Rice planter

Abstract

Provided is a rice planter (1) for planting seedlings in a paddy field while traveling, comprising: a seedling planting device for planting seedlings, the seedling planting device including a float of which a float (110) bottom surface is brought into contact with soil; a fertilizing device for spraying fertilizer to the paddy field; and an electrode (310) for detecting the electrical conductivity of the soil in order to calculate the degree of fertility of the soil in the paddy field. The electrode (310) is attached to the float (110) and has a fertilizer clogging sensor for notifying the occurrence of clogging of the fertilizer in the fertilizing device. Thus, a rice planter having improved usability and simplified configuration is provided in which, in order to calculate the degree of fertility of the soil in the paddy field, the electrical conductivity of the soil between the electrode (310) and a second fertilizer clogging sensor electrode of the fertilizer clogging sensor is detected.

Description

rice planter

[0001] The present invention relates to a rice transplanter that plants seedlings in a paddy field while traveling.

[0002] A fertilizer application machine is known that is equipped with a mobile vehicle body capable of traveling in a field, a soil property measuring device that detects the soil properties of the field, a fertilizer amount calculation device that calculates the amount of fertilizer by adjusting an initial setting value in accordance with the soil properties detected by the soil property measuring device, and a fertilizer application device that supplies the field with an amount of fertilizer in accordance with the amount of fertilizer calculated by the fertilizer amount calculation device.The mobile vehicle body is equipped with a fertilizer standard value calculation means that calculates a fertilizer standard value from the soil properties detected by the soil property measuring device when the mobile vehicle body travels a specified section within the field, and the fertilizer amount calculation device compares the fertilizer standard value with the soil properties detected by the soil property measuring device during subsequent travel, and adjusts an initial setting value based on the comparison result to calculate the amount of fertilizer applied by the fertilizer application device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] JP 2013-146219 A

[0004] Incidentally, the inventor believes that the trend of incorporating convenient functions into rice transplanters one after another will continue to accelerate, taking into consideration the various needs of users.

[0005] However, the inventors have noticed that conventional rice transplanters are not necessarily easy to use when using convenient functions.

[0006] More specifically, the inventors have realized that a configuration in which fertility sensor electrodes are provided on the front wheels tends to be complicated.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and aims to provide a rice transplanter that can improve usability.

[0008] The first invention is a rice transplanter (1) that plants seedlings in a paddy field while traveling, comprising: a seedling planting device (100) that plants the seedlings; the seedling planting device (100) having a float (110) whose bottom surface is brought into contact with the soil of the paddy field; a fertilizer application device (200) that spreads fertilizer over the paddy field; and an electrode (310) that detects the electrical conductivity of the soil in order to calculate the fertility of the soil of the paddy field, the electrode (310) being attached to the float (110); and a fertilizer clogging sensor (400) that notifies the occurrence of fertilizer clogging in the fertilizer application device (200), characterized in that the rice transplanter detects the electrical conductivity of the soil between the electrode (310) and a second fertilizer clogging sensor electrode (420) of the fertilizer clogging sensor (400) in order to calculate the fertility of the soil of the paddy field.

[0009] The second invention is a rice transplanter as described in claim 1, characterized in that the electrode (310) has an upper electrode portion (311) that stands downward from a recess formed in the bottom surface of the float (110) and a lower electrode portion (312) that protrudes to a position lower than the portion of the bottom surface of the float (110) around the recess, and the width of the upper electrode portion (311) decreases from bottom to top.

[0010] The third aspect of the present invention is the rice transplanter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fertilizer clogging sensor (400) detects electrical conductivity between a first fertilizer clogging sensor electrode (410) and the second fertilizer clogging sensor electrode (420) and notifies of the fertilizer clogging, the seedling planting device (100) has a furrow former (120) whose bottom surface is brought into contact with the soil, the fertilizer application device (200) has a fertilizer application hose member (210) whose fertilizer hose outlet (211) is inserted into the furrow former (120), the first fertilizer clogging sensor electrode (410) is provided on an upper part of the furrow former (120) so as not to come into contact with the soil, and the second fertilizer clogging sensor electrode (420) is provided on a lower part of the furrow former (120) so as to be brought into contact with the soil.

[0011] The fourth aspect of the present invention is the rice transplanter according to the third aspect, characterized in that the electrode (310) and the first fertilizer clogging sensor electrode (410) have the same polarity, and the second fertilizer clogging sensor electrode (420) has a polarity different from that of the electrode (310) and the first fertilizer clogging sensor electrode (410).

[0012] According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve usability and simplify the configuration.

[0013] According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to further improve reliability.

[0014] According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first or second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to further improve reliability.

[0015] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to further simplify the configuration.

[0016] (a) Left side view of a rice transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention, (b) Plan view of a rice transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention Partial left side view (part 1) of a rice transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention (a) Partial left side view (part 2) of a rice transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention, (b) Partial front view of a rice transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention (a) Schematic partial left side view of a rice transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention, (b) Partial plan view of a rice transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention Explanatory diagrams of the electrical circuit of a rice transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention (a) Explanatory diagram (part 1) of electrical circuit voltage changes of a rice transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention, (b) Explanatory diagram (part 2) of electrical circuit voltage changes of a rice transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention, (c) Explanatory diagram (part 3) of electrical circuit voltage changes of a rice transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention, (d) Explanatory diagram (part 4) of electrical circuit voltage changes of a rice transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0018] Similarly, some components may not be shown in the drawings, or may be shown in perspective or in simplified form.

[0019] While explaining the operation of the rice transplanter 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, we will also explain a rice transplanter operation control method according to the invention related to the present invention, which is realized by the rear controller 503 and the like.

[0020] The rice transplanter 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is a rice transplanter that plants seedlings in a paddy field while traveling, and is a specific example of the rice transplanter according to the present invention.

[0021] (1) First, the configuration and operation of a rice transplanter 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to mainly FIGS. 1(a), 1(b), and 2.

[0022] Here, Figure 1(a) is a left side view of a rice transplanter 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1(b) is a plan view of a rice transplanter 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a partial left side view (part 1) of a rice transplanter 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] In these drawings, a general rice transplanter configuration is shown for reference, without being limited to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] The fertility sensor (300) is a sensor that detects the electrical conductivity of the soil between a first fertility sensor electrode (310) and a second fertility sensor electrode (320), which are examples of electrodes, in order to calculate the fertility of the soil in a rice paddy field.

[0025] Here, the first fertility sensor electrode (310) is the positive electrode and the second fertility sensor electrode (320) is the negative electrode.

[0026] The fertilizer clogging sensor (400) is a sensor that detects the electrical conductivity between a first fertilizer clogging sensor electrode (410) and a second fertilizer clogging sensor electrode (420) in order to notify of the occurrence of fertilizer clogging in a fertilizer application device (200) that spreads fertilizer on rice paddies.

[0027] Here, the first fertilizer blockage sensor electrode (410) is the positive electrode and the second fertilizer blockage sensor electrode (420) is the negative electrode.

[0028] The seedling planting device (100) for planting seedlings has a float (110) whose bottom surface is in contact with the soil, and a first fertility sensor electrode (310) attached to the bottom surface of the float.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3( a), a partial left side view (part 2) of a rice transplanter (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3( b), a partial front view of the rice transplanter (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a so-called rice transplanter with a fertilizer applicator, a first fertility sensor electrode (310) is attached to the bottom of the float (110) that serves as a center float, and the fertility of the field is measured by measuring the electrical conductivity of the field. A configuration in which fertility sensor electrodes such as the first fertility sensor electrode (310) and the second fertility sensor electrode (320) are attached to the front wheel (501) tends to be complicated and often requires expensive components. This configuration, which utilizes the first fertility sensor electrode (310) and the like, is simple and allows the electrical conductivity of the field to be measured using inexpensive components.

[0030] The first fertilizer load sensor electrode (410) or the second fertilizer load sensor electrode (420) also serves as the second fertility sensor electrode (320).

[0031] Here, the second fertilizer clogging sensor electrode (420) doubles as the second fertility sensor electrode (320).

[0032] The first fertility sensor electrode (310) is a flat electrode having an upper part (311) of the first fertility sensor electrode standing downward from the ceiling of a recess (111) formed in the bottom surface of the float, and a lower part (312) of the first fertility sensor electrode protruding to a position lower than the bottom surface of the float around the recess (111). The width of the upper part (311) of the first fertility sensor electrode decreases from bottom to top.

[0033] The first fertility sensor electrode upper side (311) has a window (311w).

[0034] The seedling planting device (100) has a furrow former (120) whose bottom surface is in contact with the soil. The fertilization device (200) has a fertilization hose member (210) whose fertilization hose outlet (211) is inserted into the furrow former (120). The first fertilizer clogging sensor electrode (410) is provided on the top of the furrow former (120) so as not to come into contact with the soil. The second fertilizer clogging sensor electrode (420) is provided on the bottom of the furrow former (120) so as to come into contact with the soil.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 4(a), a schematic partial left side view of a rice transplanter (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 4(b), a partial plan view of the rice transplanter (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first fertility sensor electrode (310), which is an electrode on the bottom of the float, is a positive electrode, and the second fertility sensor electrode (320), which is also the second fertility sensor electrode (420) of the fertilizer clogging sensor (400) at the fertilizer hose outlet (211), is a negative electrode. As described above, a configuration in which fertility sensor electrodes are provided on the left and right front wheels (501) can result in a complex configuration. Because the second fertility sensor electrode (420) of the fertilizer clogging sensor (400) is constantly in contact with the soil in the field during seedling planting, the second fertility sensor electrode (420), which is an existing component, can also be suitably used as the second fertility sensor electrode (320).

[0036] The seedling planting device (100) has a plurality of furrow formers (120). A plurality of fertilizer application hose members (210) and a plurality of fertilizer clogging sensors (400) are respectively provided to the plurality of furrow formers (120). The fertility sensor (300) detects the electrical conductivity of the soil between the first fertility sensor electrode (310) and each of the plurality of second fertility sensor electrodes (320).

[0037] The first fertility sensor electrode (310), which is a float electrode, is located in the center of the vehicle in the left-right direction. The first fertility sensor electrode (310) is located in the center, and the second fertility sensor electrodes (320), which are also second fertilizer clogging sensor electrodes (420), are located at the fertilizer hose outlets (211) of each seedling planting row according to the number of seedling planting rows. Since the current flows radially from the center, accurate measurements can be made to cover multiple seedling planting positions evenly.

[0038] The first fertility sensor electrode (310) is located forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body relative to the seedling planting position. By sensing at a position forward relative to the seedling planting position, the fertility at the position immediately before seedling planting can be determined prior to fertilization, which is expected to be reflected in timely adjustments of the amount of fertilizer to be applied.

[0039] The first fertility sensor electrode (310) protrudes from the bottom surface of the float (110) toward the underside of the vehicle body. By protruding from the bottom surface of the float, when the float (110) is grounded, the first fertility sensor electrode (310) reliably pierces the ground, thereby enabling stable measurement of soil fertility.

[0040] The protrusion of the first fertility sensor electrode (310) increases from the front end of the vehicle body toward the rear end of the vehicle body. When seedling planting work is being carried out, the mud flow near the bottom of the float hits this protrusion, so the protrusion of the first fertility sensor electrode (310) toward the underside of the vehicle body is retracted at the front end of the vehicle body, thereby reducing the adverse effects of increasing mud resistance.

[0041] The protrusion of the first fertility sensor electrode (310) does not exceed the protrusion of the lower end of the fertilizer blockage sensor (400) from the bottom surface of the float. In order to prevent the movement of the float (110) from being obstructed, the protrusion of the first fertility sensor electrode (310) is limited so as not to be deeper than the furrow former (120) on which the fertilizer blockage sensor (400) is installed.

[0042] The electrode surface area of ​​the first fertility sensor electrode (310) increases toward the bottom of the vehicle body. This electrode shape, in which the electrode surface area is larger toward the bottom of the vehicle body, suppresses fluctuations in the electrode surface area below the water surface in the field due to the floating and sinking of the float (110), and is expected to stabilize the measurement value.

[0043] When location information can be acquired by GNSS, the next electrical conductivity is recorded together with the location information when the vehicle travels a distance from the most recent point where the field's electrical conductivity was recorded exceeds a predetermined value. In this way, the electrical conductivity is recorded discontinuously, which is expected to improve the efficiency of data processing.

[0044] When the position information cannot be acquired by the GNSS, a mode is also conceivable in which the next electrical conductivity is recorded together with the position information when the distance traveled by the vehicle body from the most recent point where the electrical conductivity was recorded exceeds a predetermined value, as measured by the rear wheel rotation sensor of the rear wheel (502). In this way, in specifications where a GNSS antenna is not implemented, the rear wheel rotation detection system can be used instead of the GNSS.

[0045] It is also possible to consider a configuration in which the amount of fertilizer applied is adjusted on the spot according to the measured electrical conductivity without using a field map. Like so-called FV type rice transplanters that are equipped with a real-time sensing variable fertilization function, it is possible to realize specifications that change the amount of fertilizer applied according to the fertility level.

[0046] If the electric conductivity of the field is acquired more than a predetermined number of times, the fertilizer application rate is changed based on the calculated average and standard deviation of the electric conductivity. As described above, a user-friendly variable fertilization function can be similarly realized.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 5, which is an explanatory diagram of the electrical circuit of the rice transplanter (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first fertilizer blockage sensor electrode (410) and the second fertilizer blockage sensor electrode (420), as well as the RC circuit (504) and the diode (505), are arranged inside the rear controller (503). The first fertilization sensor electrode (310) may be connected to the first fertilizer blockage sensor electrode (410), which is the upper electrode of the fertilizer blockage sensor (400). The second fertilization sensor electrode (320) is connected to the lower ground electrode of the second fertilizer blockage sensor electrode (420), which is the lower electrode of the fertilizer blockage sensor (400).

[0048] The voltage at circuit point 506 rises or falls based on the sensor resistance: when the sensor resistance is 0 Ω, the voltage at circuit point 506 is 0 V; when the sensor resistance is 1000 kΩ, the voltage at circuit point 506 is 2.5 V; and when the sensor resistance is infinite, the voltage at circuit point 506 is 5 V.

[0049] As shown in Figure 6(a), which is an explanatory diagram (part 1) of the change in electrical circuit voltage of the rice transplanter (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the voltage at the circuit point (506) drops from Va = 5 [V] to 0 [V], the current flows from the analog input of the microcomputer through the diode (505) without passing through the RC circuit (504), so that no time delay occurs due to the change in the electrical conductivity of the field.

[0050] As shown in Figure 6(b), which is an explanatory diagram (part 2) of the change in electrical circuit voltage of the rice transplanter (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the voltage at the circuit point (506) rises from 0 [V] to Va = 5 [V], the current flows through the RC circuit (504), and a time delay occurs according to the time constant τ = RC, which is the reciprocal of the exponential decay coefficient 1 / RC.

[0051] As shown in Figures 6(c) and 6(d), which are explanatory diagrams (parts 3 and 4) of the electrical circuit voltage changes of the rice transplanter (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a configuration in which the polarity of the diode (505) in the rear controller (503) is reversed, a transient phenomenon with a time delay occurs in an inverse relationship with respect to the change in electrical conductivity.

[0052] The input circuit configuration of the first fertility sensor electrode (310) includes an RC circuit (504) and a diode (505), which generates a time delay associated with the change from a high electrical conductivity state to a low electrical conductivity state. Even if the first fertility sensor electrode (310) momentarily lifts due to, for example, a vehicle bouncing in the field, this time delay prevents the electrical conductivity from immediately returning to zero. Since unused fertilizer clogging sensors (400) are often available, the circuits of such fertilizer clogging sensors (400) can be utilized as is. In other words, when utilizing the RC circuit (504) in the circuit configuration of a fertilizer clogging sensor (400) for 9-row seedling planting and a fertilizer clogging sensor (400) for 10-row seedling planting, which are not used in rice transplanters with specifications lower than those for 8-row seedling planting, simply adding a diode (505) is sufficient.

[0053] The polarity orientation of the diodes (505) arranged in this manner ensures that there is no time delay associated with the change from low to high conductivity, ensuring a rapid sensor response even when a sudden change from low to high conductivity occurs due to the sudden appearance of a highly fertile area.

[0054] After the electrical conductivity is acquired, when it is confirmed that the vehicle body travel distance exceeds a predetermined value at a non-zero vehicle speed while the float (110) is maintained in a grounded state, fertilizer application amount control is performed to adjust the amount of fertilizer applied. Fertilizer application amount control is not performed to stabilize the sensor value until the vehicle body has traveled a distance of several meters after starting to move forward. This is because a delay in the sensor value may occur due to a time delay associated with the placement of the RC circuit (504), so it is desirable to ensure sufficient time for the sensor value to stabilize.

[0055] Reference value data on the electric conductivity or fertility of the field is inputted into the so-called main monitor, and the amount of fertilizer application is controlled based on the input reference value data and the actual electric conductivity obtained from the first fertility sensor electrode (310), etc. Variable fertilization is performed by inputting the reference value data arbitrarily without measuring the electric conductivity in the field prior to planting seedlings.

Claims

1. A rice transplanter (1) that plants seedlings in a paddy field while traveling, comprising: a seedling planting device (100) that plants the seedlings; the seedling planting device (100) having a float (110) whose bottom surface is brought into contact with the soil of the paddy field; a fertilizer applicator (200) that spreads fertilizer over the paddy field; and an electrode (310) that detects the electrical conductivity of the soil in order to calculate the fertility of the soil of the paddy field, the electrode (310) being attached to the float (110); and a fertilizer clogging sensor (400) that notifies the occurrence of fertilizer clogging in the fertilizer applicator (200), and the electrical conductivity of the soil between the electrode (310) and a second fertilizer clogging sensor electrode (420) of the fertilizer clogging sensor (400) is detected in order to calculate the fertility of the soil of the paddy field.

2. The rice transplanter described in claim 1, characterized in that the electrode (310) has an upper electrode portion (311) that stands downward from a recess formed in the bottom surface of the float (110) and a lower electrode portion (312) that protrudes to a position lower than the portion of the bottom surface of the float (110) around the recess, and the width of the upper electrode portion (311) decreases from bottom to top.

3. The rice transplanter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fertilizer clogging sensor (400) detects the electrical conductivity between the first fertilizer clogging sensor electrode (410) and the second fertilizer clogging sensor electrode (420) and notifies of the fertilizer clogging, the seedling planting device (100) has a furrow former (120) whose bottom surface is brought into contact with the soil, the fertilizer application device (200) has a fertilizer application hose member (210) whose fertilizer hose outlet (211) is inserted into the furrow former (120), the first fertilizer clogging sensor electrode (410) is provided on an upper part of the furrow former (120) so as not to come into contact with the soil, and the second fertilizer clogging sensor electrode (420) is provided on a lower part of the furrow former (120) so as to be brought into contact with the soil.

4. The rice transplanter according to claim 3, characterized in that the electrode (310) and the first fertilizer clogging sensor electrode (410) have the same polarity, and the second fertilizer clogging sensor electrode (420) has a polarity different from that of the electrode (310) and the first fertilizer clogging sensor electrode (410).

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