4 is 8, four ridge clutch buttons 123 are provided. When the ridge clutch button 123 is operated, the ridge clutch 121 corresponding to the ridge clutch button 123 operates. Specifically, when the ridge clutch button 123 is pushed to be in the off state, the ridge clutch 121 is operated by the ridge clutch operating solenoid 120 corresponding to the ridge clutch button 123, and the ridge clutch 121 becomes the off state (OFF). That is, the ridge clutch 121 corresponding to the on-state ridge clutch button 123 not pushed by the operator becomes the on state (ON). Note that the ridge clutch button 123 may be a lever or the like.

[0070] The monitor 86 is, for example, a touch panel and can input various settings of the seedling transplanter 1. For example, the type of the seedling transplanter 1 can be input by the monitor 86.

[0071] Note that the seedling transplanter 1 may be capable of autonomous traveling in the field. For example, the seedling transplanter 1 may be capable of performing automatic straight-ahead traveling in which seedlings are planted while automatically traveling straight ahead without depending on the operation of the operator. Further, the seedling transplanter 1 may be capable of performing automatic turning without depending on the operation of the operator. In this case, the seedling transplanter 1 has a position detection device or the like that detects the position of the own vehicle.

[0072] Next, the irradiation process by the side marker 19 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the irradiation process by the side marker 19 according to the first embodiment.

[0073] The controller 100 determines whether the power switch of the seedling transplanter 1 is ON (S100). When the power switch of the seedling transplanter 1 is ON (S100: Yes), the controller 100 sets the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a to the alignment angle (S101).

[0074] Specifically, the controller 100 controls the side marker adjustment motor 19c so that the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a becomes the alignment angle. For example, when the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a is the initial angle, the controller 100 drives the side marker adjustment motor 19c to change the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a from the initial angle to the alignment angle. Further, when the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a is already the alignment angle, the controller 100 maintains the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a at the alignment angle. When the power switch is turned from OFF to ON, the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a becomes the alignment opening degree.

[0075] When the power switch of the seedling transplanter 1 is not ON (S100: No), that is, when the power switch is turned OFF, the controller 100 sets the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a to the initial angle (S102).

[0076] Specifically, the controller 100 controls the side marker adjustment motor 19c so that the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a becomes the initial angle.

[0077] Note that even when the power switch of the seedling transplanter 1 is turned OFF, in order to execute the power OFF process, power is supplied from a battery or the like to some devices. Therefore, even when the power switch is turned OFF, the controller 100 can change the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a to the initial angle by driving the side marker adjustment motor 19c.

[0078] The rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a may be fixed at the alignment angle. For example, the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a may be set with the alignment angle as the initial angle. Further, the alignment angle may be adjustable, for example, by an operation on the monitor 86. Further, the irradiation unit 19a may also be rotatable in the front-rear direction of the traveling vehicle body 2. That is, the side marker 19 may be able to adjust the irradiation position in the front-rear direction of the traveling vehicle body 2.

[0079] The seedling transplanter 1 includes a traveling vehicle body 2, a seedling planting unit 4 attached to the traveling vehicle body 2, and a side marker 19 attached to the traveling vehicle body 2 that irradiates light. The side marker 19 can irradiate light toward an adjacent row adjacent to a planting row in which seedlings are planted by the seedling planting unit 4.

[0080] Accordingly, when the operator drives the seedling transplanter 1 in alignment with the adjacent row using the side marker 19, by driving the seedling transplanter 1 in alignment with the adjacent row with the light irradiated from the side marker 19, the operator can easily drive while maintaining the row spacing in alignment with the adjacent row, that is, drive while aligning the adjacent row spacings.

[0081] The side marker 19 is rotatably attached in the left - right direction of the traveling vehicle body 2, and includes an irradiation unit 19a that irradiates light and a side marker adjustment motor 19c that rotates the irradiation unit 19a.

[0082] Accordingly, the seedling transplanter 1 can adjust the irradiation position of the light by the irradiation unit 19a.

[0083] The seedling transplanter 1 includes a controller 100 that adjusts the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a by controlling the side marker adjustment motor 19c. The controller 100 adjusts the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a from an initial angle to an alignment angle based on the machine body information of the seedling transplanter 1.

[0084] Accordingly, the seedling transplanter 1 can adjust the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a according to the machine body information of the seedling transplanter 1, for example, the width in the left - right direction, etc. Therefore, the operator can easily drive while aligning the adjacent row spacings by driving with the light irradiated from the irradiation unit 19a in alignment with the adjacent row.

[0085] (Second Embodiment) Next, the seedling transplanter 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. Here, the parts different from the first embodiment will be described, and the descriptions of the same configurations as those in the first embodiment will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 8, a rotation angle adjustment button 125 and a ridge clutch automatic switching button 126 are connected to the controller 100. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the control system according to the second embodiment.

[0086] The rotation angle adjustment button 125 is a button that enables the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a to be changed. Specifically, the rotation angle adjustment button 125 is a button that enables the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a in the left-right direction of the traveling vehicle body 2 to be adjusted. When the rotation angle adjustment button 125 is operated, the irradiation position by the irradiation unit 19a in the left-right direction is changed.

[0087] The ridge clutch automatic switching button 126 is a switch that switches whether to operate the ridge clutch 121 according to the distance to the ridge. When the ridge clutch automatic switching button 126 is ON, the distance to the ridge is calculated using the side marker 19, and based on the calculated distance, the ridge clutch 121 is operated. When the ridge clutch automatic switching button 126 is OFF, the distance to the ridge using the side marker 19 is not calculated, and the operation according to the distance to the ridge does not occur in the ridge clutch 121. When the ridge clutch automatic switching button 126 is OFF, the ridge clutch 121 operates according to the operation of each ridge clutch button 123.

[0088] When the ridge clutch automatic switching button 126 is ON, the controller 100 calculates the distance to the ridge based on the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a of the side marker 19, and operates the ridge clutch 121 based on the calculated distance.

[0089] Next, the ridge clutch automatic switching process will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the ridge clutch automatic switching process according to the second embodiment.

[0090] The controller 100 determines whether the ridging clutch automatic switching button 126 is ON (S200). When the ridging clutch automatic switching button 126 is ON (S200: Yes), the controller 100 detects the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a of the side marker 19 (S201).

[0091] Next, the controller 100 calculates the distance to the ridge from the detected rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a (S202). It is assumed that the light irradiated from the irradiation unit 19a is irradiated onto the ridge, for example, the edge of the ridge on the field side, by the operation of the rotation angle adjustment button 125.

[0092] In this case, the relationship between the irradiation unit 19a of the side marker 19 and the ridge is as shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the irradiation unit 19a and the ridge.

[0093] The side marker 19 is attached to the traveling vehicle body 2, and the height H of the irradiation unit 19a is a known value. The height H of the irradiation unit 19a may be corrected based on the rotation angle α of the irradiation unit 19a. For example, the height H of the irradiation unit 19a corresponding to the rotation angle α of the irradiation unit 19a is set.

[0094] When the light irradiated from the irradiation unit 19a is adjusted to the ridge, the distance L to the ridge is calculated by Equation (1) using the height H of the irradiation unit 19a and the rotation angle α of the irradiation unit 19a.

[0095] Distance L to the ridge = Height H of the irradiation unit 19a × tanα ··· (1)

[0096] Returning to FIG. 9, next, the controller 100 controls the ridging clutch 121 based on the distance to the ridge (S202). The controller 100 selects the ridging clutch 121 to be turned off (OFF) based on the distance to the ridge, and turns off the selected ridging clutch 121. The controller 100 activates the ridging clutch operation solenoid 120 corresponding to the ridging clutch 121 to be turned off, and turns off the ridging clutch 121.

[0097] Specifically, the controller 100 controls the ridge clutch 121 so that an unplanted area corresponding to the number of working rows of the seedling planting unit 4 (for example, eight rows) is formed between the ridge and the seedlings to be planted in the planting process.

[0098] For example, when the calculated distance to the ridge is the distance for 12 rows, the controller 100 disengages the ridge clutch 121 for four rows on the ridge side so that an unplanted area of eight rows is formed between the ridge and the seedlings planted in the planting process. As a result, an unplanted area corresponding to the number of working rows of the seedling planting unit 4 is formed in the outer peripheral area of the field.

[0099] When the ridge clutch automatic switching button 126 is not ON (S200: No), that is, when the ridge clutch automatic switching button 126 is OFF, the current process ends.

[0100] The seedling transplanter 1 includes a ridge clutch 121 that switches the number of seedling planting rows in the seedling planting unit 4, and a controller 100 that controls the ridge clutch 121.

[0101] The controller 100 calculates the distance to the ridge based on the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a when the ridge is irradiated with light by the irradiation unit 19a, and controls the ridge clutch 121 based on the distance to the ridge.

[0102] Thereby, the seedling transplanter 1 can plant seedlings in the field while accurately forming an unplanted area corresponding to the number of working rows of the seedling planting unit 4 on the outer peripheral side of the field. Further, the seedling transplanter 1 can form an unplanted area corresponding to the number of working rows of the seedling planting unit 4 on the outer peripheral side of the field without depending on the operation of the ridge clutch 121 by the operator, and can reduce the working load of the operator.

[0103] The seedling transplanter 1 according to the modification example may have the following configurations and the like.

[0104] When the ridge clutch button 123 of the seedling transplanter 1 is pressed by the operator, the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a is changed according to the number of the pressed ridge clutch buttons 123. For example, when the planting is performed according to the number of the unpressed ridge clutch buttons 123, the controller 100 changes the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a so that the position where the unplanted area of the number of working rows of the seedling planting unit 4 is formed between the ridge and the seedlings to be planted is as indicated by the light irradiated from the irradiation unit 19a.

[0105] Thereby, the operator can know the number of planting rows, that is, the ridge clutch 121 to be put in the cut state, in which the unplanted area of the number of working rows of the seedling planting unit 4 can be formed on the outer peripheral side of the field.

[0106] The seedling transplanter 1 may notify the operator that the light irradiated from the irradiation unit 19a is in a state where the ridge clutch button 123 that coincides with (or is closest to) the ridge edge is pressed.

[0107] When the planting of the seedlings by the seedling planting unit 4 is started, the seedling transplanter 1 may start irradiating light with the irradiation unit 19a of the side marker 19. The seedling transplanter 1 may start irradiating light when the seedling planting unit 4 reaches a predetermined working position.

[0108] Thereby, the seedling transplanter 1 can shorten the light irradiation time by the side marker 19 and suppress the power consumption of the side marker 19.

[0109] The seedling transplanter 1 may correct the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a according to the inclination of the traveling vehicle body 2 detected by the inclination sensor 92. Specifically, the controller 100 corrects the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a according to the inclination of the traveling vehicle body 2 in the left-right direction. For example, when the traveling vehicle body 2 is inclined so that the left side thereof becomes higher, the controller 100 corrects the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a so that the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a becomes smaller (the initial angle side).

[0110] As a result, even when the seedling transplanter 1 is tilted in the left - right direction, for example, the operator can easily perform traveling with the adjacent rows aligned by traveling along with the light irradiated from the irradiation unit 19a in accordance with the adjacent rows.

[0111] The side marker 19 may have a plurality of irradiation forms. The side marker 19 changes the irradiation form according to the working state of the seedling transplanter 1. Specifically, the irradiation form in the irradiation unit 19a is changed by the controller 100. For example, the side marker 19 can change the color of the light in the irradiation unit 19a. Also, the side marker 19 can make the light in the irradiation unit 19a continuous or blink.

[0112] For example, when the working state of the seedling transplanter 1 is normal, the controller 100 irradiates green light from the irradiation unit 19a. Also, when the working state of the seedling transplanter 1 is abnormal, the controller 100 irradiates red light from the irradiation unit 19a. The abnormal working state of the seedling transplanter 1 is, for example, a state where an abnormality of a sensor, clogging of seedlings or mud, etc. has occurred.

[0113] For example, when the working state of the seedling transplanter 1 is normal, the controller 100 turns on the light of the irradiation unit 19a. Also, when the working state of the seedling transplanter 1 is abnormal, the controller 100 blinks the light of the irradiation unit 19a.

[0114] As a result, the seedling transplanter 1 can inform the operator of the working state of the seedling transplanter 1 by the side marker 19.

[0115] The controller 100 may turn on the light of the irradiation unit 19a when the shift operation lever 36 is in the forward position. The controller 100 may blink the light of the irradiation unit 19a when the shift operation lever 36 is in the reverse position.

[0116] The seedling transplanter 1 may also be a marker that irradiates linear light toward the field with the center mascot 66.

[0117] The seedling transplanter 1 may adjust the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a according to the state of the seedling planting unit 4. Specifically, when the seedling transplanter 1 is in a non-operating state where seedlings are not planted by the seedling planting unit 4, the controller 100 adjusts the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a so as to irradiate light toward the outermost position (outermost dimension position) of the seedling transplanter 1 in the left-right direction of the traveling vehicle body 2. For example, when the planting unit lifting switch 47 is in the "up" position, the controller 100 adjusts the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a so as to irradiate light toward the outermost position of the seedling transplanter 1 in the left-right direction of the traveling vehicle body 2.

[0118] The outermost position of the seedling transplanter 1 is determined based on the type of the seedling transplanter 1. For example, when the length of the seedling planting unit 4 in the left-right direction is longer than the length of the traveling vehicle body 2 in the left-right direction, the outermost position of the seedling transplanter 1 is the outermost position of the seedling planting unit 4.

[0119] Thereby, for example, when the seedling transplanter 1 is put into a shed or taken out of a shed, the operator can visually recognize the position where the front plate guard of the seedling planting unit 4 passes. Therefore, the seedling transplanter 1 can be prevented from contacting an obstacle or the like.

[0120] The seedling planting unit 4 may be foldable in the left-right direction of the traveling vehicle body 2. For example, when the seedling transplanter 1 is put into a shed, the seedling planting unit 4 is folded. The seedling transplanter 1 may adjust the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a according to the folded state of the seedling planting unit 4. Specifically, when the seedling planting unit 4 is in a folded state, the controller 100 adjusts the rotation angle of the irradiation unit 19a so as to irradiate light toward the outermost position of the seedling transplanter 1 in the state where the seedling planting unit 4 is folded.

[0121] Thereby, the operator can accurately visually recognize the outermost position of the seedling transplanter 1 by the light of the irradiation unit 19a.

[0122] The seedling transplanter 1 may be provided with the following mechanism for taking out the mat seedlings 200 of the preliminary seedlings from the seedling box 201. As shown in FIG. 11, when the seedling box 201 is conveyed to the rear side, the L-shaped insertion plate 202 takes out the mat seedlings 200 from the seedling box 201. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which the seedling box 201 is conveyed to the rear side.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 12, the seedling box 201 is formed with a slit 205 into which the insertion plate 202 is inserted on the rear end side. FIG. 12 is a view of the seedling box 201 seen from the rear. The slit 205 is formed on the rear end side of the seedling box 201. The slit 205 is formed so as to open rearward. Also, the slit 205 is formed so as to open downward. Also, as shown in FIG. 13, the slit 205 is formed so as to open upward so that when the front end of the insertion plate 202 is inserted to the front end side of the seedling box 201, the seedling box 201 drops downward. FIG. 13 is a view of the seedling box 201 seen from above. Note that the slit 205 may also be provided on the front end side of the seedling box 201.

[0124] The insertion plate 202 is inserted into the slit 205 from the rear side of the seedling box 201 and is inserted between the mat seedlings 200 and the seedling box 201. That is, the insertion plate 202 is in a state of supporting the mat seedlings 200 from below. Note that the insertion plate 202 is supported by a support member from below. For example, the insertion plate 202 is detachable from the support member.

[0125] When the seedling box 201 is further conveyed rearward, the seedling box 201 drops downward so that the insertion plate 202 passes through the slit 205 that opens upward. At this time, since the mat seedlings 200 are supported by the insertion plate 202 from below, they remain on the insertion plate 202. In this way, the mat seedlings 200 are taken out from the seedling box 201 by the insertion plate 202.

[0126] The empty seedling tray 201 that has fallen along the insertion plate 202 is accommodated in the seedling tray collection bucket 206 shown in FIG. 14 and is collected. FIG. 14 is a side view showing the arrangement of the seedling tray collection bucket 206.

[0127] On the upper surface of the seedling tray 201, a protruding portion 207 that protrudes upward is formed. Also, on the lower surface of the seedling tray 201, as shown in FIG. 15, a hole portion 208 that is recessed upward is formed. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the seedling tray 201 viewed from the lower side. The hole portion 208 is formed so that the protruding portion 207 is inserted when the seedling trays 201 are stacked in the vertical direction. Thus, when the seedling tray 201 is accommodated in the seedling tray collection bucket 206, the protruding portion 207 of the lower seedling tray 201 is inserted into the hole portion 208 of the upper seedling tray 201.

[0128] Also, on the side of the seedling tray 201, a rail guide groove 210 that is guided by the rail 209 shown in FIG. 16 is formed when the seedling tray 201 is conveyed backward. The seedling tray 201 is prevented from lifting upward by the rail 209. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a state in which the seedling tray 201 is guided by the rail 209.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 17, the seedling tray 201 may have a groove 214 with which a roller 212 having a gear shape can be engaged. FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a mechanism for conveying the seedling tray 201. The groove 214 is provided on the side of the seedling tray 201. The grooves 214 are formed side by side in the front-rear direction. Note that a plurality of rollers 212 are provided in the front-rear direction. The plurality of rollers 212 are connected by a belt, a chain, or the like and are rotated by a drive unit such as a motor.

[0130] Note that, as shown in FIG. 18, a cam 215 may be attached to the roller 212. FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the roller 212. The cam 215 is provided so as to push the seedling tray 201, for example, the protruding portion 207 downward when the seedling tray 201 is conveyed to the end point on the rear side. Thereby, the empty seedling tray 201 is biased toward the seedling tray collection bucket 206 (see FIG. 14), and the empty seedling tray 201 is accommodated in the seedling tray collection bucket 206.

[0131] The roller 212 is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction by the joint 219a of the link 219 sliding on the slide bar 218. By sliding the joint 219a of the link 219, the link 219 can be moved upward as shown in FIG. 19. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a state in which the link 219 is moved upward. Accordingly, the roller 212 moves upward together with the link 219. Note that the feed for each strip may be changed to an on state or an off state by a clutch.

[0132] When the seedling box 201 of the seedling transplanter 1 is conveyed to the rear end point, the contact switch may be pressed by the seedling box 201. The seedling transplanter 1 may count the number of used seedlings based on the number of times the contact switch is pressed.

[0133] The seedling transplanter 1 may count the time from the state in which the contact switch is pressed, and if the contact switch is still pressed after a certain period of time has elapsed, it may be determined that the movement of the empty seedling box 201 to the seedling box collection bucket 206 is abnormal. In this case, the seedling transplanter 1 may notify the operator that the collection of the seedling box 201 is abnormal.

[0134] The seedling transplanter 1 may be provided with a weight sensor that measures the weight of the seedling box 201 in the seedling box collection bucket 206. The seedling transplanter 1 counts the collected seedling boxes 201 based on the weight measured by the weight sensor.

[0135] The seedling transplanter 1 may be provided with a proximity sensor near the position where the seedling box collection bucket 206 is full. When the seedling box collection bucket 206 becomes full by the proximity sensor, the seedling transplanter 1 may notify the operator that it is in a full state.

[0136] When the auxiliary timing of the seedlings is detected by the seedling reduction switch provided in the seedling tank 53 of the seedling transplanter 1, the next waiting seedling box 201 may be conveyed rearward, so that the seedling mat supported by the insertion plate 202 is pushed out into the seedling tank 53 and automatically replenished. Note that the seedling box 201 may be pushed by a push cylinder or the like.

[0137] Further effects and modifications can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. For this reason, the broader aspects of the present invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments described and represented as above. Therefore, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0138] 1 Seedling transplanter 2 Traveling vehicle body 4 Seedling planting part 19 Side marker 19a Irradiation part 19b Rotating part 19c Side marker adjustment motor (motor) 92 Tilt sensor 100 Controller 120 Ridging clutch operation solenoid 121 Ridging clutch 123 Ridging clutch button 124 Rotation angle detection sensor 125 Rotation angle adjustment button 126 Ridging clutch automatic switching button

Claims

1. A traveling vehicle body, a seedling planting unit attached to the traveling vehicle body, and a side marker attached to the traveling vehicle body and irradiating light are provided, wherein the side marker can irradiate light toward an adjacent strip adjacent to a planting process in which seedlings are planted by the seedling planting unit, and it is a seedling transplanter.

2. The side marker irradiates linear light parallel to the longitudinal direction of the traveling vehicle body. The seedling transplanter according to Claim 1.

3. The side marker is rotatably attached in the left - right direction of the traveling vehicle body, and includes an irradiation unit that irradiates light, and a motor that rotates the irradiation unit The seedling transplanter according to Claim 1.

4. A controller that adjusts the rotation angle of the irradiation unit by controlling the motor is provided, and the controller adjusts the rotation angle so as to be a predetermined angle at which light can be irradiated toward the adjacent strip from an initial angle based on the body information of the seedling transplanter. The seedling transplanter according to Claim 3.

5. When the planting of seedlings by the seedling planting unit is started, the side marker starts irradiating light. The seedling transplanter according to Claim 1.

6. When the seedling planting unit reaches a predetermined working position, the side marker starts irradiating light. The seedling transplanter according to Claim 1.

7. An inclination sensor that detects the inclination angle of the traveling vehicle body in the left - right direction is provided, and the controller corrects the rotation angle according to the inclination angle. The seedling transplanter according to Claim 4.

8. The side marker has a plurality of irradiation forms, and changes the irradiation form according to the working state of the seedling transplanter. The seedling transplanter according to Claim 1.

9. The controller adjusts the rotation angle so as to irradiate light toward the outermost position of the seedling transplanter in the left - right direction when it is in a non - working state where the planting of seedlings by the seedling planting unit is not performed. The seedling transplanter according to Claim 4.

10. The seedling planting unit can be folded in the left - right direction of the traveling vehicle body, and the controller adjusts the rotation angle so as to irradiate light toward the outermost position in the state where the seedling planting unit is folded when the seedling planting unit is in a folded state. The seedling transplanter according to Claim 9.

11. A number - switching unit that switches the number of seedling planting rows in the seedling planting unit, and a controller that controls the number - switching unit are provided, and the side marker An irradiation unit that is rotatably attached in the left - right direction of the traveling vehicle body and irradiates light; A motor that rotates the irradiation unit; is provided, The controller: calculates the distance to the ridge based on the rotation angle of the irradiation unit when the ridge is irradiated with light by the irradiation unit, The transplanter according to claim 1, wherein the row number switching unit is controlled based on the distance to the ridge.

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