Discharge device

Abstract

To provide a discharge device which can prevent a leakage of a target object from a discharge part without an intention of a user.SOLUTION: A discharge device is used along with a drone, and transports and discharges a target object. The discharge device includes: a discharge part 26 which discharges the target object; a shutter part 27 which can prevent a discharge of the target object by the discharge part 26; and a control part 28 which can control an operation of the shutter part 27. The discharge part 26 has a first discharge part and a second discharge part. The shutter part 27 is arranged at a position at which paths of the target object being supplied to either the first discharge part and the second discharge part and can be inclined in a front and rear direction with respect to a principal part. Upon receiving a shutter opening instruction from a user, the control part 28 controls the shutter part 27 to incline to discharge the target object from the discharge part 26.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , , , , , , , , , , , ,

[0006]

[0001] The present invention relates to a discharging device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a discharging device that is used together with a drone and is used to transport and discharge, for example, agricultural chemicals such as seeds and granules, and all other objects that can be transported by the drone (objects).

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as this type of discharging device, for example, a direct-seeding machine for seeds disclosed in Patent Document 1 or the like is known. The direct-seeding machine for seeds disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a transport vehicle that moves on a paddy field, a seed storage container mounted on the transport vehicle and containing a plurality of seeds, and a seed dropping unit that drops the plurality of seeds contained in the seed storage container and sows them in the paddy field every time the transport vehicle moves a predetermined distance on the paddy field.

[0003] By the way, in this type of discharging device, there is a concern that seeds (objects) may leak from the discharging part where the user does not intend, and this becomes a particular problem when discharging from above the sky using a drone.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, Patent Document 1 and the like do not disclose any technology for preventing seeds (objects) from leaking from the discharging part where the user does not intend, and the development of such technology has been desired.

[0006] Therefore, the inventors diligently conducted research and, as a result, conceived a configuration that can prevent the object from leaking out of the discharge section unintentionally, thus completing the present invention.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the aforementioned problems in the prior art, and aims to provide a discharge device that can prevent the object from leaking out of the discharge section unintentionally by the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the configuration of the discharge device according to the present invention is as follows: (1) An discharge device used in conjunction with a drone for transporting and discharging objects, A discharge section from which the object is discharged, A shutter section capable of preventing the supply of the object to the discharge section, The system includes a control unit capable of controlling the operation of the shutter section, The discharge section comprises a first discharge section and a second discharge section. The shutter section is positioned to allow switching between supplying the object to either the first discharge section or the second discharge section, and is tiltable back and forth around its main part. After the control unit receives a shutter release command from the user, it controls the shutter unit to tilt so that the object is discharged from the discharge unit. 、 The shutter portion has a roughly fan-shaped vertical cross-section. It is characterized by the following:

[0009] The configuration of the discharge device of the present invention described in (1) above provides the following effects. In other words, according to the configuration in (1) above, the shutter will not open unless there is an instruction from the user to open the shutter, and the discharge of the object from the discharge unit will be prevented. Therefore, according to the configuration of (1) above, it is possible to provide a discharge device that can prevent the object from leaking out of the discharge section unintentionally.

[0010] In the configuration of the discharge device of the present invention described in (1) above, it is preferable to have the following configurations as described in (2) to (4).

[0011] (2) In the configuration of (1) above, the discharge unit is The first discharge section is equipped with a propeller member, thereby accelerating the discharge speed of the object. The second discharge section does not have a propeller member, so that the discharge speed of the object is the speed of free fall.

[0012] According to the preferred configuration of (2) above, the discharge rate of the object (e.g., rice seeds) can be arbitrarily changed, making it possible to flexibly respond to the conditions of the discharge destination (paddy field, etc.).

[0013] (3) In the configuration of (2) above, the shutter unit is positioned in a state in which the object is not supplied to either the first discharge unit or the second discharge unit when the user issues a shutter closing instruction, thereby preventing the discharge of the object from the discharge unit.

[0014] According to the preferred configuration of (3) above, when the user issues a shutter closing instruction, the object is no longer supplied to either the first or second discharge unit. Therefore, even after the control unit receives a shutter closing instruction from the user, it is possible to prevent the object from leaking out of the discharge unit unintentionally.

[0015] (4) In any of the configurations described in (1) to (3) above, the object is a powder or granular material. Examples of powdered or granular materials include rice seeds and pesticides in granular form. Among various materials, powders and granules are particularly prone to leaking from the discharge section, but by using the discharge device of the present invention, it is possible to completely prevent unintended leaks by the user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a discharging device that can prevent an object from leaking from a discharging portion unintentionally by the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] Front view showing the overall configuration of the discharging device in an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 2] Front vertical sectional view showing the internal structure of the seed paddy feeding mechanism, which is a component of the discharging device in an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 3] Front vertical sectional view showing the positional relationship between the seed paddy feeding mechanism and the lower-stage seed paddy feeding mechanism, which are components of the discharging device in an embodiment of the present invention, and their internal structures (however, the main body portion of the driving / discharging mechanism is omitted) [Figure 4] Front view showing the path of the transferred seed paddy (object) of the discharging device in an embodiment of the present invention (only the right half of the front view is shown as a vertical sectional view, and hatching is omitted for easy viewing of the drawing) [Figure 5] Vertical sectional view seen from the right side of FIG. 1 showing the internal structure of the main body portion of the driving / discharging mechanism on the right side of the lower-stage seed paddy feeding mechanism of FIG. 1, which is a component of the discharging device in an embodiment of the present invention (the shutter portion is closed in both the driving side and the free-falling side) [Figure 6] Vertical sectional view seen from the right side of FIG. 1 showing the internal structure of the main body portion of the driving / discharging mechanism on the right side of the lower-stage seed paddy feeding mechanism of FIG. 1, which is a component of the discharging device in an embodiment of the present invention ((a) is a state where the shutter portion is open on the driving side, (b) is a state where the shutter portion is open on the free-falling side) [Figure 7] Perspective view of the main body portion of the driving / discharging mechanism, which is a component of the discharging device in an embodiment of the present invention, seen from the right rear obliquely of FIG. 5 [Figure 8] Exploded perspective view of FIG. 7 [Figure 9] Explanatory view showing the control method of the shutter portion and the propeller member in the driving mode of the discharging device in an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 10] An explanatory diagram showing a control method for the shutter section and propeller member of a discharge device in the free-fall mode according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] The present invention will be described in more detail below using preferred embodiments. However, the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0019] (Basic configuration of the discharge device) First, the basic configuration of the discharge device in one embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figures 1 to 4, using the case where the discharge device is a "seeding machine" as an example. Therefore, the object to be transported and discharged in the discharge device of this embodiment is "seed rice".

[0020] Figure 1 is a front view showing the overall configuration of the discharge device in this embodiment; Figure 2 is a front longitudinal section view showing the internal structure of the seed feeding mechanism, which is a component of the discharge device; Figure 3 is a front longitudinal section view showing the positional relationship between the seed feeding mechanism and the lower seed feeding mechanism, which are components of the discharge device, as well as their internal structures (however, the main body of the planting and discharge mechanism is omitted); and Figure 4 is a front view of the discharge device showing the path of the transported seeds (objects) (only the right half of the front view is shown in the longitudinal section view, but hatching is omitted to make the drawing easier to read). Note that Figure 2 shows only the seed feeding mechanism on the right side in a front view. Also, Figure 3 shows only the seed feeding mechanism on the right side in a front view and the lower seed feeding mechanism.

[0021] The discharge device 1 in this embodiment, shown in Figure 1, is a device (seed planter) used in conjunction with the drone 2 to transport and discharge the target object, which is rice seeds. As shown in Figure 1, the discharge device 1 comprises a hopper 3 as a seed input mechanism attached to the drone 2, two seed dispensing mechanisms 4a and 4b, and lower seed dispensing mechanisms 15a and 15b, respectively, located below the seed dispensing mechanisms 4a and 4b. The hopper 3 stores the seeds and is used to feed the seeds into the various seed dispensing mechanisms 4a and 4b. The various seed dispensing mechanisms 4a and 4b each feed the input seeds to the first seed outlet 8a (see Figures 2 and 3) and push the seeds to the lower seed dispensing mechanisms 15a and 15b, respectively. Each of the lower seed feeding mechanisms 15a and 15b is for feeding the extruded seeds to the second seed outlets 17a and 18a (see Figure 3), respectively, and for discharging the seeds via the planting and discharge mechanism 23.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the seed dispensing mechanism 4b on the right side in a front view includes a joint 6 having a seed input port 6a, a one-way screw 7, an extrusion section 8 having a first seed outlet 8a, and a cylindrical casing 9 surrounding the outer circumference of the one-way screw 7. Here, both ends of the cylindrical casing 9 are fitted and fixed to the joint 6 and the extrusion section 8, respectively. Thus, the seed feeding mechanism 4b is configured as a screw feeder.

[0023] The joint 6 has a tapered cross-section that is narrower on the seed input port 6a side. The one-way screw 7 includes a variable outer diameter / variable pitch section 10 in which the outer diameter and pitch spacing decrease towards the seed input port 6a side, an extrusion screw section 14 that constitutes the extrusion section 8, and a fixed pitch section 11 located between the variable outer diameter / variable pitch section 10 and the extrusion screw section 14, in which the outer diameter and pitch spacing are constant. Here, the variable outer diameter / variable pitch section 10 is detachable from the fixed pitch section 11. The extrusion screw section 14 is formed in a shape that widens at the tip.

[0024] The unidirectional screw 7 is detachably supported on both the joint 6 side and the extrusion section 8 side, and is rotationally driven by a screw motor 13 provided on the outer end face of the joint 6.

[0025] The seed feeding mechanism 4a on the left side in a front view has the same structure as the seed feeding mechanism 4b on the right side in a front view described above, and is arranged symmetrically with the seed feeding mechanism 4b.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the hopper 3 is provided with a pair of seed drop openings 3a and 3b on the left and right sides at its lower part. The two seed feeding mechanisms 4a and 4b are arranged symmetrically in a horizontal position, and the pair of seed drop openings 3a and 3b on the hopper 3 are connected to the respective seed input openings 6a of the left and right seed feeding mechanisms 4a and 4b (see Figure 2). The left and right seed feeding mechanisms 4a and 4b are fixed to the hopper 3 via a pair of left and right connecting members 12a and 12b, respectively.

[0027] As described above, the joint 6 of the seed feeding mechanisms 4a and 4b, which has a seed input port 6a, has a tapered cross-section that is narrower on the seed input port 6a side, and the unidirectional screw 7 of the seed feeding mechanisms 4a and 4b includes a variable outer diameter / variable pitch section 10 in which the outer diameter and pitch spacing decrease as it approaches the seed input port 6a side. This prevents a large amount of seeds from accumulating in the seed input port 6a, and ensures smooth and stable transfer of seeds regardless of the rotation speed of the unidirectional screw 7. Furthermore, since the unidirectional screw 7 includes a fixed pitch section 11 in which the outer diameter and pitch spacing are constant, it becomes possible to transport a fixed amount (appropriate amount) of seeds at a constant speed. Furthermore, since the variable outer diameter / variable pitch section 10 is detachable from the fixed pitch section 11, the variable outer diameter / variable pitch section 10 can be replaced with one of various outer diameters and pitch intervals. As a result, it becomes possible to handle not only rice seeds but also powders and granules of various shapes and characteristics, and it also becomes possible to control the amount of powders and granules such as rice seeds taken into the joint 6 according to the amount of rotation of the unidirectional screw 7. Furthermore, because the extrusion screw portion 14 is formed in a flared shape, the rice seeds that have been conveyed to the extrusion portion 8 by the fixed pitch portion 11 are more likely to slide off. This prevents the rice seeds from clogging the extrusion portion 8.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the lower seed feeding mechanism 15b on the right side in a front view includes a central seed inlet 16, left and right seed outlets 17 and 18, a bidirectional screw 19 with screw blades wound in opposite directions on the left and right sides, and left and right cylindrical casings 20 and 21 surrounding the outer circumference of the bidirectional screw 19. Here, both ends of the left cylindrical casing 20 are fitted and fixed to the left seed outlet 17 and the central seed inlet 16, respectively. Similarly, both ends of the right cylindrical casing 21 are fitted and fixed to the central seed inlet 16 and the right seed outlet 18, respectively. Thus, the lower seed feeding mechanism 15b is configured as a screw feeder. Furthermore, since the lower seed dispensing mechanism 15b includes a bidirectional screw 19 as described above, it is possible to accurately distribute the seed rice to the left and right.

[0029] The central seed inlet 16 has a seed inlet 16a, and the left and right seed outlets 17 and 18 each have second seed outlets 17a and 18a, respectively. The bidirectional screw 19 is pivotally supported on the left and right seed outlets 17 and 18 sides and is rotationally driven by a screw motor 22 provided on the outer end face of the left seed outlet 17. The seed inlet 16a of the lower seed feeding mechanism 15b on the right side in a front view is connected to the first seed outlet 8a of the seed feeding mechanism 4b on the right side in a front view.

[0030] The bidirectional screw 19 is formed with a flared shape at the left and right seed outlet sections 17 and 18. This makes it easier for the seeds that have been transported from the central seed inlet section 16 to the left and right seed outlet sections 17 and 18 to slide out, thereby preventing clogging of the seed outlet sections 17 and 18.

[0031] The lower seed feeding mechanism 15a on the left side in a front view has the same structure as the lower seed feeding mechanism 15b on the right side in a front view described above, and is arranged symmetrically with the lower seed feeding mechanism 15b. The seed inlet 16a of the lower seed feeding mechanism 15a on the left side in a front view is connected to the first seed outlet 8a of the seed feeding mechanism 4a on the left side in a front view.

[0032] In the discharge device 1 configured as described above, the rice seeds stored in the hopper 3 are discharged (sown) from the second rice seed outlets 17a and 18a (planting / discharge mechanism 23) of the left and right lower rice seed feeding mechanisms 15a and 15b, following the following path.

[0033] Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the rice seeds stored in the hopper 3 are fed into the joint 6 through the seed drop-off port 3b on the right side of the hopper 3 and the seed input port 6a of the seed feeding mechanism 4b (see arrow A in Figures 2, 3, and 4). As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the rice seeds fed into the joint 6 are first fed to the fixed pitch portion 11 of the unidirectional screw 7 by the variable outer diameter / variable pitch portion 10 of the unidirectional screw 7, and then fed to the extrusion screw portion 14 of the extrusion unit 8 by the fixed pitch portion 11 (see arrow B in Figure 4). As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the rice seeds fed to the extrusion screw portion 14 of the extrusion unit 8 are pushed out by the extrusion screw portion 14 through the first seed outlet 8a and seed inlet 16a into the seed inlet portion 16 of the lower seed feeding mechanism 15b (see arrow C in Figure 4). As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the rice seeds pushed into the seed inlet 16 of the lower seed feeding mechanism 15b are branched and sent out to the left and right seed outlets 17 and 18 by the bidirectional screw 19 (see arrows D and E in Figure 4), and are discharged (sown) from the second seed outlets 17a and 18a (planting and discharge mechanism 23) of the left and right seed outlets 17 and 18 (see arrows F and G in Figure 4).

[0034] Seeds that are fed into the connector 6 from the seed drop port 3a on the left side of the hopper 3 via the seed input port 6a of the seed feeding mechanism 4a follow a similar path and are discharged (sown) from the second seed outlets 17a and 18a (planting / discharge mechanism 23) of the left and right seed outlets 17 and 18 of the lower seed feeding mechanism 15a.

[0035] The left and right lower seed feeding mechanisms 15a and 15b are detachably attached to the left and right seed feeding mechanisms 4a and 4b, respectively. With this configuration, the lower seed dispensing mechanisms 15a and 15b can be replaced with ones having different spacings between the second seed outlets 17a and 18a. As a result, it becomes possible to adjust the planting interval of the rice seeds.

[0036] (Configuration of the driving and discharge mechanism) Next, the configuration of the driving and discharge mechanism embodying the present invention will be explained with reference to Figures 5 to 8.

[0037] Figure 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken from the right side of Figure 1, showing the internal structure of the main body of the seeding and discharge mechanism on the right side of the lower seeding feeding mechanism in Figure 1, which is a component of the discharge device in this embodiment (with the shutter closed on both the seeding and free-fall sides). Figure 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken from the right side of Figure 1, showing the internal structure of the main body of the seeding and discharge mechanism ((a) shows the shutter open on the seeding side, and (b) shows the shutter open on the free-fall side). Figure 7 is a perspective view of the main body of the seeding and discharge mechanism taken from the right rear of Figure 5, and Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 7.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1, 3, and 5, a seeding and discharge mechanism 23 is provided at the left and right ends of the lower seed feeding mechanisms 15a and 15b, respectively. The rightmost planting and discharge mechanism 23 in Figure 1 consists of a seed outlet section 18 and a main body section 24 connected to the lower end of the seed outlet section 18.

[0039] As shown in Figures 5 to 8, the main body portion 24 has an opening 25 at its upper end, and when the main body portion 24 is connected to the lower end of the seed rice outlet portion 18, the second seed rice outlet 18a and the opening 25 are in communication. In addition, the main body portion 24 has a discharge portion 26 located below the opening 25 and in communication with the opening 25. The discharge portion 26 is for discharging the seed rice, which is the target object. Furthermore, a shutter section 27 is provided between the opening 25 and the discharge section 26, which is capable of preventing the discharge of rice seeds from the discharge section 26. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, the discharge device 1 is equipped with a control unit 28 capable of controlling the operation of the shutter unit 27. After the control unit 28 receives a shutter release instruction from the user, it controls the shutter unit 27 to open, thereby discharging the rice seeds from the discharge unit 26.

[0040] The configuration of the discharge device 1 of this embodiment, as described above, provides the following effects. In other words, with this configuration, unless the user issues an instruction to open the shutter, the shutter unit 27 will not open, and the discharge of seed rice (object) from the discharge unit 26 will be prevented. Therefore, with this configuration, it is possible to provide a discharge device 1 (seed planter) that can prevent rice seeds (objects) from leaking out of the discharge section 26 unintentionally.

[0041] Further details are provided below. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the main body portion 24 comprises a central housing 30, a first lid 31 on the left side, and a second lid 32 on the right side. As shown in Figures 5 to 8, the discharge section 26 formed within the central housing 30 has a front first discharge section 26a and a rear second discharge section 26b, both extending parallel to each other vertically. A propeller member 29 is also provided within the central housing 30, positioned in front of the front first discharge section 26a and overlapping it. This propeller member 29 is rotatable clockwise by a second motor 35 controlled by a control unit 28 housed in the left first lid 31 (see arrow H in Figures 5 and 6(a)). The propeller member 29 is primarily used to accelerate the rice seeds discharged from the front first discharge section 26a (see arrow I in Figure 6(a)) and drive them into paddy fields, etc. On the other hand, the rice seeds discharged from the rear second discharge section 26b simply fall freely (see arrow J in Figure 6(b)). In other words, the discharge speed of the rice seeds is controlled at the front first discharge section 26a (planting mode), while the discharge speed of the rice seeds is not controlled at the rear second discharge section 26b (free fall mode). In this case, the discharge speed of the rice seeds discharged from the first discharge section 26a can be arbitrarily changed by adjusting the rotation speed of the propeller member 29.

[0042] Furthermore, within the central housing 30, a shutter section 27 with a roughly fan-shaped vertical cross-section is positioned at the branching point (between the opening 25 and the discharge section 26) between the front first discharge section 26a and the rear second discharge section 26b. The shutter section 27 is capable of tilting back and forth around its pivot point by a first motor 33 controlled by a control unit 28 housed within the left first lid 31. Also within the central housing 30, a pair of leak-preventing spring plates 34a and 34b are fixed in an inverted V-shape, positioned in front of and behind the shutter section 27. Furthermore, by tilting the shutter section 27 to the rear (see arrow K in Figure 5), the rice seeds from the rice seed outlet section 18 (see arrow L in Figures 5 and 6(a)) can be supplied to the front first discharge section 26a (see arrow M in Figure 6(a)), and by tilting the shutter section 27 to the front (see arrow N in Figure 5), the rice seeds from the rice seed outlet section 18 (see arrow L in Figures 5 and 6(b)) can be supplied to the rear second discharge section 26b (see arrow O in Figure 6(b)). Thus, the shutter section 27 is positioned to allow switching between supplying the rice seeds from the rice seed outlet section 18 to either the front first discharge section 26a or the rear second discharge section 26b.

[0043] With the above configuration, the discharge rate of the rice seeds (target material) can be arbitrarily changed, making it possible to flexibly respond to the conditions of the paddy fields, etc. (discharge destination).

[0044] Furthermore, even when the rice seeds are allowed to free-fall from the rear second discharge section 26b as shown in Figure 6(b), it is preferable to rotate the propeller member 29 for a certain period of time (see arrow P in Figure 6(b)) so that the rice seeds adhering to the propeller member 29 and spring plate 34a are discharged from the front first discharge section 26a.

[0045] Furthermore, the shutter section 27 is positioned so that, upon receiving a shutter closing instruction from the user, no rice seeds are supplied to either the front first discharge section 26a or the rear second discharge section 26b (as shown in Figure 5), thereby preventing the discharge of rice seeds from the discharge section 26.

[0046] With this configuration, when the user issues a shutter closing instruction, the target material is no longer supplied to either the first or second discharge section 26a, 26b. Therefore, even after the control unit 28 receives a shutter closing instruction from the user, it is possible to prevent the rice seeds from leaking out of the discharge section 26 unintentionally.

[0047] The second seeding and discharge mechanism 23 from the right in Figure 1 consists of a seed outlet 17 and a main body 24 connected to the lower end of the seed outlet 17. The structure of this seeding and discharge mechanism 23 is the same as the rightmost seeding and discharge mechanism 23 in Figure 1 described above, so its explanation is omitted.

[0048] (Control of discharge device) Next, the control of the operation of the discharge device in one embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figures 9 and 10.

[0049] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the control method of the shutter section and propeller member of the discharge device in this embodiment during the driving mode ((a) is the basic state before receiving a shutter open instruction, (b) is the state after receiving a shutter open instruction, (c) is the state when receiving a shutter close instruction, and (d) is the basic state after receiving a shutter close instruction). Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the control method of the shutter section and propeller member of the discharge device in the free fall mode ((a) is the basic state before receiving a shutter open instruction, (b) is the state after receiving a shutter open instruction, (c) is the state when receiving a shutter close instruction, and (d) is the basic state after receiving a shutter close instruction). Note that Figures 9 and 10 are shown as longitudinal section views, but the hatching has been omitted for clarity.

[0050] [In input mode] As shown in Figures 5 and 9(a), before the control unit 28 receives a shutter open command from the user, the shutter unit 27 is in a position where seeds from the seed outlet 18 (see arrow L in Figures 5 and 9(a)) are not supplied to either the front first discharge unit 26a or the rear second discharge unit 26b (closed position). In other words, the discharge of rice seeds from the discharge section 26 is prevented. Also, the second motor 35 (see Figure 8) is in the OFF state, and the propeller member 29 is stopped. Therefore, before the control unit 28 receives a shutter release instruction from the user, it is possible to prevent the rice seeds from leaking out of the discharge unit 26 unintentionally.

[0051] As shown in Figures 5 and 9(b), after receiving a shutter release instruction (open 1 (pressed)) from the user, the control unit 28 controls the first motor 33 (see Figure 8) to tilt the shutter unit 27 to the rear (see arrow K in Figures 5 and 9(b)). The control unit 28 also controls the second motor 35 (see Figure 8) to the ON state. As a result, the rice seeds from the seed outlet 18 (see arrow L in Figures 5 and 9(b)) are supplied to the front first discharge section 26a (see arrow M in Figure 9(b)). In addition, the propeller member 29 rotates clockwise by the second motor 35 (see arrow H in Figures 5 and 9(b)), accelerating the rice seeds discharged from the front first discharge section 26a (see arrow I in Figure 9(b)) so that they are driven into the paddy field or the like.

[0052] As shown in Figures 5 and 9(c), after receiving a shutter closing instruction (close) from the user, the control unit 28 controls the first motor 33 (see Figure 8) to tilt the shutter unit 27 to the closed position (see arrow Q in Figure 9(c)). That is, the shutter unit 27 is positioned so that seeds from the seed outlet 18 (see arrow L in Figures 5 and 9(c)) are not supplied to either the front first discharge unit 26a or the rear second discharge unit 26b. This prevents the discharge of seeds from the discharge unit 26 (basic state in Figure 9(d)). Furthermore, the control unit 28 controls the second motor 35 (see Figure 8) to the OFF state, thereby stopping the propeller member 29. Therefore, even after the control unit 28 receives a shutter closing instruction from the user, it is possible to prevent the rice seeds from leaking out of the discharge unit 26 unintentionally.

[0053] [In free fall mode] As shown in Figures 5 and 10(a), before the control unit 28 receives a shutter open command from the user, the shutter unit 27 is in a position where seeds from the seed outlet 18 (see arrow L in Figures 5 and 10(a)) are not supplied to either the front first discharge unit 26a or the rear second discharge unit 26b (closed position). In other words, the discharge of rice seeds from the discharge section 26 is prevented. Also, the second motor 35 (see Figure 8) is in the OFF state, and the propeller member 29 is stopped. Therefore, before the control unit 28 receives a shutter release instruction from the user, it is possible to prevent the rice seeds from leaking out of the discharge unit 26 unintentionally.

[0054] As shown in Figures 5 and 10(b), after receiving a shutter release instruction (open 2 (free fall)) from the user, the control unit 28 controls the first motor 33 (see Figure 8) to tilt the shutter unit 27 forward (see arrow N in Figures 5 and 10(b)). The control unit 28 also controls the second motor 35 (see Figure 8) to be ON for a certain period of time. As a result, the rice seeds from the seed outlet 18 (see arrow L in Figures 5 and 10(b)) are supplied to the rear second discharge section 26b (see arrow O in Figure 9(b)) and then fall freely (see arrow J in Figure 10(b)). In addition, the propeller member 29 is rotated clockwise for a certain period of time by the second motor 35 (see arrow P in Figure 10(b)), and the rice seeds adhering to the propeller member 29 and spring plate 34a are discharged from the front first discharge section 26a.

[0055] As shown in Figures 5 and 10(c), after receiving a shutter closing instruction (close) from the user, the control unit 28 controls the first motor 33 (see Figure 8) to tilt the shutter unit 27 to the closed position (see arrow R in Figure 10(c)). That is, the shutter unit 27 is positioned so that seeds from the seed outlet 18 (see arrow L in Figures 5 and 10(c)) are not supplied to either the front first discharge unit 26a or the rear second discharge unit 26b. This prevents the discharge of seeds from the discharge unit 26 (basic state in Figure 10(d)). Furthermore, the control unit 28 controls the second motor 35 (see Figure 8) to the OFF state, thereby stopping the propeller member 29. Therefore, even after the control unit 28 receives a shutter closing instruction from the user, it is possible to prevent the rice seeds from leaking out of the discharge unit 26 unintentionally.

[0056] In this embodiment, the example of transporting and discharging rice seeds (powdered or granular material) was used for the explanation. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this configuration. The transported and discharging material may be other powdered or granular materials, such as granular pesticides. Furthermore, the transported and discharging material is not limited to powdered or granular material, but includes all materials that can be transported by a drone.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the case in which a propeller member 29 is used as a member for controlling the discharge speed of the rice seeds (object) has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this configuration. For example, the discharge speed of the object may be controlled by utilizing wind pressure.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a discharge device 1 based on a seed transfer device including a so-called screw feeder (seed seed feeding mechanism 4a, etc.) was described as an example. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this configuration. As long as it includes a discharge section, a shutter section, and a control section, the configuration of the other parts is arbitrary.

[0059] Furthermore, although this embodiment has described the discharge device 1 used in conjunction with the drone 2 as an example, the discharge device can also be used as an attachment to agricultural machinery such as a tractor. The configuration of the discharge device in this manner of use is: [1] A discharge device used as an attachment for agricultural machinery for transporting and discharging objects, A discharge section from which the object is discharged, A shutter section capable of preventing the discharge of the object from the discharge section, The system includes a control unit capable of controlling the operation of the shutter section, The control unit is characterized in that, after receiving a shutter release instruction from the user, it controls the shutter to open and discharge the object from the discharge unit. Examples of agricultural machinery include walk-behind tillers and ride-on tractors.

[0060] [2] In the configuration of [1] above, the discharge unit is A first discharge unit that controls the discharge speed of the object, It has a second discharge unit in which the discharge speed of the object is not controlled, The shutter unit is positioned to allow switching between supplying the object to either the first discharge unit or the second discharge unit.

[0061] [3] In the configuration of [2] above, the shutter unit is positioned in a state in which the object is not supplied to either the first discharge unit or the second discharge unit when the user issues a shutter closing instruction, thereby preventing the discharge of the object from the discharge unit.

[0062] [4] In any of the configurations described in [1] to [3] above, the object is a powder or granular material. Examples of powdered or granular materials include rice seeds and pesticides in granular form.

[0063] The effects and benefits obtained from the configuration of the discharge device in the above usage modes are the same as those described above, so a further explanation is omitted here. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1 Ejection device 2 Drones 17,18 Seed exit section 23. Driving and Discharge Mechanism 24 Main body part 25 Aperture 26 Discharge section 26a 1st discharge section 26b 2nd discharge section 27 Shutter section 28 Control Unit 29 Propeller components 30 Central enclosure 31. First Lid 32 Second Lid 33 First Motor 34a, 34b Spring plate 35. Second motor

Claims

1. A discharge device used in conjunction with a drone for transporting and discharging objects, A discharge section from which the object is discharged, A shutter section capable of preventing the supply of the object to the discharge section, The system includes a control unit capable of controlling the operation of the shutter section, The discharge section comprises a first discharge section and a second discharge section. The shutter section is positioned to allow switching between supplying the object to either the first discharge section or the second discharge section, and is tiltable back and forth around its main part. After the control unit receives a shutter release command from the user, it controls the shutter unit to tilt so that the object is discharged from the discharge unit. The discharge device is characterized in that the shutter portion has a substantially fan-shaped vertical cross-section.

2. The discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the shutter section is located at the branching point between the first discharge section and the second discharge section.

3. The discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, after receiving a first shutter open command from the user, tilts the shutter unit to the rear and switches to a path that supplies to the first discharge unit, and after receiving a second shutter open command from the user, tilts the shutter unit to the front and switches to a path that supplies to the second discharge unit.

4. The discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the shutter section is positioned such that, when the shutter is closed by the user, the object is not supplied to either the first discharge section or the second discharge section, thereby preventing the discharge of the object to the discharge section.

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