Transplanter

Abstract

To provide a transplanter which can appropriately stop and start an engine by an operation tool other than a key switch.SOLUTION: A riding rice transplanter 1 includes: a cell motor 16 that starts an engine; a key switch 12 that functions as an ON / OFF operation tool of a main power source and a driving operation tool for the cell motor 16; and a control part 20 executing various processes. The control part 20 includes: engine stop process means for stopping the engine when detecting a travel stop operation state in a state where the key switch 12 is in ON state and detecting an operation of a seedling supply mode switch 15 which is a predefined operation tool other than the key switch; and cell motor drive process means for driving the cell motor 16 only when detecting the travel stop operation state after the engine is stopped by the engine stop process means and detecting an operation of the seedling supply mode switch 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a transplanter such as a riding rice transplanter.

Background Art

[0002] In a transplanter such as a riding rice transplanter, during transplanting work, replenishment work such as seedling connection, fertilizer replenishment, and chemical replenishment is performed. In order to prevent wasteful consumption of fuel, it is preferable to perform such replenishment work with the engine stopped. However, if the key switch is turned off to stop the engine, the setting information of the control unit may be reset.

[0003] Therefore, when a traveling stop operation state is detected while the key switch is on and an operation of a predetermined operating tool other than the key switch is detected, an engine automatic stop process for stopping the engine, and after the engine is stopped by the engine automatic stop process, when a traveling stop operation state is detected and an operation of a predetermined operating tool other than the key switch is detected, a paddy field working machine that executes an engine automatic start process for starting the engine has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the paddy field working machine of Patent Document 1, an engine stop position is newly provided in the operation area of the speed change operating tool, and the engine is stopped based on the operation from the existing operation area to the engine stop position, and the engine is started based on the operation from the engine stop position to the existing operation area. Therefore, there is a possibility that the engine may stop or start due to an incorrect operation of the speed change operating tool. Although the paddy field working machine of Patent Document 1 has added a restraint device to prevent incorrect operation of the speed change operating tool, an increase in cost becomes an issue.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention was created for the purpose of solving these problems in view of the above circumstances. The invention of claim 1 is a transplanter including an engine as a power source, a starter motor for starting the engine, a key switch functioning as an on / off operating tool for the main power supply and a drive operating tool for the starter motor, and a control unit for executing various processes. The control unit includes an engine stop processing means for stopping the engine when an operation of a predetermined operating tool other than the key switch is detected while the key switch is in the on state, and a starter motor drive processing means for driving the starter motor only while the operation of the predetermined operating tool is detected after the engine is stopped by the engine stop processing means. Further, the invention of claim 2 is the transplanter according to claim 1, wherein the control unit further includes a second starter motor drive processing means for driving the starter motor only while detecting a traveling stop operation state after the engine is stopped by the engine stop processing means and while detecting a drive operation of the starter motor by the key switch. Further, the invention of claim 3 is the transplanter according to claim 1, wherein the traveling stop operation is an operation of the speed change operating tool to the neutral position. Further, the invention of claim 4 is the transplanter according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the predetermined operating tool is a pressing operation of a momentary switch. Further, the invention according to claim 5 is the transplanting machine according to claim 1, wherein the travel stop operation is an operation to move a shift operating device to a neutral position, the operation of the predetermined operating device is an operation of pressing a momentary switch, and the momentary switch is arranged on the same side as the side where the shift operating device is arranged with reference to the steering wheel in the left - right direction.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the invention of claim 1, after the engine is stopped by the engine stop processing means, the cell motor is driven only while detecting the operation of a predetermined operating device other than the key switch. Therefore, although the engine can be started with an operating device other than the key switch, the engine can be started in the same feeling as the driving operation of the cell motor by the key switch. Thus, compared with the case where the engine is automatically started according to the establishment of predetermined conditions, not only can the possibility of the engine being started by a misoperation be reduced, but also the sudden forward movement of the machine body due to the engine start by a misoperation can be prevented. Also, cost reduction can be achieved compared with the case of providing a restraint device for preventing misoperations. Further, according to the invention of claim 2, after the engine is stopped by the engine stop processing means, the travel stop operation state is detected, and the cell motor is driven only while detecting the driving operation of the cell motor by the key switch. Therefore, even after the engine is stopped by the engine stop processing means, not only can the engine start by the key switch be permitted, but also the sudden forward movement of the machine body associated with the engine start can be prevented. Further, according to the invention of claim 3, since the travel stop operation is an operation to move the shift operating device to a neutral position (including the neutral return linked to the depression of the brake pedal), the sudden forward movement of the machine body associated with the engine start can be surely prevented. Further, according to the invention of claim 4, since the operation of the predetermined operating device is an operation of pressing a momentary switch, when starting the engine with the predetermined operating device, it is necessary to keep pressing the predetermined operating device. As a result, the possibility of the engine being started by a misoperation of the predetermined operating device can be reduced. Further, according to the invention of claim 5, the traveling stop operation is an operation to move the shift operating device to the neutral position, the operation of the predetermined operating device is an operation to press the momentary switch, and the momentary switch is arranged on the same side as the side where the shift operating device is arranged with respect to the steering wheel in the left - right direction. Therefore, the simultaneous operation of the predetermined operating device and the shift operating device can be suppressed, and the possibility that the machine body suddenly starts moving forward when the engine is started can be further reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIGS. 1 and 2, 1 is a riding rice transplanter (transplanter), and the riding rice transplanter 1 includes a traveling machine body 2 and a planting work machine 4 connected to the rear portion of the traveling machine body 2 via a lift link mechanism 3. In this specification, the vehicle width direction of the traveling machine body 2 is defined as the left - right direction, and the length direction of the traveling machine body 2 is defined as the front - rear direction.

[0010] The planting work machine 4 includes a seedling placement table 5 on which seedlings (mat seedlings) are placed, and a planting mechanism 6 that scrapes seedlings from the lower end of the seedling placement table 5 and plants them in a paddy field. When the seedlings placed on the seedling placement table 5 are almost used up, a so - called seedling replenishment operation is performed, in which the traveling machine body 2 and the planting work machine 4 are stopped to replenish the seedlings. In operations involving fertilization or chemical spraying, fertilizer or chemical replenishment is performed according to the remaining amount of fertilizer or chemical. Such replenishment operations are also performed with the traveling machine body 2 and the planting work machine 4 stopped.

[0011] The traveling machine body 2 includes an engine mounting portion 7 on which an engine (not shown), which is a power source, is mounted, a transmission case (not shown) that shifts the engine power, left and right front wheels 9 that are rotationally driven by the traveling power output from the transmission case and are steered according to the operation of a steering handle 8, left and right rear wheels 10 that are rotationally driven by the traveling power output from the transmission case, and an operation portion 11 on which operation tools such as the steering handle 8 are arranged.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the operation portion 11, in addition to the above - mentioned steering handle 8, operation tools such as a key switch 12, a main speed change lever 13 (speed change operation tool), a brake pedal 14, and a seedling replenishment mode switch 15 are arranged.

[0013] The key switch 12 functions as an on / off operation tool for the main power supply and a drive operation tool for the cell motor 16 (see FIG. 4). For example, the operating positions of the key switch 12 include an off position, an on position, and a start position. When the key switch 12 is operated from the off position beyond the on position to the start position, as shown in FIG. 4, the starter relay 17 is turned on, and the power of the battery 18 is supplied to the cell motor 16. Thereby, the cell motor 16 is driven, and the engine is started. Note that the key switch 12 is a switch that automatically returns from the start position to the on position, and the cell motor 16 is driven only while the key switch 12 is being operated to the start position.

[0014] The main transmission lever 13 is an operating tool for a main transmission mechanism that changes the traveling power and the working power. The operating area of the main transmission lever 13 includes a forward speed change operating area, a reverse speed change operating area, and a neutral position. When the vehicle stops, the main transmission lever 13 is operated to the neutral position.

[0015] The brake pedal 14 is an operating tool for a brake mechanism that brakes the front wheels 9 and the rear wheels 10. When the vehicle stops, the brake pedal 14 is depressed. Further, the traveling machine body 2 of the present embodiment is provided with an interlocking mechanism that automatically moves the main transmission lever 13 to the neutral position in conjunction with the depression operation of the brake pedal 14.

[0016] The seedling transplanting mode switch 15 is a momentary switch (an automatically returning push button switch), and its function will be described later. The seedling transplanting mode switch 15 is arranged on the same side as the side on which the main transmission lever 13 is arranged with respect to the steering handle 8 in the left-right direction.

[0017] The traveling machine body 2 is provided with a control unit 20 that executes various processes. As shown in FIG. 4, on the input side of the control unit 20, in addition to the key switch 12 and the seedling transplanting mode switch 15 described above, a safety switch 21, a hydraulic switch 22, etc. are connected. On the output side of the control unit 20, a restart relay 23, an engine stop relay 24, a monitor lamp 25, etc. are connected.

[0018] The safety switch 21 functions as a travel stop state detector that detects the travel stop state of the traveling machine body 2. For example, the travel stop state is detected based on any one of neutral detection of the main transmission lever 13, depression detection of the brake pedal 14, and operation detection of the interlocking mechanism.

[0019] The hydraulic switch 22 detects the hydraulic pressure supplied to the hydraulic equipment. Since the hydraulic pressure rises in response to the drive of a hydraulic pump (not shown) operated by engine power, the operating state of the engine can be determined based on the detection signal of the hydraulic switch 22. Note that the operating state of the engine may also be determined based on the detection signal of an engine rotation sensor that detects the rotation of the engine.

[0020] The restart relay 23 turns the starter relay 17 on / off according to a command from the control unit 20. Thereby, the drive operation of the cell motor 16 by an operating tool other than the key switch 12 (the seedling transplanting mode switch 15 in this embodiment) becomes possible.

[0021] The engine stop relay 24 turns the stop solenoid 26 (fuel supply stop valve) on / off according to a command from the control unit 20. Thereby, the stop operation of the engine by an operating tool other than the key switch 12 (the seedling transplanting mode switch 15 in this embodiment) becomes possible.

[0022] The monitor lamp 25 is connected to the control unit 20 via the CAN communication line and lights up / extinguishes according to a command from the control unit 20. The monitor lamp 25 includes a seedling transplanting mode lamp 25a that displays the on / off state of the seedling transplanting mode.

[0023] The control unit 20 includes, as a functional configuration realized by the cooperation of hardware and software, an engine stop processing means, a cell motor drive processing means, and a second cell motor drive processing means.

[0024] When the key switch 12 is in the ON state, the engine stop processing means detects the traveling stop operation state and the operation of the seedling transplanting mode switch 15, and then stops the engine. As a result, the engine can be stopped without turning off the key switch 12, and replenishment work such as seedling transplanting can be performed.

[0025] After the engine is stopped by the engine stop processing means, the cell motor drive processing means drives the cell motor 16 only while detecting the traveling stop operation state and the pressing operation of the seedling transplanting mode switch 15. Thereby, although it is a device that starts the engine with an operating tool other than the key switch 12, the engine can be started with the same feeling as the driving operation of the cell motor 16 by the key switch 12.

[0026] After the engine is stopped by the engine stop processing means, the second cell motor drive processing means drives the cell motor 16 only while detecting the traveling stop operation state and the driving operation of the cell motor 16 by the key switch 12. Thereby, even after the engine is stopped by the engine stop processing means, starting the engine by the key switch 12 can be permitted.

[0027] Next, the mode transition of the riding rice transplanter 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 11.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 5, the modes of the riding rice transplanter 1 include five modes: "before start", "normal", "during stop transition", "seedling transplanting mode", and "manual start". The mode starts from "before start" and transitions to "normal" in response to the start of the engine. Also, in the "normal" state, when the conditions including the operation of the seedling transplanting mode switch 15 are satisfied, it transitions to "during stop transition", and when the engine stops here, it transitions to the "seedling transplanting mode". Further, in the "seedling transplanting mode", when the conditions including the operation of the seedling transplanting mode switch 15 are satisfied, it transitions to "manual start", and when the engine starts here, it returns to "normal". Hereinafter, the mode transition will be described in detail along with FIGS. 6 to 11.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 6, when the control starts, after acquiring information from the input device (S1), the control unit 20 determines the current mode (S2).

[0030] When the current mode of the control unit 20 is "before start", first, the control unit 20 determines the state of the engine (S3). When the control unit 20 determines that the engine is stopped, it turns off the engine stop relay 24, turns off the restart relay 23, turns off the seedling transplant mode lamp 25a, and returns to the start while keeping the mode as "before start" (S4). Also, when the control unit 20 determines that the engine is running, it turns off the engine stop relay 24, turns off the restart relay 23, turns off the seedling transplant mode lamp 25a, and changes the mode from "before start" to "normal" and returns to the start (S5).

[0031] When the current mode of the control unit 20 is "normal", first, the control unit 20 determines the state of the engine (S6). When the control unit 20 determines that the engine is stopped, it turns off the engine stop relay 24, turns off the restart relay 23, turns off the seedling transplant mode lamp 25a, and changes the mode from "normal" to "before start" and returns to the start (S7). Also, when the control unit 20 determines that the engine is running, it determines whether the condition of detecting the traveling stop state and detecting the pressing operation of the seedling transplant mode switch 15 is satisfied (S8). When the control unit 20 determines that the condition is satisfied, it turns off the engine stop relay 24, turns off the restart relay 23, turns off the seedling transplant mode lamp 25a, and changes the mode from "normal" to "in transition to stop" and returns to the start (S9). Also, when the control unit 20 determines that the condition is not satisfied, it turns off the engine stop relay 24, turns off the restart relay 23, turns off the seedling transplant mode lamp 25a, and returns to the start while keeping the mode as "normal" (S10).

[0032] When the current mode is "in stop transition", the control unit 20 first determines the state of the engine (S11). If the control unit 20 determines that the engine is running, it determines whether or not T seconds or more have elapsed since it became "in stop transition" (S12). If the control unit 20 determines that T seconds have not elapsed, it turns on the engine stop relay 24 (engine stop process), turns off the restart relay 23, turns off the seedling transplanting mode lamp 25a, and returns to start while keeping the mode as "in stop transition" (S13). Also, if the control unit 20 determines that T seconds or more have elapsed, it turns off the engine stop relay 24, turns off the restart relay 23, turns off the seedling transplanting mode lamp 25a, changes the mode from "in stop transition" to "normal", and returns to start (S14). Further, if the control unit 20 determines that the engine is stopped, it turns on the engine stop relay 24, turns off the restart relay 23, turns off the seedling transplanting mode lamp 25a, changes the mode from "in stop transition" to "seedling transplanting mode", and returns to start (S15).

[0033] When the current mode is "seedling transplanting mode", the control unit 20 first determines the state of the engine (S16). If the control unit 20 determines that the engine is stopped, it determines whether or not the conditions of detecting a traveling stop state and detecting a pressing operation of the seedling transplanting mode switch 15 are satisfied (S17). If the control unit 20 determines that the conditions are satisfied, it turns off the engine stop relay 24, turns off the restart relay 23, turns on the seedling transplanting mode lamp 25a, changes the mode from "seedling transplanting mode" to "manual start", and returns to start (S18). Also, if the control unit 20 determines that the conditions are not satisfied, it turns off the engine stop relay 24, turns off the restart relay 23, turns on the seedling transplanting mode lamp 25a, and returns to start while keeping the mode as "seedling transplanting mode" (S19). Further, if the control unit 20 determines that the engine is running (engine start by the key switch 12), it turns off the engine stop relay 24, turns off the restart relay 23, turns on the seedling transplanting mode lamp 25a, changes the mode from "seedling transplanting mode" to "normal", and returns to start (S20).

[0034] When the current mode is "manual start", the control unit 20 first determines the state of the engine (S21). When the control unit 20 determines that the engine is stopped, it determines whether the conditions of detecting the traveling stop state and detecting the continuous pressing operation of the seedling transplanting mode switch 15 are satisfied (S22). When the control unit 20 determines that the conditions are satisfied, it turns off the engine stop relay 24, turns on the restart relay 23 (crank motor drive process), turns on the seedling transplanting mode lamp 25a, and returns to the start while keeping the mode as "manual start" (S23). Also, when the control unit 20 determines that the conditions are not satisfied, it turns off the engine stop relay 24, turns on the restart relay 23, turns on the seedling transplanting mode lamp 25a, changes the mode from "manual start" to "seedling transplanting mode", and returns to the start (S24). Further, when the control unit 20 determines that the engine is rotating, it also determines whether the conditions of detecting the traveling stop state and detecting the continuous pressing operation of the seedling transplanting mode switch 15 are satisfied (S25). When the control unit 20 determines that the conditions are satisfied, it turns off the engine stop relay 24, turns on the restart relay 23, turns off the seedling transplanting mode lamp 25a, and returns to the start while keeping the mode as "manual start" (S26). Also, when the control unit 20 determines that the conditions are not satisfied, it turns off the engine stop relay 24, turns on the restart relay 23, turns off the seedling transplanting mode lamp 25a, changes the mode from "manual start" to "normal", and returns to the start (S27).

[0035] According to the present embodiment configured as described above, a riding rice transplanter 1 includes an engine as a power source, a cell motor 16 for starting the engine, a key switch 12 that functions as an on / off operation tool for the main power supply and a drive operation tool for the cell motor 16, and a control unit 20 that executes various processes. The control unit 20 includes an engine stop processing means for stopping the engine when an operation of a seedling connection mode switch 15, which is a predetermined operation tool other than the key switch, is detected while the key switch 12 is in the on state, and a cell motor drive processing means for driving the cell motor 16 only while the operation of the seedling connection mode switch 15 is detected after the engine is stopped by the engine stop processing means. Therefore, although the engine can be started with an operation tool other than the key switch 12, the engine can be started in the same feeling as the drive operation of the cell motor 16 by the key switch 12. Accordingly, compared with the case where the engine is automatically started in response to the establishment of a predetermined condition, not only can the possibility of the engine being started by a misoperation be reduced, but also the sudden start of the machine body due to the engine start by a misoperation can be prevented. Further, cost reduction can be achieved compared with the case where a restraint device for preventing misoperation is provided.

[0036] Further, the control unit 20 further includes a second cell motor drive processing means for driving the cell motor 16 only while detecting a traveling stop operation state after the engine is stopped by the engine stop processing means and while detecting the drive operation of the cell motor 16 by the key switch 12. Therefore, even after the engine is stopped by the engine stop processing means, not only can the engine start by the key switch 12 be permitted, but also the sudden start of the machine body accompanying the engine start can be prevented.

[0037] Further, since the traveling stop operation is an operation of the main transmission lever 13 to the neutral position (including the neutral return linked to the depression of the brake pedal 14), the sudden start of the machine body accompanying the engine start can be surely prevented.

[0038] In addition, since the operation of a predetermined operating tool is the pressing operation of the seedling transplanting mode switch 15 which is a momentary switch, when starting the engine with the predetermined operating tool, it is necessary to continuously press the predetermined operating tool. As a result, the possibility of the engine starting due to an accidental operation of the predetermined operating tool can be reduced.

[0039] In addition, since the seedling transplanting mode switch 15 which is a momentary switch is arranged on the same side as the side where the main transmission lever 13 is arranged with respect to the steering handle 8 in the left - right direction, the simultaneous operation of the seedling transplanting mode switch 15 and the main transmission lever 13 can be suppressed, and the possibility of the machine body making a sudden start when the engine starts can be further reduced.

Explanation of Signs

[0040] 1 Riding rice transplanter 12 Key switch 13 Main transmission lever (shift operating tool) 14 Brake pedal 15 Seedling transplanting mode switch (predetermined operating tool other than key switch) 16 Cell motor 17 Starter relay 20 Control unit 21 Safety switch 22 Hydraulic switch 23 Restart relay 24 Engine stop relay 25 Monitor lamp 26 Stop solenoid

Claims

1. An engine as a power source, A cell motor for starting the engine, A key switch that functions as an on / off operation tool for the main power supply and a drive operation tool for the cell motor, A transplanter comprising a control unit that executes various processes, wherein The control unit When an operation of a predetermined operation tool other than the key switch is detected while the key switch is in the on state, an engine stop processing means for stopping the engine, A cell motor drive processing means for driving the cell motor only while an operation of the predetermined operation tool is detected after the engine is stopped by the engine stop processing means. The transplanter is characterized by comprising this.

2. The control unit further comprises a second cell motor drive processing means for driving the cell motor only while detecting a traveling stop operation state after the engine is stopped by the engine stop processing means and while detecting a drive operation of the cell motor by the key switch. The transplanter according to claim 1 is characterized by this.

3. The traveling stop operation is an operation to a neutral position of a shift operation tool. The transplanter according to claim 1 is characterized by this.

4. The operation of the predetermined operation tool is a pressing operation of a momentary switch. The transplanter according to claim 1 is characterized by this.

5. The traveling stop operation is an operation to a neutral position of a shift operation tool, The operation of the predetermined operation tool is a pressing operation of a momentary switch, The momentary switch is arranged on the same side as the side where the shift operation tool is arranged with respect to the steering wheel in the left-right direction. The transplanter according to claim 1 is characterized by this.

Images