Work methods, work systems, and work programs

Abstract

To provide a work method, a work system and a work program, capable of aligning work start positions on each work route in the whole field.SOLUTION: An acquisition processing part 112 acquires spacing Lt of agricultural materials. A setting processing part 115 sets a work start reference position Px which is a reference position for setting a work start position Ps for starting a supply work of the agricultural materials, and sets the work start positions Ps corresponding to each of multiple work routes, based on the spacing Lt and on the work start reference position Px.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a work method, a work system, and a work program for supplying agricultural materials to a field by a work vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in planting work to plant seedlings in a farm field, a technique is known in which the planting position (work start position) after turning around the headland area is aligned along each work route (see, for example, Patent Document 1). For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which planting work begins when the turning angle of the machine body during turning exceeds a predetermined value and the rotation speeds of the left and right rear wheels become approximately equal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-335720 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional technology is designed to align the work end position of the currently traveling work path with the work start position of the next work path, which may result in discrepancies in the work start positions of each work path when viewed across the entire field.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a work method, a work system, and a work program that are capable of aligning the work start positions of each work path throughout an entire farm field. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The work method of the present invention is a work method for supplying agricultural materials to a field using a work vehicle, and includes obtaining the supply interval of the agricultural materials, setting a work start reference position which is a reference position for setting a work start position for starting the supply work of the agricultural materials, and setting the work start position corresponding to each of a plurality of work routes based on the supply interval and the work start reference position.

[0007] A work system according to the present invention is a system for supplying agricultural materials to a field using a work vehicle. The work system includes an acquisition processing unit that acquires a supply interval of the agricultural materials, and a setting processing unit that sets a work start reference position that is a reference position for setting a work start position for starting the supply of the agricultural materials, and that sets the work start position corresponding to each of a plurality of work routes based on the supply interval and the work start reference position.

[0008] The work program of the present invention is a work program for supplying agricultural materials to a field by a work vehicle, and is a work program for causing one or more processors to execute the following steps: obtain the supply interval of the agricultural materials; set a work start reference position which is a reference position for setting the work start position at which the supply work of the agricultural materials begins; and set the work start position corresponding to each of a plurality of work routes based on the supply interval and the work start reference position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a work method, a work system, and a work program that can align the work start positions of each work path throughout an entire farm field. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a work system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a side view showing an example of a work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a plan view showing an example of a work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a farm field and a target route according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a block diagram showing a specific example of a planting drive device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a block diagram showing a specific example of a planting drive device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of planting work according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of planting work according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the number of corrections and the deviation rate according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of planting work according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a specific example of planting work according to the reference embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of planting work according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen of the operation terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen of the operation terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the steps of a planting work process executed by the work system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a specific example of planting work according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a specific example of planting work according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a work start reference position and a virtual work line according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a specific example of planting work according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a specific example of planting work according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a specific example of planting work according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a specific example of planting work according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of the steps of a planting work process executed by the work system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The following embodiment is an example of the present invention and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0012] [Embodiment 1] 1, a work system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a work vehicle 10 and an operation terminal 20. The work vehicle 10 and the operation terminal 20 can communicate with each other via a communication network N1. For example, the work vehicle 10 and the operation terminal 20 can communicate with each other via a wired line, a mobile phone network, a packet network, or a wireless LAN.

[0013] The work vehicle of the present invention is a vehicle that supplies agricultural materials such as seedlings, seeds, fertilizer, and chemicals to a field. In this embodiment, a rice transplanter that performs planting work by planting seedlings in a field will be used as an example of the work vehicle. The work vehicle 10 is configured to be able to travel automatically (autonomously) within a field F (see FIG. 3) according to a predetermined target route R. Furthermore, the work vehicle 10 is able to perform predetermined work (for example, planting work) while traveling automatically within the field F.

[0014] The work vehicle 10 automatically travels along a target route R that has been generated in advance for the field F, based on position information of the work vehicle 10's current position calculated by the positioning device 16. The target route R includes a work route (straight route R1) along which the work implement 14 (planting unit) performs planting work, and a non-work route (turning route R2) along which the work implement 14 does not perform planting work, and includes multiple straight routes R1 and multiple turning routes R2 from the travel start position St to the travel end position G. The target route R shown in FIG. 3 indicates the route along which the work vehicle 10 automatically travels along each of the straight route R1 and the turning route R2.

[0015] The work vehicle 10 may be one in which an operator is on board and automatically travels along the target route R in response to the operator's operation, or one in which only the straight route R1 is automatically traveled. For example, an operator may be on board the work vehicle 10 and be able to drive the work vehicle 10 while switching between automatic driving (automatic steering) along the straight route R1 and manual driving (manual steering) along the turning route R2. Also, for example, the operator may be on board the work vehicle 10 and be able to automatically drive along the target route R or a part of the target route R (for example, the straight route R1) while performing an operation to change the vehicle speed (travel speed) (such as accelerator operation or brake operation). The work vehicle 10 may also automatically travel along the target route R while controlling the vehicle speed in accordance with vehicle speed information set for each work route. Furthermore, the work vehicle 10 may be one in which an operator is not on board and automatically travels along the target route R.

[0016] The operation terminal 20 displays various information related to work performed by the work vehicle 10 on the operation display unit 23, and receives operations from the operator to execute processing in accordance with the operations. For example, the operator operates the operation terminal 20 to set information necessary for autonomous driving, and to output a work start instruction (or an autonomous driving start instruction) to the work vehicle 10. The operation terminal 20 also displays information such as the work status and driving status of the work vehicle 10 while it is autonomously driving. The operator can grasp the work status and driving status on the operation terminal 20. The operation terminal 20 is, for example, a mobile terminal (such as a tablet terminal) that can be carried by the operator, and is a device that can be attached to and detached from the work vehicle 10. The operation terminal 20 may also be a device that is fixed to the work vehicle 10.

[0017] [Work vehicle 10] 1 and 2, the work vehicle 10 includes a vehicle control device 11, a memory unit 12, a vehicle body unit 13, a work implement 14, a communication unit 15, a positioning device 16, a rotation sensor 17, a planting drive device 18, etc. The vehicle control device 11 is electrically connected to the memory unit 12, the vehicle body unit 13, the work implement 14, the positioning device 16, the rotation sensor 17, the planting drive device 18, etc. The vehicle control device 11 and the positioning device 16 may be capable of wireless communication.

[0018] First, a rice transplanter, which is an example of work vehicle 10, will be described with reference to Figures 2A and 2B. Figure 2A is a side view of work vehicle 10, and Figure 2B is a plan view of work vehicle 10. Work vehicle 10 is equipped with a vehicle body 13, a pair of left and right front wheels 132, a pair of left and right rear wheels 133, a work implement 14 (planting unit), and the like.

[0019] An engine 131 is disposed inside a hood 134 located at the front of the vehicle body 13. Power generated by the engine 131 is transmitted to front wheels 132 and rear wheels 133 via a transmission case 135. The power transmitted via the transmission case 135 is also transmitted to the work implement 14 via a PTO shaft 37 located at the rear of the vehicle body 13. The PTO shaft 37 is configured to transmit power via a planting clutch (work clutch) (not shown).

[0020] 4A and 4B show an example configuration of a planting drive device 18. The planting drive device 18 shown in FIG. 4A includes one drive source 181 (engine or motor), a transmission 182 that transmits the power of the drive source 181 to a continuously variable transmission 183 and a traveling unit 184, the continuously variable transmission 183 that transmits the power of the transmission 182 to the work implement 14, the work implement 14 that is driven by the power transmitted via the continuously variable transmission 183, and the traveling unit 184 that is driven by the power transmitted via the transmission 182. The work implement 14 performs planting work using the power in accordance with commands from the vehicle control device 11 (planting processing unit 113). The traveling unit 184 performs traveling operation using the power in accordance with commands from the vehicle control device 11 (travel processing unit 111).

[0021] The planting drive device 18 shown in Fig. 4B includes two drive sources 181A and 181B (engines or motors), a transmission 182A that transmits the power of the drive source 181A to the work implement 14, a transmission 182B that transmits the power of the drive source 181B to a traveling unit 184, the work implement 14 driven by the power transmitted via the transmission 182A, and the traveling unit 184 driven by the power transmitted via the transmission 182B. The planting drive device 18 may have the configuration shown in Fig. 4A or the configuration shown in Fig. 4B.

[0022] A driver's seat 138 for an operator is provided between the front wheels 132 and the rear wheels 133 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body 13. Operating devices such as a steering wheel 137, a main speed change lever (not shown), and a planting clutch lever (not shown) are arranged in front of the driver's seat 138. The steering wheel 137 is an operating device for changing the steering angle of the work vehicle 10. The main speed change lever is configured to be able to select at least the positions of "forward," "reverse," "seedling transfer," and "neutral." When the main speed change lever is operated to the "forward" position, power is transmitted so that the front wheels 132 and rear wheels 133 rotate in a direction that moves the work vehicle 10 forward. When the main speed change lever is operated to the "reverse" position, power is transmitted so that the front wheels 132 and rear wheels 133 rotate in a direction that moves the work vehicle 10 backward. When the main speed change lever is operated to the "seedling transfer" position, power transmission to the front wheels 132, rear wheels 133, and PTO shaft 37 is interrupted. When the main speed change lever is operated to the "neutral" position, power transmission to the front wheels 132 and rear wheels 133 is interrupted, while power transmission to the PTO shaft 37 is maintained. In addition, by operating the planting clutch lever, it is possible to switch between a transmission state in which the planting clutch transmits power to the PTO shaft 37 (i.e., the work implement 14) and a disconnection state in which the planting clutch does not transmit power to the PTO shaft 37 (i.e., the work implement 14).

[0023] The work implement 14 is connected to the rear of the vehicle body 13 via a lifting link mechanism 31. The lifting link mechanism 31 is configured with a parallel link structure including a top link 39 and a lower link 38. A lifting cylinder (lifting device) 32 is connected to the lower link 38. By extending and contracting the lifting cylinder 32, the entire work implement 14 can be raised and lowered. This allows the height of the work implement 14 to be changed between a lowered position where the work implement 14 is lowered to perform planting work and an elevated position where the work implement 14 is not used for planting work. The lifting cylinder 32 is a hydraulic cylinder, but an electric cylinder may also be used. The work implement 14 may also be raised and lowered by an actuator other than a cylinder.

[0024] The work machine 14 (planting section) includes a planting input case 33, a plurality of planting units 34, a seedling carrier 35, a plurality of floats 36, and the like.

[0025] Each planting unit 34 is equipped with a planting transmission case 41 and a rotating case 42. Power is transmitted to the planting transmission case 41 via the PTO shaft 37 and the planting input case 33. Each planting transmission case 41 has a rotating case 42 attached to both sides in the vehicle width direction. Two planting claws 43 are attached to each rotating case 42, lined up in the direction of travel of the work vehicle 10. These two planting claws 43 plant one row.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2A, the seedling carrier 35 is positioned above and in front of the planting unit 34 and is configured to be able to place a seedling mat on it. The seedling carrier 35 is configured to be able to move back and forth laterally (slide laterally). The seedling carrier 35 is also configured to be able to intermittently transport the seedling mat vertically downward at the end of its reciprocating movement. This configuration allows the seedling carrier 35 to supply seedlings from the seedling mat to each planting unit 34. In this way, the work vehicle 10 can sequentially supply seedlings to each planting unit 34, allowing for continuous seedling planting.

[0027] The float 36 shown in FIG. 2A is provided below the work implement 14 and is positioned so that its underside can come into contact with the ground. When the float 36 comes into contact with the ground, the rice field surface is leveled before seedlings are planted. The float 36 is also provided with a float sensor (not shown) that detects the swing angle of the float 36. The swing angle of the float 36 corresponds to the distance between the rice field surface and the work implement 14. The work vehicle 10 can maintain a constant height of the work implement 14 above the ground by operating the lifting cylinder 32 based on the swing angle of the float 36 to raise and lower the work implement 14.

[0028] The spare seedling trays 19 are positioned outside the hood 134 in the vehicle width direction and can carry seedling boxes containing spare mat seedlings. The tops of the pair of left and right spare seedling trays 19 are connected to each other by a connecting frame 19a that extends vertically and in the vehicle width direction. A positioning device 16 is located in the center of the connecting frame 19a in the vehicle width direction.

[0029] Arranged inside the positioning device 16 are a positioning control unit 161, a memory unit 162, a communication unit 163, and a positioning antenna 164 (see FIG. 1). The positioning antenna 164 can receive radio waves (GNSS signals) from satellites that make up the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). The positioning control unit 161 calculates the current position of the work vehicle 10 based on the GNSS signals that the positioning antenna 164 receives from the satellites. For example, the positioning control unit 161 may perform positioning using a real-time kinematic method (RTK-GPS positioning method (RTK method)), which calculates the current position of the work vehicle 10 using correction information corresponding to a base station (reference station) close to the work vehicle 10.

[0030] The memory unit 12 is a non-volatile memory unit such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) that stores various types of information. The memory unit 12 stores control programs such as a planting work program that causes the vehicle control device 11 to execute the planting work process (see FIG. 13 ), which will be described later. For example, the planting work program is non-temporarily recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flash ROM, EEPROM, CD, or DVD, and is read by a predetermined reading device (not shown) and stored in the memory unit 12. The planting work program may be downloaded from a server (not shown) to the work vehicle 10 via the communication network N1 and stored in the memory unit 12. The memory unit 12 may also store route data for a target route R generated by the operation terminal 20.

[0031] The vehicle control device 11 has control devices such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The CPU is a processor that executes various types of arithmetic processing. The ROM is a non-volatile storage unit in which control programs such as a BIOS and an OS that cause the CPU to execute various types of arithmetic processing are pre-stored. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile storage unit that stores various types of information, and is used as temporary storage memory (work area) for the various types of processing executed by the CPU. The vehicle control device 11 controls the work vehicle 10 by having the CPU execute various control programs pre-stored in the ROM or storage unit 12.

[0032] The vehicle control device 11 controls the operation of the work vehicle 10 in response to various user operations on the work vehicle 10. The vehicle control device 11 also executes automatic driving processing for the work vehicle 10 based on the current position of the work vehicle 10 calculated by the positioning device 16 and a target route R that is set in advance.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle control device 11 includes various processing units such as a travel processing unit 111, an acquisition processing unit 112, a planting processing unit 113, a calculation processing unit 114, and a setting processing unit 115. The vehicle control device 11 functions as the various processing units by executing various processes in accordance with the planting work program using the CPU. Some or all of the processing units may be configured with electronic circuits. The planting work program may be a program for causing multiple processors to function as the processing units. The planting work program is an example of a work program of the present invention.

[0034] The driving processing unit 111 controls the driving of the work vehicle 10. Specifically, the driving processing unit 111 causes the work vehicle 10 to automatically drive according to a target route R set in the field F. For example, the driving processing unit 111 causes the work vehicle 10 to start automatic driving when it receives a work start instruction from the operation terminal 20. For example, when the current position of the work vehicle 10 is in a position that satisfies the driving start conditions, and the operator presses the start button on the operation screen of the operation terminal 20, the operation terminal 20 outputs a work start instruction to the work vehicle 10. When the driving processing unit 111 receives the work start instruction from the operation terminal 20, it causes the work vehicle 10 to start automatic driving according to the target route R.

[0035] Furthermore, the driving processing unit 111 stops the automatic driving of the work vehicle 10 when it receives a work stop instruction from the operation terminal 20. For example, when the operator presses the pause button on the operation screen of the operation terminal 20, the operation terminal 20 outputs a work stop instruction to the work vehicle 10.

[0036] The acquisition processing unit 112 acquires the target number of times agricultural materials (e.g., seedlings) are supplied (planted) per predetermined distance along the work route. For example, before carrying out planting work, the operator sets work conditions for the planting work on the setting screen 20B (see FIG. 12) of the operation terminal 20. The setting screen 20B displays a target number of times the supply (planting) of agricultural materials (e.g., seedlings) per predetermined distance along the work route. 2The setting field K1 includes a setting field K1 for setting the number of plants per tsubo (3.3 sq. m) (target planting density), a setting field K2 for setting the plant spacing (planting interval), a setting field K3 for setting ON / OFF of the plant spacing correction process (details of which will be described later), and a setting field K4 for setting the sensitivity of the correction process. For example, when an operator inputs a desired number of plants into the setting field K1, the plant spacing corresponding to the number of plants is set in the setting field K2. For example, when the operator inputs "50 plants" into the setting field K1, the plant spacing is set to "22.0 cm." In this case, the acquisition processing unit 112 acquires "10 times per 2.2 m" (2.2 m / 10 times) as the target number of times. Note that the correction sensitivity corresponds to the frequency of correction (the length of the specified distance). Therefore, for example, if the operator changes the correction sensitivity (5 levels) from "4 / 5" to "3 / 5," the target number of times changes to "20 times per 4.4 m" (4.4 m / 20 times). In this case, the acquisition processing unit 112 acquires "20 times per 4.4 m" as the target number of times. That is, the vehicle control device 11 executes the plant spacing correction process every 2.2 m when the correction sensitivity is "4 / 5", and executes the plant spacing correction process every 4.4 m when the correction sensitivity is "3 / 5". The correction frequency decreases as the correction sensitivity decreases.

[0037] Here, a specific example of planting work according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the target number of times is set to "n times per L (m)" along one work path (process), and there is no deviation in the planting interval. In FIG. 5, P0 indicates the work start position (the planting work start position), and P1 indicates the seedling planting position. For example, when an operator operates the planting clutch lever along the work path (straight path R1) to issue a command to start planting work, the planting processing unit 113 drives (rotates) the work implement 14 to plant the first seedling. When the setting processing unit 115 detects that the first seedling has been planted, it sets the position of the work implement 14 at that time to the work start position P0 along the work path. Thereafter, the planting processing unit 113 repeatedly executes the planting process, planting seedlings n times for each predetermined section of L (m) along the work path. FIG. 5 shows two predetermined sections of L (m) included in one work path.

[0038] In the planting process, the acquisition processing unit 112 acquires the travel distance of the work vehicle 10 at the time when the work vehicle 10 has completed the target number of planting processes in a predetermined section of the work route. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 5, when the work vehicle 10 has completed n planting processes from the work start position P0, the acquisition processing unit 112 acquires the travel distance D1 (work distance) actually traveled by the work vehicle 10. Furthermore, when the work vehicle 10 has completed (n x 2) planting processes from the work start position P0, the acquisition processing unit 112 acquires the travel distance D2 (work distance) actually traveled by the work vehicle 10. The acquisition processing unit 112 is an example of the first acquisition processing unit and second acquisition processing unit of the present invention.

[0039] When the travel distance D1 matches the predetermined distance L corresponding to the target number of times (n times), there is no deviation in the planting interval in that predetermined section. Similarly, when the travel distance D2 matches the total section distance 2L (twice the predetermined distance L) corresponding to the target number of times (n x 2 times), there is no deviation in the planting interval in that predetermined section.

[0040] In contrast, Figure 6 shows an example in which the target number of times is set to "n times per L (m)" for one work route (journey), resulting in a deviation in planting intervals. In the example shown in Figure 6, when the work vehicle 10 has completed n planting processes, the travel distance D1 is less than the predetermined distance L, resulting in a distance difference t1 (= L - D1). Similarly, when the work vehicle 10 has completed (n x 2) planting processes, the travel distance D2 is less than the total section distance 2L, resulting in a distance difference t2 (= 2L - D2). The distance differences t1 and t2 occur, for example, when the wheels of the work vehicle 10 slip, causing a deviation in planting intervals. The vehicle control device 11 performs the following correction process when a deviation in planting intervals occurs. Specifically, the vehicle control device 11 corrects the planting interval (distance between plants) by correcting the rotation speed (hereinafter referred to as the planting unit rotation speed ω) of the work implement 14 (the planting claws 43 of the planting unit 34).

[0041] For example, the calculation processing unit 114 calculates the planting unit rotation speed ω(min -1) is calculated using equation (1). "a" in equation (1) is a correction coefficient, and by changing this correction coefficient, it is possible to adjust the planting unit rotation speed ω and correct the spacing between rows. In other words, correction coefficient a is a parameter that corrects the rotation speed of the planting unit (planting tines 43) that plants seedlings in the field F. Correction coefficient a is set to "1" when work begins. "V (m / min)" is the vehicle speed of the work vehicle 10, and is calculated based on the GNSS signal, axle rotation speed, estimated slip ratio, etc. "N" is the number of plantings per rotation of the planting tines 43. The target number of plantings is set to "n times per L (m)".

number

[0042] Furthermore, the calculation processing unit 114 calculates the deviation rate ε(f) (distance deviation rate) corresponding to the distance difference using equation (2). "f" in equation (2) corresponds to the number of predetermined sections, i.e., the target number of updates. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the first n sections of the work start position P0 correspond to "f=1", and the next n sections correspond to "f=2".

number

[0043] The deviation rate ε(1) for the first n sections (f=1) of the work start position P0 is expressed as "-(D1-L) / L" (=t1 / L). The deviation rate ε(2) for the next n sections (f=2) is expressed as "-(D2-2L) / L" (=t2 / L). In this way, the calculation processing unit 114 calculates the distance difference (t1, t2, etc.) between the total section distance, which is an integer multiple of the predetermined distance L according to the number of predetermined sections, and the traveled distance, and then divides the distance difference by the predetermined distance to calculate the deviation rate ε. In another embodiment, the calculation processing unit 114 may calculate the deviation rate ε by dividing the distance difference by the total section distance (f×L). In this case, the deviation rate ε(2) can be expressed as "-(D2-2L) / 2L" (=t2 / 2L).

[0044] The setting processing unit 115 sets the spacing between plants in the next predetermined section following the predetermined section on the work route based on the predetermined distance and the travel distance. Specifically, the setting processing unit 115 sets the spacing between plants in the next predetermined section based on the distance difference corresponding to the predetermined section where the planting process was completed. Specifically, the setting processing unit 115 sets the spacing between plants so that the deviation rate ε becomes 0 or approaches 0.

[0045] For example, the setting processing unit 115 sets the correction coefficient a so as to increase the spacing between plants when the travel distance D1 is less than the predetermined distance L. The setting processing unit 115 also sets the correction coefficient a based on the deviation rate ε. Specifically, the setting processing unit 115 calculates the correction coefficient a(f) using the following equation (3). "S" in equation (3) is a correction level indicating the degree of correction required to eliminate the distance deviation (deviation in planting spacing), and is set in advance. As shown in equation (3), the setting processing unit 115 determines the correction coefficient a so that the deviation rate ε decreases by 1 / S each time the correction coefficient a is updated (every n planting processes).

number

[0046] The vehicle control device 11 calculates the deviation rate ε(f) and updates the correction coefficient a(f) every time the planting process is executed n times, thereby correcting the planting unit rotation speed ω.

[0047] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, if the deviation rate is 5% (ε(1) = 0.05) when the correction coefficient a(1) is updated the first time, the vehicle control device 11 repeatedly executes the above-described correction process, causing the deviation rate ε(f) to approach 0. As shown in FIG. 7, when the correction level S is "5," the deviation rate ε decreases by 1 / 5 each time n planting processes are completed (each correction process). Furthermore, when the correction level S is "2," the deviation rate ε decreases by 1 / 2 each time n planting processes are completed (each correction process). In this way, the planting unit rotation speed ω (row spacing) is corrected so that the deviation rate ε approaches 0 more gradually as the correction level S increases, and the planting unit rotation speed ω (row spacing) is corrected so that the deviation rate ε approaches 0 more sharply as the correction level S decreases.

[0048] The correction level S may be set by a setting operation by the operator. For example, the setting screen 20B (see FIG. 12) may include a setting field for the correction level S. In another embodiment, the vehicle control device 11 may automatically set the correction level S. For example, the vehicle control device 11 may set the correction level S according to the state of the field F, such as the soil depth and the slip ratio. For example, the vehicle control device 11 sets the correction level S to a smaller value as the soil depth increases, thereby eliminating the distance error with fewer corrections. The vehicle control device 11 may also set the correction level S according to the correction sensitivity input by the operator on the setting screen 20B. For example, the vehicle control device 11 sets the correction level S to a smaller value as the correction sensitivity decreases (is weaker), thereby eliminating the distance error with fewer corrections.

[0049] As described above, the vehicle control device 11 sets the planting interval (distance between plants) in the next predetermined section based on the difference in distance between the total section distance, which is an integer multiple of the predetermined distance depending on the number of predetermined sections, and the travel distance (working distance) of the work vehicle 10. Note that the travel distance is different from the work distance for n rounds (distance for each predetermined section), and is the distance from the work start position P0 to the position of the work vehicle 10 at the time when the work vehicle 10 has completed the target number of planting operations.

[0050] In other words, the vehicle control device 11 sets the planting interval so that the planting density calculated by dividing the number of times the work vehicle 10 planted seedlings in the section of the travel distance by the travel distance approaches the target density calculated by dividing the target number (n) by a predetermined distance (L). For example, in the example shown in Figure 6, the vehicle control device 11 sets the planting interval for the next specified section (second specified section) so that the implementation density (n / D1) calculated by dividing the number of times (n) the work vehicle 10 planted seedlings in the section with driving distance D1 by the driving distance D1 approaches the target density (n / L) calculated by dividing the target number of times (n) by the specified distance (L), and sets the planting interval for the next specified section (third specified section) so that the implementation density (n×2 / D2) calculated by dividing the number of times (n×2) the work vehicle 10 planted seedlings in the section with driving distance D2 by the driving distance D2 approaches the target density (n / L).

[0051] Incidentally, the work vehicle 10 may temporarily suspend and then resume planting work while traveling along the work route (straight route R1). In this case, when planting work by the work vehicle 10 is suspended and then resumed along the work route, the vehicle control device 11 sets the planting interval for the predetermined section following the restarted predetermined section based on a total deviation rate ε, which is the sum of the deviation rate ε(pre) before the restart and the deviation rate ε(f) corresponding to the predetermined section after the restart. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, if the work vehicle 10 temporarily suspends planting work at position P2 and then resumes it, the total deviation rate ε is calculated by summing the deviation rate ε(pre) before the restart (=-(D2-2L) / L(=t2 / L)) and the deviation rate ε after the restart (=-(D3-L) / L(=t3 / L)). Furthermore, when calculating the correction coefficient a for a predetermined section after restart (see formula (3) above), the vehicle control device 11 uses the correction coefficient a(pre) before restart as the initial value (a(0) = a(pre)) and the deviation rate ε(pre) before restart as the initial value (ε(0) = ε(pre)). The vehicle control device 11 calculates the correction coefficient a based on the total deviation rate ε and corrects the planting unit rotation speed ω (row spacing).

[0052] In this way, the vehicle control device 11 records the deviation rate ε and the correction coefficient a when planting work is suspended within a work route (one stroke) so that it can control the planting density within one stroke even when the planting work is temporarily suspended and then resumed. Specifically, the vehicle control device 11 records the last calculated deviation rate (ε(pre)) and correction coefficient (a(pre)) when planting work is temporarily suspended within a stroke. When planting work is resumed next, the vehicle control device 11 calculates a total deviation rate by summing the deviation rate ε(pre) before the resumption and the deviation rate ε after the resumption in the correction process, and calculates the correction coefficient a using the initial value (a(pre)) of the correction coefficient a and the initial value (ε(pre)) of the deviation rate ε.

[0053] Furthermore, when the route before and after the resumption of planting work are routes within the same work process (e.g., a single straight route R1), the vehicle control device 11 sets the planting interval for the predetermined section following the restarted predetermined section based on the total deviation rate. Note that when transitioning from the straight route R1 to the next straight route R1 (e.g., transitioning from an outbound route to a return route), i.e., when transitioning to a route with a different work process, the vehicle control device 11 preferably does not retain the deviation rate ε. For example, the vehicle control device 11 may be configured to calculate the angle between the vehicle orientation and the work direction at the start of work and not use the recorded value of the deviation rate ε if the angle is equal to or greater than a threshold. In the case of the target route R shown in FIG. 3, when the work vehicle 10 starts traveling along the turning route R2, the vehicle orientation deviates from the work direction and the angle becomes equal to or greater than the threshold. In this case, when planting work is performed along the straight route R1 following the turning route R2, the vehicle control device 11 resets the deviation rate ε calculated for the immediately preceding straight route R1 and performs a correction process.

[0054] Furthermore, the target route R may include a non-linear route on the work route along which planting work is carried out. FIG. 9 shows an example of planting work on a non-linear route. In FIG. 9, A1 indicates the traveling direction of the work vehicle 10 at the start of planting work, and R3 indicates the work route of the work vehicle 10. The work route R3 is a non-linear route (curved route). In this case, when the vehicle control device 11 executes the correction process after completing planting work in a predetermined section X1, for example, if the vehicle control device 11 calculates the travel distance Dx shown in FIG. 9 as the distance from the work start position P0 to the position of the work vehicle 10, this will deviate from the distance (curved distance) that the work vehicle 10 actually traveled along the work route R3. For this reason, the vehicle control device 11 is unable to set an appropriate correction coefficient a.

[0055] Therefore, when the work route is a non-linear route, it is preferable that the vehicle control device 11 resets the work start position P0 for each of multiple predetermined sections. For example, as shown in Figure 10, the vehicle control device 11 resets the work start position P0' after planting work is completed for multiple predetermined sections. This allows the vehicle control device 11 to calculate a travel distance Dx that approximates the distance that the work vehicle 10 actually traveled along the work route R3, for example, for a predetermined section X1.

[0056] In this way, the vehicle control device 11 can accurately calculate the traveled distance Dx by periodically updating the reference position (work start position P0) for calculating the traveled distance Dx. Note that the vehicle control device 11 may update the work start position P0 after executing the update process of the correction coefficient a a predetermined number of times. Furthermore, when the vehicle control device 11 updates the work start position P0, it may carry over the deviation rate ε and correction coefficient a calculated in the correction process before the update to the next correction process.

[0057] Note that when the work vehicle 10 is in a travel mode in which it automatically travels only on the straight route R1, the vehicle control device 11 does not execute the update process for the work start position P0. Also, when the work vehicle 10 is in a travel mode in which it automatically travels on the straight route R1 and in the headland area, if the headland area includes a non-straight route, the vehicle control device 11 automatically executes the update process for the work start position P0 during planting work in the headland area. Also, when a straight work area and a headland work area are set in advance as work areas, the vehicle control device 11 may be configured not to update the work start position P0 within the straight work area.

[0058] [Operation terminal 20] 1, the operation terminal 20 is an information processing device including an operation control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an operation display unit 23, and a communication unit 24. The operation terminal 20 may be configured as a mobile terminal such as a tablet terminal or a smartphone.

[0059] The communication unit 24 is a communication interface that connects the operation terminal 20 to the communication network N1 via a wired or wireless connection and performs data communication in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol with external devices such as one or more work vehicles 10 via the communication network N1.

[0060] The operation display unit 23 is a user interface that includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or organic EL display that displays various types of information, and an operation unit such as a touch panel, mouse, or keyboard that accepts operations. The operator can operate the operation unit on the operation screen displayed on the display unit to register various types of information (such as work vehicle information, field information, and work information, which will be described later). For example, the operator operates the operation unit to register the field F to be worked on.

[0061] The operator can also operate the operation unit to give instructions to start work, stop work, etc. to the work vehicle 10. Furthermore, the operator can grasp the traveling status of the work vehicle 10, which is automatically traveling through the field F according to the target route R, from the traveling trajectory displayed on the operation terminal 20, while in a location away from the work vehicle 10.

[0062] The storage unit 22 is a non-volatile storage unit such as an HDD or SSD that stores various types of information. A control program for causing the operation control unit 21 to execute predetermined processes is stored in the storage unit 22. For example, the control program is non-temporarily recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flash ROM, an EEPROM, a CD, or a DVD, and is read by a predetermined reading device (not shown) and stored in the storage unit 22. The control program may be downloaded to the operation terminal 20 from a server (not shown) via the communication network N1 and stored in the storage unit 22.

[0063] Furthermore, a dedicated application for automatically driving the work vehicle 10 is installed in the memory unit 22. The operation control unit 21 starts up the dedicated application to perform processing for setting various information related to the work vehicle 10, processing for generating a target route R for the work vehicle 10, and issuing instructions for automatic driving to the work vehicle 10.

[0064] The storage unit 22 also stores data such as work vehicle information, which is information relating to the work vehicle 10, and target route information, which is information relating to the target route R. The work vehicle information includes information such as the vehicle number and model for each work vehicle 10. The vehicle number is identification information for the work vehicle 10. The model is the model of the work vehicle 10.

[0065] Furthermore, the storage unit 22 may store the work vehicle information for one work vehicle 10, or may store the work vehicle information for multiple work vehicles 10. For example, if a specific operator owns multiple work vehicles 10, the work vehicle information for each work vehicle 10 is stored in the storage unit 22.

[0066] The target route information includes information such as the route name, field name, address, field area, and work time for each target route R. The route name is the route name of the target route R generated in the operation terminal 20. The field name is the name of the field F that is the work target for which the target route R is set. The address is the address of the field F, and the field area is the area of ​​the field F. The work time is the time required for the work vehicle 10 to work in the field F.

[0067] Furthermore, the storage unit 22 may store the target route information for one target route R, or may store the target route information for multiple target routes R. For example, if a specific operator generates multiple target routes R for one or multiple fields F that he or she owns, the target route information for each target route R is stored in the storage unit 22. Note that one target route R, or multiple target routes R, may be set for one field F.

[0068] In another embodiment, some or all of the information such as the work vehicle information and the target route information may be stored in a server accessible from the operation terminal 20. The operator may perform an operation to register the work vehicle information and the target route information in the server (for example, a personal computer, a cloud server, etc.).

[0069] The operation control unit 21 has control devices such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU is a processor that executes various types of arithmetic processing. The ROM is a non-volatile storage unit in which control programs such as a BIOS and an OS that cause the CPU to execute various types of arithmetic processing are stored in advance. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile storage unit that stores various types of information and is used as temporary storage memory for the various types of processing executed by the CPU. The operation control unit 21 controls the operation terminal 20 by having the CPU execute various control programs that are stored in advance in the ROM or the storage unit 22.

[0070] 1, the operation control unit 21 includes various processing units such as a setting processing unit 211 and an output processing unit 212. The operation control unit 21 functions as the various processing units by executing various processes in accordance with the control program using the CPU. Some or all of the processing units may be configured with electronic circuits. The control program may be a program for causing multiple processors to function as the processing units.

[0071] The setting processing unit 211 sets information about the work vehicle 10 (hereinafter referred to as work vehicle information), information about the field F (hereinafter referred to as field information), and information about how the work will be performed specifically (hereinafter referred to as work information). The setting processing unit 211 accepts setting operations by the operator on a setting screen 20A shown in Fig. 11, for example, and registers each piece of setting information.

[0072] Specifically, the setting processing unit 211 sets information such as the model of the work vehicle 10, the position where the positioning antenna 164 is attached on the work vehicle 10, the type of work implement 14, the size and shape of the work implement 14, the position of the work implement 14 relative to the work vehicle 10, the driving speed and engine rotation speed of the work vehicle 10 while working, and the driving speed and engine rotation speed of the work vehicle 10 while turning, by having the operator perform operations to register this information on the operation terminal 20.

[0073] In addition, the setting processing unit 211 sets information such as the position and shape of the field F, the starting position St where travel begins and the ending position G where travel ends, and the travel direction (working direction) by performing a registration operation on the operation terminal 20.

[0074] Information on the position and shape of the field F can be automatically obtained, for example, by having an operator get into the work vehicle 10 and drive it around the perimeter of the field F, recording the changes in position information of the positioning antenna 164 at that time. The position and shape of the field F can also be obtained based on a polygon obtained by the operator operating the operation terminal 20 to specify multiple points on a map while a map is displayed on the operation terminal 20. The area specified by the obtained position and shape of the field F is the area in which the work vehicle 10 can be driven (travel area).

[0075] The setting processing unit 211 is configured to be able to set work information such as whether or not the work vehicle 10 (unmanned rice transplanter) and the manned work vehicle 10 are working cooperatively, the number of skips which is the number of work paths the work vehicle 10 will skip when turning in the headland, the width of the headland, and the width of the non-work area.

[0076] For example, the setting processing unit 211 sets a work area for actually performing work in a registered field F. For example, when the operator selects "Work area registration" on the setting screen 20A (see FIG. 11) and selects the field F for which to register the work area, the setting processing unit 211 displays a registration screen (map screen) for registering the travel start position St and the travel end position G. On the registration screen, the operator registers the travel start position St and the travel end position G at any position within the field F.

[0077] Furthermore, the setting processing unit 211 generates a target route R along which the work vehicle 10 will automatically travel in the field F, based on each piece of setting information. For example, when the operator selects "Create route" on the setting screen 20A (see FIG. 11), the setting processing unit 211 displays a registration screen (not shown) for generating a route. On the registration screen, the operator registers information such as the field F, the work implement 14, the turning method, the headland area, the vehicle speed, and the engine rotation speed, and then issues a command to generate a route. When the setting processing unit 211 receives the command to generate a route, it generates a target route R based on the travel start position St, the travel end position G, and each piece of information.

[0078] 3, the setting processing unit 211 generates a target route R including a travel start position St, a travel end position G, a straight route R1, and a turning route R2. The setting processing unit 211 associates the generated target route R with a field F and registers it.

[0079] Furthermore, once the setting processing unit 211 has generated the target route R, it displays a setting screen 20B for setting work conditions related to planting work. On the setting screen 20B, the operator sets the number of plants (planting density), plant spacing (planting interval), whether plant spacing correction processing is ON or OFF, and correction sensitivity. For example, the operator inputs the desired number of plants into setting field K1. The setting processing unit 211 sets the plant spacing based on the input number of plants. Furthermore, the setting processing unit 211 sets a predetermined distance L that will be the target section for the correction processing based on the correction sensitivity input by the operator, and sets the number of plantings (target number of times n) within the predetermined distance. Note that the operator may input the plant spacing instead of the number of plants into setting field K2.

[0080] The output processing unit 212 outputs route data of the target route R and information on work conditions (work condition information) to the work vehicle 10. For example, when the operator selects a field F to be worked on and a work route (target route R) and performs a work start operation, the route data of the target route R corresponding to the field F and the work condition information are output to the work vehicle 10.

[0081] When the work vehicle 10 receives the route data of the target route R generated by the operation terminal 20, it stores it in the memory unit 12. Furthermore, when the travel start conditions are met, the work vehicle 10 starts autonomous travel in response to a work start instruction from the operator. While the work vehicle 10 is traveling autonomously, the operator can grasp the travel status within the field F on the operation terminal 20.

[0082] Furthermore, when the work vehicle 10 acquires the work condition information, it executes a correction process to correct the planting interval (row spacing) based on the work condition information.

[0083] The operation terminal 20 may be able to access a website (agricultural support site) for an agricultural support service provided by a server (not shown) via the communication network N1. In this case, the operation terminal 20 can function as an operation terminal for the server by executing a browser program by the operation control unit 21. The server is provided with the above-mentioned processing units and executes each process.

[0084] [Planting work process of embodiment 1] An example of the planting work process executed by the work system 1 will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0085] The present invention can be understood as a planting method (one example of the method of the present invention) that executes one or more steps included in the planting process. One or more steps included in the planting process described here may be omitted as appropriate. The steps in the planting process may be executed in a different order as long as they produce the same effects. While the following description uses an example in which the vehicle control device 11 executes each step in the planting process, another possible embodiment of the planting method is one in which one or more processors execute each step in the planting process in a distributed manner.

[0086] First, in step S11, the vehicle control device 11 of the work vehicle 10 acquires the target number of planting operations included in the work condition information. Specifically, the vehicle control device 11 acquires the target number of operations of "n times per L (m)" (see FIG. 6).

[0087] Next, in step S12, the vehicle control device 11 determines whether or not a work start instruction has been acquired. If the vehicle control device 11 acquires the work start instruction (S12: Yes), the process proceeds to step S13. The vehicle control device 11 waits until the work start instruction is acquired (S12: No).

[0088] In step S13, the vehicle control device 11 sets the work start position P0. For example, when the operator operates the planting clutch lever to issue a command to start planting work, the vehicle control device 11 drives (rotates) the work implement 14 to plant the first stalk, and sets the position of the work implement 14 at the time when the planting of the first stalk is detected as the work start position P0.

[0089] In another embodiment, the vehicle control device 11 may set the work start position P0 based on a preset position (a position on the imaginary work line L1 in [Embodiment 2]).

[0090] In another embodiment, the vehicle control device 11 may set the position of the work implement 14 at the time when the rotation sensor 17 detects the rotational movement (rotational phase) of the planting part (planting claws 43) as the work start position P0.

[0091] Next, in step S14, the vehicle control device 11 executes the planting process. Specifically, the vehicle control device 11 executes the planting process on the work route according to the target number of times of "n times per L (m)." Specifically, the vehicle control device 11 outputs the planting unit rotation speed ω corresponding to the target number of times to the planting drive device 18 to drive (rotate) the work implement 14 (planting unit).

[0092] Next, in step S15, the vehicle control device 11 determines whether the number of plantings has reached the target number. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the vehicle control device 11 determines whether the number of plantings has reached n from the work start position P0. If the number of plantings has reached the target number (S15: Yes), the vehicle control device 11 transitions the process to step S16. On the other hand, if the number of plantings has not reached the target number (S15: No), the vehicle control device 11 transitions the process to step S19.

[0093] In step S16, the vehicle control device 11 acquires (calculates) the travel distance (work distance) of the work vehicle 10. Specifically, the vehicle control device 11 calculates the distance from the work start position P0 to the position of the work vehicle 10 at the time when n planting operations are completed. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 6, the vehicle control device 11 acquires the travel distance D1.

[0094] Next, in step S17, the vehicle control device 11 determines whether the traveled distance matches the total section distance corresponding to the predetermined distance. For example, since the traveled distance D1 shown in FIG. 6 corresponds to the first section, the total section distance is the predetermined distance L. In this case, the vehicle control device 11 determines whether the traveled distance D1 matches the predetermined distance L. If the traveled distance matches the total section distance (S17: Yes) (see FIG. 5), the vehicle control device 11 shifts the processing to step S19. On the other hand, if the traveled distance does not match the total section distance (S17: No) (see FIG. 6), the vehicle control device 11 shifts the processing to step S18.

[0095] In step S18, the vehicle control device 11 determines that a deviation has occurred in the planting interval (row spacing), and executes a correction process to correct the planting interval.

[0096] Specifically, the vehicle control device 11 calculates the distance difference t1 (see FIG. 6) between the traveled distance D1 and the predetermined distance L, and calculates the deviation rate ε(1) corresponding to the distance difference t1 using the above formula (2). The vehicle control device 11 calculates "-(D1-L) / L" (= t1 / L) as the deviation rate ε(1). Next, the vehicle control device 11 determines the correction coefficient a(1) using the above formula (3) based on the deviation rate ε(1). Next, the vehicle control device 11 uses the correction coefficient a(1) to calculate the planting unit rotation speed ω using the above formula (1).

[0097] In step S19, the vehicle control device 11 determines whether the work vehicle 10 has reached the travel end position G. For example, if the work vehicle 10 has reached the travel end position G (S19: Yes), the vehicle control device 11 ends the processing. If the work vehicle 10 has not reached the travel end position G (S19: No), the vehicle control device 11 transitions the processing to step S14. Note that the vehicle control device 11 may also end the processing when it receives a work end instruction from the operator.

[0098] For example, if the vehicle control device 11 corrects the planting unit rotation speed ω based on the correction coefficient a(1), in step S14, the vehicle control device 11 outputs the corrected planting unit rotation speed ω to the planting drive device 18 to drive (rotate) the work machine 14 (planting unit).

[0099] As a result, the work machine 14 carries out planting work at the corrected planting unit rotation speed ω in the next predetermined section. In the example shown in Figure 6, when the number of plantings reaches n (S15: Yes), in step S16, the vehicle control device 11 acquires the traveled distance D2 as the distance from the work start position P0 to the position of the work vehicle 10 at the time when the nth planting work was completed. The vehicle control device 11 determines whether the traveled distance D2 matches the total section distance 2L (twice the predetermined distance L) (S17), and if the traveled distance and the total section distance do not match, it determines that there is a discrepancy in the planting spacing (between plants) and executes a correction process to correct the planting spacing (S18).

[0100] Here, the vehicle control device 11 calculates the distance difference t2 between the travel distance D2 and the total section distance 2L, and calculates the deviation rate ε(2) corresponding to the distance difference t2 using the above formula (2). The vehicle control device 11 calculates "-(D2-2L) / L" (=t2 / L) as the deviation rate ε(2). Next, the vehicle control device 11 determines the correction coefficient a(2) using the above formula (3) based on the deviation rate ε(2). Next, the vehicle control device 11 uses the correction coefficient a(2) to calculate the planting unit rotation speed ω using the above formula (1).

[0101] In this way, when the travel distance after the target number of planting operations deviates from the total section distance corresponding to the specified distance, the vehicle control device 11 corrects the planting interval by adjusting the correction coefficient a and controlling the planting unit rotation speed ω.

[0102] Furthermore, while the number of planting operations on the work route has not reached the target number of times (S15: No), the vehicle control device 11 executes the planting process according to the planting unit rotation speed ω calculated by the above formula (1) based on the set correction coefficient a.

[0103] The vehicle control device 11 continues the above-described processing (S14 to S18) until the work vehicle 10 arrives at the travel end position G (S19: No). The vehicle control device 11 executes the planting work processing in the above manner.

[0104] As described above, the work system 1 according to the first embodiment supplies agricultural materials (seedlings, seeds, fertilizer, chemicals, etc.) to a field F by a work vehicle 10. The work system 1 also acquires a target number of times to supply the agricultural materials per predetermined distance on a work route, acquires the travel distance of the work vehicle 10 at the time when the work vehicle 10 has finished supplying the agricultural materials the target number of times on a first predetermined section of the work route, and sets the supply interval of the agricultural materials on a second predetermined section following the first predetermined section on the work route based on the predetermined distance and the travel distance.

[0105] Thus, unlike a configuration that controls the spacing between plants to be constant throughout the entire field, the work system 1 controls the supply interval (planting interval) so that the planting density within a certain area meets the target value. Specifically, the work system 1 detects the number of plants according to the calculated area and adjusts the planting unit rotation speed ω according to the amount of deviation from the target planting density (number of plants planted).

[0106] According to the above configuration, for example, if the planting density (number of planted plants) in the first specified section falls below the target value, the planting density can be increased in the second specified section, so that the planting density and supply amount can be brought closer to the target values ​​when viewed across the entire field.

[0107] Furthermore, in the work system 1, the vehicle control device 11 calculates the travel distance (work distance) from the work start position P0 and the number of plantings from the work start position P0. By detecting the rotation phase of the planting unit using the rotation sensor 17, the vehicle control device 11 can detect the number of plantings per travel distance (planting density), which could not be accurately determined from slip rate information alone.

[0108] Furthermore, in the work system 1, the vehicle control device 11 compares the actual planting density after planting with a target planting density previously set by the operator, and corrects the planting unit rotation speed ω so that the actual planting density approaches the target planting density. The vehicle control device 11 repeatedly performs this correction process for each predetermined distance or number of plantings. By comparing the target planting density with the actual planting density and controlling the planting unit rotation speed ω, the actual planting density can be brought closer to the target planting density. Furthermore, a configuration that controls the planting unit rotation speed ω for each predetermined distance or number of plantings eliminates the need for control for each plant spacing as in conventional configurations, allowing the work system 1 to be constructed inexpensively.

[0109] Furthermore, in the work system 1, when planting work is completed, the vehicle control device 11 records the deviation rate ε and correction coefficient a at the time of completion and stores them until the target planting density or the preset target number of plantings and predetermined distance are changed. The vehicle control device 11 also uses the stored correction coefficient a as the correction coefficient a when work is resumed. Furthermore, in the correction process after resumption, the vehicle control device 11 uses a total deviation rate, which is the sum of the deviation rate ε before resumption and the deviation rate ε after resumption. This allows for a planting density close to the target value from the start of work, even if the deviation rate ε is constantly high or low due to machine variation or other reasons, by retaining the deviation rate ε and correction coefficient a. Furthermore, by retaining the deviation rate ε, it becomes possible to control the average planting density for the entire field. The vehicle control device 11 may also reset the stored deviation rate ε and correction coefficient a when work is resumed in a direction different from the previous work direction.

[0110] Furthermore, in the work system 1, the vehicle control device 11 may update the work start position P0 when it executes the process of updating the deviation rate ε and the correction coefficient a a preset number of times after starting planting work. At this time, the vehicle control device 11 stores the deviation rate ε and the correction coefficient a until the target planting density or the preset target number of times and predetermined distance are changed, and uses the stored deviation rate ε and correction coefficient a in the correction process after the change. Note that in the correction process after the change, the vehicle control device 11 uses a total deviation rate that is the sum of the deviation rate ε before the change and the deviation rate ε after the change. This makes it possible to control the planting density with high precision, even when working on a work route that is not a straight route, such as in a headland area, by calculating the travel distance (work distance) as a broken line route at regular intervals (see FIG. 10).

[0111] [Another configuration example of embodiment 1] In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle control device 11 is configured to calculate the distance deviation between the travel distance (working distance) of the work vehicle 10 at the time when the number of plantings reaches the target number of n times and a predetermined distance (total section distance) corresponding to the target number of times, and to execute a correction process to correct the planting interval if a distance deviation occurs.

[0112] As another configuration example, the vehicle control device 11 may determine whether the actual number of plantings (actual number of work operations) at the time the work vehicle 10 has traveled a predetermined distance (planting work) has reached the target number of n times, and perform a correction process to correct the planting interval if there is a discrepancy (number of times difference) between the actual number of work operations and the target number of times.

[0113] In this configuration example, the vehicle control device 11 calculates the deviation rate ε(f) (number of times deviation rate) corresponding to the difference (number of times difference) between the actual number of times X and the target number of times n using equation (4). "f" in equation (4) corresponds to the number of predetermined sections, i.e., the number of updates to the target number of times.

number

[0114] An example of the correction process is shown in Figures 14 and 15. Here, it is assumed that the target number of times is set to "10 times per 2 m." As shown in Figure 14, when the work vehicle 10 travels the predetermined distance of 2 m in the first predetermined section from the work start position P0, the actual number of times of work is "9 times," which does not reach the target number of times of "10 times." In this case, the vehicle control device 11 calculates "0.1" (= -(9-10) / 10) as the deviation rate ε(1) and determines the correction coefficient a(1) using the deviation rate ε(1) according to the above-mentioned formula (3). The vehicle control device 11 then calculates the planting unit rotation speed ω according to the above-mentioned formula (1) using the correction coefficient a(1). For example, the vehicle control device 11 outputs the planting unit rotation speed ω for performing the planting operation of "10.5 times per 2 m." The work vehicle 10 performs planting work in the next predetermined section based on the corrected planting unit rotation speed ω. As a result, when the work vehicle 10 has traveled 2 m in the next predetermined section, the actual number of operations for that predetermined section becomes "11 times," and the total with the initial actual number of operations becomes 20 times, which matches the target number of operations for 4 m, "20 times." When the actual number of operations matches the target number of operations, the vehicle control device 11 omits the correction process, maintains the planting unit rotation speed ω ("10.5 times per 2 m"), and moves on to the next predetermined section.

[0115] In the example shown in FIG. 15, when the work vehicle 10 has traveled a predetermined distance of 2 m from the work start position P0 in the first predetermined section, the actual number of operations is "9 times," which does not reach the target number of operations. In this case, the vehicle control device 11 calculates "0.1" as the deviation rate ε(1) and determines the correction coefficient a(1) using the deviation rate ε(1) according to the above-mentioned formula (3). The vehicle control device 11 then calculates the planting unit rotation speed ω according to the above-mentioned formula (1) using the correction coefficient a(1). For example, the vehicle control device 11 outputs the planting unit rotation speed ω to perform planting operations of "11 times per 2 m." The work vehicle 10 performs planting work in the next predetermined section based on the corrected planting unit rotation speed ω. As a result, when the work vehicle 10 has traveled 2 m in the next predetermined section, the actual number of operations in that predetermined section becomes "10 times." The total, including the initial actual number of operations, is 19 times, which does not reach the target number of operations of "20 times" for 4 m. In this case, the vehicle control device 11 calculates the deviation rate ε(2) as "0.05" (=-(19-20) / 10) and uses the deviation rate ε(2) to determine the correction coefficient a(2) using the above-mentioned formula (3). Then, the vehicle control device 11 uses the correction coefficient a(2) to calculate the planting unit rotation speed ω using the above-mentioned formula (1). For example, the vehicle control device 11 outputs the planting unit rotation speed ω for performing planting operations "12 times per 2 m." The work vehicle 10 performs planting work in the next specified section based on the corrected planting unit rotation speed ω. As a result, when the work vehicle 10 has traveled 2 m in the next specified section, the actual number of operations in that specified section becomes "11 times," and the total from the initial actual number of operations becomes 30 times, which matches the target number of operations for 6 m, "30 times." When the actual number of operations matches the target number of operations, the vehicle control device 11 omits the above-mentioned correction process, maintains the planting unit rotation speed ω, and moves on to the next specified section.

[0116] Here, when the actual number of operations matches the target number of operations, if there is a possibility that the actual number of operations will exceed the target number of operations in the next specified section, the vehicle control device 11 may correct the planting unit rotation speed ω. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, in a specified section of 6 m to 8 m, the vehicle control device 11 may output a planting unit rotation speed ω that executes planting operations "11 times per 2 m." As a result, when the work vehicle 10 has traveled 2 m in the specified section, the actual number of operations in that specified section will be "10 times," and the total from the initial actual number of operations will be 40 times, which matches the target number of operations for 8 m, "40 times."

[0117] In this way, the vehicle control device 11 executes the planting process while adjusting the target number of times for each predetermined section (predetermined distance).

[0118] As described above, the work system 1 according to another configuration example acquires the target number of times agricultural materials are to be supplied per predetermined distance on the work route, acquires the actual number of times the work vehicle 10 supplies the agricultural materials in a first traveling section of the predetermined distance, and sets the supply interval of the agricultural materials in a second predetermined section following the first predetermined section based on the difference between the target number and the actual number of times the work is carried out.

[0119] In the work system 1 according to the first embodiment, the vehicle control device 11 may be configured (first configuration) to calculate the deviation rate ε based on the distance traveled when a predetermined target number of tasks are performed, or may be configured (second configuration) to calculate the deviation rate ε based on the actual number of tasks performed when the work vehicle 10 travels a predetermined distance.

[0120] The work system 1 may also be capable of allowing an operator to select either the first configuration or the second configuration. The vehicle control device 11 may also apply either the first configuration or the second configuration based on information such as the state of the field F, route information of the target route R, and target planting density.

[0121] [Embodiment 2] Incidentally, in planting work to plant seedlings in a field F, a technique is known in which the planting position (work start position) after turning around the headland area is aligned for each work path. However, in conventional techniques, the work end position of the currently traveling work path is aligned with the work start position of the next work path, which can lead to discrepancies in the work start positions for each work path when viewed across the entire field. In contrast, the work system 1 according to the second embodiment is configured to be able to align the work start positions for each work path across the entire field.

[0122] The following describes the work system 1 according to the embodiment 2. In the following, the description of the same configuration as the work system 1 according to the embodiment 1 will be omitted.

[0123] In the vehicle control device 11 according to the second embodiment, the acquisition processing unit 112 acquires the spacing between rows (planting intervals) of agricultural materials (e.g., seedlings). For example, the acquisition processing unit 112 acquires the spacing between rows from information on work conditions (work condition information) related to planting work set on the setting screen 20B (see FIG. 12). In the example shown in FIG. 12, the acquisition processing unit 112 acquires "22.0 cm" as the spacing between rows.

[0124] The setting processing unit 115 sets a work start reference position Px, which is a reference position for setting the work start position for starting planting work. The work start reference position Px is a reference position when planting work is performed in the field F and is set at one location for the field F. Specifically, the setting processing unit 115 sets the work start reference position Px to the position of the work vehicle 10 (work implement 14) at the time when planting work is started at any timing. For example, on the work path of the first process (straight path R1), when the operator operates the planting clutch lever to issue a command to start planting work, the planting processing unit 113 drives (rotates) the work implement 14 to plant the first seedling. When the setting processing unit 115 detects that the first seedling has been planted on the work path of the first process, it sets the position of the work implement 14 at that time as the work start reference position Px. The setting processing unit 115 associates information about the set work start reference position Px with the field F and stores it in the memory unit 12.

[0125] The work start reference position Px is not limited to the position where the first seedling is actually planted; for example, the setting processing unit 115 may set the work start reference position Px to the position of the work implement 14 at the time when the instruction to start planting work is received.

[0126] The setting processing unit 115 also sets the work start reference position Px to the position where the seedlings are first planted on the work route where planting work is first carried out among the plurality of work routes.

[0127] In another embodiment, the setting processing unit 115 may set the work start reference position Px based on behavior information of the work vehicle 10. For example, the setting processing unit 115 sets the work start reference position Px based on changes in behavior information that includes, in addition to the position information of the work vehicle 10, the work direction (travel direction) of the work vehicle 10, including forward and reverse movement, the work speed of the planting work, the attitude angle of the work vehicle 10, the lowering and raising of the work implement 14, the ON / OFF of the drive of the work implement 14, the drive rotation speed of the work implement 14, whether the line marking device is working or not, the angle of the steering tires that change the vehicle heading, and whether agricultural materials are loaded on the work vehicle 10 or the work implement 14, or a combination of these pieces of information.

[0128] For example, the setting processing unit 115 sets the position where seedlings are first planted after the work vehicle 10 goes from a state where no seedlings are loaded to a state where seedlings are loaded as the work start reference position Px. Also, for example, if the attitude (tilt), vehicle direction, etc. of the work vehicle 10 changes near the entrance / exit of the field F, the setting processing unit 115 determines that the work vehicle 10 has entered the field F from outside, and sets the position where seedlings were first planted after detecting this change as the work start reference position Px. In this way, a configuration that sets the work start reference position Px based on specific changes in the behavior of the work vehicle 10 eliminates the need for the operator to obtain the shape of the field F in advance in order to determine the work start reference position Px, thereby improving workability.

[0129] Once the work start reference position Px has been set, the setting processing unit 115 sets a work start position Ps corresponding to each of the multiple work paths (straight paths R1) based on the spacing between the plants and the work start reference position Px acquired by the acquisition processing unit 112. Specifically, the setting processing unit 115 sets multiple imaginary work straight lines L1 that are arranged at the spacing between the plants from the work start reference position Px, and sets a work start position Ps on the imaginary work straight line L1 for each of the multiple straight paths R1.

[0130] 16 , when the setting processing unit 115 sets a work start reference position Px in the field F, it sets a virtual work line L1 that passes through the work start reference position Px and extends in the X direction perpendicular to the work direction (Y direction), and sets multiple virtual work lines L1 in the Y direction at intervals of the plant spacing Lt. The setting processing unit 115 sets the virtual work lines L1 throughout the entire field F.

[0131] If the shape of the field F is not rectangular but an irregular shape including sloping sides, such as a trapezoid or parallelogram, the setting processing unit 115 may set a virtual work straight line L1 that extends parallel to the sloping sides of the field F.

[0132] FIG. 17 shows an example of planting work. FIG. 17 shows a work path Ra for the first process, a work path Rb for the second process, a work path Rc for the third process, and a work path Rd for the fourth process. The work vehicle 10 starts planting work at a work start reference position Px on the work path Ra, and then performs planting work at the plant spacing Lt. When the work vehicle 10 moves to the second process, the setting processing unit 115 sets a work start position Ps on the virtual work line L1 on the work path Rb. Similarly, when the work vehicle 10 moves to the third process, the setting processing unit 115 sets a work start position Ps on the virtual work line L1 on the work path Rc, and when the work vehicle 10 moves to the fourth process, the setting processing unit 115 sets a work start position Ps on the virtual work line L1 on the work path Rd.

[0133] In the example shown in FIG. 17, the work start position Ps for each process is set on the same virtual work line L1. In another embodiment, the setting processing unit 115 may set the work start position Ps for each process on a different virtual work line L1. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, the setting processing unit 115 may set the work start position Ps for work path Rb and the work start position Ps for work path Rd on different virtual work lines L1. With the configuration shown in FIG. 18, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, if the shape of the field F is not rectangular, that is, if the field is inclined with respect to the working direction (Y direction), the work start position Ps for each work path can be set to a position along the slope. That is, after setting the work start reference position Px, the setting processing unit 115 may set the work start position Ps corresponding to each of the multiple work paths based on the row spacing, the work start reference position Px, and the shape of the field F acquired by the acquisition processing unit 112.

[0134] In this way, by configuring multiple work start positions Ps based on the work start reference position Px, it is possible to set the work start position Ps at an appropriate position regardless of the shape of the field F.

[0135] Here, the work vehicle 10 may interrupt planting work while performing planting work based on the work start reference position Px and the work start position Ps. For example, as shown in Figure 20, the work vehicle 10 may interrupt planting work on work route Ra and work route Rb, skip work route Rc and work route Rd, and resume planting work on work route Re. In this case, work route Ra and work route Rb become the worked area AR1, and work route Rc and work route Rd become the unworked area AR2.

[0136] In this way, if a completed work area AR1 exists within the same field F when the work vehicle 10 performs planting work, or if the work vehicle 10 is located within a predetermined distance from the completed work area AR1, the setting processing unit 115 does not set the position where planting work begins as the work start position Ps, but sets it as the work start position Ps. In the example shown in FIG. 20 , the setting processing unit 115 sets the work start position Ps where planting work begins on the work path Re on the virtual work line L1. That is, the setting processing unit 115 sets the work start position Ps for the work path Re using the work start reference position Px that was set before planting work began on the work path Re. Furthermore, the setting processing unit 115 maintains the already-set work start reference position Px even if the work vehicle 10 interrupts planting work in the field F. This makes it possible to automatically obtain the position where planting work was first performed as the work start reference position Px based on the shape of the field F and work history information for the field F, thereby improving operability for the operator.

[0137] The setting processing unit 115 may also erase and reset the work start reference position Px based on either the behavior information or a change in field F. For example, the setting processing unit 115 resets the work start reference position Px when the work vehicle 10 performs planting work in a field different from field F. That is, the setting processing unit 115 sets a work start reference position Px for each field. The setting processing unit 115 may store multiple work start reference positions Px set for each field in the memory unit 12. In this case, the setting processing unit 115 may obtain from the memory unit 12 the work start reference position Px corresponding to the field where the work vehicle 10 will perform planting work, and cause the work vehicle 10 to start planting work.

[0138] This allows the operator to delete the work start reference position Px at will, for example, when the field where planting work is to be performed is changed. Furthermore, by automatically deleting the position even if the operator does not perform the deletion operation, the operability for the operator can be improved. Furthermore, when planting work is to be performed in a new field, it is possible to prevent the work start reference position Px set for another field from being used.

[0139] Here, a specific example of how to set the work start position Ps for each work route will be described. For example, the setting processing unit 115 sets the work start position Ps on one of the multiple virtual work lines L1 that is closest to the position of the work vehicle 10 at the time the work start command is acquired. The setting processing unit 115 also sets the work start position Ps on one of the multiple virtual work lines L1 that is closest in the work direction to the position of the work vehicle 10 at the time the work start command is acquired. For example, in the example shown in Figure 18, when the operator operates the planting clutch lever to issue a command to start planting work when the work vehicle 10 is located at position Pt on the work route Rb, the setting processing unit 115 sets the work start position Ps on one of the multiple virtual work lines L1 that is closest in the work direction to position Pt.

[0140] Furthermore, the setting processing unit 115 may set the work start position Ps on the imaginary work line L1 that is included within a preset distance in the travel direction based on the work direction and the travel direction of the work vehicle 10.

[0141] In this way, the setting processing unit 115 sets the work start position Ps on the virtual work line L1 according to the timing of a manual operation (for example, when the operator engages the PTO) and the position information of the work vehicle 10.

[0142] In another embodiment, the setting processing unit 115 may set the work start position Ps on the virtual work line L1 according to the operation timing of the work implement 14 and the position information of the work vehicle 10. The operation timing may be generated based on the timing of the manual operation, or may be generated based on information about the boundary position between the headland area of ​​the field F and the reciprocating work area excluding the headland area. Furthermore, the vehicle control device 11 detects that the work vehicle 10 has reached the work start position Ps based on the work start position Ps and the position information of the work vehicle 10, and operates the work implement 14. This makes it possible to align the actual work start position with the set work start position Ps, thereby improving work accuracy. Note that, taking into account the structural delay time until the work implement 14 starts to drive, it is preferable to configure the work implement 14 to start operating slightly before the work start position Ps.

[0143] As an alternative method for setting the work start position Ps, the setting processing unit 115 may set the work start position Ps for the next work path based on the work end position of the previously completed work path. Specifically, the setting processing unit 115 identifies a virtual work line L1 that corresponds to the end position of planting work on the work path for which the work start reference position Px has been set, and sets the work start position Ps for each of the multiple work paths based on the identified virtual work line L1 and the work start reference position Px. For example, the setting processing unit 115 identifies a virtual work line L1 that corresponds to the position where the last planting work was performed on the work path Ra. The setting processing unit 115 then sets the work start position Ps for the next work path Rb on the identified virtual work line L1. The setting processing unit 115 may also set the work start position Ps for each work path on the virtual work line L1 that passes through the work start reference position Px and on the virtual work line L1 that corresponds to the position where the last planting work was performed on the work path Ra. This allows the work start positions to be aligned throughout the entire rectangular field F.

[0144] The vehicle control device 11 may display the work start reference position Px, work start position Ps, and virtual work straight line L1 set as described above on the operation terminal 20. This allows the operator to grasp the work start position for each work route, and also to understand whether the work start positions are consistent throughout the entire field F. The vehicle control device 11 may also display the work start reference position Px, work start position Ps, and virtual work straight line L1 in different formats.

[0145] [Planting work process of embodiment 2] An example of the planting work process executed by the work system 1 will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0146] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of the planting work process executed in the work system 1 according to the second embodiment.

[0147] First, in step S21, the vehicle control device 11 of the work vehicle 10 acquires the plant spacing (planting interval) included in the work condition information. Specifically, the vehicle control device 11 acquires the plant spacing Lt from information on work conditions related to planting work (work condition information) set on the setting screen 20B (see FIG. 12).

[0148] Next, in step S22, the vehicle control device 11 determines whether or not a work start instruction has been acquired. If the vehicle control device 11 acquires the work start instruction (S22: Yes), the process proceeds to step S23. The vehicle control device 11 waits until the work start instruction is acquired (S22: No).

[0149] In step S23, the vehicle control device 11 sets the work start reference position Px. For example, when the operator operates the planting clutch lever to give an instruction to start planting work, the vehicle control device 11 drives (rotates) the work implement 14 to plant the first seedling, and sets the position of the work implement 14 at the time when planting of the first seedling is detected as the work start reference position Px (see FIG. 16). In other words, the vehicle control device 11 sets the position in the field F where planting work was first performed as the work start reference position Px.

[0150] Next, in step S24, the vehicle control device 11 sets a virtual work line L1. Specifically, the vehicle control device 11 sets multiple virtual work lines L1 that are arranged from the work start reference position Px at intervals of the row plant spacing Lt. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the vehicle control device 11 sets a virtual work line L1 that passes through the work start reference position Px and extends in the X direction, which is perpendicular to the work direction (Y direction), and arranges multiple virtual work lines L1 in the Y direction at intervals of the row plant spacing Lt. The vehicle control device 11 sets the virtual work lines L1 over the entire field F.

[0151] Next, in step S25, the vehicle control device 11 executes the planting process. Specifically, the vehicle control device 11 executes the planting process along the work route according to the target number of times "n times per L (m)" included in the work condition information. The vehicle control device 11 outputs the planting unit rotation speed ω corresponding to the target number of times to the planting drive device 18 to drive (rotate) the work implement 14 (planting unit).

[0152] Next, in step S26, the vehicle control device 11 determines whether the work vehicle 10 has moved to the next work route (journey). If the work vehicle 10 has moved to the next work route (S26: Yes), the vehicle control device 11 shifts the process to step S27. On the other hand, if the work vehicle 10 has not moved to the next work route (S26: No), the vehicle control device 11 shifts the process to step S29.

[0153] In step S27, the vehicle control device 11 sets the work start position Ps for the next work route. Specifically, the vehicle control device 11 sets the work start position Ps for the work route on a predetermined imaginary work line L1 out of multiple imaginary work lines L1.

[0154] For example, as shown in Figure 18, when the work vehicle 10 reaches position Pt on the work route Rb and the operator operates the planting clutch lever to give an instruction to start planting work, the vehicle control device 11 sets the work start position Ps on one of the multiple virtual work lines L1 that is closest in the work direction from position Pt.

[0155] Next, in step S28, the vehicle control device 11 executes the planting process for the work path based on the set work start position Ps. Specifically, the vehicle control device 11 executes the planting process for the work path Rb (see FIG. 18) from the work start position Ps according to the target number of times of "n times per L (m)."

[0156] In another embodiment, if the field F is not rectangular but includes a sloped side as shown in FIG. 19, the vehicle control device 11 may control the drive timing of the planting units 34 along the slope. For example, in the field F shown in FIG. 19, when a work vehicle 10 with six rows of planting travels and plants toward the sloped side (travels from the bottom to the top of FIG. 19), the vehicle control device 11 stops the two rows on the left side and plants the four rows in the center and on the right, then stops the four rows on the left side and plants the two rows on the right. In this way, the vehicle control device 11 can align the planting positions along the slope by shifting the row stopping timing of each of the multiple planting units 34 according to the slope.

[0157] Next, in step S29, the vehicle control device 11 determines whether the work vehicle 10 has reached the travel end position G. For example, the vehicle control device 11 ends the processing when the work vehicle 10 has reached the travel end position G (S29: Yes). If the work vehicle 10 has not reached the travel end position G (S29: No), the vehicle control device 11 transitions the processing to step S26. Note that the vehicle control device 11 may also end the processing when the field F to be worked on has changed or when the behavior information has changed.

[0158] When the work vehicle 10 moves to the next work route (for example, work route Rc in FIG. 18) (S26: Yes), in step S27 the vehicle control device 11 sets a work start position Ps for the work route Rc. In this case, the vehicle control device 11 may set the work start position Ps on the work route Rc on the imaginary work line L1 that is closest in the work direction from the operator's start instruction position Pt (see FIG. 18), or may set the work start position Ps on the imaginary work line L1 that passes through the work start reference position Px (see FIG. 17).

[0159] The vehicle control device 11 continues the above-described processing (S26 to S28) until the work vehicle 10 arrives at the travel end position G (S29: No). The vehicle control device 11 executes the planting work processing in the above manner.

[0160] As described above, the work system 1 according to the second embodiment supplies agricultural materials (seedlings, seeds, fertilizer, chemicals, etc.) to a field F using a work vehicle 10. The work system 1 also acquires the supply interval (row spacing Lt) of the agricultural materials, sets a work start reference position Px which is a reference position for setting a work start position Ps at which the work of supplying the agricultural materials begins, and sets a work start position Ps corresponding to each of a plurality of work routes based on the supply interval and the work start reference position Px.

[0161] With the above configuration, the work start position Ps of each work path can be set to match the work start reference position Px, for example. Furthermore, the work start position Ps of each work path can be set to the position of the predetermined supply interval. This makes it possible to align the work start positions Ps of each work path throughout the entire field F.

[0162] In another embodiment of the work system 1 according to the second embodiment, the vehicle control device 11 may set the work start position Ps for each work route based on the shape of the field F. For example, the vehicle control device 11 may set the work start position Ps at a position a predetermined distance from a ridge adjacent to the field F. Furthermore, in the case of a driving mode in which the work vehicle 10 automatically travels only along the straight path R1, if a reference line defining the straight traveling direction has been registered in advance, the vehicle control device 11 may set the work start position Ps at the positions of both end points (point A and point B) registered for the reference line.

[0163] In another embodiment, when the work vehicle 10 is in a driving mode in which it automatically drives the entire field F (straight route R1 and headland area), the vehicle control device 11 may set the work start reference position Px and work start position Ps for the entire field F in advance based on information about the field F, information about the target route R, and work condition information.

[0164] The configuration shown in the second embodiment can be applied to the first embodiment. For example, the vehicle control device 11 may set the work start position P0 shown in FIG. 6 on the virtual work line L1 (see FIG. 16). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, when the vehicle control device 11 resets the work start position P0' after completing planting work in multiple predetermined sections, the work start position P0' may be set on the virtual work line L1 (see FIG. 16). That is, in the work system 1 according to the first embodiment, the vehicle control device 11 may set the work start position P0 of each work route on the virtual work line L1, which is set based on the work start reference position Px and the spacing between plants.

[0165] Each function of the vehicle control device 11 according to the first and second embodiments may be located outside the work vehicle 10, or may be included in the operation control unit 21 of the operation terminal 20. That is, in the above-described embodiments, the vehicle control device 11 corresponds to the work system according to the present invention, but the work system according to the present invention may be configured with the operation terminal 20 alone. Also, the work system according to the present invention may be configured to include the work vehicle 10 and the operation terminal 20. Also, each function of the vehicle control device 11 may be included in a server capable of communicating with the work vehicle 10.

[0166] [Notes on the Invention] Below, we will add a summary of the invention extracted from the above-mentioned embodiment 1. Note that the configurations and processing functions explained in the following addendum can be selected and combined as desired.

[0167] <Appendix 1> A method for supplying agricultural materials to a field by a work vehicle, comprising: acquiring a target number of times for supplying the agricultural materials per predetermined distance along a work route; acquiring a travel distance of the work vehicle at a point in time when the work vehicle has completed the target number of times of supplying the agricultural material in a first predetermined section of the work route; setting a supply interval for the agricultural materials in a second predetermined section following the first predetermined section on the work route based on the predetermined distance and the travel distance; How to perform the work.

[0168] <Appendix 2> setting the supply interval in the second predetermined section based on the difference between the total section distance obtained by multiplying the predetermined distance by an integer depending on the number of predetermined sections including the first predetermined section and the traveling distance; The working method described in Appendix 1.

[0169] <Appendix 3> The supply interval is set so that an implementation density calculated by dividing the number of times the work vehicle has supplied the agricultural materials in the section of the travel distance by the travel distance approaches a target density calculated by dividing the target number of times by the predetermined distance. The working method described in Appendix 1 or 2.

[0170] <Appendix 4> The supply interval is set so that a deviation rate calculated by dividing the difference by the total section distance approaches 0. The working method is described in Appendix 2.

[0171] <Appendix 5> setting a correction coefficient for correcting the rotation speed of a supply unit that supplies the agricultural material to the field based on the deviation rate; The working method described in Appendix 4.

[0172] <Appendix 6> and further executing setting a work start position for starting the supply work of the agricultural material; The travel distance is the distance from the work start position to the position of the work vehicle at the time when the work vehicle has finished supplying the agricultural materials the target number of times. A method of operation according to any one of appendices 1 to 5.

[0173] <Appendix 7> When the supply work of the agricultural materials is interrupted and then resumed on the work route, the supply interval in the predetermined section following the predetermined section after the resumption is set based on a total deviation rate obtained by summing the deviation rate before the resumption and the deviation rate corresponding to the predetermined section after the resumption. The method of operation described in Appendix 4 or 5.

[0174] <Appendix 8> When the route before the restart of the supply work and the route after the restart are routes within the same work process, the supply interval in a predetermined section following the predetermined section after the restart is set based on the total deviation rate. The working method described in Appendix 7.

[0175] <Appendix 9> When the work path is a non-linear path, the work start position is reset for each of the plurality of predetermined sections. A method of operation according to any one of appendices 1 to 8.

[0176] Below, an outline of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiment 2 will be described. Note that the configurations and processing functions described in the following notes can be selected and combined as desired.

[0177] <Appendix 10> A method for supplying agricultural materials to a field by a work vehicle, comprising: Obtaining a supply interval of the agricultural material; setting a work start reference position which is a reference position for setting a work start position at which the agricultural material supply work is started; setting the work start positions corresponding to each of a plurality of work paths based on the supply interval and the work start reference position; How to perform the work.

[0178] <Appendix 11> a plurality of virtual work lines are set, the virtual work lines being arranged at the supply intervals from the work start reference position; For each of the plurality of work paths, the work start position is set on the virtual work line. The working method described in Appendix 10.

[0179] <Appendix 12> each of the plurality of virtual work straight lines is set to extend in a direction perpendicular to the work direction of the supply work on the work path; The working method described in Appendix 11.

[0180] <Appendix 13> setting the work start reference position based on behavior information of the work vehicle; A method according to any one of appendices 10 to 12.

[0181] <Appendix 14> the work start reference position is set to a position where the agricultural material is first supplied on a work route where the supply work is first performed among the plurality of work routes; A method according to any one of appendices 10 to 13.

[0182] <Appendix 15> The set work start reference position is maintained even when the work vehicle interrupts the supply work in the field. A method according to any one of appendices 10 to 14.

[0183] <Appendix 16> resetting the work start reference position when the work vehicle performs the supply work in a field different from the field; 16. The method of any one of appendices 10 to 15.

[0184] <Appendix 17> the work start position is set on one of the plurality of virtual work lines that is closest to the position of the work vehicle at the time the work start operation is acquired; A method of operation according to any one of appendices 11 to 16.

[0185] <Appendix 18> the work start position is set on one of the plurality of virtual work lines that is closest to the work direction of the supply work from the position of the work vehicle at the time the work start operation is acquired; A method of operation according to any one of appendices 11 to 17.

[0186] <Appendix 19> identifying the virtual work line corresponding to the end position of the supply work on the work path for which the work start reference position has been set; setting the work start positions corresponding to each of the plurality of work paths based on the identified virtual work line and the work start reference position; A method of operation according to any one of appendices 11 to 17. [Explanation of symbols]

[0187] 1: Work system 10: Work vehicle 11: Vehicle control device 14: Work equipment 16: Positioning device 18: Planting drive device 20: Operation terminal 20A: Settings screen 20B: Settings screen 111: Driving processing unit 112: Acquisition processing unit (first acquisition processing unit, second acquisition processing unit) 113: Planting processing section 114: Calculation processing unit 115: Setting processing section 161: Positioning control unit D1: Mileage D2: Mileage F: Field L1: Virtual working line Lt: Plant spacing (feeding interval) P0: Work start position Ps:Work start position Px: Work start reference position R: Target route S: Correction level St: Travel start position X1: specified section a: Correction coefficient n: target number of times t1: distance difference t2: distance difference ε: deviation rate ω: Planting unit rotation speed

Claims

1. A method for supplying agricultural materials to a field by a work vehicle, comprising: Obtaining a supply interval of the agricultural material; setting a work start reference position which is a reference position for setting a work start position at which the agricultural material supply work is started; setting the work start positions corresponding to each of a plurality of work routes based on the supply interval, the work start reference position, and the shape of the field; How to perform the work.

2. a plurality of virtual work lines are set, the virtual work lines being arranged at the supply intervals from the work start reference position; For each of the plurality of work paths, the work start position is set on the virtual work line.

2. The method of claim 1.

3. each of the plurality of virtual work straight lines is set to extend in a direction perpendicular to the work direction of the supply work on the work path; 3. The method of claim 2.

4. For each of the work paths, the work start position corresponding to the work path is set on one of the plurality of virtual work lines that corresponds to the supply interval, the work start reference position, and the shape of the field.

4. The method of claim 3.

5. The work start position of the first work path is set on a first virtual work line among the plurality of virtual work lines; the work start position of a second work path, which is different from the first work path, is set on a second virtual work line, which is different from the first virtual work line, among the plurality of virtual work lines; 5. The method of claim 4.

6. When the outer edge of the field is inclined with respect to the work direction, the work start position of each of the work paths is set to a position along the inclination of the outer edge on the multiple virtual work lines.

5. The method of claim 4.

7. setting the work start reference position based on behavior information of the work vehicle; 2. The method of claim 1.

8. the work start reference position is set to a position where the agricultural material is first supplied on a work route where the supply work is first performed among the plurality of work routes; 2. The method of claim 1.

9. The set work start reference position is maintained even when the work vehicle interrupts the supply work in the field.

9. The method of claim 8.

10. resetting the work start reference position when the work vehicle performs the supply work in a field different from the field; 9. The method of claim 8.

11. A work system for supplying agricultural materials to a field by a work vehicle, an acquisition processing unit that acquires the supply intervals of the agricultural materials; a setting processing unit that sets a work start reference position, which is a reference position for setting a work start position at which to start the supply work of the agricultural materials, and sets the work start position corresponding to each of a plurality of work routes based on the supply interval, the work start reference position, and the shape of the field; A working system comprising:

12. A work program for supplying agricultural materials to a field by a work vehicle, Obtaining a supply interval of the agricultural material; setting a work start reference position which is a reference position for setting a work start position at which the agricultural material supply work is started; setting the work start positions corresponding to each of a plurality of work routes based on the supply interval, the work start reference position, and the shape of the field; A working program for execution by one or more processors.

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