Lodging prevention device and cultivation device

Abstract

To provide a lodging prevention device (100) capable of reducing the burden of harvesting plants (2) while preventing the plants from lodging. [Solution] The device comprises a string-like member 120 capable of supporting a plant 2 when stretched in a first direction, and two holding members 130 arranged at a distance in the first direction so as to hold both sides of the string-like member 120 in the first direction, the string-like member 120 having a first string portion 121 and a second string portion 122 arranged side by side in the second direction, sandwiching the plant 2 therebetween, and the holding member 130 having a first comb-like portion 131 to which the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 are attached, and a second comb-like portion 132 that can adjust the distance between the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 by changing the position in the second direction of at least one of the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lodging prevention device and a cultivation device technology for preventing plants from lodging. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, techniques for preventing cultivated plants from lodging have been publicly known, as described in Patent Document 1, for example.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a cultivation net device that includes a net stretched at a predetermined height. In the cultivation net device, plants can be prevented from falling over by passing them through the mesh of the net.

[0004] However, in a method in which plants are threaded through the mesh of a net, as in the cultivation net device described in Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the branches and leaves of the plants may become entangled in the net. In this case, it is expected that it will be difficult to remove the branches and other parts of the plants that have become entangled in the net, which will increase the burden of plant harvesting work. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Publication No. 3060829 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and the problem it aims to solve is to provide a lodging prevention device and cultivation device that can prevent plants from lodging while reducing the burden of plant harvesting work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above, and the means for solving this problem will now be described.

[0008] That is, in claim 1, the present invention comprises a string-shaped member capable of supporting a plant when stretched in a first direction, and two holding members arranged at a distance in the first direction so as to hold both sides of the string-shaped member in the first direction, the string-shaped member having a first string portion and a second string portion that are parallel to each other in a second direction different from the first direction, sandwiching the plant therebetween, and the holding member comprises an attachment portion to which the first string portion and the second string portion are attached, and an adjustment portion that can adjust the distance between the first string portion and the second string portion by changing the position of at least one of the first string portion and the second string portion in the second direction.

[0009] In claim 2, the adjustment unit is capable of changing the string-shaped member between a support state in which the first string portion and the second string portion are spaced apart in the second direction so as to be able to support the branches of the plant, and a clamping state in which the first string portion and the second string portion are brought closer to each other than in the support state so as to be able to clamp the plant.

[0010] In claim 3, the mounting portion has a plurality of first convex portions that protrude in the vertical direction and are formed at intervals in the second direction, and a plurality of first recesses that are formed between the plurality of first convex portions, the first string portion and the second string portion that are inserted into the first recesses are attached to the mounting portion, the adjustment portion has a plurality of second convex portions that protrude in the vertical direction and are formed at intervals in the second direction, and a plurality of second recesses that are formed between the plurality of second convex portions, and by changing the second recesses through which at least one of the first string portion and the second string portion is inserted, the position of at least one of the first string portion and the second string portion in the second direction can be changed, and the mounting portion and the adjustment portion are arranged side by side in the first direction so that at least a portion of the first recesses and the second recesses overlap when viewed in the first direction.

[0011] In claim 4, the mounting portion is arranged so that the first convex portion protrudes toward one side in the vertical direction, and the adjustment portion is arranged so that it can be changed between a state in which the second convex portion is arranged so that it protrudes toward the other side in the vertical direction and a state in which the second convex portion is arranged so that it protrudes toward one side in the vertical direction.

[0012] In claim 5, the string-like members and the holding members are arranged in plural at intervals in the vertical direction.

[0013] Claim 6 provides a harvesting device comprising a lodging prevention device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a blade section capable of cutting the plants supported by the lodging prevention device by moving in the first direction, and a gathering section capable of gathering the plants cut by the blade section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The present invention has the following effects.

[0015] In the present invention, it is possible to reduce the burden of plant harvesting work while preventing plants from falling over. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a front cross-sectional view schematically showing a cultivation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a typical anti-tip device. [Figure 3] (a) A left side perspective view showing a first comb-shaped portion provided on the support, (b) A right side perspective view showing a second comb-shaped portion provided on the support in a first state, and (c) A right side perspective view showing the second comb-shaped portion provided on the support in a second state. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which a plant is supported by the lodging prevention device. [Figure 5](a) A perspective view showing a state in which a grown plant is supported by a lodging prevention device. (b) A perspective view showing a state in which a plant is clamped by string-like members when harvesting the plant. [Figure 6] 1A is a perspective view showing a state in which plants are cut while being held by the string-like members, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a state in which the cut plants are collected. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a process of cutting the top of a plant while the plant is held between string-like members. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] A cultivation device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Note that in each drawing, the shape and size of some of the members may be changed as appropriate for the sake of convenience of explanation.

[0018] The cultivation device 1 according to this embodiment is capable of cultivating plants 2 by hydroponics (nutrient solution cultivation) and harvesting the cultivated plants 2. Various agricultural crops that can be grown in a nutrient solution can be used as the plants 2. Note that the plants 2 are not limited to agricultural crops, and various other plants can be used.

[0019] The cultivation apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1 cultivates a plant 2 by allowing the roots of the plant 2 to absorb a nutrient solution 3 (culture solution). As the nutrient solution cultivation method, DFT (submerged hydroponic method) or NFT (non-thin film hydroponic method) can be adopted. The cultivation apparatus 1 includes a cultivation bed 10, a cultivation panel 20, a lodging prevention device 100, and a harvesting device 200.

[0020] First, the configuration of a cultivation bed 10 and a cultivation panel 20 will be described below with reference to Fig. 1. The cultivation bed 10 shown in Fig. 1 stores a nutrient solution 3. The cultivation bed 10 is formed in a substantially box shape that opens upward.

[0021] The cultivation panel 20 supports the plants 2 so that the plants 2 can absorb the nutrient solution 3. The cultivation panel 20 is arranged so as to cover the nutrient solution 3 in the cultivation bed 10 from above. The cultivation panel 20 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. The cultivation panel 20 is also formed in a shape that is elongated in the left-right direction. The cultivation panel 20 has holes formed therein into which a culture medium 4 for planting the plants 2 can be placed. A plurality of plants 2 are planted in the left-right direction on the cultivation panel 20 of the cultivation device 1. Note that while FIG. 2 shows an example in which a plurality of plants 2 are arranged in a row, it is also possible to arrange multiple rows of the plants 2 in a front-to-back manner.

[0022] The plants 2 cultivated in the cultivation beds 10 and cultivation panels 20 tend to fall over as they grow. A conventional method for preventing the plants 2 from falling over is to stretch a lattice-shaped net at a predetermined height and hold the plants 2 by inserting them through the mesh. However, with this method, there is a risk that the branches and leaves of the plants 2 may become entangled in the net. This makes it difficult to remove the branches and leaves of the plants 2 that have become entangled in the net, which is expected to increase the burden of harvesting the plants 2. Therefore, in this embodiment, a lodging prevention device 100 is provided in the cultivation apparatus 1, thereby preventing the plants 2 from falling over and reducing the burden of harvesting.

[0023] Next, the configuration of the lodging prevention device 100 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The lodging prevention device 100 prevents the plant 2 from lodging. The lodging prevention device 100 is provided in a cultivation bed 10. First, the cultivation apparatus 1 in which the lodging prevention device 100 is provided will be described below. The lodging prevention device 100 includes a support 110, a holding member 130, a support 140, and a string-like member 120.

[0024] The support 110 shown in Fig. 2 supports the holding member 130, which will be described later. The support 110 is formed in a rectangular column shape that is long in the vertical direction. The support 110 is formed in a hollow shape. The support 110 is provided at each of the four corners of the cultivation bed 10.

[0025] Each support 110 has an outer surface 111 facing outward in the left-right direction (anti-center side) of the cultivation bed 10, and an inner surface 112 facing inward in the left-right direction (center side) of the cultivation bed 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the outer surface 111 and the inner surface 112 are each provided with a fixing hole 113 for fixing the holding member 130. Each fixing hole 113 is connected to the internal space of the support 110. In addition, a plurality of fixing holes 113 are formed at regular intervals in the vertical direction on each of the outer surface 111 and the inner surface 112.

[0026] The string-like members 120 are string-like members capable of supporting the plant 2. The string-like members 120 are stretched between the supports 110 spaced apart in the left-right direction via holding members 130, which will be described later. The string-like members 120 according to this embodiment support the plant 2 while being stretched generally in the left-right direction. Note that the directions (left-right and front-back directions) used in the description of the string-like members 120, such as the direction in which the string-like members 120 are stretched as described above, do not refer to strict directions but to rough directions.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the string-like members 120 are held by holding members 130, which will be described later, and are arranged so as to surround the plant 2 from the front, rear, left, and right. Hereinafter, of the front and rear string-like members 120, the one located on the front side will be referred to as the first string portion 121, and the one located on the rear side will be referred to as the second string portion 122. The first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 are arranged so as to be roughly parallel to each other in the front-rear direction. Both left and right sides of the string-like members 120 (first string portion 121 and second string portion 122) are held by the holding members 130. The manner in which the string-like members 120 are held by the holding members 130 and the method of supporting a plant using the string-like members 120 will be described later.

[0028] In this embodiment, the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 are formed from separate strings. That is, the string-like member 120 is formed from two strings. Note that, instead of the above example, the string-like member 120 may be formed by folding back a single string. In this case, the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 are connected to each other at the end of one side in the left-right direction of the string-like member 120 (the side opposite the folded-back side). It is also possible to form the string-like member 120 from a loop-shaped (endless) string.

[0029] The holding members 130 hold both left and right sides of the string-shaped member 120. The holding members 130 are attached to both left and right sides of the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122, and the width of the gap between the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 can be adjusted. The holding members 130 are formed in a shape that is long in the front-rear direction. Two holding members 130 are arranged so as to be positioned on both left and right sides of the cultivation bed 10 (on each of the support posts 110 spaced apart in the left-rear direction). As shown in FIG. 2 , each holding member 130 is provided so as to span between the support posts 110 spaced apart in the front-rear direction. The left and right holding members 130 are formed approximately symmetrically. Below, the configuration of the holding member 130 will be described, focusing on the left holding member 130 of the left and right holding members 130. The holding member 130 includes a first comb-shaped portion 131 and a second comb-shaped portion 132.

[0030] 2 and 3(a) is a portion to which the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 are attached. The first comb-shaped portion 131 is provided on the outer surface 111 side of the support 110. The first comb-shaped portion 131 has a horizontal portion 131a and a convex portion 131b.

[0031] The horizontal portion 131a is a portion that extends in the front-rear direction. Both front-rear end portions of the horizontal portion 131a are detachably fixed to the outer surfaces 111 of a pair of support columns 110 that are spaced apart in the front-rear direction. Although not shown, engagement portions that detachably engage with the fixing holes 113 are formed on both front-rear end portions of the horizontal portion 131a.

[0032] The convex portions 131b are portions that protrude in the up-down direction from the horizontal portion 131a. A plurality of convex portions 131b are formed at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the horizontal portion 131a. Between adjacent convex portions 131b in the front-rear direction, recessed portions 131c are formed that are recessed in the opposite direction to the protruding direction of the convex portions 131b.

[0033] 3(a), the first comb-shaped portion 131 is fixed to the support 110 with the convex portion 131b projecting downward. The first comb-shaped portion 131 can be fixed to a selected one of a plurality of fixing holes 113 provided on the outer surface 111 of each support 110. In this embodiment, the height position of the first comb-shaped portion 131 can be changed by changing the fixing hole 113 to which the first comb-shaped portion 131 is fixed.

[0034] 2 and 3(b) is a part that can adjust the distance between the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122. The second comb portion 132 is provided on the inner surface 112 side of the support 110. The second comb portion 132 has a horizontal portion 132a and a convex portion 132b.

[0035] The horizontal portion 132a extends in the front-rear direction. Both front-rear end portions of the horizontal portion 132a are supported by inner surfaces 112 of a pair of support columns 110 spaced apart in the front-rear direction, via supports 140, which will be described later.

[0036] The convex portions 132b are portions that protrude in the up-down direction from the horizontal portion 132a. A plurality of convex portions 132b are formed at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the horizontal portion 132a. Between adjacent convex portions 132b in the front-rear direction, recessed portions 132c are formed that are recessed in the opposite direction to the protruding direction of the convex portions 132b.

[0037] The second comb-shaped portion 132 according to this embodiment is supported via the support 140 so as to be changeable between a first state in which the convex portions 132b are disposed so as to protrude upward as shown in Fig. 3(b) and a second state in which the convex portions 132b are disposed so as to protrude downward as shown in Fig. 3(c). Note that the following description of each part of the toppling prevention device 100 will be made mainly with reference to the second comb-shaped portion 132 in the first state.

[0038] 3(b) is fixed to the inner surface 112 of the support 110 and supports the second comb-shaped portion 132. The support 140 is detachably fixed to each of the inner surfaces 112 of the four support columns 110. The support 140 includes a first piece 141, a second piece 142, and a third piece 143.

[0039] The first arm 141 is a portion that is fixed to the inner surface 112. Although not shown, the first arm 141 is formed with an engaging portion that detachably engages with the fixing hole 113. The second arm 142 is a portion that extends from the upper end of the first arm 141 toward the inside in the left-right direction of the cultivation bed 10. The third arm 143 is a portion that protrudes upward from the tip of the second arm 142 in the extending direction.

[0040] 3(b), when the support 140 is fixed to the support 110, the inner surface 112, the second piece 142, and the third piece 143 of the support 110 can support the end (the front end in the illustrated example) of the horizontal portion 132a of the second comb-shaped portion 132. Although not shown in the drawings, the rear end of the horizontal portion 132a is also supported in the same manner as the front end.

[0041] The support 140 can be fixed to a selected one of a plurality of fixing holes 113 provided on the inner surface 112 of each support 110. In this embodiment, the height position of the second comb-shaped portion 132 can be changed by changing the fixing hole 113 to which the support 140 is fixed.

[0042] Furthermore, the support 140 supports the second comb portion 132 so that the second comb portion 132 can be changed between a first state shown in FIG. 3(b) and a second state shown in FIG. 3(c). The support 140 according to this embodiment supports the second comb portion 132 so that the second comb portion 132 can be rotated about a rotation axis facing the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the state of the second comb portion 132 (the first state and the second state) can be changed by rotating the second comb portion 132 relative to the support 140. The rotation of the second comb portion 132 is performed by an operator.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 4, the first comb-shaped portion 131 and the second comb-shaped portion 132 as described above are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, with the support 110 sandwiched between them. In this embodiment, the first comb-shaped portion 131 and the second comb-shaped portion 132 are formed to have the same shape, and are arranged upside down relative to each other. The convex portions 131b and the concave portions 131c of the first comb-shaped portion 131 and the convex portions 132b and the concave portions 132c of the second comb-shaped portion 132 are arranged so that at least a portion of each overlaps with each other when viewed in the left-right direction. The first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 are inserted into the concave portions 131c and the concave portions 132c.

[0044] The fixing portion 150 shown in FIG. 4 is capable of fixing the string-like member 120 to the holding member 130 (first comb-shaped portion 131). The fixing portion 150 is provided so as to be located at both ends of the string-like member 120 in the left-right direction (see FIG. 1). The fixing portion 150 has holes 151 formed therein through which the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 can be inserted. The fixing portion 150 also has an operating portion 152 that can switch between a restricting state in which the relative movement of the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 inserted through the holes 151 and the fixing portion 150 is restricted, and a permitting state in which the relative movement of the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 inserted through the holes 151 and the fixing portion 150 is permitted. The fixing portion 150 is formed larger than the recess 131c so as not to slip through the recess 131c. An appropriate cord stopper can be used as the fixing portion 150.

[0045] Below, we will explain how to attach the string-shaped member 120 (first string portion 121 and second string portion 122) to the holding member 130 (first comb-shaped portion 131 and second comb-shaped portion 132) and how to fix the string-shaped member 120 using the fixing portion 150.

[0046] 4, both the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 are inserted into one of the plurality of recesses 131c of the first comb-shaped portion 131 of the holding member 130. As the recess 131c into which the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 are inserted, one of the plurality of recesses 131c that corresponds to the stem of the plant 2 (whose front-to-back positions are roughly the same) is used.

[0047] Furthermore, with respect to the second comb-shaped portion 132, the first string portion 121 is inserted into a recess 132c whose front-to-rear position coincides with the recess 131c through which the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 are inserted, and the second string portion 122 is inserted into a recess 132c different from the recess 132c through which the first string portion 121 is inserted (located rearward in the illustrated example). By inserting the second string portion 122 into the recess 132c as described above, a front-to-rear distance can be created between the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122. When the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 are inserted into the recess 132c, movement in the front-to-rear direction is restricted.

[0048] In Figure 4, only the left-side holding member 130 is shown, but for the right-side holding member 130, the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 are inserted into the recesses 131c and recesses 132c at the front-rear positions similar to those described above.

[0049] As described above, the ends of the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 that have passed through the recesses 131c of the first comb-shaped portion 131 are inserted into the holes 151 of the fixing portion 150 (see FIG. 4). The fixing portion 150 is attached to both left and right ends of the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122. In the above state, by adjusting the position of the fixing portion 150 relative to the longitudinal direction of the string-shaped member 120 (first string portion 121 and second string portion 122), the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 can be fixed in a stretched state between the left and right holding members 130.

[0050] Specifically, with the ends of the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 inserted into the holes 151, the positions of the left and right fixing portions 150 are adjusted so that they abut against the first comb-shaped portions 131, and the fixing portions 150 are placed in a restricted state. This allows the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 to be fixed to the first comb-shaped portions 131 in a stretched state between the left and right holding members 130. In this embodiment, as described above, the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 can be fixed to the first comb-shaped portions 131 using the fixing portions 150.

[0051] When the string-like member 120 (first string portion 121 and second string portion 122) is attached to the holding member 130 as described above, the string-like member 120 can be stretched with a gap between the front and rear of the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122.

[0052] 4, the lodging prevention device 100 can support the branches of the plant 2 with the first cord portion 121 and the second cord portion 122 by separating the first cord portion 121 and the second cord portion 122 from each other in the front-to-rear direction, thereby preventing the plant 2 from lodging. Hereinafter, the state in which the first cord portion 121 and the second cord portion 122 are separated from each other in the front-to-rear direction is referred to as the "support state." In this embodiment, the width of the front-to-rear spacing between the first cord portion 121 and the second cord portion 122 can be adjusted by appropriately changing the recess 132c through which the second cord portion 122 is inserted.

[0053] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5(b), in this embodiment, by changing the second comb-shaped portion 132 from the first state to the second state, the insertion of the second string portion 122 into the recess 132c can be released. In this state, the restriction on the movement of the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 in the front-rear direction is released. In this state, when the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 are stretched in the left-right direction, the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 come close to each other and clamp the plant 2. Hereinafter, the state in which the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 are brought close to each other so as to be able to clamp the plant 2 is referred to as the "clamping state."

[0054] The configuration of the lodging prevention device 100 has been described above. Below, a method for preventing lodging of the plant 2 using the lodging prevention device 100 will be described. The lodging prevention device 100 according to this embodiment can support the plant 2 in an appropriate manner according to the growth stage of the plant 2 by adjusting the width of the gap between the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 in the supporting state, and can prevent the plant 2 from lodging during the growth stage. Furthermore, the lodging prevention device 100 clamps the plant 2 between the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 in the clamping state, thereby preventing the plant 2 from lodging during harvesting, and facilitating the harvesting of the plant 2.

[0055] 4 shows the plant 2 in an early growth stage. First, the worker installs the holding member 130 at a relatively low position on the support 110, and then attaches the string-like member 120 to the holding member 130 using the procedure described above. Next, the worker adjusts the front-to-back spacing between the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 in the supporting state so as to support the branches of the plant 2 from below.

[0056] Figure 5(a) shows a state in which the growth of the plant 2 has progressed since the state in Figure 4. In this case, the worker adds new holding members 130 and string-like members 120 above the holding members 130 and string-like members 120 installed in Figure 4 to support the upper part of the plant 2. Note that it is also possible to change the vertical positions of the holding members 130 and string-like members 120 that have already been installed depending on the growth of the plant 2.

[0057] In Figure 5(a), the width dimension between the upper first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 is larger than the width dimension between the lower first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122. This allows the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 to suitably support the branches of the plant 2 even if they overhang relatively widely.

[0058] As described above, according to the lodging prevention device 100 of this embodiment, the number and vertical positions of the holding members 130 and string-shaped members 120, and the width of the spacing between the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 can be adjusted according to the growth stage of the plant 2, thereby making it possible to suitably support the plant 2 and prevent the plant 2 from lodging during the growth stage.

[0059] 5(b) shows the state of the plant 2 at the time of harvest. In this case, the worker changes the second comb-shaped portions 132 of the upper and lower holding members 130 from the first state to the second state, thereby changing the clamping state of the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122.

[0060] At this time, the worker adjusts the position of the fixing part 150 relative to the string-shaped member 120 (the first string part 121 and the second string part 122) to tension the first string part 121 and the second string part 122. As a result, the first string part 121 and the second string part 122 move closer to each other, and the plant 2 is clamped.

[0061] According to this embodiment, the plants 2 are clamped between the first cord part 121 and the second cord part 122 in the clamping state, thereby suitably preventing the plants 2 from falling over during harvesting. The plants 2 are harvested using a harvesting device 200, which will be described later.

[0062] The configuration of the harvesting device 200 will be described below. The harvesting device 200 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 6(a) is capable of cutting plants 2 and moving the cut plants 2. The harvesting device 200 is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction. The harvesting device 200 includes a blade portion 210 and a seat portion 220.

[0063] The blade unit 210 is a part that can cut the plants 2. The blade unit 210 can be one that can cut the plants 2 by operating a blade using an appropriate power source. For example, a hedge trimmer can be used as the blade unit 210. The blade unit 210 moves back and forth to cut multiple plants 2 lined up in front and behind in order.

[0064] The sheet portion 220 is a sheet-like member that can move the plants 2 cut by the blade portion 210. The sheet portion 220 is disposed behind the blade portion 210 in the traveling direction, and moves together with the blade portion 210 in the front-rear direction.

[0065] The above describes the configuration of the harvesting device 200. Below, a method for harvesting plants 2 using the lodging prevention device 100 and the harvesting device 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 6(a), the worker holds the plant 2 between the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122, as in the explanation using FIG. 5(b), and then cuts the plant 2 with the blade portion 210 of the harvesting device 200. At this time, the worker cuts the portion of the plant 2 that is below the lower first string portion 121 and second string portion 122 with the blade portion 210. According to the above method, cutting with the blade portion 210 can be performed while preventing the plant 2 from falling over, making it easy to harvest the plant 2.

[0067] 6(b), the worker then removes one of the left and right fixing parts 150 from the first string part 121 and the second string part 122 and pulls out the string-like member 120 from the holding member 130, thereby releasing the clamping of the string-like member 120 on the pruned plant 2. This makes it possible to prevent the string-like member 120 from becoming entangled in the plant 2, thereby reducing the burden of harvesting the plant 2.

[0068] 6(b), when the clamping by the string-like member 120 is released, the pruned plants 2 are placed on the sheet portion 220 of the harvesting device 200. In this embodiment, the pruned plants 2 can be gathered together by the sheet portion 220. By moving the harvesting device 200 in this state, the pruned plants 2 can be collected all at once, and the plants 2 can be harvested efficiently.

[0069] The above describes a method for harvesting plants 2 using the lodging prevention device 100 and the harvesting device 200. The above method reduces the burden of harvesting plants 2. Specifically, in a method for preventing plants 2 from lodging using a typical rope, the rope provides weak support to the plants 2 in the longitudinal direction, making the plants 2 more likely to fall when force is applied to the plants 2 during harvesting. This requires the plants 2 to be held down manually during harvesting, necessitating multiple people to perform the harvesting work and increasing the burden of the harvesting work. On the other hand, a harvesting method using the lodging prevention device 100 allows the plants 2 to be clamped using the lodging prevention device 100, preventing the plants 2 from lodging, and then the plants 2 can be harvested. This eliminates the need to manually hold down the plants 2, allowing the plants 2 to be harvested by one person, for example, reducing the burden of the plant harvesting work.

[0070] Furthermore, the method of harvesting the plants 2 is not limited to the above-described example. For example, as shown in Fig. 7, it is possible to clamp the plants 2 using only the upper first string portion 121 and second string portion 122 of the upper and lower string-like members 120, and harvest only the tops (e.g., buds) of the plants 2 using the harvesting device 200. In this case, it is also possible to move and collect the tops of the plants 2 clamped by the upper first string portion 121 and second string portion 122 together with the first string portion 121 and second string portion 122. With the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the tops of the plants 2 from scattering downward, and pinching the tops of the plants 2 can be easily performed.

[0071] As described above, the toppling prevention device 100 according to this embodiment has the following features: a string-like member 120 capable of supporting a plant 2 in a state stretched in a first direction; two holding members 130 arranged at an interval in the first direction so as to hold both sides of the string-shaped member 120 in the first direction, respectively; Equipped with The string-like member 120 is a first string portion 121 and a second string portion 122 that are arranged in parallel with each other in a second direction different from the first direction, with the plant 2 sandwiched between them; The holding member 130 is a first comb-shaped portion 131 (attachment portion) to which the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 are attached; a second comb-shaped portion 132 (adjustment portion) that can adjust the distance between the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 by changing the position of at least one of the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 in the second direction; It is equipped with the following.

[0072] This configuration can reduce the burden of harvesting the plants 2 while preventing the plants 2 from falling over. That is, by supporting the plants 2 using the first string part 121 and the second string part 122 that are arranged so as to sandwich the plants 2, it is possible to prevent the plants 2 from falling over while suppressing the plants 2 from becoming tangled, unlike when a net is used, and thus reduce the burden of harvesting the plants 2.

[0073] The second comb-shaped portion 132 is a supporting state in which the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 are spaced apart in the second direction so as to be able to support branches of the plant 2; a clamping state in which the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 are brought closer to each other than in the supporting state so that the plant 2 can be clamped; The string-like member 120 can be changed as follows.

[0074] With this configuration, the plant 2 can be appropriately supported according to the growth stage. That is, when the plant 2 is growing, the first string part 121 and the second string part 122 in the supporting state can support the branches of the plant 2 from below. Furthermore, when the plant 2 is harvested, the plant 2 is clamped between the first string part 121 and the second string part 122 in the clamping state, thereby reducing the burden of the harvesting work.

[0075] The first comb-shaped portion 131 has A plurality of convex portions 131b are formed in the vertical direction and spaced apart from one another in the second direction, and a plurality of first concave portions 31c are formed between the plurality of convex portions 131b. The first comb-shaped portion 131 has The first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 are inserted into the first recess 31c and attached. The second comb-shaped portion 132 is a plurality of convex portions (132b) protruding in the vertical direction and formed at intervals in the second direction, and a plurality of concave portions (132c) formed between the plurality of convex portions (132b), and by changing the concave portions (132c) through which at least one of the first string portion (121) and the second string portion (122) is inserted, the position in the second direction of at least one of the first string portion (121) and the second string portion (122) can be changed; The first comb-shaped portion 131 and the second comb-shaped portion 132 are The first recess 31c and the recess 132c are arranged side by side in the first direction so that at least a part of them overlap when viewed in the first direction.

[0076] This configuration makes it possible to suitably adjust the distance between the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122. That is, by changing the recesses 132c through which the first comb-shaped portion 131 and the second comb-shaped portion 132 are inserted, the distance between the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 can be suitably changed.

[0077] The first comb-shaped portion 131 has The protrusion 131b is arranged to protrude toward one side in the vertical direction, The second comb-shaped portion 132 is The convex portion 132b is arranged so as to be changeable between a state in which it is arranged so as to protrude toward the other side in the vertical direction and a state in which it is arranged so as to protrude toward one side in the vertical direction.

[0078] With this configuration, by changing the state of the second comb-shaped portion 132, the distance between the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122 can be easily adjusted.

[0079] In addition, the string-like member 120 and the holding member 130 are A plurality of such electrodes are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction.

[0080] With this configuration, the plant 2 can be supported appropriately according to the growth stage.

[0081] In addition, the cultivation device 1 according to this embodiment is A falling prevention device 100; a harvesting device (200) having a blade section (210) that can cut the plants (2) supported by the lodging prevention device (100) by moving in the first direction, and a sheet section (220) (gathering section) that can gather the plants (2) cut by the blade section (210); It is equipped with the following.

[0082] This configuration can reduce the burden of harvesting the plants 2. That is, the plants 2 can be harvested while being supported by the lodging prevention device 100, without the need to hold down the plants 2 manually.

[0083] The first comb-shaped portion 131 according to this embodiment is one embodiment of the attachment portion. The second comb-shaped portion 132 according to this embodiment is an embodiment of an adjustment portion. Moreover, the sheet portion 220 according to this embodiment is one embodiment of a gathering portion.

[0084] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. For example, in the above embodiment, the string-like members 120 and the holding members 130 are arranged in two tiers, one above the other, but the number of string-like members 120 and the number of holding members 130 can be increased or decreased as appropriate depending on the growth stage of the plant 2.

[0085] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example is shown in which, when adjusting the distance between the first string portion 121 and the second string portion 122, only the position (recess 132c) of the second string portion 122 relative to the second comb portion 132 is changed, but instead of the above embodiment, the position of the first string portion 121 (recess 132c) may also be changed.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the first comb-shaped portion 131 is disposed so that the convex portion 131b protrudes downward, and the second comb-shaped portion 132 in the first state is disposed so that the convex portion 132b protrudes upward. However, the present invention is not limited to the above example. For example, the first comb-shaped portion 131 and the second comb-shaped portion 132 may be disposed upside down.

[0087] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the string-like members 120 were stretched only in the left-right direction, but the holding members 130 may also be installed in the front-rear direction, and the string-like members 120 may be stretched to support the plant 2.

[0088] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which a cord stopper was used as the fixing part 150, but the fixing part 150 is not limited to the above example. For example, the fixing part 150 can also be formed by a knot formed in the string-like member 120. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1 Cultivation equipment 100 Lodging prevention device 200 Harvesting Equipment

Claims

1. a string-like member capable of supporting a plant in a state stretched in a first direction; two holding members arranged at an interval in the first direction so as to hold both sides of the string-shaped member in the first direction, respectively; Equipped with The string-like member is a first string portion and a second string portion that are arranged in parallel with each other in a second direction different from the first direction, with the plant sandwiched between them; The holding member is an attachment portion to which the first cord portion and the second cord portion are attached; an adjustment unit that adjusts a distance between the first cord portion and the second cord portion by changing a position of at least one of the first cord portion and the second cord portion in the second direction; Equipped with Lodging prevention device.

2. The adjustment unit a supporting state in which the first cord portion and the second cord portion are spaced apart in the second direction so as to be able to support the branch of the plant; a clamping state in which the first string portion and the second string portion are closer to each other than in the support state so that the plant can be clamped; The string-like member can be changed to The device for preventing tipping over according to claim 1.

3. The mounting portion is a plurality of first convex portions that protrude in the up-down direction and are formed at intervals in the second direction, and a plurality of first concave portions that are formed between the plurality of first convex portions, The mounting portion has: The first string portion and the second string portion are inserted into the first recess and attached, The adjustment unit a plurality of second convex portions protruding in the up-down direction and formed at intervals in the second direction, and a plurality of second concave portions formed between the plurality of second convex portions, are formed, and by changing the second concave portions through which at least one of the first string portion and the second string portion is inserted, the position of at least one of the first string portion and the second string portion in the second direction can be changed; The mounting portion and the adjustment portion are the first recess and the second recess are arranged side by side in the first direction so that at least a portion of the first recess and the second recess overlap when viewed in the first direction; The device for preventing tipping over according to claim 1.

4. The mounting portion is The first protrusion is disposed so as to protrude toward one side in the up-down direction, The adjustment unit The second protrusion is arranged so as to be changeable between a state in which the second protrusion is arranged to protrude toward the other side in the up-down direction and a state in which the second protrusion is arranged to protrude toward one side in the up-down direction. The device for preventing toppling according to claim 3.

5. The string-like member and the holding member are Multiple units are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. The device for preventing tipping over according to claim 1.

6. The tipping prevention device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a harvesting device having a blade unit capable of cutting the plants supported by the lodging prevention device by moving in the first direction, and a gathering unit capable of gathering the plants cut by the blade unit; A cultivation device comprising:

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