Paddy field drainage system and drainage equipment

Abstract

To provide a paddy field drainage system to control the state of a paddy field without imposing working burden on a paddy field manager.SOLUTION: Provided is a paddy field drainage system comprising a drainage device W that is connected to a drainpipe 330 for draining water on a paddy field 300, and controls the water flow and water stoppage of water flowing in the drainpipe 330. The drainage device W comprises: a communication controller housed in a body section 10; an L-shaped pipe 70 whose one end is rotatably connected to the drainpipe 330; and a pipe lifting mechanism 50 that is mounted on the body section 10, and which holds the other end side of the L-shaped pipe 70 movably in a vertical direction. The L-shaped pipe 70 has a drainage inlet 70a whose other end is opened. The communication controller receives a pipe position setting command specifying a height position of the drainage inlet 70a, which is transmitted from an external server device, controls operation of the pipe lifting mechanism 50 according to the pipe position setting command, and has the drainage inlet 70a arranged at the height position specified by the pipe position setting command.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a paddy field drainage system and a paddy field drainage device. [Background technology]

[0002] Agricultural workers and other rice paddy managers have an essential task of adjusting the water depth (water level) of the rice paddy according to the stage of rice growth and temperature conditions from the time the rice seedlings are planted until the rice harvest is completed. For example, rice farmers install water gates (water gate shutters) at the drainage inlets of the rice paddy and periodically visit the paddy field to manually open the water gates to drain water from the paddy field or manually close the water gates to stop drainage from the paddy field, thereby adjusting the water level in the paddy field.

[0003] In recent years, a system known as a "rice paddy dam" has been attracting attention from a different perspective to rice cultivation, in which rice paddies are used to prevent river flooding caused by heavy rain. With this "rice paddy dam," rainwater that falls during heavy rain is temporarily stored in rice paddies and then slowly drained into rivers over time in an attempt to prevent flooding and other flooding. Patent Document 1 discloses a device for using rice paddies as "rice paddy dams" (water storage volume adjustment device for rice paddies).

[0004] The paddy field water storage volume adjustment device described in Patent Document 1 includes a paddy field drainage basin connected to a drainage pipe buried in the paddy field ridge. The paddy field drainage basin is formed in a box shape with an open front side, and includes a rectangular bottom plate, a vertical wall erected upward from the rear end of the rectangular bottom plate, and a pair of side walls erected upward from both the left and right sides of the rectangular bottom plate. A drainage hole is provided at the lower end side of the vertical wall. This paddy field drainage basin is installed with its open front facing the paddy field, and a drainage pipe is connected to the drainage hole in the vertical wall at the rear end.

[0005] In addition, the above-mentioned paddy field drainage manhole has an opening for inserting a retaining plate at opposing positions on a pair of side walls at its front end (paddy field side), and a water volume adjustment plate opening is provided approximately halfway between this opening and the vertical wall at the rear end. A retaining board of approximately the same height as the soil surface is inserted vertically into the retaining board insertion opening to prevent the paddy field soil from entering the paddy field drainage pit, and a water level adjustment board of a height that corresponds to the agricultural water level S is inserted vertically on top of this retaining board. The water storage level adjustment plate insertion opening is configured so that a water storage level adjustment plate formed at the height of the water storage level S1 (S1>S), which is about 10 cm higher than the agricultural water level S, can be inserted vertically. A drainage adjustment hole is drilled in the lower part of the water storage level adjustment plate.

[0006] According to this configuration, water is stored in the paddy field up to the height of the water level adjustment plate (hereinafter referred to as the water level). Also, if water goes beyond the water level adjustment plate and enters the "space between the water level adjustment plate and the retaining plate and the water storage volume adjustment plate" due to rainfall or the like, this water is drained from the drainage volume adjustment hole drilled in the lower part of the water storage volume adjustment plate through the drainage pipe attached to the drainage hole. In the case of heavy rain, the amount of water flowing into the space above the water level adjustment plate increases. When the amount of water flowing into the space exceeds the amount of water drained from the drainage volume adjustment hole in the water storage volume adjustment plate, the water level of the rice field rises by the difference between the amount of water flowing into the space per unit time and the amount of water drained from the drainage volume adjustment hole. Even in the case of heavy rain, the amount of water flowing into the drainage channel remains constant regardless of the amount of rainfall until the water storage level S1 is exceeded, because only the amount of water drained from the drainage volume adjustment hole is discharged. This prevents rainwater from flowing into the drainage channel all at once in a short period of time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5311150 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, the above-mentioned conventional method of manually opening and closing the water gate requires the manager of the paddy field to actually go to the paddy field, which places a heavy burden on the manager of the paddy field. Furthermore, when adjusting the water level in the paddy field according to the stage of rice growth or temperature conditions with the water storage adjustment device for paddy fields described in Patent Document 1, the paddy field manager must go to the paddy field and replace the "agricultural water level adjustment plate" that is inserted on top of the "retaining plate" of the paddy field drainage basin, which also places a heavy burden on the worker.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a paddy field drainage system and a paddy field drainage device that can control the condition of a paddy field without imposing a workload on the manager of the paddy field. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A first aspect of the present invention made to solve the above problems is a paddy field drainage system including a drainage device connected to a drainage pipe that drains water from a paddy field into a drainage channel and controls the flow and stoppage of water flowing through the drainage pipe, the drainage device including a main body having limbs that are placed on the cultivated soil surface of the paddy field, a communication control device housed in the main body, an L-shaped pipe having one end rotatably connected to the drainage pipe, and a communication control device attached to the main body. RThe communication control device is configured to receive a pipe position setting command transmitted from an external server device, in which the height position of the drainage inlet is specified, and to control the operation of the pipe lifting mechanism in accordance with the pipe position setting command. When the pipe lifting mechanism operates under the control of the communication control device, one end of the L-shaped pipe connected to the drain pipe rotates along the circumferential direction of the drainage pipe, and the other end of the L-shaped pipe moves in the vertical direction, so that the drainage inlet of the L-shaped pipe is positioned at the height position specified in the pipe position setting command.

[0011] Thus, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the drainage device can place the drainage inlet of the L-shaped pipe it holds at a height position specified by a pipe position setting command sent from an external server device. That is, the drainage device installed in a paddy field can adjust the height position of the drainage inlet of the L-shaped pipe it holds by the pipe position setting command from the server device. Therefore, if the manager of the paddy field (a farmer or other such manager) sets the height of the drainage inlet to the desired water level in the server device, the height of the drainage inlet of the L-shaped pipe can be set to the desired water level. This allows the manager to adjust the water level of the paddy field without having to go to the paddy field. Also, according to this configuration, it is possible to drain water at a desired height out of the water stored in the paddy field. For example, there are times immediately after rice planting when it is desired to leave as much warm water as possible in the paddy field. In such a case, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a drainage inlet of an L-shaped pipe is disposed at or near the bottom (plowed soil surface) of the paddy field, and the water with a low temperature near the bottom (plowed soil surface) of the paddy field is drained. Also, according to the first aspect, for example, by draining water near the water surface, where the water temperature is high, in summer, it is possible to suppress the rise in the water temperature stored in the paddy field. In addition, draining water near the water surface (because the supernatant is drained) has the effect of preventing mud from accumulating in the drainage pipe. Furthermore, according to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, for example, by increasing the height position of the drainage inlet of the L-shaped pipe, drainage from a rice paddy can be stopped, allowing the rice paddy to function as a "rice paddy dam."

[0012] Furthermore, it is desirable that the piping lifting mechanism be capable of stopping the water flowing into the drainage pipe by raising the other end side of the L-shaped pipe so that the drainage inlet of the L-shaped pipe is positioned above the water level of the water stored in the paddy field, thereby preventing the water from the paddy field from flowing into the L-shaped pipe, or of lowering the other end side of the L-shaped pipe so that at least a portion of the drainage inlet of the L-shaped pipe is positioned below the water level of the paddy field, thereby allowing the water from the paddy field to flow into the L-shaped pipe and draining the water from the paddy field from the drainage pipe. In this way, according to the present invention, the drainage of water from a paddy field can be stopped or the paddy field can be made to be able to be drained by a pipe position setting command from an external server device. Therefore, for example, even if the manager of the paddy field does not go to the site during heavy rain or typhoon season, the paddy field can be made to function as a rice paddy dam to prevent flood damage. Also, when the heavy rain or typhoon subsides, the function as a rice paddy dam can be quickly released and the paddy field can be returned to its normal state for rice cultivation.

[0013] It is also desirable that the piping lifting mechanism includes a rotation mechanism that rotates under the control of the communication control device, a reciprocating movement mechanism that converts the rotational movement of the rotation mechanism into linear movement to move back and forth in the vertical direction, and a piping holding part attached to the lower end of the reciprocating movement mechanism to hold the other end side of the L-shaped piping. In this way, the piping lifting mechanism is configured to include a rotation mechanism and a reciprocating movement mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the rotation mechanism into linear motion to move back and forth in the vertical direction, and since there is no need to use costly components, the drainage device can be manufactured at low cost.

[0014] Furthermore, it is desirable that the server device provides a web page for agricultural workers that accepts a desired height of the drainage inlet of the L-shaped pipe held by the drainage device to a user terminal held by an agricultural worker who manages the paddy field, accepts the desired height of the drainage inlet of the L-shaped pipe held by the drainage device from the user terminal on the agricultural worker web page, generates the pipe position setting command that specifies the accepted desired height of the drainage inlet, and transmits the generated pipe position setting command to the corresponding drainage device. With this configuration, farmers can operate their user terminals to access the server device and input the desired height of the drainage inlet of the L-shaped pipe held by the drainage device on a web page provided by the server device, thereby adjusting the water level and water temperature in the rice paddies.

[0015] The server device also provides an administrative officer web page for accepting settings of a drainage stop request or a drainage stop cancellation request for the drainage device to an administrator terminal of an administrative officer who has the authority to cause the paddy field in which the drainage device is installed to function as a rice paddy dam, and when an input of a drainage stop request is accepted from the administrator terminal on the administrative officer web page, the server device generates a piping position setting command specifying the height dimension of a drainage inlet at which drainage from the paddy field is stopped and transmits the generated piping position setting command to the corresponding drainage device, and when an input of a drainage stop cancellation request is accepted from the administrator terminal on the administrative officer web page, the server device generates a piping position setting command specifying the height dimension of a drainage inlet at which drainage from the paddy field is allowed and transmits the generated piping position setting command to the corresponding drainage device, and when an input of a drainage stop cancellation request is accepted from the administrator terminal on the administrative officer web page, the server device The drainage device It is preferable that the generated piping position setting command is transmitted to the

[0016] Thus, in the first aspect of the present invention, the server device provides a web page for administrative personnel that accepts the setting of a drainage stop request or a drainage stop cancellation request for the drainage device to the administrator terminal of the administrative personnel who has the authority to make the paddy field in which the drainage device is installed function as a paddy field dam. Therefore, when the administrative personnel operates the administrator terminal and inputs a "drainage stop request" for the drainage device installed in the paddy field on the web page provided by the server device, the position of the drainage inlet of the L-shaped pipe held by the drainage device W is set so that the water stored in the paddy field is not drained. In other words, when heavy rain or a typhoon is predicted, the administrative personnel can stop the drainage from the paddy field by operating the administrator terminal without visiting multiple paddies in order, making the paddy field function as a "paddy field dam", and reducing the possibility of flooding. Furthermore, when the heavy rain or typhoon subsides, the administrative staff can operate the administrator terminal to input a "request to cancel drainage stop" to the drainage device on the web page provided by the server device, and the position of the drainage inlet of the L-shaped pipe held by the drainage device will be set so that the water stored in the rice paddy can be drained. In other words, when the heavy rain or typhoon subsides, the administrative staff can quickly and easily disable the function as a "rice paddy dam" and return the paddy to a normal paddy field that drains water. Furthermore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, even when a rice paddy is made to function as a "rice paddy dam," the position of the drainage inlet of the L-shaped pipe held by the drainage device can be set in the server device to a height that is assumed to prevent the rice paddy's ridges from collapsing, thereby reducing the possibility of the ridges collapsing (the drainage device can drain the water from the rice paddy before it reaches a height that would cause the ridges to collapse.

[0017] In addition, the server device stores, in the drainage device ID for identifying the drainage device, an administrative official I who identifies an administrative official having the authority to make a paddy field in which a drainage device specified by the drainage device ID is installed function as a rice paddy dam. D A drainage device administrative information database storing the drainage device information in association with the drainage device, and a web page for administrative personnel that accepts settings of a drainage stop request or a drainage stop release request for the drainage device are provided to the administrator terminal of the administrative personnel, and a drainage stop request is input on the web page for administrative personnel. stop point and a drainage device control unit that receives either a request for input of the administrative officer ID from the administrator terminal on the administrative officer web page, reads out a drainage device ID corresponding to the received administrative officer ID from the drainage device administrative information database, and transmits the generated piping position setting command to the drainage device identified by the read drainage device ID.

[0018] According to this configuration, when there are multiple "paddy fields that an administrative official has the authority to make function as rice field dams," the administrative official can simultaneously stop drainage from the paddy fields or enable drainage of water from the paddy fields via the server device. Therefore, in cases where the weather suddenly changes and an unexpected heavy rainfall occurs, the administrative official can quickly make multiple paddy fields function as "paddy field dams." In other words, the present invention is expected to be a measure against flood damage caused by sudden heavy rainfall due to abnormal weather in recent years.

[0019] A second aspect of the present invention is a paddy field drainage system in which adjacent paddy fields of different heights in a group of stepped paddy fields are connected by a drainage pipe and the system is equipped with a drainage device that controls the flow and stoppage of water flowing through the drainage pipe, wherein water flows from a paddy field located higher to a paddy field located lower via the drainage pipe between adjacent paddy fields in the group of paddy fields, and the drainage device comprises a main body having a limb that is installed on the cultivated soil surface of the paddy field located higher among the adjacent paddy fields, an L-shaped pipe having one end rotatably connected to the drainage pipe on the paddy field located higher among the adjacent paddy fields, a communication control device housed in the main body, and a communication control device attached to the main body. R The communication control device is configured to receive a pipe position setting command transmitted from an external server device, in which the height position of the drainage inlet is specified, and to control the operation of the pipe lifting mechanism in accordance with the pipe position setting command. When the pipe lifting mechanism operates under the control of the communication control device, one end of the L-shaped pipe connected to the drain pipe rotates along the circumferential direction of the drainage pipe, and the other end of the L-shaped pipe moves in the vertical direction, so that the drainage inlet of the L-shaped pipe is positioned at the height position specified in the pipe position setting command.

[0020] According to the second aspect of the present invention, in a group of stepped rice paddies such as terraced rice paddies, during a typhoon, heavy rain, etc., the operation of the drainage device is controlled via a server device, and the drainage device W installed on the cultivated soil surface of a rice paddy at a higher position stops the flow of water from a rice paddy at a higher position to a rice paddy at a lower position, thereby preventing flooding of rice paddies at lower positions where water tends to accumulate during a typhoon, heavy rain, etc. Also, for rice paddies at higher positions where water does not easily accumulate, they can be used as "rice paddy dams."

[0021] A third aspect of the present invention is a drainage device that is connected to a drainage pipe that drains water from a paddy field into a drainage channel and controls the flow and stoppage of water flowing through the drainage pipe, the drainage device comprising a main body having a limb that is placed on the cultivated soil surface of the paddy field, a communication control device housed in the main body, an L-shaped pipe having one end rotatably connected to the drainage pipe, and a communication control device attached to the main body. R The communication control device is configured to control the operation of the piping lifting mechanism, and when the piping lifting mechanism operates under the control of the communication control device, one end of the L-shaped pipe connected to the drain pipe rotates along the circumferential direction of the drain pipe, and the other end of the L-shaped pipe moves in the vertical direction, so that the height position of the drainage inlet of the L-shaped pipe can be changed.

[0022] Thus, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the height of the drainage inlet of the L-shaped pipe can be changed by the pipe lifting mechanism controlled by the communication control device. Therefore, the manager of the paddy field can control the state of the paddy field (the state of the water level, water temperature, etc., and the state of the paddy field dam) with less work compared to the conventional technology described above (the conventional technology that requires the manual opening and closing of the water gate door and the replacement of the "agricultural water level adjustment plate" inserted on the "retaining plate" of the paddy field drainage basin). Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a paddy field drainage system and a paddy field drainage device that can control the condition of a paddy field without imposing a workload on the manager of the paddy field. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a paddy field drainage system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a drainage device constituting a paddy field drainage system according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in a paddy field and drainage from the paddy field is stopped, where (a) is a schematic diagram showing a front view of the drainage device installed in the paddy field, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing a side view of the drainage device installed in the paddy field. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a drainage device constituting a paddy field drainage system according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in a paddy field and draining water from the paddy field, where (a) is a schematic diagram showing a front view of the drainage device installed in the paddy field, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing a side view of the drainage device installed in the paddy field. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a drainage device constituting a paddy field drainage system according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from above, installed in a paddy field. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the structure of a connection between a drainage device constituting a paddy field drainage system according to an embodiment of the present invention and a drainage pipe buried in a paddy field ridge. FIG. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams for explaining the configuration of a drainage device that constitutes a paddy field drainage system according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the piping lifting mechanism has lowered the L-shaped pipe to a lower position and is holding it there, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the piping lifting mechanism has raised the L-shaped pipe to an upper position and is holding it there. [Figure 7] 7 is an enlarged schematic diagram showing a part of the configuration of the piping lifting mechanism shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an apparatus housed in the main body of a drainage device constituting a paddy field drainage system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9]2 is a schematic diagram showing the functional configuration of a server device constituting the paddy field drainage system of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration of a drainage device status database provided in a server device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration of a drainage device user information database provided in a server device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 12] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration of a drainage device administrative information database provided in a server device of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 13] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a water level sensor database provided in a server device of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, a paddy field drainage system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0026] First, the overall configuration of a paddy field drainage system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. Here, Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the paddy field drainage system of this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a drainage device constituting the paddy field drainage system of this embodiment is installed in a paddy field and drainage from the paddy field is stopped. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a drainage device constituting the paddy field drainage system of this embodiment is installed in a paddy field and draining water from the paddy field. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a drainage device constituting the paddy field drainage system of this embodiment is installed in a paddy field, as viewed from above.

[0027] System Overview As shown in Figure 1, the paddy field drainage system of this embodiment includes a drainage device W that controls the drainage and stoppage of water stored in a paddy field 300, a water level sensor S that measures (detects) the water level of the water stored in the paddy field 300, a repeater 50 connected to a network NW such as the Internet, and a server device (hereinafter referred to as the "server") 100 that acquires the water level detected by the water level sensor S via the repeater 50 and instructs the drainage device W to drain or stop drainage.

[0028] 2 to 4, the drainage device W has an L-shaped pipe 70 connected to a drainage pipe 330, one end of which is connected to the drainage channel DC. The other open free end of this L-shaped pipe 70 serves as a drainage inlet 70a, and water stored in the paddy field 300 flows into the pipe from the open drainage inlet 70a, flows from the one end of the pipe into the drainage pipe 330, and is drained into the drainage channel DC. The drainage pipe 330 is buried in the ridge 320 of the paddy field 300, with one end protruding toward the paddy field 300 and the other end protruding toward the drainage channel DC. An L-shaped pipe 70 is rotatably connected to one end of the drainage pipe 330 protruding toward the paddy field (see FIGS. 2 to 4). The drainage device W holds the free end of the L-shaped pipe 70 so that it can move back and forth in the vertical direction, and is configured to move the drainage inlet 70a at the free end of the L-shaped pipe 70 to the height position desired by a farmer or administrative official and hold it at that height position (see Figures 2 and 3).

[0029] 2, the drainage device W is configured to hold the free end side of the L-shaped pipe 70 in a raised position so that the entire free end (drainage inlet 70a) of the L-shaped pipe 70 is located above the water surface (i.e., higher than the water level) of the water stored in the paddy field 300. By holding the L-shaped pipe 70 so that the drainage device W is at this height position, the water stored in the paddy field 300 is prevented from flowing into the L-shaped pipe 70, so that drainage from the paddy field 300 via the drainage pipe 330 can be stopped.

[0030] 3, the drainage device W is capable of holding the free end side of the L-shaped pipe 70 in a lowered state so that at least a part (lower part) of the free end (drainage inlet 70a) of the L-shaped pipe 70 is located below the water level of the water stored in the paddy field 300. By the drainage device W holding the free end side of the L-shaped pipe 70 in this position, the water stored in the paddy field 300 flows into the drainage pipe 330 via the L-shaped pipe 70, and is then drained from the drainage pipe 330 into the drainage channel DC.

[0031] In addition, the drainage device W of this embodiment is configured to be able to adjust the position of the free end (drainage inlet 70a) of the L-shaped pipe 70 in the height direction to any position other than the position shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. With this configuration, the water level of the paddy field 300 can be controlled to a desired water level. Also, with this configuration, water at a desired water level among the water stored in the paddy field 300 can be drained, and the temperature of the water stored in the paddy field 300 can be adjusted. For example, with the drainage device W of this embodiment, water (water with a low water temperature) near the bottom surface (plowed soil surface) of the paddy field can be drained in order to leave as warm water as possible immediately after rice planting. Also, with the drainage device W of this embodiment, for example, by draining water near the water surface where the water temperature is high during the summer, the rise in the water temperature of the water stored in the paddy field 300 can be suppressed. Note that draining water near the water surface (since the supernatant is drained) has the effect of making it difficult for mud to accumulate in the drainage pipe 330 and the drainage channel DC.

[0032] In addition, the water level sensor S includes a sensor unit (not shown) that detects the water level of the rice paddy 300 at predetermined time intervals, a communication unit (not shown) that can communicate wirelessly with the repeater 50, and a power supply unit (not shown) that supplies power to the sensor unit and the communication unit.

[0033] The water level sensor S is configured so that the sensor unit detects (measures) the water level of the paddy field 300 at predetermined time intervals, and the communication unit transmits water level information including the detected water level to the server 100 via the repeater 50. This water level information includes the water level measured by the water level sensor S, a water level sensor ID that identifies the water level sensor S, and the water level acquisition date and time that indicates the date and time when the water level was detected (measured). The water level sensor S used in this embodiment is based on well-known technology, so a detailed explanation will be omitted. For example, the water level sensor S can be an existing ultrasonic water level sensor that can measure the water level without contact.

[0034] The repeater 50 is configured to be able to communicate wirelessly with the drainage device W and the water level sensor S, and is also configured to be able to communicate with the server 100 via the network NW. Then, when the repeater 50 receives the "water level information" sent from the water level sensor S, it transmits the "water level information" to the server 100 via the network NW. Furthermore, when the repeater 50 receives a "piping position setting command" sent from the server 100 via the network NW, it transmits the received "piping position setting command" to the drainage device W. The repeater 50 is a well-known technology and will not be described in detail.

[0035] The server 100 is also configured to be able to communicate with the drainage device W and the water level sensor S via the network NW and the repeater 50. The server 100 is also configured to be able to communicate with a user terminal UT held by a user (farmer) who manages the paddy fields 300 via the network NW. The server 100 is also configured to be able to communicate with a manager terminal GT held by a person in charge of an administrative agency (an administrative person (e.g., a disaster prevention person in a city hall, town hall, etc.)) who manages a plurality of paddy fields 300 in a specific area via the network NW.

[0036] The server 100 receives the "water level information" sent from the water level sensor S, and stores and manages the water level information. Furthermore, in response to an access request from a user terminal UT of a user (farmer) who manages the paddy fields 300, the server 100 provides the user terminal UT with a website (a website made up of web pages) that displays the water levels of the paddy fields managed by the user (farmer). In response to an access request from an administrator terminal GT of an administrative officer, the server 100 provides the administrator terminal GT with a website that displays the water levels of the paddy fields managed by the administrative officer.

[0037] In addition, in response to an access request from a user terminal UT of a user (farmer) managing the paddy field 300, the server 100 provides the user terminal UT with a website (a website consisting of web pages) that accepts settings for the "desired height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a" at the free end of an L-shaped pipe 70 provided in a drainage device W installed in the paddy field 300 managed by the paddy field drainage system. The farmer operates the user terminal UT to input the "desired height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a" of the drainage device W installed in the paddy field 300 on the website provided by the server device 100. When the server 100 receives input of the "desired height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a" from the user terminal UT, it generates a "piping position setting command" that specifies the received "desired height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a" and transmits the generated "piping position setting command" to the corresponding drainage device W.

[0038] Furthermore, in response to an access request from the administrator terminal GT of the administrative officer managing the paddy field 300, the server 100 provides the administrator terminal GT with a website (a website consisting of web pages) that accepts settings for a "drainage stop request or drainage stop cancellation request" for the drainage device W installed in the paddy field 300 managed by the administrative officer. The administrative officer operates the administrator terminal GT to input a "drainage stop request or drainage stop cancellation request" for the drainage device W installed in the paddy field 300 on the website provided by the server device 100.

[0039] When the server 100 receives an input of a "drainage stop request" from the manager terminal GT, it generates a "piping position setting command" that specifies the "drainage inlet height dimension (preset dimension)" at which drainage from the paddy field 300 will be stopped, and transmits the generated "piping position setting command" to the corresponding drainage device W. In addition, when the server 100 receives an input of a "drainage stop release request" from the manager terminal GT, it generates a "piping position setting command" that specifies the "drainage inlet height dimension (preset dimension)" at which drainage will be possible, and transmits the generated "piping position setting command" to the corresponding drainage device W.

[0040] Then, when the drainage device W receives the "piping position setting command" transmitted by the server 100 via the repeater 50, it sets the position of the free end (drainage inlet 70a) of the L-shaped pipe 70 so that the height dimension is determined in the received "piping position setting command." The drainage device W drains water stored in the rice paddy or stops drainage depending on the set position of the free end (drainage inlet 70a) of the L-shaped pipe 70.

[0041] Thus, in the paddy field drainage system of this embodiment, when a user (farmer) operates the user terminal UT to input the "desired height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a" to the server 100 on a website provided by the server 100, the server 100 controls the drainage device W to set the position of the free end (drainage inlet 70a) of the L-shaped pipe 70 held by the drainage device W to the "desired height position" input by the user. Therefore, the user can adjust the water level of the paddy field 300 without having to go to the paddy field 300. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the drainage device W is capable of adjusting the vertical position of the drainage inlet 70a of the L-shaped pipe 70 to any position, so that the temperature of the water stored in the rice paddy 300 can be adjusted by draining water at a desired water level from the water stored in the rice paddy 300 (for example, by draining water near the water surface where the water temperature is high during the daytime in summer).

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if an administrative official operates the administrator terminal GT and inputs a "drainage stop request" for the drainage device W installed in the paddy field 300 on a website provided by the server 100, the position of the drainage inlet 70a of the L-shaped pipe 70 held by the drainage device W is set so as not to drain the water stored in the paddy field (see FIG. 2). Therefore, when heavy rain or a typhoon is predicted, an administrative official can stop drainage from the paddy fields 300 by operating the administrator terminal GT without having to visit multiple paddy fields 300 in sequence, causing the paddy fields 300 to function as "paddy field dams," thereby reducing the possibility of flood damage. Furthermore, when the heavy rain or typhoon subsides, the administrative officer operates the administrator terminal GT to input a "request to cancel drainage stop" for the drainage device W installed in the paddy field 300 on the website provided by the server 100, and the position of the drainage inlet 70a of the L-shaped pipe 70 held by the drainage device W is set so that the water stored in the paddy field can be drained (see FIG. 3). In other words, when the heavy rain or typhoon subsides, the administrative officer can quickly and easily disable the function as a "paddy field dam" and return the paddy field 300 to a normal state where drainage can be performed.

[0043] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even when the paddy field 300 is made to function as a "paddy field dam," the position of the drainage inlet 70a of the L-shaped pipe 70 held by the drainage device W can be set in the server 100 to a height that is assumed to prevent the ridge 320 of the paddy field 300 from collapsing, thereby reducing the possibility of the ridge 320 collapsing (the drainage device W can drain the water from the paddy field 300 before the ridge 320 reaches a height that would cause it to collapse).

[0044] <Configuration of the drainage device> Next, the configuration of the drainage device W constituting the paddy field drainage system of this embodiment will be described with reference to the above-mentioned Figs. 1 to 4 and Figs. 5 to 8.

[0045] Here, Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the structure of the connection between the drainage device constituting the paddy field drainage system of this embodiment and the drainage pipe buried in the ridge of the paddy field. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the drainage device constituting the paddy field drainage system of this embodiment, in which (a) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the piping lifting mechanism lowers and holds the L-shaped pipe to a lower position, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the piping lifting mechanism raises and holds the L-shaped pipe to an upper position. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged part of the configuration of the piping lifting mechanism shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the device housed in the main body of the drainage device constituting the paddy field drainage system of this embodiment.

[0046] As shown in Figures 2 to 8, the drainage device W of this embodiment comprises a main body 10 having a limb 1 to be installed in the installation area of ​​a paddy field 300 (installation area such as the cultivated soil surface) and a housing unit 2 supported by the limb 1, a communication control device 20 (see Figure 8) housed in the housing unit 2, a power supply unit 30 (see Figure 8) housed in the housing unit 2, an L-shaped pipe 70 (see Figure 4) one end of which is rotatably connected to the drainage pipe 330, and a pipe lifting mechanism 50 attached to the main body 10 and holds the other end of the L-shaped pipe 70 so that it can move freely in the vertical direction. The power supply unit 30 supplies power to the communication control device 20 and the piping lifting mechanism 50 .

[0047] 6 and 7, the pipe lifting mechanism 50 includes a motor (rotation mechanism) 51 that operates under the control of the communication control device 20, a reciprocating movement mechanism 52 that converts the rotational movement of the motor 51 into linear movement to reciprocate up and down, and a pipe holding part 60 attached to the tip part (lower end part) of the reciprocating movement mechanism 52 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). The pipe holding part 60 holds the other end part of the L-shaped pipe 70. As shown in Fig. 4, one end of the L-shaped pipe 70 is rotatably connected to the drain pipe 330. The inner diameter of the L-shaped pipe 70 at the connection portion with the drain pipe 330 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the drain pipe 330. When one end of the drain pipe 330 is inserted into the drain pipe connection portion 70b (see Fig. 5) on the one end side of the L-shaped pipe 70, a small gap s is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the L-shaped pipe 70 and the outer peripheral surface of the drain pipe 330.

[0048] The piping lifting mechanism 50 controlled by the communication control device 20 can lower the piping holder 60 at the tip of the reciprocating mechanism 52, thereby positioning the free end (drainage inlet 70a) of the L-shaped piping 70 at a lower position as shown in Fig. 6(a). By positioning the free end (drainage inlet 70a) of the L-shaped piping 70 at this position, the water stored in the rice paddy 300 can be drained by flowing it through the L-shaped piping 70 to the drainage pipe 330. Alternatively, the piping lifting mechanism 50 controlled by the control device 20 can position the free end (drainage inlet 70a) of the L-shaped piping 70 in an upper position as shown in Fig. 6(b) by raising the piping holder 60 at the tip of the reciprocating mechanism 52. By positioning the free end (drainage inlet 70a) of the L-shaped piping 70 in this position, water stored in the paddy field 300 will no longer flow into the L-shaped piping 70 (see Fig. 2), and drainage into the drainage pipe 330 will stop.

[0049] As described above, a small gap s is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the L-shaped piping 70 and the outer peripheral surface of the drain pipe 330. Therefore, when the free end (drain inlet 70a) of the L-shaped piping 70 is moved up and down by the piping lifting mechanism 50, one end of the L-shaped piping 70 rotates in the circumferential direction relative to the outer peripheral side surface of the drain pipe 330 (see FIG. 5). Below, each component of the drainage device W will be described in order.

[0050] <Main body 10> As shown in Figure 6, the limb 1 constituting the main body 10 comprises a pair of rod-shaped vertical legs 1a, 1a that are erected approximately vertically in an installation area such as the cultivated soil surface of a paddy field 300, a horizontal bar 1b that is horizontally disposed between the pair of vertical legs 1a, 1a, and a vertical longitudinal bar 1c that is erected and fixed to the approximately middle part of the upper side of the horizontal bar 1b in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction). Moreover, the vertical legs 1a, 1a, the horizontal bar portion 1b, and the vertical bar portion 1c are all formed of hollow cylindrical tubes having both ends penetrated. The horizontal bar 1b is disposed at a right angle to the vertical legs 1a, 1a at a position above the vertical legs 1a. One end of the horizontal bar 1b is fixed to a side surface of one vertical leg 1a, and the other end is fixed to a side surface of the other vertical leg 1a. The horizontal bar 1b has a through hole penetrating in the up-down direction in the "approximately middle part in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction)" where the vertical bar 1c is fixed, and a lift shaft 52d, which will be described later, is inserted through this through hole.

[0051] The housing 2 constituting the main body 10 is formed in a hollow box shape, and houses the communication control device 20, the power supply unit 30, and the motor 51 inside, as shown in Fig. 8. The housing 2 also has an antenna AT protruding from its upper surface. The antenna AT is connected to the communication control device 20, and is used for communication processing between the communication control device 20 and the repeater 50. The central portion of the lower surface of the housing 2 is a connection portion with the upper end of the vertical rod portion 1c. An opening is formed in the above-mentioned connection portion of the housing 2, and this opening communicates between the inside of the box of the housing 2 and the inside of the cylinder of the vertical rod portion 1c.

[0052] The drainage device W of this embodiment is set up by inserting the lower ends of the pair of vertical legs 1a, 1a constituting the main body 10 into the cultivated soil surface (installation area surface) of the paddy field 300, and then a stake (iron stake or other stake) P can be inserted into the cylindrical vertical legs 1a, 1 and driven into the cultivated soil surface (see Figs. 2, 3, 6). With this configuration, the drainage device W of this embodiment can be set up stably on the installation area surface of the paddy field 300 or the like.

[0053] <Pipe lift mechanism 50> In addition, the piping lifting mechanism 50 is equipped with a motor (rotation mechanism) 51 and a reciprocating movement mechanism 52 that converts the rotational motion of the motor 51 into linear motion and moves back and forth in the vertical direction, and a piping holding part 60 is attached to the tip (lower end) of the reciprocating movement mechanism 52.

[0054] The motor (rotation mechanism) 51 is, for example, a DC servo motor. The motor 51 is accommodated in the housing 2 constituting the main body 10, receives power from the power supply 30, and is controlled by the communication control device 20 to rotate. In addition, the motor 51 is positioned and installed so that the rotating shaft 51a (see Figures 6 and 7) of the motor 51 is located in an opening formed in the housing portion 2 (an opening formed at the connection portion with the vertical rod portion 1c).

[0055] 6 and 7, the reciprocating mechanism 52 includes a generally doughnut-shaped coupling member 52a attached to the rotating shaft 51a of the motor 51, a rotating shaft 52b connected and fixed to the rotating shaft 51a of the motor 51 via the coupling member 52a, a nut 52c (see FIG. 7) fitted and fixed inside the cylinder at the lower end of the rotating shaft 52b, and a lifting shaft 52d screwed onto the nut 52c. The coupling member 52a is fitted and fixed inside the cylinder at the upper end of the rotating shaft 52b.

[0056] The rotating shaft 52b is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape with both ends penetrated. The rotating shaft 52b is rotatably housed within the cylinder of the vertical rod portion 1c that constitutes the leg portion 1, and rotates with the rotation of the rotating shaft 51a of the motor 51. When the rotating shaft 52b rotates with the rotation of the motor 51, the nut 52c fixed to the lower end of the rotating shaft 52b rotates together with the rotating shaft 52b.

[0057] The lift shaft 52d is formed in a cylindrical rod shape with a screw groove formed on its upper end side to screw into the nut 52c, or the lift shaft 52d is formed of a long screw (a cut bolt) with a screw groove formed over the entire length to screw into the nut 52c. The upper end of the lift shaft 5b is screwed into a nut 52c that is fitted and fixed inside the cylinder at the lower end of the rotating shaft 52b, and the upper end of the lift shaft 5b is disposed inside the cylinder of the rotating shaft 52b. In addition, the lower end side of the lifting shaft 52d protrudes from the lower end of the rotating shaft 52b and the vertical rod portion 1c that houses the rotating shaft 52b, and further passes through the horizontal rod portion 1b that is connected to the lower end of the vertical rod portion 1c, extending to a position lower than the horizontal rod portion 1b.

[0058] Furthermore, a pipe holder 60 that holds the other end of the L-shaped pipe 70 is connected and fixed to the lower end of the lift shaft 52d. 2 and 3, the pipe holding part 60 has a handle part 60a that is substantially U-shaped in side view, and a band part 60b fixed to the handle part 60b. The handle part 60a is fixed to the lower end part of the lift shaft 52d of the reciprocating mechanism 52. The band part 60b is wound around the outer periphery of the other end part of the L-shaped pipe 70 to hold the other end part of the L-shaped pipe 70.

[0059] In the pipe lift mechanism 50 configured as described above, when the motor 51 is driven to rotate the rotary shaft 51a of the motor 51 in the first direction, the rotary shaft 52b rotates in the first direction together with the rotary shaft 51a of the motor 51. When the rotary shaft 52b rotates in the first direction, the nut 52c at the lower end of the rotary shaft 52b also rotates in the first direction, and the lift shaft 52d screwed into the nut 52c descends (the lift shaft 52d is pushed out from the lower end of the rotary shaft 52b). As a result, the free end side of the L-shaped pipe 70 held by the pipe holder 60 fixed to the lower end of the lift shaft 52d descends, and one end of the L-shaped pipe 70 connected to the drain pipe 330 rotates along the circumferential direction of the drain pipe 330. For example, the state shown in FIG. 6(b) can be transitioned to the state shown in FIG. 6(a).

[0060] In addition, when the piping lifting mechanism 50 drives the motor 51 to rotate the rotating shaft 51a of the motor 51 in a second direction (opposite rotation direction to the first direction), the rotating shaft 52b rotates in the second direction together with the rotating shaft 51a of the motor 51. In addition, when the rotating shaft 52b rotates in the second direction, the nut 52c at the lower end of the rotating shaft 52b also rotates in the second direction, and the lifting shaft 52d screwed into the nut 52c moves upward (pulls into the cylinder of the rotating shaft 52b). As a result, the free end side of the L-shaped pipe 70 held by the pipe holding part 60 fixed to the lower end of the lifting shaft 52d rises, and one end of the L-shaped pipe 70 connected to the drain pipe 330 rotates along the circumferential direction of the drain pipe 330. For example, the state shown in FIG. 6(a) can be transitioned to the state shown in FIG. 6(b).

[0061] The pipe lifting mechanism 50 shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is merely an example. For example, the reciprocating mechanism 52 of the pipe lifting mechanism 50 may have a rotating shaft 52b connected and fixed to the coupling member 52a, which is formed of a long screw (a bolt with a cut thread). In this case, the upper end of the long screw is connected and fixed to the lower end of the coupling member 52a. In this case, the lifting shaft 52d is formed of a hollow cylindrical circular tube with both ends penetrated, and a nut 52c is fitted and fixed inside the cylinder at the upper end of the lifting shaft 52d. The lower end side of the long screw constituting the rotating shaft 52b is screwed into the nut 52c. The pipe holder 60 is fixed to the lower end of the lifting shaft 52d formed of a circular tube, as in Figs. 6 and 7. This configuration also realizes a function similar to that of the piping lifting mechanism 50 shown in FIGS.

[0062] Furthermore, the reciprocating mechanism 52 shown in the above-described embodiment may be configured using a ball screw instead of the "screw and nut" configuration as shown in Figures 6 and 7, or may be configured using a well-known electric cylinder (electric actuator).

[0063] <Communication control device 20> Next, the configuration of the communication control device 20 will be described. 8, the communication control device 20 has a control processing unit 21, a communication processing unit 22, a storage unit 23, and an operation unit (not shown) that accepts various operations from a user. The storage unit 23 also stores the height dimension (current height dimension) of the drainage inlet 70a of the L-shaped pipe 70 held by the drainage device W installed in the paddy field 300. The storage unit 23 also stores a drainage device ID that identifies the drainage device W. The drainage device ID is stored in the memory unit 23 by the manufacturer (or the user) when the product is shipped (manufactured) or when the drainage device W is installed. When the drainage device W is installed in the paddy field 300, the height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a at the time of installation is stored in the memory unit 23 by the user or installer.

[0064] The control processing unit 21 accepts settings for the communication control device 20 through operation of an operation unit (not shown). In addition, the control processing unit 21 transmits and receives various information to and from the server 100 via the communication processing unit 22, and controls the operation of the piping lifting mechanism 50, moving the other end side of the L-shaped piping 70 held by the piping holding part 60 fixed to the lower end of the lifting shaft 52d of the piping lifting mechanism 50 in the vertical direction, thereby controlling the drainage of water stored in the rice field 300 by setting the state in which water is drained from the rice field 300 (for example, the state shown in Figure 3) or the state in which drainage from the rice field 300 is stopped (for example, the state shown in Figure 2).

[0065] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the drainage device W has stopped draining the paddy field 300. Here, it is assumed that the water level of the paddy field 300 is less than 30 cm (for example, 29 cm), and the height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a of the L-shaped pipe 70 is set to 30 cm. That is, it is assumed that the drainage inlet 70a is disposed above the water level of the water stored in the paddy field 300, water is not flowing into the pipe of the L-shaped pipe 70, and drainage of the paddy field 300 is stopped. It is also assumed that "30 cm" is stored in the memory unit 23 of the drainage device W as the current "height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a of the L-shaped pipe 70". At this time, it is assumed that the control processing unit 21 receives a "pipe position setting command (pipe position setting command to enable drainage)" transmitted from the server 100 via the communication processing unit 22. Here, it is assumed that the pipe position setting command "specifies the height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a of the L-shaped pipe 70 to 10 cm" is received. In this case, the control processing unit 21 reads out the height dimension (30 cm) stored in the memory unit, and calculates the difference (-20 cm (lowered by 20 cm)) between the read height dimension (30 cm) and the height dimension (10 cm) specified in the piping position setting command. Then, the control processor 21 transmits a lowering command signal to the piping lifting mechanism 50 to lower the other end of the L-shaped piping 70 held by the piping holder 60 fixed to the lower end of the lifting shaft 52d of the piping lifting mechanism 50 by a length dimension of 20 cm, and the other end of the L-shaped piping 70 held by the piping holder 60 is lowered by "20 cm" from the current position, stopped, and maintained in that state. This brings the paddy field 300 into a state where water is drained.

[0066] The above-mentioned lowering command signal is a signal for rotating the rotating shaft 51a of the motor 51 a predetermined number of times in the first direction so that the lift shaft 52d is lowered a predetermined distance (here, "20 cm"). The control processing unit 21 transmits the lowering command signal to the motor 51, and rotates the rotating shaft 51a of the motor 51 a predetermined number of times in the first direction. The control processing unit 21 holds information that associates the vertical movement distance of the lift shaft 52d with the number of rotations of the rotating shaft 51a of the motor 51 that corresponds to the said movement distance, and uses this information to calculate the number of rotations that corresponds to the vertical movement distance. When the rotating shaft 51a of the motor 51 rotates in the first direction, the rotating shaft 52b rotates in the first direction together with the rotating shaft 51a of the motor 51. When the rotating shaft 52b rotates in the first direction, the nut 52c at the lower end of the rotating shaft 52b also rotates in the first direction, and the lift shaft 52d screwed into the nut 52c descends downward. As a result, the other end side of the L-shaped pipe 70 held by the pipe holding part 60 fixed to the lower end of the lift shaft 52d descends by "20 cm" from the current position and stops, and the state is maintained. Note that while the other end side of the L-shaped pipe 70 is descending, one end of the L-shaped pipe 70 connected to the drain pipe 330 rotates along the circumferential direction of the drain pipe 330. Thereafter, the control processing unit 21 updates the height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a stored in the memory unit 23 from "30 cm" to "10 cm." As a result, the memory unit 23 stores the current height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a, which is "10 cm."

[0067] Furthermore, even if the driving of motor 51 is stopped, because lifting shaft 52d that fixes pipe holding portion 60 is configured to be screwed into nut 52c, one end side of L-shaped pipe 70 on which pipe holding portion 60 is held remains lowered to a position 10 cm from the state before movement.

[0068] Furthermore, when the "height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a of the L-shaped piping 70" of the drainage device W is at a position of "10 cm" and water is being drained from the rice paddy 300, the control processing unit 21 receives a "piping position setting command (piping position setting command to stop drainage)" transmitted from the server 100 via the communication processing unit 22. Here, it is assumed that a "pipe position setting command" has been received which specifies the height dimension of the drain inlet 70a of the L-shaped pipe 70 as 30 cm. In this case, the control processing unit 21 reads out the height dimension (10 cm) stored in the memory unit, and calculates the difference (+20 cm (raise by 20 cm)) between the read height dimension (10 cm) and the height dimension (30 cm) specified in the piping position setting command. Then, the control processor 21 transmits to the piping lifting mechanism 50 a lift command signal to lift the other end of the L-shaped piping 70 held by the piping holder 60 fixed to the lower end of the lifting shaft 52d of the piping lifting mechanism 50 by a length dimension of 20 cm, and causes the one end of the L-shaped piping 70 held by the piping holder 60 to be lifted 20 cm from the current position, stopped, and maintained in that state. This brings about a state in which water is not drained from the paddy field 300.

[0069] The above-mentioned lift command signal is a signal for rotating the rotary shaft 51a of the motor 51 a predetermined number of times in the second direction so that the lift shaft 52d is lifted a predetermined distance (here, "20 cm"). The control processing unit 21 transmits the lift signal to the motor 51, and rotates the rotary shaft 51a of the motor 51 a predetermined number of times in the second direction. When the rotating shaft 51a of the motor 51 rotates in the second direction, the rotating shaft 52b rotates in the second direction together with the rotating shaft 51a of the motor 51. When the rotating shaft 52b rotates in the second direction, the nut 52c at the lower end of the rotating shaft 52b also rotates in the second direction, and the lifting shaft 52d screwed into the nut 52c rises upward. As a result, the other end side of the L-shaped pipe 70 held by the pipe holding part 60 fixed to the lower end of the lifting shaft 52d rises by "20 cm" from the current position and stops, and maintains that state. Note that while the other end side of the L-shaped pipe 70 is rising, one end of the L-shaped pipe 70 connected to the drain pipe 330 rotates along the circumferential direction of the drain pipe 330. Thereafter, the control processing unit 21 updates the height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a stored in the memory unit 23 from "10 cm" to "30 cm." As a result, the memory unit 23 stores the current height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a.

[0070] The communication processing unit 22 receives the “piping position setting command” sent from the server 100 via the antenna AT and the repeater 50, and transmits the received “piping position setting command” to the control processing unit 21. In this embodiment, the communication processing unit 22 is adapted to wirelessly receive the "piping position setting command" from the repeater 50 installed at a location approximately 1 to 2 km away.

[0071] Furthermore, the hardware configuration of the communication control device 20 is not particularly limited. For example, the communication control device 20 can be an information processing device having an operation unit such as a CPU, a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, an I / O interface, a communication interface, a wireless circuit, an antenna, and an operation button. In this case, a program for realizing the functions of the control processing unit 21 and the communication processing unit 22 is stored in the auxiliary memory device. Also, a predetermined area of ​​the auxiliary memory device serves as the storage unit 23. The functions of the control processing unit 21 and the communication processing unit 22 are realized by the CPU loading the program stored in the auxiliary memory device into the main memory device and executing it.

[0072] <Power supply part 30> The power supply unit 30 supplies power to the communication control device 20 and the motor 51, and may be, for example, a power supply unit having a solar power generation unit (not shown) with a solar panel and a power storage unit (not shown) that stores the power generated by the solar power generation unit. For example, the power supply unit 30 may be a battery.

[0073] 《Server 100》 Next, the server 100 constituting the paddy field drainage system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the functional configuration of a server device constituting the paddy field drainage system of this embodiment. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a drainage device status database provided in the server device of this embodiment. Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a drainage device user information database provided in the server device of this embodiment. Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a drainage device administrative information database provided in the server device of this embodiment. Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a water level sensor database provided in the server device of this embodiment.

[0074] 9, the server 100 has a drainage device control unit 110, a water level information acquisition unit 120, and a storage unit 130. The storage unit 130 stores a drainage device status database 210, a drainage device user information database 220, a drainage device administrative information database 230, and a water level sensor database 240.

[0075] The hardware configuration of the server 100 is not particularly limited. For example, the server 100 is configured by a computer (one or more computers) having a CPU, a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, an I / O interface, and a communication interface. In this case, the auxiliary memory device stores a program for realizing the functions of the drainage device control unit 110 and the water level information acquisition unit 120. A predetermined area of ​​the auxiliary memory device serves as the memory unit 130. The functions of the drainage device control unit 110 and the water level information acquisition unit 120 are realized by the CPU loading the program stored in the auxiliary memory device into the main memory device and executing it.

[0076] Next, among the components of the server 100, the databases (drainage device status database 210, drainage device user information database 220, drainage device administrative information database 230, and water level sensor database 240) stored in the storage unit 130 will be described.

[0077] <Drainage System Status Database 210> The drainage device status database 210 is used to manage the status of the drainage device W installed in the paddy field 300, and may have the configuration shown in FIG. 10, for example.

[0078] 10, the drainage device status database 210 is composed of a record (a plurality of records) including a field 210a for registering a drainage device ID for identifying the drainage device W, a field 210b for registering position information of the paddy field 300 in which the drainage device W identified by the drainage device ID is installed, a field 210c for registering the height position of the drainage inlet 70a of the L-shaped pipe 70 held by the drainage device W identified by the drainage device ID, and a field 210d for registering the status of the paddy field 300. That is, the drainage device status database 210 stores the "position information of the paddy field 300," the "height position of the drainage inlet 70a of the L-shaped pipe 70," and the "status of the paddy field 300" in association with the "drainage device ID."

[0079] Here, the "drainage device ID" registered in the field 210a is unique information for identifying the drainage device W, and is composed of alphanumeric characters and symbols. The "location information of the paddy field 300" registered in the field 210b is information for identifying the location of the paddy field 300 in which the drainage device W is installed, and in the illustrated example, indicates "latitude, longitude." Note that an address may be used as the "location information of the paddy field 300" instead of "latitude, longitude."

[0080] The "height position of the drainage inlet 70a of the L-shaped piping 70" registered in field 210c refers to the height dimension (h) from the cultivated soil surface (upper surface of the cultivated soil layer) 300a on which the drainage device W is installed to the lower end of the drainage inlet 70a of the L-shaped piping 70, as shown in Figure 2(b). The "status" registered in the field 210d refers to information indicating the state of the paddy field 300, and in this embodiment refers to information indicating that the paddy field 300 is being used as a "paddy field dam" or that the paddy field 300 is in a normal state where rice is being cultivated. When the paddy field 300 is being used as a "paddy field dam", "paddy field dam" is registered in the field 210d. Also, when the paddy field 300 is in a normal state where rice is being cultivated, "normal" is registered in the field 210d.

[0081] <Drainage equipment user information database 220> The drainage device user information database 220 is a database in which information associating the drainage device W with the user (agricultural worker) who uses the drainage device W to manage the drainage and water stoppage of the paddy field 200 is registered, and for example, a database having the configuration shown in Figure 11 can be used.

[0082] 11, the drainage device user information database 220 is composed of a record (a plurality of records) having a field 220a for registering a drainage device ID for identifying the drainage device W, and a field 220b for registering a user ID for identifying a user (agricultural worker) who manages the drainage and water stoppage of the paddy field 300 using the drainage device W. That is, the drainage device user information database 220 stores a "user ID" in association with a "drainage device ID."

[0083] The drainage device ID registered in the field 220a is the same as that registered in the drainage device status database 210 of FIG. In addition, the user ID registered in field 220b is unique information for identifying a user (agricultural worker) who is cultivating rice by using the drainage device W to manage the drainage and water stoppage of the rice paddy 300 in which the drainage device W identified by the drainage device ID is installed, and is composed of alphanumeric characters, symbols, etc. In addition, since an agricultural worker often cultivates rice in multiple paddy fields 300, the same user ID is registered in multiple records in the drainage device user information database 220.

[0084] <Drainage System Administrative Information Database 230> The drainage device administrative information database 230 is a database in which information is registered that associates the drainage device W with an administrative official (such as a disaster prevention official at a city hall or town hall) who has the authority to cause the rice paddy 300 in which the drainage device W is installed to function as a rice paddy dam in the event of heavy rain or the like, and for example, a database with the configuration shown in Figure 12 can be used.

[0085] 12, the drainage device administrative information database 230 is composed of a record (a plurality of records) including a field 230a for registering a drainage device ID that identifies the drainage device W, and a field 230b for registering an administrative officer ID that identifies an administrative officer who has the authority to make the paddy field 300 in which the drainage device W identified by the drainage device ID is installed function as a rice paddy dam. That is, the drainage device administrative information database 230 stores the "drainage device ID" in association with the "administrative officer ID."

[0086] The drainage device ID registered in the field 230a is the same as that registered in the drainage device status database 210 of FIG. In addition, the administrative official ID registered in field 230b is unique information for identifying the administrative official who has jurisdiction over the area in which the rice paddy 300 in which the drainage device W identified by the drainage device ID is installed is located, and who has the authority to use the drainage device W to make the rice paddy 300 in which the drainage device W is installed function as a rice paddy dam, and is composed of alphanumeric characters, symbols, etc. In regions where rice cultivation is carried out, multiple paddy fields 300 are established in the area under the jurisdiction of an administrative official. Therefore, the same administrative official ID is registered in multiple records in the drainage system administrative information database 230.

[0087] The water level sensor database 240 stores and manages the water level measured by the water level sensor S installed in the paddy field 300, and may have the configuration shown in FIG. 13, for example.

[0088] As shown in the figure, the water level sensor database 240 is composed of a record (multiple records) having a field 240a for registering a water level sensor ID that identifies the water level sensor, a field 240b for registering a user ID that identifies a user (agricultural worker) who manages the rice paddy 300 in which the water level sensor S identified by the water level sensor ID is installed, a field 240c for registering an administrative officer ID that identifies an administrative officer who has the authority to make the rice paddy 300 in which the water level sensor S identified by the water level sensor ID is installed function as a rice paddy dam, a field 240d for registering location information of the rice paddy 300 in which the water level sensor S identified by the water level sensor ID is installed, a field 240e for registering the measurement date and time (acquisition date and time) of the water level measured by the water level sensor S identified by the water level sensor ID, and a field 240f for registering the water level measured by the water level sensor S identified by the water level sensor ID. That is, the water level sensor database 240 stores a water level sensor ID in association with a user ID, an administrative officer ID, location information, a water level acquisition date and time, and a water level.

[0089] The water level sensor ID registered in the field 240a is unique information for identifying the water level sensor S, and is composed of alphanumeric characters and symbols. The user ID registered in the field 240b is the same as that registered in the drainage device user information database 220 shown in FIG. The administrative officer ID registered in the field 240c is the same as that registered in the drainage device administrative information database 220 shown in FIG. The location information registered in the field 240d is the same as that registered in the drainage device status database 210 of FIG. The water level acquisition date and time registered in field 240e is information indicating the date and time when the server 100 acquired the water level from the water level sensor S (information indicating the year, date, time, and minute, such as year, month, day, hour, minute, etc.). The water level registered in the field 240f is information indicating the water level acquired by the server 100 from the water level sensor S, and is, for example, information such as "10 cm" or "30 cm."

[0090] In addition, the data in fields 240a, 240b, 240c, and 240d of the water level sensor database 240 is information that is registered by the water level sensor S installer or user (agricultural worker) etc. by accessing the server 100 when installing the water level sensor S in the rice paddy 300. Moreover, the information in fields 240e and 240f of the water level sensor database 240 is registered by the water level information acquisition unit 120 of the server 100 after receiving the “water level information” transmitted from the water sensor S.

[0091] Next, returning to FIG. 9, the configurations of the drainage device control unit 110 and the water level information acquisition unit 120 in the configuration of the server 100 will be described.

[0092] The drainage device control unit 110 provides a website for accepting input of the “desired height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a” of the drainage device W to a user terminal UT operated by a user (farmer), and accepts input of the “desired height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a” of the drainage device W from the user terminal UT on the website. Then, when the drainage device control unit 110 receives input of the "desired height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a" from the user terminal UT, it generates a "piping position setting command" that specifies the received "desired height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a" and transmits the generated "piping position setting command" to the corresponding drainage device W via the repeater 50.

[0093] In addition, the drainage device control unit 110 provides a website for accepting input of a "drainage stop request or drainage stop cancellation request" to the administrator terminal GT operated by an administrative official, and accepts a "drainage stop request or drainage stop cancellation request" for the drainage device W from the administrator terminal GT on the website. Then, when the drainage device control unit 110 receives input of a "drainage stop request" from the administrative officer's manager terminal GT, it generates a "piping position setting command" that specifies the "drainage inlet height dimension (predetermined dimension)" at which drainage from the rice field 300 will be stopped, and transmits the generated "piping position setting command" to the corresponding drainage device W via the repeater 50. In addition, when the server 100 receives an input of a "request to cancel drainage stop" from the administrator terminal GT, the drainage device control unit 110 generates a "piping position setting command" that specifies the "height dimension (preset dimension) of the drainage inlet" at which drainage is possible, and transmits the generated "piping position setting command" to the corresponding drainage device W via the repeater 50.

[0094] In addition, the water level information acquisition unit 120 receives "water level information including the water level sensor ID, water level acquisition date and time, and water level" transmitted by the water level sensor S installed in the rice paddy 300 at predetermined time intervals via the repeater 50 and the network NW. Furthermore, when the water level information acquisition unit 120 receives "water level information", it accesses the water level sensor database 240 and reads out the record in which the water level sensor ID included in the received "water level information" is registered. The water level information acquisition unit 110 then registers the "water level acquisition date and time" included in the received "water level information" in field 240d of the read out record, registers the "water level" included in the received "water level information" in field 240e of the read out record, and then stores the record in the water level sensor database 240.

[0095] This configuration of the water level information acquisition unit 120 and the water level sensor database 240 enables the server 100 to store and manage the water level of each paddy field 300 in which a water level sensor S is installed.

[0096] When the water level information acquisition unit 120 receives a water level information request (a water level information request including a user ID) from a user terminal UT operated by a user (agricultural worker), it accesses the water level sensor database 240 to acquire the water level of the paddy field 300 managed by the user identified by the user ID included in the water level information request, and provides information indicating the water level of the paddy field 300 managed by the user to the user terminal UT. In addition, when the water level information acquisition unit 120 receives a water level information request (a water level information request including an administrative officer ID) from the administrator terminal GT operated by an administrative officer, it accesses the water level sensor database 240 to acquire the water level of the paddy field 300 over which the administrative officer identified by the administrative officer ID included in the water level information request has authority, and provides information indicating the water level of the paddy field 300 over which the administrative officer has authority to the administrator terminal GT.

[0097] <<User terminal UT>> The user terminal UT is configured with an information processing device such as a smartphone or a personal computer, and has installed thereon an application program (dedicated application) for accessing the server 100. In addition, it is assumed that the user ID of the user (farmer) who holds the user terminal UT and the ID of the drainage device installed in the paddy field 300 by the user are registered in the dedicated application.

[0098] Administrator Terminal GT The administrator terminal GT is configured with a smartphone or a personal computer, and has installed thereon an application program (dedicated application) for accessing the server 100. The dedicated application is also assumed to have registered therein the administrative officer ID of the administrative officer who holds the administrator terminal GT, and the ID of the drainage device installed in the paddy field 300 that the administrative officer has the authority to make function as a paddy field dam.

[0099] <Overall operation of the paddy field drainage system> Next, the flow of processing performed by the paddy field drainage system of this embodiment will be described by taking two cases as examples. The first of the two cases is a case in which a user (farmer) controls the drainage device W via the server 100 to adjust the water level and water temperature of the paddy field 300. The second case is a case in which an administrative official controls the drainage device W via the server 100 to use the paddy field 300 as a paddy field dam.

[0100] <> First, an example of a case in which a user (farmer) controls the drainage device W via the server 100 to adjust the water level and water temperature of the paddy field 300 will be described. Here, it is assumed that the drainage device W installed in a paddy field 300 managed by a user (farmer) is in a state in which the L-shaped pipe 70 is held at a height position where drainage is not possible, as shown in Figure 2.

[0101] In addition, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the user manages only one paddy field 300. In addition, the height position of the drainage inlet 70a of the L-shaped pipe 70 of the drainage device W is set to "30 cm," and the paddy field 300 is in a "normal state" where it is not used as a "paddy field dam." In other words, the paddy field 300 is in a state where rice cultivation is normally carried out and drainage from the drainage device W is stopped. Due to this state, in the drainage device state database 210 of the server 100, in the record in which the drainage device ID identifying the drainage device W of this case is registered, "30 cm" is registered in the field 210c, and "normal" is registered in the field 210d (for example, the top record in the example of FIG. 10). Also, in the memory unit 23 of the communication control device 20 constituting the drainage device W installed in the paddy field 300, "30 cm" is stored as the height position of the drainage inlet 70a of the L-shaped pipe 70.

[0102] When a user (farmer) managing the paddy field 300 wants to change the height position of the drainage inlet 70a of the drainage device W installed in the paddy field 300, he or she first launches a dedicated application (program) on the user terminal UT and sends an access request to the server 100.

[0103] When the server 100 receives the above access request, it provides a Web page presenting an initial screen (login screen) to the user terminal UT, and receives input of a "user ID" from the user terminal UT. When the server 100 receives an input of a "user ID" from the user terminal UT, it refers to the drainage device user information database 220 and reads out the "drainage device ID" associated with the received "user ID." The server 100 also refers to the drainage device information status database 21 and extracts a record in which the read-out "drainage device ID" is registered. The server 100 also determines whether the "status" registered in the field 210d of the extracted record is normal.

[0104] Specifically, when the status of the field 210d of the extracted record is normal, the server 100 generates a drainage inlet setting web page (a web page for farmers) that accepts the setting of the "desired height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a" of the L-shaped pipe 70 installed in the drainage device W, and transmits (provides) the drainage inlet setting web page to the user terminal UT. In this case, since the paddy field 300 is not a "paddy field dam," the drainage inlet setting web page is transmitted. Note that the drainage inlet setting web page describes the "drainage inlet position (30 cm in this example)" registered in the field 210dc of the read record. In other words, the current "drainage inlet position" of the drainage device W is presented on the drainage inlet setting web page.

[0105] When the status is "paddy dam", the server 100 generates a Web page indicating that the paddy field 300 is being used as a paddy dam and transmits (provides) the generated Web page to the user terminal UT. In other words, the setting is made such that the user (farmer) cannot control the drainage device W while the paddy field 300 is being used as a "paddy dam".

[0106] Next, the user terminal UT receives the drainage inlet setting web page transmitted from the server 100. As a result, the drainage inlet setting web page is displayed on the display of the user terminal UT. When the user operates the user terminal UT to input the "desired height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a" of the drainage device W installed in the paddy field 300 on the drainage inlet setting web page, the "desired height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a" is transmitted from the user terminal UT to the server 100. Here, it is assumed that the user operates the user terminal UT to input "5 cm" as the "desired height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a" on the drainage inlet setting web page to drain water from the drainage device W.

[0107] When the server 100 receives input of the "desired height dimension (5 cm) of the drainage inlet 70a" from the user terminal UT, it generates a "piping position setting command" specifying the received "desired height dimension (5 cm) of the drainage inlet 70a" and transmits the generated "piping position setting command" to the corresponding drainage device W via the repeater 50. In addition, the server 100 updates the “drainage inlet position” in field 210c of the record extracted from the drainage device status database 210 to the received “desired height dimension (5 cm)” and then stores (overwrites) the record in the drainage device status database 210.

[0108] Thereafter, the drainage device W receives the "piping position setting command (5 cm)" transmitted by the server 100 via the repeater 50. Specifically, the communication processing unit 22 of the communication control device 20 constituting the drainage device W receives the "piping position setting command (5 cm)". In addition, the control processing unit 21 receives the "piping position setting command (5 cm)" from the communication processing unit 22. Then, upon receiving the "piping position setting command (5 cm)", the control processing unit 21 reads out the height dimension (30 cm) stored in the memory unit 23, and calculates the difference (-25 cm (lowered by 25 cm)) between the read height dimension (30 cm) and the height dimension (5 cm) specified in the pipe position setting command.

[0109] Then, the control processing unit 21 transmits a lowering command signal to the pipe lifting mechanism 50 to lower the free end side of the L-shaped pipe 70 held by the pipe holding part 60 fixed to the lower end of the lifting shaft 52d of the pipe lifting mechanism 50 by a length of 25 cm. The pipe lifting mechanism 50 operates in response to the lowering command signal, lowers the free end side of the L-shaped pipe 70 held by the pipe holding part 60 by "25 cm" from the current position, stops it, and maintains that state. Note that while the free end side of the L-shaped pipe 70 is lowering, one end of the L-shaped pipe 70 connected to the drain pipe 330 rotates along the circumferential direction of the drain pipe 330. As a result, the drainage inlet 70a of the L-shaped pipe 70 provided in the drainage device W is maintained at a height of 5 cm above the cultivated soil surface of the paddy field 300 (for example, as shown in Figure 3), and water is allowed to drain from the paddy field 300. Moreover, the control processing unit 21 rewrites (overwrites) the height dimension stored in the storage unit 23 from "30 cm" to "5 cm".

[0110] Thus, in the paddy field drainage system of this embodiment, when a user (farmer) operates the user terminal UT to input the "desired height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a" into a Web page provided by the server 100, the server 100 controls the drainage device W to set the position of the free end (the drainage inlet 70a) of the L-shaped pipe 70 held by the drainage device W to the "desired height position" input by the user. Therefore, the user can adjust the water level of the paddy field 300 without having to go to the paddy field 300.

[0111] In addition, in this embodiment, the drainage device W is capable of adjusting the height position of the free end (the drainage inlet 70a) of the L-shaped pipe 70 to any position. Therefore, water stored in the paddy field 300 at a desired water level can be drained. For example, during the daytime in summer, water near the water surface where the water temperature is high can be drained. Therefore, according to the drainage device W of this embodiment, the temperature of the water stored in the paddy field 300 can be adjusted by setting the height position of the drainage inlet 70a.

[0112] <> Next, an example of a case where the manager terminal GT controls the drainage device W via the server 100 to use a paddy field as a rice paddy dam will be described. Here, it is assumed that the drainage devices W installed in multiple rice paddies 300 managed by an administrative official are all holding the L-shaped pipes 70 at a height that allows drainage (the status of the rice paddies 300 is also normal).

[0113] When an administrative official wishes to use a paddy field 300, which he or she has the authority to operate as a paddy field dam, as a paddy field dam in a situation where heavy rain or a typhoon is predicted, the administrative official first launches a dedicated application on the administrator terminal GT and sends an access request to the server 100.

[0114] When the server 100 receives the access request, it presents an initial screen (login screen) to the administrator terminal GT, provides a Web page, and receives input of an "administrator ID" from the administrator terminal GT. When the server 100 receives an input of an "administrative officer ID" from the administrator terminal GT, it refers to the drainage device administrative information database 230 and reads out the "drainage device ID" associated with the received "administrative officer ID." The server 100 also refers to the drainage device information status database 21 and extracts records in which the read-out "drainage device ID" is registered. Here, the server 100 reads out multiple "drainage device IDs" and extracts multiple records in which the "drainage device IDs" are registered. Next, the server 100 provides the administrator terminal GT with a rice paddy dam setting web page (web page for administrative officials) that accepts the setting of a "drainage stop request or drainage stop cancellation request" for the drainage device W installed in the rice paddy 300 managed by the administrative official.

[0115] Next, the administrator terminal GT receives the rice field dam setting Web page transmitted from the server 100, and displays the rice field dam setting Web page on the display of the administrator terminal GT. The administrative staff operates the administrator terminal GT to input a "drainage stop request" on the rice field dam setting Web page. As a result, the "drainage stop request" is transmitted from the administrator terminal GT to the server 100.

[0116] When the server 100 receives an input of a "drainage stop request" from the administrator terminal GT, it generates a "piping position setting command" that specifies the "height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a (a pre-set dimension (e.g., 30 cm))" at which drainage from the rice field 300 will be stopped. In addition, the server 100 transmits, via the repeater 50, to the drainage device W (or multiple drainage devices W) identified by the drainage device ID registered in the extracted record, a "piping position setting command" that specifies the "height dimension (preset dimension (e.g., 30 cm)) of the drainage inlet 70a" at which drainage will be stopped. In actual operation, a "pipe position setting command" specifying the "height dimension (predetermined dimension (e.g., 30 cm)) of the drainage inlet 70a" at which drainage will be stopped is sent simultaneously to multiple drainage devices W in a specified area managed by an administrative official. Furthermore, for each record extracted from the drainage system status database 210, the server 100 updates the "drainage inlet position" in field 210c to a preset dimension (e.g., 30 cm) and updates the "status" in field 210d to "rice field dam", and then stores (overwrites) the record in the drainage system status database 210.

[0117] Next, the drainage device W receives the “piping position setting command (30 cm)” transmitted by the server 100 via the repeater 50. Here, for the sake of simplicity, the operation of one of the plurality of drainage devices W will be described. It is assumed that the height position of the drainage inlet 70a at one end of the L-shaped pipe 70 of one drainage device W is set to "10 cm" and the paddy field 300 is in a "normal state" where it is not being used as a "paddy field dam." In other words, it is assumed that the paddy field 300 is in a state where rice is normally cultivated and water is drained from the drainage device W. Also, because of this state, the memory unit 23 of the communication control device 20 that constitutes the drainage device W installed in the paddy field 300 stores "10 cm" as the height position of the drainage inlet 70a at one end of the L-shaped pipe 70.

[0118] Specifically, the communication processing unit 22 of the communication control device 20 constituting the drainage device W receives a "piping position setting command" that specifies the "height dimension of the drainage inlet (a preset dimension (e.g., 30 cm)) at which drainage will be stopped." In addition, the control processing unit 21 receives a "piping position setting command (30 cm)" from the communication processing unit 22. Then, upon receiving the "piping position setting command (30 cm)," the control processing unit 21 reads out the height dimension (10 cm) stored in the memory unit 23, and calculates the difference (+20 cm (raise by 20 cm)) between the read height dimension (10 cm) and the height dimension (30 cm) specified in the pipe position setting command. Then, the control processing unit 21 transmits to the pipe lifting mechanism 50 a lift command signal to lift the free end (drain inlet 70a) of the L-shaped pipe 70 held by the pipe holder 60 fixed to the lower end of the lift shaft 52d of the pipe lifting mechanism 50 by 20 cm. When the pipe lifting mechanism 50 receives the lift command signal, it lifts the free end (drain inlet 70a) of the L-shaped pipe 70 held by the pipe holder 60 by 20 cm from the current position in accordance with the lift command signal, stops it, and maintains that state. Note that while the free end side of the L-shaped pipe 70 is lifting, one end of the L-shaped pipe 70 connected to the drain pipe 330 rotates along the circumferential direction of the drain pipe 330. As a result, the drainage inlet 70a of the L-shaped pipe 70 provided in the drainage device W is maintained at a height of 30 cm above the cultivated soil surface of the paddy field 300 (for example, as shown in Figure 2), and drainage from the drainage device W stops. Furthermore, the control processing unit 21 rewrites (overwrites) the height dimension stored in the storage unit 23 from "10 cm" to "30 cm".

[0119] Furthermore, when the heavy rain or typhoon subsides and the functions of the rice paddy dam that have been set as described above are to be deactivated, the administrative officer starts up a dedicated application on the administrator terminal GT and transmits an access request to the server 100 . When the server 100 receives the access request, it presents an initial screen (login screen) to the administrator terminal GT, provides a Web page, and receives input of an "administrator ID" from the administrator terminal GT. When the server 100 receives an input of an "administrative officer ID" from the administrator terminal GT, the server 100 refers to the drainage device administrative information database 230 and reads out the "drainage device ID" associated with the "administrative officer ID" included in the received access request. The server 100 also refers to the drainage device information status database 21 and extracts the record in which the read-out "drainage device ID" is registered. Moreover, the server 100 provides a rice field dam setting Web page to the manager terminal GT.

[0120] The administrative staff also operates the administrator terminal GT to input a "drainage stop release request" on the rice paddy dam setting Web page. This causes the "drainage stop release request" to be transmitted from the administrator terminal GT to the server 100.

[0121] When the server 100 receives an input of a "request to cancel drainage stop" from the administrator terminal GT, it generates a "piping position setting command" that specifies the "height dimension of the drainage inlet (a pre-set dimension (e.g., 5 cm))" at which the drainage stop from the rice field 300 will be cancelled. In addition, the server 100 transmits, via the repeater 50, to the drainage device W (or multiple drainage devices W) identified by the drainage device ID registered in the extracted record, a "piping position setting command" that specifies the "height dimension of the drainage inlet (a pre-set dimension (e.g., 5 cm))" at which the drainage stop will be lifted. In actual operation, a "pipe position setting command" specifying the "drainage inlet height dimension (pre-set dimension (e.g., 5 cm))" at which the drainage stop will be lifted is sent simultaneously to multiple drainage devices W in a specified area managed by an administrative official. Furthermore, for each record extracted from the drainage device status database 210, the server 100 updates the "drainage inlet position" in field 210c to a preset dimension (e.g., 5 cm) and updates the "status" in field 210d to "normal", and then stores (overwrites) the record in the drainage device status database 210.

[0122] Next, the drainage device W receives the “piping position setting command (5 cm)” transmitted by the server 100 via the repeater 50. Here, for the sake of simplicity, the operation of one of the plurality of drainage devices W will be described. In addition, in one drainage device W, the height position of the drainage inlet 70a at the free end of the L-shaped pipe 70 is set to "30 cm." In addition, in the memory unit 23 of the communication control device 20 constituting the drainage device W, "30 cm" is stored as the height position of the drainage inlet 70a at one end of the L-shaped pipe 70.

[0123] Specifically, the communication processing unit 22 of the communication control device 20 constituting the drainage device W receives a "piping position setting command" that specifies the "height dimension (preset dimension (e.g., 5 cm)) of the drainage inlet 70a at which the drainage stop will be released." In addition, the control processing unit 21 receives a "piping position setting command (5 cm)" from the communication processing unit 22. Then, upon receiving the "piping position setting command (5 cm)," the control processing unit 21 reads out the height dimension (30 cm) stored in the memory unit 23, and calculates the difference (-25 cm (lowered by 25 cm)) between the read height dimension (30 cm) and the height dimension (5 cm) specified in the pipe position setting command. Then, the control processing unit 21 sends a lowering command signal to the piping lifting mechanism 50 to lower one end side of the L-shaped pipe 70 held by the pipe holding part 60 fixed to the lower end of the lifting shaft 52d of the piping lifting mechanism 50 by a dimension of 25 cm. When the piping lifting mechanism 50 receives the lowering command signal, it lowers one end of the L-shaped piping 70 held by the piping holder 60 by "25 cm" from its current position in accordance with the lowering command signal, stops it, and maintains that state. That is, the drainage inlet 70a of the L-shaped piping 70 provided in the drainage device W is held at a height of "5 cm" above the cultivated soil surface of the paddy field 300 (for example, as shown in FIG. 3), the drainage stop from the drainage device W is released, and the paddy field is drained. Moreover, the control processing unit 21 rewrites (overwrites) the height dimension stored in the storage unit 23 from "30 cm" to "5 cm".

[0124] In this embodiment, when heavy rain or a typhoon occurs, an administrative official operates the administrator terminal GT and inputs a "drainage stop request" for the drainage device W installed in the paddy field 300 on the website provided by the server device 100, and the position of the free end (drainage inlet 70a) of the L-shaped pipe 70 held by the drainage device W is set so as not to drain the water stored in the paddy field 300 (see FIG. 2). Therefore, when heavy rain or a typhoon occurs, an administrative official can stop drainage from multiple paddies 300 all at once by operating the administrator terminal GT without having to visit multiple paddies 300 in turn, and can make the multiple paddies 300 in the area under his / her charge function as a "paddy field dam," reducing the possibility of flood damage. In addition, once the heavy rain or typhoon has subsided, an administrative official can simply operate the administrator terminal GT to set the free end (drainage inlet 70a) of the L-shaped pipe 70 held by the drainage device W to a position where the water stored in the rice paddy can be drained, thereby easily disabling the function as a "rice paddy dam" made up of multiple rice paddies 300 and returning the paddy field 300 to a normal paddy field that drains water.

[0125] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even when the paddy field 300 is made to function as a "paddy field dam," the position of the drainage inlet 70a of the L-shaped pipe 70 held by the drainage device W can be set to a position that assumes a height at which the ridge 320 of the paddy field 300 will not collapse, thereby reducing the possibility of the ridge 320 collapsing (the water in the paddy field 300 can be drained by the drainage device W before the ridge 320 reaches a height at which it will collapse).

[0126] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a paddy field drainage system that can control the condition of the paddy field 300 without imposing a workload on the manager of the paddy field 300 (agricultural worker, administrative officer).

[0127] Furthermore, in the paddy field drainage system of this embodiment, during normal times when there is no heavy rain, typhoons, or the like, a farmer can adjust the condition (water level and water temperature) of the water stored in the paddy field 300 by simply accessing the server 100 from the user terminal UT and operating on a web page to set the height of the drainage inlet 70a of the drainage device W installed in the paddy field 300, without having to go to the paddy field 300. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when heavy rain or a typhoon occurs, the administrative personnel can use the paddy field drainage system that is normally used by agricultural workers to, for example, simultaneously stop drainage of multiple paddy fields 300 in a wide area. In other words, multiple paddy fields 300 in a wide area can be made to function as a "paddy field dam" without the administrative personnel having to take time and effort.

[0128] <<Modification of using the present invention in rice terraces>> In the above-described embodiment, one end of the L-shaped piping of the drainage device W is connected to a water distribution pipe 330 for draining water from the paddy field 300 into a drainage channel DC, and the drainage of water from the paddy field 300 is controlled via the drainage pipe 330, but the use is not limited to this. For example, in a group of stepped paddy fields such as rice terraces, where adjacent paddy fields 300 are at different heights, adjacent paddy fields 300 at different heights are connected by drainage pipes 330, and water is allowed to flow from the paddy field 300 at a higher position to the paddy field 300 at a lower position via the drainage pipes 330. Then, a drainage device W of the present invention is installed on the cultivated soil surface of the paddy field 300 at a higher position to control the flow or stop of the water flowing through the drainage pipes 330.

[0129] Specifically, the drainage device W of the modified example includes a main body 10 having a limb to be installed on the cultivated soil surface of the paddy field 300 located at a higher position among the adjacent paddy fields 300, a communication control device 20 housed in the main body 10, an L-shaped pipe 70 having one end rotatably connected to a drainage pipe 330 on the paddy field 300 located at a higher position among the adjacent paddy fields 300, and a pipe lifting mechanism 50 attached to the main body 10 and holding the other end side of the L-shaped pipe 70 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The other end of the L-shaped pipe 70 is a free end, and the free end is an open drainage inlet 70a. The communication control device 30 receives a pipe position setting command transmitted from the server 100, in which the height position of the drainage inlet is specified, and controls the operation of the pipe lifting mechanism in response to the received pipe position setting command.

[0130] According to the configuration of this modified example, in a group of stepped rice paddies such as terraced rice paddies, during typhoons, heavy rains, etc., the operation of the drainage device W is controlled via the server 100, and the drainage device W installed on the cultivated soil surface of the rice paddy 300 at a higher position can stop the flow of water from the rice paddy 300 at a higher position to the rice paddy 300 at a lower position, thereby preventing flooding of the rice paddy 300 at a lower position where water tends to accumulate during typhoons, heavy rains, etc. In addition, the rice paddies 300 at a higher position where water does not easily accumulate can be used as "rice paddy dams." In addition, in this modified example as well, as in the above-described embodiment, it is possible to provide a paddy field drainage system that can control the condition of the paddy field 300 without imposing a workload on the manager of the paddy field 300 (agricultural worker, administrative officer).

[0131] The paddy field drainage system of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist thereof. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the communication control device 20 provided in the drainage device W is configured to communicate with the server 100 via the repeater 50 and the network NW such as the Internet, but this is not particularly limited. The communication control device 20 provided in the drainage device W may be configured to communicate with the server 100 directly via the network NW such as the Internet without going through the repeater 50.

[0132] In the above embodiment, only the administrative staff can operate the paddy field 300 as a "paddy field dam", but this is only one example. The paddy field 300 may be operated as a "paddy field dam" from the user terminal UT of an agricultural worker.

[0133] In the above embodiment, the administrative officer sets a drainage stop request or drainage stop release request for the drainage device W in the server 100, and the server 100 generates a pipe position setting command specifying the height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a of the L-shaped pipe 70 in response to the "drainage stop request or drainage stop release request," and transmits the generated pipe position setting command to the drainage device W to control the operation of the drainage device W, but this is not particularly limited. The server 100 may be configured to provide a Web page with the same content as that provided to the user terminal UT of the farmer to the administrative officer's management terminal, and to receive the desired height of the drainage inlet 70a of the L-shaped pipe 70 from the administrative officer.

[0134] In the above embodiment, the case has been described where the water level stored in the paddy field 300 is less than 30 cm and the height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a of the L-shaped pipe 70 is set to 30 cm, so that the water from the paddy field 300 does not flow into the pipe of the L-shaped pipe 70 and drainage can be stopped, but this is not particularly limited. The height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a of the L-shaped pipe 70 for the drainage device W to stop drainage can be set as appropriate.

[0135] Also, the "height dimension of the drain inlet 70a of the L-shaped pipe 70 for the drain device W to stop draining" may be set for each drain device W. In this case, for example, a field in which the "height dimension of the drain inlet 70a of the L-shaped pipe 70 for the drain device W to stop draining" is registered is added to the record of the drain device status database 210 of the server 100. Then, when the server 100 receives an input of a "drainage stop request" from the administrator terminal GT, it refers to the drainage device status database 210 and generates a "piping position setting command" for each drainage device W, which specifies the "height dimension of the drainage inlet 70a" at which drainage from the rice field 300 will be stopped.

[0136] Furthermore, by attaching a straight pipe such as a PVC pipe to the other end where the drainage inlet 70a of the L-shaped piping 70 of the drainage device W is formed, it is possible to position the drainage inlet 70a at a higher position compared to the above-described embodiment.

[0137] 300…Rice fields 320...ridge 330…Drain pipe DC…Drainage channel NW…Network S...Water level sensor 50…Repeater W…Drainage device 10...Main body 1...Limb (main body) 1a…Vertical leg 1b…Horizontal bar section 1c…Vertical bar section 2...Housing unit (main body) P...Pile 20...Communication control device 21...Control processing unit 22...Communication processing unit 23...Storage section AT…Antenna 30...Power supply section 50...Pipe lifting mechanism 51...Motor (rotation mechanism) 51a...Rotating shaft 52...Reciprocating mechanism 52a...coupling member 52b...Rotating shaft 52c…Nut 52d…Lift shaft 60…Piping holding part 60a…Handle section 60b…Band section 70…L-shaped piping 70a…Drainage inlet 70b…Drain pipe connection 100...Server device 110...Drainage device control section 120…Water level information acquisition unit 130...Storage section 210…Drainage system status database 220...Drainage equipment user information database 230…Drainage system administrative information database 240...Water level sensor database GT: Administrator terminal UT: User terminal

Claims

1. A paddy field drainage system comprising a drainage device connected to a drainage pipe that drains water from a paddy field into a drainage channel and controls the flow and stop of water flowing through the drainage pipe, The drainage device is A main body having a limb to be installed on the cultivated soil surface of the paddy field; A communication control device accommodated in the main body; An L-shaped pipe having one end rotatably connected to the drain pipe; a piping lifting mechanism that is attached to the main body and holds the other end side of the L-shaped piping so as to be movable in the up and down direction, The other end of the L-shaped pipe is a free end, and the free end is an open drainage inlet, the communication control device receives a piping position setting command, which is transmitted from an external server device and specifies a height position of the drainage inlet, and controls an operation of the piping lifting mechanism in response to the piping position setting command; A paddy field drainage system characterized in that, when the piping lifting mechanism operates under the control of the communication control device, one end of the L-shaped pipe connected to the drainage pipe rotates circumferentially around the drainage pipe, while the other end of the L-shaped pipe moves up and down, thereby positioning the drainage inlet of the L-shaped pipe at the height position specified by the pipe position setting command.

2. The piping lifting mechanism includes: By raising the other end of the L-shaped pipe and positioning the drainage inlet of the L-shaped pipe at a position higher than the water level of the water stored in the paddy field, the water from the paddy field is prevented from flowing into the L-shaped pipe, thereby stopping the water flowing into the drainage pipe, The paddy field drainage system described in claim 1, characterized in that the other end of the L-shaped piping is lowered so that at least a portion of the drainage inlet of the L-shaped piping is positioned below the water level of the paddy field, allowing the water from the paddy field to flow into the L-shaped piping and drain the water from the paddy field through the drainage pipe.

3. The paddy field drainage system described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the piping lifting mechanism comprises a rotation mechanism that rotates under the control of the communication control device, a reciprocating movement mechanism that converts the rotational movement of the rotation mechanism into linear movement to move back and forth in the vertical direction, and a piping holding part attached to the lower end of the reciprocating movement mechanism and holding the other end side of the L-shaped piping.

4. The server device includes: providing a web page for farmers to receive a desired height of a drainage inlet of an L-shaped pipe held by the drainage device on a user terminal held by the farmer who manages the paddy field; The paddy field drainage system of any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the desired height of the drainage inlet of the L-shaped pipe held by the drainage device is accepted from the user terminal on the agricultural worker web page, a pipe position setting command specifying the accepted desired height of the drainage inlet is generated, and the generated pipe position setting command is sent to the corresponding drainage device.

5. The server device includes: providing an administrative official's web page for receiving a request to stop drainage or a request to cancel the stop of drainage for the drainage device to an administrator terminal of an administrative official who has the authority to make the paddy field in which the drainage device is installed function as a rice paddy dam; When a drainage stop request is received from the administrator terminal on the administrative personnel web page, a piping position setting command is generated that specifies the height dimension of a drainage inlet at which drainage from the paddy field is to be stopped, and the generated piping position setting command is transmitted to the corresponding drainage device; A paddy field drainage system as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when an input of a drainage suspension lift request is received from the administrator terminal on the administrative officer web page, a piping position setting command is generated specifying the height dimension of a drainage inlet through which water can be drained from the paddy field, and the generated piping position setting command is sent to the corresponding drainage device.

6. The server device includes: a drainage device administrative information database that stores a drainage device ID that identifies the drainage device in association with an administrative officer ID that identifies an administrative officer who has the authority to make the paddy field in which the drainage device specified by the drainage device ID is installed function as a rice paddy dam; a drainage device control unit that provides an administrative official web page for receiving a drainage stop request or a drainage stop release request for the drainage device to an administrator terminal of the administrative official, receives either a drainage stop request or a drainage stop release request on the administrative official web page, and generates a piping position setting command that specifies a height dimension of a drainage inlet in accordance with the received request, The paddy field drainage system described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the drainage device control unit is configured to accept an input request for the administrative officer ID from the administrator terminal on the administrative officer web page, read out a drainage device ID corresponding to the received administrative officer ID from the drainage device administrative information database, and send the generated piping position setting command to the drainage device identified by the read-out drainage device ID.

7. A paddy field drainage system in which adjacent paddy fields of different heights are connected by drainage pipes and equipped with a drainage device that controls the flow and stoppage of water flowing through the drainage pipes, In the adjacent paddy fields of the group of paddy fields, water flows from a paddy field located at a higher position to a paddy field located at a lower position through the drainage pipe, The drainage device is A main body having a limb to be installed on the cultivated soil surface of a paddy field located at a higher position among adjacent paddy fields; An L-shaped pipe having one end rotatably connected to a drainage pipe on a paddy field side located at a higher position between adjacent paddy fields; A communication control device accommodated in the main body; a piping lifting mechanism that is attached to the main body and holds the other end side of the L-shaped piping so as to be movable in the up and down direction, The other end of the L-shaped pipe is a free end, and the free end is an open drainage inlet, the communication control device receives a piping position setting command, which is transmitted from an external server device and specifies a height position of the drainage inlet, and controls an operation of the piping lifting mechanism in response to the piping position setting command; A paddy field drainage system characterized in that, when the piping lifting mechanism operates under the control of the communication control device, one end of the L-shaped pipe connected to the drainage pipe rotates circumferentially around the drainage pipe, while the other end of the L-shaped pipe moves up and down, thereby positioning the drainage inlet of the L-shaped pipe at the height position specified by the pipe position setting command.

8. A drainage device that is connected to a drainage pipe that drains water from a rice paddy into a drainage channel and controls the flow and stop of water flowing through the drainage pipe, The drainage device is A main body having a limb to be installed on the cultivated soil surface of the paddy field; A communication control device accommodated in the main body; An L-shaped pipe having one end rotatably connected to the drain pipe; a piping lifting mechanism that is attached to the main body and holds the other end side of the L-shaped piping so as to be movable in the up and down direction, The other end of the L-shaped pipe is a free end, and the free end is an open drainage inlet, The communication control device is configured to control an operation of the piping lifting mechanism, A drainage device characterized in that when the piping lifting mechanism operates under the control of the communication control device, one end of the L-shaped piping connected to the drain pipe rotates along the circumferential direction of the drain pipe, while the other end of the L-shaped piping moves in an up and down direction, allowing the height position of the drainage inlet of the L-shaped piping to be changed.

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