Seeding device

Abstract

To improve versatility by facilitating installation and accommodating to various cell trays.SOLUTION: A seeding device includes a body 10 being moved, with an upper side of a cell tray T installed on an installation surface G with an opening 2 facing upward, in a direction along a vertical side edge 4 of the cell tray T, a seed supply part 20 provided on the body 10 and capable of simultaneously supplying seeds to each cell 1 aligned in a row in a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the body 10, and a traveling mechanism 100 provided on the body 10 and traveling on the installation surface G so as to move the body 10. In the moving process of the body 10 by the traveling mechanism 100, the seed supply part 20 supplies seeds W in order from each cell of an upper cell row in the moving direction of the body 10 toward each cell in a lower cell row.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a seeding device for putting seeds of plants such as vegetables and flowers into a cell tray for seedling raising, and particularly to a seeding device capable of seeding with the cell tray placed on an installation surface such as the ground inside and outside a house.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as this type of seeding device, for example, the seeding device described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 60-77312 (Patent Document 1) is known. As shown in FIG. 16(a), this seeding device Ha seeds seeds of plants such as vegetables and flowers into cells 201 of a cell tray 200. The cell tray 200 has an upwardly open opening 202, and pot-shaped cells 201 into which seeds can be put are provided at predetermined intervals in a matrix, and has a pair of horizontal side edges 203 parallel to each other and a pair of vertical side edges 204 parallel to each other and orthogonal to the horizontal side edges 203.

[0003] This seeding device Ha includes a main body 210 that is moved in a direction along the vertical side edge 204 of the cell tray 200 with the opening 202 facing upward on the cell tray 200 installed on the installation surface G, a seed input unit 211 provided on the main body 210 and capable of simultaneously inputting seeds into each cell 201 arranged in a row in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the main body 210, and a plurality of wheels 212 provided on the main body 210 and rolling on both vertical side edges 204 of the cell tray 200 along the moving direction of the main body 210 to move the main body 210. Then, while rolling the wheels 212 on the vertical side edge 204 of the cell tray 200 to move the main body 210, seeds are sequentially input into each cell 201 from the upper row to the lower row in the moving direction of the main body 210. According to this seeding device Ha, there is an advantage that seeding can be performed with the cell tray 200 placed on an installation surface such as the ground inside and outside a house.

[0004] Conventionally, for example, a seeding device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-272906 (Patent Document 2) is also known. As shown in FIG. 16(b), this seeding device Hb includes a main body 220 similar to the above and a seed input section 221 similar to the above provided on the main body 220. Further, it includes a plurality of sprockets 222 for moving the main body 220 and a pair of rails 223 with which the sprockets 222 engage and can roll. Then, the pair of rails 223 are placed on both vertical side edges 204 of the cell tray, and the sprockets 222 are rolled on the rails 223 to move the main body 220, and seeds are sequentially put into each cell 201 from the upper row to the lower row in the moving direction of the main body 220. Also, this seeding device Hb has the advantage that seeding can be performed with the cell tray 200 placed on an installation surface G such as the ground inside and outside the house.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] By the way, in the above-described conventional former seeding device Ha, although there is an advantage that seeding can be performed with the cell tray 200 placed on an installation surface G such as the ground inside and outside the house, since the main body 210 is placed on the cell tray 200, it can only be used with a cell tray 200 having high strength, so there is a problem of inferior versatility. That is, in the above-described former conventional seeding device Ha, since the wheels 212 are rolled on the vertical side edge 204 of the cell tray 200 to run the main body 210, if the side edge of the cell tray 200 is formed thinly of plastic, it cannot be dealt with because the strength is weak and it will be crushed. Also, since there are wheels 212 along the vertical side edge 204, there is also a problem that this gets in the way and it becomes difficult to put seeds into the cell 201(A) along the vertical side edge 204.

[0007] On the other hand, even in the conventional seeding device Hb of the latter type, since the rail 223 is placed on both vertical side edges 204 of the cell tray 200, similar to the former seeding device Ha, if the side edges of the cell tray 200 are made of plastic and are thin, they are weak in strength and will be crushed, so there is a problem that it cannot be dealt with. Further, since the rail 223 is placed along the vertical side edge 204, this gets in the way and there is also a problem that it becomes difficult to put seeds into the cells 201(A) along the vertical side edge 204. Furthermore, since the rail 223 is provided, there is a problem that the device becomes more complicated and the installation becomes troublesome.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a seeding device that facilitates installation and can cope with various cell trays to improve versatility.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The seeding device of the present invention for achieving such an object is a seeding device for seeding seeds into cells of a cell tray having a pot-shaped cell with an upwardly open opening into which seeds can be put, provided in a matrix at a predetermined interval and having a pair of horizontal side edges parallel to each other and a pair of vertical side edges parallel to each other and orthogonal to the horizontal side edges, a main body that is moved in a direction along either the horizontal side edge or the vertical side edge of the cell tray installed on the installation surface with the opening facing upward, a seed input section provided on the main body and capable of simultaneously inputting seeds into each cell arranged in a row in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the main body, and a traveling mechanism provided on the main body and traveling on the installation surface to move the main body, and in the process of moving the main body by the traveling mechanism, the seed input section is configured to sequentially input seeds from each cell in the upper cell row in the moving direction of the main body to each cell in the lower cell row.

[0010] Here, as the traveling mechanism, for example, a wheel-type mechanism equipped with wheels that roll on the installation surface, a crawler-type mechanism having a belt that contacts the installation surface, a leg-type mechanism equipped with legs that walk on the installation surface, or a combination of these can be cited.

[0011] As a result, the main body is moved by a traveling mechanism that travels on the installation surface. During the movement process of this main body, seeds are sequentially input from each cell of the cell row above the moving direction of the main body to each cell of the cell row below by the seed input unit. In this case, since the traveling mechanism travels on the installation surface, there is no need to use rails as in the prior art, and thus the installation becomes easier. Also, since it does not travel on the cell tray as in the prior art, a situation where the cell tray is crushed does not occur. Therefore, it can also cope with a relatively weak plastic cell tray, and the versatility can be greatly improved. Furthermore, since wheels do not roll on the side edges of the cell tray or rails are not placed thereon as in the prior art, there is nothing obstructive on the side edge side of the cell tray. Therefore, seeds can be surely input into the cells on the side edge side of the cell tray. In this way, sowing can be performed with the cell tray placed on an installation surface such as the ground inside and outside the house.

[0012] And, if necessary, the above traveling mechanism is provided on both sides of the moving direction of the main body, and a pair of guide plates that face the both side edges of the cell tray and relatively guide the cell tray when the main body travels are provided on the main body. As a result, when the main body moves, even if the positional relationship with the cell tray is somewhat deviated, since the guide plates contact and guide the side edges of the cell tray, the main body can be surely moved in the direction along the side edges of the cell tray. Therefore, seeds can be surely input into the cells of the tray.

[0013] In this case, it is effective to provide a gap adjusting means for adjusting the gap between the pair of guide plates. There are various cell trays with different sizes and widths, but since the gap adjusting means can adjust the gap between the guide plates according to the width of the cell tray, the main body can be surely moved in the direction along the side edge of the cell tray. Also, since it can correspond to cell trays of various sizes, the versatility can be improved in this respect as well.

[0014] Also, in this case, it is effective to bend and form the tip portions of the main body in the moving direction of the pair of guide plates in a direction of expanding away from each other. When the main body is moved toward the cell tray, when the end portion of the cell tray abuts against the tip portion of the guide plate, the cell tray is relatively guided between the guide plates of the main body, and thus, the main body can be surely moved in the direction along the side edge of the cell tray also by this.

[0015] Further, if necessary, the seed input portion is provided with an input driving portion for inputting seeds into the rows of the cell tray, is provided with a traveling driving portion for driving the traveling mechanism, controls the traveling driving portion, and has a control portion having a traveling driving control means for temporarily stopping the movement of the main body when the seed input portion inputs seeds into the rows of the cell tray. Thereby, since the traveling driving control means of the control portion temporarily stops the movement of the main body, when seeds are input into each cell of the cell rows of the cell tray, the seeds from the input driving portion can be surely input into the cell.

[0016] Furthermore, if necessary, a sensor for detecting the rows of cells in the direction orthogonal to the side edge of the cell tray is provided, and the traveling driving control means is configured to temporarily stop the driving of the traveling mechanism when the sensor detects the rows of cells. Since the sensor detects the cells and stops the traveling body, the stop position of the traveling body can be made accurate, and also in this respect, when seeds are input into each cell of the cell rows of the cell tray, the seeds from the input driving portion can be surely input into the cell.

[0017] Furthermore, if necessary, the control unit controls the input driving unit and includes an input driving control means having a function of operating the input driving unit while the traveling driving control means temporarily stops the movement of the main body. Since the input driving control means of the control unit operates the input driving unit while the main body is temporarily stopped, when seeds are input into each cell of the cell row of the cell tray, the seed input timing does not shift. Therefore, also in this regard, seeds from the input driving unit can be surely input into the cells.

[0018] Furthermore, if necessary, the seed input unit includes a base having a planar placement surface on which a plurality of seeds are supplied and placed, a supply unit that supplies a plurality of seeds to the placement surface of the base, and a slide body that can slide back and forth along a predetermined direction on the placement surface of the base and receives the seeds to be input into the cells from the seeds on the placement surface supplied by the supply unit when advancing, and aligns them in a row at predetermined intervals, and a discharge unit that is provided on the base and drops and discharges the seeds aligned in a row toward the cells during the advancing process of the slide body. is provided, and the seed input unit includes an input drive unit for inputting seeds into the columns of the cell tray, and the The input driving unit is configured to drive the slide body to move back and forth.

[0019] As a result, when the slide body is retracted and advanced, the seeds to be input from the seeds supplied on the placement surface of the base are received by the slide body, aligned in a row at predetermined intervals, and pushed and conveyed to the downstream side. Then, when reaching the discharge unit, the seeds aligned in a row fall and are discharged. In this case, since it is only necessary to move the slide body back and forth, the driving can be simplified. Also, since the seeds are received and aligned in a row when the slide body advances, seeds with somewhat different particle sizes can also be received and moved, and therefore, the versatility can be improved. Of course, it can also be applied to seeds with uniform particle sizes.

[0020] Further, if necessary, the discharge part is provided with a discharge plate having a plurality of drop holes arranged in a row at a pitch corresponding to the column direction pitch of the cells of the cell tray provided on the base and through which seeds can fall. A discharge plate holding part for detachably holding the discharge plate is provided on the base, and the discharge plate holding part is configured to be able to selectively hold a plurality of types of discharge plates having different pitches of the drop holes. Thus, there are various cell trays with different cell pitches. In advance, various discharge plates with different drop hole pitches are prepared according to various cell trays with different cell pitches. Then, a discharge plate suitable for the target cell tray is selected and held by the discharge plate holding part. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with various cell trays with different cell pitches, and the versatility can be improved in this regard as well.

[0021] Furthermore, if necessary, a plurality of receiving recesses are provided on the slide body at a pitch corresponding to the column direction pitch of the cells of the cell tray in a direction crossing the forward and backward movement direction of the slide body, and the receiving recesses are configured to receive and hold the seeds when the slide body advances. At the same time, a gathering means is provided to gather the excess granules that could not be received by the receiving recesses so as not to discharge them from the discharge part. A slide body holding part for detachably holding the slide body is provided, the slide body holding part and the configuration is such that a plurality of types of slide bodies having different pitches of the receiving recesses can be selectively held.

[0022] Thus, there are various cell trays with different cell pitches. In advance, various slide plates with different receiving recess pitches are prepared according to various cell trays with different cell pitches. Then, a slide plate suitable for the target cell tray is selected and attached to the slide body holding part. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with various cell trays with different cell pitches, and the versatility can be improved in this regard as well.

[0023] Furthermore, if necessary, a supply unit for supplying a plurality of seeds to the placement surface of the base is provided on the main body. The supply unit includes a container having an inlet and an outlet for accommodating the seeds, and a shutter mechanism for temporarily opening the outlet of the container to enable the supply of the seeds. Thus, seeds can be automatically supplied to the placement surface.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] According to the present invention, the main body is moved by a traveling mechanism that travels on the installation surface. During the movement of the main body, seeds are sequentially inserted from each cell of the upper cell row in the moving direction of the main body into each cell of the lower cell row by the seed insertion unit. In this case, since the traveling mechanism travels on the installation surface, there is no need to use rails as in the prior art, which simplifies the installation. Also, since it does not travel on the cell tray as in the prior art, the situation of crushing the cell tray does not occur. Therefore, it can also handle a relatively weak plastic cell tray, greatly improving versatility. Furthermore, since wheels do not roll on the side edge of the cell tray or rails are not placed as in the prior art, there is nothing obstructive on the side edge side of the cell tray. Therefore, seeds can be reliably inserted into the cells on the side edge side of the cell tray, etc.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] Hereinafter, based on the accompanying drawings, the seeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. The seeding device H according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 11 sows seeds W in a cell tray T for raising seedlings, with the cell tray T placed on an installation surface G such as the ground inside or outside a building. The cell tray T has an upwardly open opening 2, and pot-shaped cells 1 into which seeds W are placed are provided in a matrix at a predetermined interval, and has a pair of horizontal side edges 3 parallel to each other and a pair of vertical side edges 4 parallel to each other and orthogonal to the horizontal side edges 3, and is formed in a rectangular shape.

[0027] The seeding device H according to the embodiment includes a main body 10 that is moved above the cell tray T in a direction along either one of the horizontal side edges 3 and the vertical side edges 4 of the cell tray T (in the embodiment, the vertical side edge 4), a seed input unit 20 provided on the main body 10 and capable of simultaneously inputting seeds W into each cell 1 arranged in a row in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the main body 10, and a traveling mechanism 100 provided on the main body 10 and traveling on the installation surface G to move the main body 10. During the movement of the main body 10 by the traveling mechanism 100, the seed input unit 20 sequentially inputs seeds W from each cell 1 in the upper cell row in the moving direction of the main body 10 to each cell 1 in the lower cell row. The main body 10 includes a rectangular plate-shaped base 11. The base 11 has a width larger than the width in the direction of the horizontal side edge 3 of the cell tray T. Four leg columns 12 facing the side surface on the vertical side edge 4 side of the cell tray T are respectively vertically provided on the left, right, front, and back in the width direction of the base 11. The traveling mechanism 100 is provided on both sides in the moving direction of the main body 10, respectively.

[0028] The seed input section 20 includes a base 11 that forms the rectangular plate-shaped main body 10 having a planar placement surface on which a plurality of seeds W are supplied and placed, a supply section 22 that supplies a plurality of seeds W to the placement surface 21 of the base 11, a slide body 30 that can slide back and forth along a predetermined direction (front-rear direction) on the placement surface 21 of the base 11 and receives the seeds W to be put into the cell 1 from the seeds W on the placement surface 21 supplied from the supply section 22 during its forward movement and aligns them in a row at a predetermined interval, and a discharge section 60 that is provided on the base 11 and drops and discharges the seeds W aligned in a row during the forward movement process of the slide body 30. Further, the seed input section 20 is provided with an input drive section 50 for putting the seeds W into the rows of the cell tray T, and the input drive section 50 drives the slide body 30 to move back and forth.

[0029] Specifically, the supply section 22 includes a container 25 that has an inlet 23 and an outlet 24 and houses the seeds W, and a shutter mechanism 40 that temporarily opens the outlet 24 of the container 25 to enable the supply of the seeds W. The container 25 is elongated along the width direction of the base 11, and the lower surface of the container 25 is formed as a plane parallel to the placement surface 21 of the base 11. The container 25 is supported on the base 11 by support members 26 at both its side ends. Also, as shown in FIG. 11, the outlet 24 of the container 25 is formed by notching the wall portion of the container 25 to the rear side and reaches a recess 24a where the seeds W can slightly enter, and only the required amount of seeds W that have entered the recess 24a when the first shutter plate 41 and the second shutter plate 42 described later are opened is discharged.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, the slide body 30 is formed in a plate shape, and its upper surface is formed as a plane parallel to the lower surface of the container 25 of the input section. Further, on the slide body 30, a plurality of receiving recesses 31 are arranged in a row at a pitch corresponding to the column direction pitch of the cells 1 of the cell tray T in a direction crossing the forward and backward movement direction of the slide body 30, and the receiving recesses 31 receive the seeds W during the forward movement of the slide body 30 and hold them, and there is provided a gathering means 32 for gathering the excess seeds W that have not been received by the receiving recesses 31 so as not to be discharged from the discharge section 60.

[0031] Specifically, the slide body 30 includes a slide main body 33 and a plurality of protrusions 34 that project in a comb-like shape from the front edge of the slide main body 33 in the advancing direction and form a receiving recess 31 at the tip. The sorting means 32 is constituted by the tips of the protrusions 34, and sorts the excess seeds W on the tips of the protrusions 34 to the left and right of the protrusions 34 as the slide body 30 advances. Further, in the slide main body 33, a containing space 35 for containing the seeds W is formed corresponding to each protrusion 34, and the opposing portion 36 that forms this containing space 35 and faces the protrusion 34 is formed in a concave shape (V-shaped in the embodiment) that can aggregate the seeds W in the containing space 35 when the slide body 30 retracts.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, FIGS. 9, and FIGS. 11, the shutter mechanism 40 is formed in a plate shape that can slidably contact the lower surface of the container 25 on the rear side in the advancing and retreating direction of the slide body 30, and the front edge faces above the containing space 35 and is fixed to the upper surface of the slide body 30 and moves in the same manner as the slide body 30. A first shutter plate 41, and a second shutter plate 42 formed in a plate shape that can slidably contact the lower surface of the container 25 on the front side in the advancing and retreating direction of the slide body 30, and the rear edge faces above the containing space 35 and is supported on the upper surface of the slide body 30. A pair of left and right linking members 43 that link the second shutter plate 42 to the first shutter plate 41 so that the front edge of the first shutter plate 41 can move to two positions: a closed position (the retreat position P1 described later: FIGS. 9(a) and 11(F31)(F32)) where the front edge of the first shutter plate 41 joins the rear edge of the second shutter plate 42, and an open position (the shutter open position P2 described later: FIGS. 9(b) and 11(F33)) where the front edge of the first shutter plate 41 is separated from the rear edge of the second shutter plate 42. That is, on the upper surface of the slide body 30, the back surfaces of the first shutter plate 41 and the second shutter plate 42 are in contact, and the lower surface of the container 25 is in contact with the surfaces of the first shutter plate 41 and the second shutter plate 42.

[0033] In addition, the shutter mechanism 40 includes a pair of left and right springs 44 installed between the first shutter plate 41 and the second shutter plate 42 and constantly biasing the first shutter plate 41 to the closed position, and when the joint between the front edge of the first shutter plate 41 and the rear edge of the second shutter plate 42 reaches the outlet 24 of the container 25 during the backward movement of the slide body 30, a pair of left and right stoppers 45 that stop the second shutter plate 42 and allow only the first shutter plate 41 to move backward. The stopper 45 abuts against the container 25 fixed to the base 11 to stop the second shutter plate 42. Thereby, when only the first shutter plate 41 moves backward, the first shutter plate 41 is positioned at the open position P2, and the seeds W are dropped from the outlet 24 of the container 25 into the accommodation space 35. Further, the front-rear position of the stopper 45 is adjustable, and by this adjustment, by changing the stop position of the second shutter plate 42, when the first shutter plate 41 moves backward, the distance between its front edge and the rear edge of the second shutter plate 42 is adjusted, and the amount of seeds W supplied from this distance to the accommodation space 35 of the slide body 30 can be adjusted.

[0034] The input driving part 50 of the slide body 30 includes an electric motor 51 provided at the rear side of the main body 10 with a rotating shaft protruding laterally, a main pulley 52 provided on the rotating shaft, a driven pulley 53 provided at the front side and lateral side of the main body 10, a belt 54 installed between the main pulley 52 and the driven pulley 53, and a connecting member 55 with one end fixed to the belt 54 and the other end fixed to the above-mentioned first shutter plate 41. Reference numeral 56 is a rail mechanism for smoothly moving the first shutter plate 41, and 57 is a wheel that rolls on the base 11. By the forward and reverse rotation of the electric motor 51 of this input driving part 50, the slide body 30 is configured to move forward and backward in the front-rear direction via the belt 54, the connecting member 55, and the first shutter plate 41.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, FIGS. 7 to 9, the discharge unit 60 includes an elongated discharge plate 61 provided on the base 11 and arranged in a row at a pitch corresponding to the column pitch of the cells 1 of the cell tray T, and having a plurality of drop holes 62 through which the seeds W can fall. On the back side of the discharge plate 61, a guide pipe 63 is provided which has a passage communicating with the drop holes 62 and guides the falling seeds W. Further, in the discharge unit 60, the base 11 is provided with a discharge plate holding portion 64 for detachably holding the discharge plate 61. The discharge plate holding portion 64 is composed of a through hole 65 provided in the base 11 and facing the discharge plate 61 in a detachable manner, and support portions 66 provided on both sides of the through hole 65 for supporting the discharge plate 61. As shown in FIG. 8, there are several types of cell trays T having different column pitches of the cells 1. For example, there are those with 128 cells (8 horizontal × 16 vertical), those with 200 cells (10 horizontal × 20 vertical), those with 288 cells (12 horizontal × 24 vertical), etc. In the embodiment, a plurality of types of discharge plates 61 having different pitches are prepared so as to be able to cope with these. Thereby, the discharge plate holding portion 64 can selectively hold a plurality of types of discharge plates 61 having different pitches of the drop holes 62. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with various cell trays T having different pitches of the cells 1, and the versatility can be improved.

[0036] In addition, in this seeding device H, a slide body holding portion 70 for detachably holding the slide body 30 is provided. As shown in FIG. 5, a pair of through holes 72 for pins 71 having axes in a direction orthogonal to the surface direction are provided on the left and right in the width direction of the first shutter plate 41 described above. In the slide body 30, insertion holes 73 for the pins 71 corresponding to the through holes 72 are formed. By joining the surface of the slide body 30 to the lower surface of the first shutter plate 41 and inserting the pins 71 through the through holes 72 and into the insertion holes 73, the slide body 30 can be detachably attached to the first shutter plate 41. The slide body holding portion 70 is constituted by these pins 71. As described above, there are several types of cell trays T with different column direction pitches of the cells 1. As shown in FIG. 8, in the embodiment, a plurality of types of slide bodies 30 each having a plurality of receiving recesses 31 with different pitches are prepared so as to be able to cope with these. Thereby, the slide body holding portion 70 can selectively hold a plurality of types of slide bodies 30 having different pitches of the receiving recesses 31. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with various cell trays T having different pitches of the cells 1, and the versatility can be improved also in this respect.

[0037] Furthermore, a recovery hole 80 capable of recovering unnecessary seeds W is formed in the base 11 on the front side of the discharge portion 60. A tray 81 for receiving the seeds W that have fallen from the recovery hole 80 is detachably provided on the back surface side of the base 11.

[0038] The traveling mechanism 100 is composed of wheels, and includes a front wheel 102 rotatably provided on the front leg column 12 via a mounting plate 101 and a rear wheel 104 rotatably provided on the rear leg column 12 via a mounting member 103. In addition, a traveling drive portion 105 for driving the traveling mechanism 100 is provided. The traveling drive portion 105 is provided on the front leg column 12 and is composed of an electric motor 106 that rotates the front wheel 102.

[0039] In addition, in this seeding device H, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 to 6, a pair of guide plates 110 are provided on the main body 10 so as to face the both side edges of the cell tray T respectively and relatively guide the cell tray T when the main body 10 travels. The guide plates 110 are plates that are long in the front-rear direction, and are installed between the front and rear leg columns 12 on the side of the main body 10 via attachment means 111. The tip ends 112 in the moving direction of the main body 10 of the pair of guide plates 110 are bent in a direction of expanding from each other. The rear end portions 113 in the moving direction of the main body 10 are also bent in a direction of expanding from each other so that they can correspond to the tip ends 112 in the same manner even during reverse travel.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 6, the attachment means 111 includes a bolt 114, a nut 115 that is fixed to the side of the leg column 12 of the guide plate 110 by welding or the like and to which the bolt 114 is screwed, and an insertion hole 116 of the bolt 114 provided in the leg column 12 and having an axis in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction. The guide plate 110 is attached to the leg column 12 by inserting the bolt 114 into the insertion hole 116 and screwing and tightening it to the nut 115.

[0041] Furthermore, an interval adjusting means 120 for adjusting the interval between the pair of guide plates 110 is provided. As shown in FIG. 6, the interval adjusting means 120 is composed of a cylindrical collar 121 that is coaxial with the bolt 114 and the nut 115 and through which the bolt 114 and the nut 116 are inserted and is provided between the leg column 12 and the guide plate 110. 122 are spring washers provided at both ends of the collar 121. Several types of collars 121 with different lengths are prepared, and a collar 121 with a required length is selected and used so that the guide plate 110 can contact the both side edges of the cell tray T and relatively guide the cell tray T. There are various cell trays T with different sizes and widths, but since the interval between the guide plates 110 can be adjusted according to the width of the cell tray T by the interval adjusting means 120, the main body 10 can be surely moved in the direction along the side edge of the cell tray T. In addition, since it can correspond to cell trays T of various sizes, the versatility can be improved also in this respect.

[0042] In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, the seeding device H includes a control unit 130 having a traveling drive control means 131 for controlling the traveling drive unit 105 and an input drive control means 133 for controlling the input drive unit 50. Specifically, the control unit 130 controls the electric motor 51 of the input drive unit 50 and the electric motor 106 of the traveling drive unit 105 of the seed input unit 20. The traveling drive control means 131 has a function of controlling the electric motor 106 of the traveling drive unit 105 to temporarily stop the movement of the main body 10 when the seed input unit 20 inputs seeds W into the cells of the cell tray T. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a cell sensor 132 for detecting the rows of cells 1 in the direction orthogonal to the side edge of the cell tray T is provided on the guide plate 110, and the traveling drive control means 131 temporarily stops the drive of the traveling mechanism 100 when the cell sensor 132 detects the rows of cells 1.

[0043] Furthermore, the input drive control means 133 has a function of operating the electric motor 51 of the input drive unit 50 while the traveling drive control means 131 temporarily stops the movement of the main body 10. The slide body 30 is stopped at a reference position P0 (FIG. 11 (F31)) which is in the middle of the movement range with the shutter mechanism 40 closed by the input drive control means 133. As shown in FIG. 4, the main body 10 is provided with a retraction position sensor 134 for detecting a retraction position P1 (FIGS. 9(a) and 11 (F32)) where the slide body 30 retracts from the reference position P0 with the shutter mechanism 40 closed, a shutter opening position sensor 135 for detecting a shutter opening position P2 (FIGS. 9(b) and 11 (F33)) which is the position where the first shutter plate 41 of the slide body 30 and the shutter mechanism 40 retract the most from the retraction position P1 and the supply of the seeds W from the container 25 to the accommodation space 35 of the slide body 30 is completed, a seeding position sensor 136 for detecting a seeding position P3 where the slide body 30 advances after passing through the retraction position P1 and the seeds W fall from the dropping hole 62 of the discharge unit 60, and a recovery position sensor 137 for detecting a recovery position P4 where the slide body 30 further advances from the seeding position P3 and the unnecessary seeds W fall into the recovery hole 80. Also, a predetermined position sensor 138 (only its position is shown in FIG. 4) for detecting a predetermined position is provided between the retraction position sensor 134 and the seeding position sensor 136, which is used in another control described later. These retraction position sensor 134, shutter opening position sensor 135, seeding position sensor 136, recovery position sensor 137 and predetermined position sensor 138 detect the connecting member 55 of the input drive unit 50. The traveling drive control means 131 and the input drive control means 133 perform required control based on the detection signals from these sensors. Incidentally, these sensors all send out detection signals when the slide body 30 reciprocates, but the control unit 130 employs the detection signals during the forward movement and / or the detection signals during the reverse movement required for control.

[0044] Next, the operation of the seeding device H according to this embodiment will be described. The operations of the seeding device H include a supply mode (1) for supplying the seeds W from the container 25 to the accommodation space 35 of the slide body 30, a seeding mode (2) for sequentially dropping the seeds supplied to the accommodation space 35 of the slide body 30 into the cells 1 of the cell tray T for seeding, and a recovery mode (3) for dropping and recovering the unnecessary seeds remaining in the accommodation space 35 of the slide body 30 from the drop hole 62. Each mode will be described below.

[0045] (1) Supply mode Referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 130 moves the slide body 30 at the reference position P0 backward (S101). As shown in FIG. 11, during the backward movement of the slide body 30, the seeds W facing the outlet 24 of the container 25 slightly enter the recess 24a of the outlet 24 due to the movement of the first shutter plate 41 and the second shutter plate 42 (FIGS. 11(F31)(F32)). Then, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, when the joint portion between the front edge of the first shutter plate 41 and the rear edge of the second shutter plate 42 reaches the outlet 24 of the container 25, the second shutter plate 42 is stopped by the stopper 45, and only the first shutter plate 41 moves backward. As a result, as also shown in FIG. 10, the first shutter plate 41 moves to the shutter open position P2, and the seeds W are dropped into the accommodation space 35 of the slide body 30 from the outlet 24 of the container 25, and the seeds are supplied (FIGS. 10(a)(F11)(F12), FIG. 11(F33)). In this case, only the required amount of seeds W that have entered the recess 24a is discharged.

[0046] The shutter open position sensor 135 detects whether the slide body 30 has reached the shutter open position P2 (S102). When this is detected (S102Y), the input drive control means 133 advances the slide body 30 (S103). After that, when the slide body 30 reaches the reference position P0, the slide body 30 is stopped at the reference position P0 (S104), and the seeds W are held in the accommodation space 35 of the slide body 30 (FIG. 10(a)(F13)). In this supply mode, for example, the number of seeds W that can cover about one or two cell trays T is supplied into the accommodation space 35 of the slide body 30.

[0047] (2) Sowing mode With reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 14, in a state where seeds W are supplied into the accommodation space 35 of the slide body 30 in the supply mode (F21 in FIG. 10(b)), the main body 10 of the seeding device H is caused to travel (S201) toward the cell tray T placed on the installation surface G. The cell sensor 132 detects the presence or absence of the cells 1 of the cell tray T (S202, S203). In this case, when no detection is made even after a predetermined time (S202N, S203Y), for example, assuming that there is some abnormality, the traveling operation and the feeding operation are both stopped (S204).

[0048] When the main body 10 travels normally, the cell tray T is relatively guided between the guide plates 110. In this case, since the tip portions 112 in the moving direction of the main body 10 of the pair of guide plates 110 are bent in a direction in which they expand away from each other, when the end portion of the cell tray T abuts against the tip portion 112 of the guide plate 110 when the main body 10 is moved toward the cell tray T, the cell tray T is relatively guided between the guide plates 110 of the main body 10, so that the main body 10 can be surely moved along the side edge of the cell tray T. Then, when the cell sensor 132 detects the presence of the cells 1 of the cell tray T (S202Y), the traveling drive control means 131 stops the movement of the main body 10 (S205). In this state, the feeding drive control means 133 functions and the slide body 30 is retracted (S206).

[0049] As shown in FIG. 10, during the retraction process of the slide body 30, the seeds W in the accommodation space 35 are concentrated in the concave (V-shaped) portion facing the protrusion 34 (FIGS. 10 (F22)(F23)). Then, when the retraction position sensor 134 detects that the slide body 30 has reached the retraction position P1 (S207Y), the insertion drive control means 133 advances the slide body 30 (S208). During this advancement process, there are a large number of seeds W on the placement surface 21 in the accommodation space 35, but the seeds W enter the receiving recess 31 at the tip of the protrusion 34 (FIGS. 10 (F24)(F25)), and the slide body 30 moves while receiving the seeds W in the receiving recess 31. In this case, the other seeds W are moved left and right by the tip edge of the protrusion 34 and collected on the rear side wall constituting the accommodation space 35. As a result, the seeds W are aligned in a row in the receiving recess 31 (FIG. 10 (F25)).

[0050] Then, further, when the slide body 30 advances and the seeding position sensor 136 detects the seeding position P3 (S209Y), the slide body 30 is stopped (S210). At this seeding position P3, the receiving recess 31 reaches a plurality of dropping holes 62 of the discharge part 60 arranged at a predetermined interval corresponding thereto (FIG. 10 (F26)), and the seeds W in the receiving recess 31 drop from the dropping holes 62 (FIG. 10 (F27)) and are seeded in the cells 1 of the cell tray T. In this case, since the seeds W are received and aligned in a row when the slide body 30 advances, even seeds W with some variation in particle size can be received and moved thereby, and therefore, the versatility can be improved. Of course, it can also be applied to seeds W with uniform particle size. In addition, since the seeds W are guided by the dropping holes 62 and the guide pipe 63, the discharge can be surely performed. Then, again, the main body 1 is caused to travel by the traveling drive control means 131 of the control unit 130 (S201).

[0051] In this case, since the travel drive control means 131 of the control unit 130 temporarily stops the movement of the main body 10, when the seeds W are put into each cell 1 of the cell row of the cell tray T, the seeds W from the input drive unit 50 can be surely put into the cell 1. Further, since the input drive control means 133 of the control unit 130 operates the input drive unit 50 while the main body 10 is temporarily stopped, when the seeds W are put into each cell 1 of the cell row of the cell tray T, the input timing of the seeds W does not shift. Therefore, also in this respect, the seeds W from the input drive unit 50 can be surely put into the cell 1.

[0052] And also, when the cell sensor 132 detects the presence of the cell 1 of the cell tray T (S202), the travel drive control means 131 stops the movement of the main body 10, and the seeds W are discharged into the next cell 1 row in the same manner as above. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, in the retraction process of the slide body 30, the seeds W collected on the rear wall constituting the accommodation space 35 are aggregated in the concave (V-shaped) portion facing the protrusion 34 ((F27)(F21) to (F23) in FIG. 10), and in the advancement process of the slide body 30, the seeds W are again given an opportunity to be received by the receiving recess 31 of the protrusion 34 ((F24)(F25) in FIG. 10). Therefore, when the slide body 30 advances, it is possible to make it easier to receive the seeds W in the receiving recess 31, and the accuracy of receiving the seeds W can be improved.

[0053] When the seeding of the last cell 1 row is completed, even if the main body 10 travels, the cell sensor 132 does not detect the cell 1, so it will not be detected even after a predetermined time has passed (S202N, S203Y), and the apparatus completely stops the traveling operation and the input operation (S204).

[0054] In this series of operations, since the traveling mechanism 100 travels on the installation surface G, there is no need to use rails as in the prior art, and thus the installation becomes easier. Also, since it does not travel on the cell tray as in the prior art, a situation where the cell tray T is crushed does not occur, and therefore, it is possible to cope with a relatively weak plastic cell tray T, and the versatility can be greatly improved. Further, since the wheels do not roll on the side edges of the cell tray T or the rails are not placed thereon as in the prior art, there is nothing obstructive on the side edge side of the cell tray T, and therefore, the seeds W can be surely put into the cells 1 on the side edge side of the cell tray T. In this way, sowing can be performed with the cell tray T placed on the installation surface G such as the ground inside and outside the house.

[0055] Also, since a pair of guide plates 110 that face each other on both side edges of the cell tray T and guide the cell tray T relatively are provided, when the main body 10 moves, even if the positional relationship with the cell tray T is slightly displaced, the guide plates 110 abut against the side edges of the cell tray T and guide it, so that the main body 10 can be surely moved in the direction along the side edge of the cell tray T. Therefore, the seeds W can be surely put into the cells 1 of the tray.

[0056] Furthermore, since the interval between the guide plates 110 is adjusted according to the width of the cell tray T by the interval adjusting means 120, the main body 10 can be surely moved in the direction along the side edge of the cell tray T. Also in this regard, the seeds W can be surely put into the cells 1 of the tray.

[0057] (3) Recovery mode When seeding of the seeds W is completed for one cell tray T, seeding is performed on the next cell tray T in the same manner as described above. At this time, the unnecessary seeds T remaining in the accommodation space 35 are dropped from the dropping hole 62 and collected. In this case, the slide body 30 is advanced to the collection position P4 until the collection position sensor 137 detects. As a result, although not shown, the seeds T in the accommodation space 35 can be dropped from the dropping hole 62. Then, the slide body 30 is retracted and stopped at the reference position P0. Since the dropped seeds W are received by the tray 81 and aggregated, they may be collected in a timely manner and reused.

[0058] FIG. 15 shows another example of control. This is such that the input drive control means 133 always operates the input drive unit 50 during the running stop and running period of the main body 10. In this control, when described in the seeding mode, the control unit 130 uses the detection signal of the predetermined position sensor 138. As shown in FIG. 15, first, the running drive control means 131 of the control unit 130 drives the running drive unit 105. The running drive control means 131 starts running based on the running command signal (S301, S302). Initially, the running command signal is sent by a manual switch (not shown), and thereafter, it is sent based on the detection of the predetermined position sensor 138 (S315). On the other hand, the input drive control means 133 starts the slide body 30 based on the start signal of the slide body sent at the first running stop based on cell detection (S308) and continuously operates until there is a forced stop.

[0059] Specifically, based on the running command signal (S301Y), the main body 10 of the seeding device H starts running toward the cell tray T placed on the installation surface G (S302). The cell sensor 132 detects the presence or absence of the cell 1 of the cell tray T (S303, S304). In this case, when not detected even after a predetermined time (S303N, S304Y), for example, the running operation and the input operation are completely stopped assuming that there is some abnormality (S305).

[0060] When the main body 10 travels normally and the cell sensor 132 detects the presence of cell 1 in the cell tray T (S303Y), the travel drive control means 131 stops the movement of the main body 10 (S306). In this state, the travel drive control means 131 maintains the travel stop until a travel command signal is received (S301). Also, it is determined whether or not the stop is due to the first cell detection (S307), and since it is the first time (S307Y), a start signal for the slide body is sent out (S308).

[0061] Based on this start signal for the slide body, the insertion drive control means 133 starts and retracts the slide body 30 (S309). Then, the predetermined position sensor 138 detects whether or not the slide body 30 has reached a predetermined position (S310), and when it reaches the predetermined position (S310Y), it is determined whether or not it is the first time (S311), and since it is the first time (S311Y), a travel command signal is not sent out. Then, when the retraction position sensor 134 detects that the slide body 30 has reached the retraction position P1 (S312Y), the slide body 30 is advanced this time (S313). After that, when the seeding position sensor 136 detects the seeding position P3 (S314Y), the slide body 30 is retracted again (S309). At the seeding position P3, seeding is performed on cell 1 of the cell tray T in the same manner as above.

[0062] Next, when the slide body 30 reaches the predetermined position (S310Y), it is determined whether or not it is the first time (S311), and since it is the second time (S311N), a travel command signal is sent out (S315). As a result, the travel drive control means 131 drives the travel drive unit 105, and the main body 10 travels to the next column of cell 1 and stops (S302, S303, S306). Since this travel stop is the second time (S307N), the travel stop is maintained until the next travel command signal is received (S301).

[0063] On the other hand, the insertion drive control means 133 also operates the slide body 30 during this period and performs a series of operations (S309 to S315). Therefore, during the travel stop and travel period of the main body 10, the insertion drive control means 133 always operates the insertion drive unit 50, and seeding is performed during the travel stop of the main body 10. Thus, the same operations and effects as described above are achieved.

[0064] In the above-described embodiment, the traveling drive unit 105 is configured by an electric motor 106 to drive the left and right wheels (front wheels 102) respectively. However, it is not necessarily limited to this. It may be configured to drive the left and right wheels synchronously via a rotation transmission mechanism by a single electric motor, and can be appropriately changed without any problem. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the traveling mechanism is configured using wheels. However, it is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a crawler-type mechanism having a belt contacting the installation surface, a leg-type mechanism provided with legs walking on the installation surface, or a wheel-type mechanism, including a combination of these mechanisms, may be used, and can be appropriately changed without any problem. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the seeding device H is moved in a direction along the longitudinal side edge 4 of the cell tray T. However, it is not necessarily limited to this. It may be configured to move in a direction along the lateral side edge 3, and can be appropriately changed without any problem. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily make many changes to these exemplary embodiments without substantially departing from the novel teachings and effects of the present invention, and many of these changes are included in the scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0065] H Seeding device G Installation surface W Seeds T Cell tray 1 Cell 2 Opening 3 Lateral side edge 4 Longitudinal side edge 10 Main body 11 Base 12 Leg pillar 20 Seed input section 21 Placing surface 22 Supply section 23 Inlet 24 Outlet 24a Recess 25 Container 26 Support member 30 Slide body 31 Receiving recess 32 Deflection means 33 Slide body 34 Protrusion 35 Inclusion space 36 Opposing part 40 Shutter mechanism 41 First shutter plate 42 Second shutter plate 43 Linking member 44 Spring 45 Stopper 50 Input drive unit 51 Electric motor 52 Main pulley 53 Driven pulley 54 Belt 55 Connecting member 56 Rail mechanism 57 Wheel 60 Discharge part 61 Discharge plate 62 Drop hole 63 Guide pipe 64 Discharge plate holding part 65 Through hole 66 Support part 70 Slide body holding part 71 Pin 72 Through hole 73 Insertion hole 80 Recovery hole 81 Tray 100 Travel mechanism 101 Mounting plate 102 Front wheel 103 Mounting member 104 Rear wheel 105 Travel drive unit 106 Electric motor 110 Guide plate 111 Mounting means 112 Tip part 113 Rear end part 114 Bolt 115 Nut 116 Insertion hole 120 Spacing adjustment means 121 Collar 122 Spring washer 130 Control Unit 131 Travel Drive Control Means 132 Cell Sensor 133 Input Drive Control Means 134 Reverse Position Sensor 135 Shutter Open Position Sensor 136 Sowing Position Sensor 137 Recovery Position Sensor 138 Predetermined Position Sensor P0 Reference Position P1 Reverse Position P2 Shutter Open Position P3 Sowing Position P4 Recovery Position

Claims

1. In a seeding device for sowing seeds in cells of a cell tray having pot-shaped cells with upward openings for receiving seeds, arranged in a matrix at a predetermined interval and having a pair of mutually parallel lateral edges and a pair of mutually parallel longitudinal edges perpendicular to the lateral edges, a main body that is moved in a direction along either one of the lateral edges and the longitudinal edges of the cell tray above the cell tray installed on an installation surface with the opening facing upward, a seed input section provided on the main body and capable of simultaneously inputting seeds into each cell arranged in a row in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the main body, and a traveling mechanism provided on the main body and traveling on the installation surface to move the main body. During the movement of the main body by the traveling mechanism, the seed input section sequentially inputs seeds from each cell in the upper cell row in the moving direction of the main body to each cell in the lower cell row. The seeding device is characterized in that the traveling mechanism is provided on both sides in the moving direction of the main body, and the main body is provided with a pair of guide plates that face the both side edges of the cell tray respectively and relatively guide the cell tray when the main body travels.

2. The seeding device according to claim 1, further comprising interval adjusting means for adjusting the interval between the pair of guide plates.

3. The seeding device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the leading ends of the pair of guide plates in the moving direction of the main body are bent in a direction of expanding from each other.

4. The seed input section includes an input driving section for inputting seeds into the rows of the cell tray, and a traveling driving section for driving the traveling mechanism. The seeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is characterized by comprising a control section having traveling drive control means for controlling the traveling driving section and having a function of temporarily stopping the movement of the main body when the seed input section inputs seeds into the rows of the cell tray.

5. The seeding device according to claim 4, wherein a sensor for detecting the rows of cells in a direction perpendicular to the side edge of the cell tray is provided, and the traveling drive control means temporarily stops the drive of the traveling mechanism when the sensor detects the rows of cells.

6. The seeding device according to claim 5, wherein the control section includes input drive control means for controlling the input driving section and having a function of operating the input driving section while the traveling drive control means temporarily stops the movement of the main body.

7. The above-mentioned seed input unit includes a base having a planar placement surface on which a plurality of seeds are supplied and the supplied seeds are placed, a supply unit that supplies a plurality of seeds to the placement surface of the base, and a slide body that can slide back and forth along a predetermined direction on the placement surface of the base and receives the seeds to be put into the cells from the seeds on the placement surface supplied by the supply unit during its forward movement and aligns them in a row at a predetermined interval. It also includes a discharge unit provided on the base that drops and discharges the seeds aligned in the row toward the cells during the forward movement process of the slide body. The seed input unit is provided with an input drive unit for putting seeds into the rows of the cell tray. The input drive unit is characterized by driving the slide body to move back and forth. The seeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The above-mentioned discharge unit is provided with a discharge plate provided on the base and having a plurality of drop holes arranged in a row at a pitch corresponding to the pitch in the column direction of the cells of the cell tray and through which seeds can drop. The base is provided with a discharge plate holding part for detachably holding the discharge plate, and the discharge plate holding part can selectively hold a plurality of types of discharge plates with different pitches of the drop holes. The seeding device according to claim 7.

9. On the above-mentioned slide body, a plurality of receiving recesses are provided that are arranged in a row at a pitch corresponding to the pitch in the column direction of the cells of the cell tray in a direction intersecting the forward and backward movement direction of the slide body and receive and hold the seeds when the slide body moves forward. At the same time, it is provided with a gathering means for gathering the extra seeds that could not be received by the receiving recesses so as not to be discharged from the above-mentioned discharge unit. A slide body holding part for detachably holding the slide body is provided, and the slide body holding part can selectively hold a plurality of types of slide bodies with different pitches of the receiving recesses. The seeding device according to claim 8.

10. On the above-mentioned main body, a supply unit for supplying a plurality of seeds to the placement surface of the base is provided. The supply unit is configured to include a container having an inlet and an outlet for accommodating seeds, and a shutter mechanism for temporarily opening the outlet of the container to supply seeds. The seeding device according to claim 9.

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