Installation method, pre-assembled unit, installation apparatus and computer program product for installing drip irrigation systems with little manual effort

Abstract

The present invention relates to an installation method, a pre-assembled unit (9), an installation apparatus (3) and a computer program product for installing drip irrigation systems on agriculturally or horticulturally productive land with little manual effort. The installation method enables pre-assembled units for a plurality of rows of dripper tubes to be installed using an installation apparatus. The preferably factory-based production of the pre-assembled units and the preferably mechanical handling of the pre-assembled units in the field drastically reduce the manual effort required for installation. It is particularly advantageous in this context that the production of the pre-assembled units in certain configurations and in particular with the aid of a computer program product can also be individually adapted to the field geometry of the field or sub-area in question.

Description

[0001] Installation method, prefabricated unit, installation device and computer program product for the low-manual installation of drip irrigation systems

[0002] The present invention relates to a laying method, a prefabricated unit, a laying device and a computer program product for the labor-saving installation of drip irrigation systems on agricultural or horticultural land.

[0003] Irrigation of agricultural and horticultural crops is a very important component of modern agriculture to ensure reliably high yields. This is especially true in light of increasingly longer and more frequent droughts due to climate change. On the other hand, irrigation is already one of the largest uses of freshwater, which is a very limited resource in many regions.

[0004] In this context, drip irrigation, and in particular subsurface drip irrigation, is a very water-saving approach. In contrast to irrigation with linear pull-type sprinkler carts or circular sprinklers, which distribute the water under comparatively high pressure and briefly bring a large amount of water to a single point in the field, drip irrigation brings water directly to the plants in small, metered amounts at comparatively low pressure over a longer period of time. For this purpose, drip hoses are laid across the field at regular intervals, for example one hose per 0.5 to 2 m (meters) of field width or one hose per row of plants. These drip hoses have drip elements at regular intervals (for example every 0.2 to 1.5 m). Water emerges from the drip elements at low pressure close to the plants and is metered in a continuous flow, at rates of, for example, 1.5 litres per square meter and day.

[0005] Drip irrigation can be installed above ground (i.e., the drip lines are positioned above ground) or below ground (i.e., the drip lines are positioned below ground). The former has the advantage of lower installation costs, while the latter has the advantage of further improving water efficiency, as above-ground evaporation is completely avoided and the water is applied directly to the plant roots.

[0006] Subterranean drip irrigation is particularly economically attractive when the drip lines can remain in the ground for several years. This spreads the high one-time installation costs over several growing seasons. The annual installation and collection of the lines after each growing season is only economically viable for specialty crops with high revenue per hectare. For widely cultivated crops with average revenue per hectare, subterranean drip irrigation is only viable if the drip lines can remain in the ground for several years.

[0007] There are also approaches to this, which involve laying the dripper hoses below the soil level where soil cultivation typically takes place. For example, if soil cultivation is carried out to a depth of 30 cm, the dripper hoses are then laid at a depth of 35 cm to 45 cm. This creates a safe distance between the dripper hoses and the soil cultivation level.

[0008] A disadvantage of drip irrigation compared to other irrigation methods is its comparatively high investment costs. These are due, on the one hand, to the cost of the components (e.g., drip hoses, supply lines, pumps, and control technology). On the other hand, there are the costs of carrying out the installation, as considerable manual labor is required even when using existing installation machines. For example, CN218897804U, DE102006008698A1, and NP1 disclose previously known installation machines for the simultaneous installation of several individual rows of drip hoses. Such installation machines are provided with one unwinding device per hose guide and installation outlet. One hose reel per row is inserted into each unwinding device.The hose is inserted manually, then the beginning of the hose must be manually inserted into the hose guide and pulled through to the installation outlet. Furthermore, the beginning of the hose must be manually secured to or in the ground when the installation machine begins laying a multi-row strip. Finally, after the dripper hose lines have been installed, each row of dripper hoses must be individually connected to the supply lines in the field. Supply lines are also referred to synonymously as distribution lines or headers.

[0009] Overall, it can be concluded that laying and installing drip hoses in the field requires considerable manual labor, even when using laying machines as disclosed in CN218897804U, DE102006008698A1 and NP1.

[0010] Another problem with drip irrigation using dripper hoses is the handling of pest rodents, such as field mice, which regularly clog the dripper hose lines.

[0011] To prevent damage caused by rodents or insects, there are already solutions that aim to introduce chemicals or reinforcements into the plastic mixture from which the drip hose is made (see CN107629302A and US2020305364A1 ).

[0012] The present invention is based on a generic method for solving or mitigating one or more problems of the known prior art.

[0013] Installation method, a generic prefabricated unit, a generic installation device and a generic computer program product for the labor-saving installation of drip irrigation systems on agricultural or horticultural land.

[0014] The laying method according to the invention for drip irrigation with dripper hoses, wherein the dripper hoses are laid mechanically in agricultural, forestry or horticultural areas by a multi-row laying device which lays several adjacent rows of dripper hoses simultaneously, comprises at least the following steps: a at least one assembly step, in the course of which at least several dripper hoses are cut to length and connected at least at one end to at least one first supply line segment in a fluid-conducting and final-fixed manner to form a prefabricated unit, wherein preferably several dripper hoses of adjacent rows of dripper hoses are wound in windings, particularly preferably dripper hoses in adjacent windings on a common transport drum,wherein the drip hoses are connected to at least one first supply line segment in a fluid-conducting and final-fixed manner to form a prefabricated unit at least at one end opposite the transport drum, b at least one laying step, during which at least the laying device lays at least one prefabricated unit created in the assembly step, and c at least one connecting step, during which at least the first supply line segment is connected to at least one adjacent supply line segment and / or to at least one central irrigation unit.

[0015] The method according to the invention significantly reduces manual labor, since with the prefabricated units, individual elements do not have to be inserted into the installation device for each row of drip hoses; instead, only one prefabricated unit is required for several rows. Furthermore, these units are already connected to a supply line segment. This means that after installation, they no longer need to be manually connected individually to the supply line; instead, only the supply line segments need to be connected to each other or to the central irrigation unit. This, in turn, saves manual labor and can be further streamlined with additional aids, such as quick-release fasteners between the supply line segments.

[0016] In the method according to the invention, compliance with the sequence of the higher-level process steps (assembly step a), laying step b), and connecting step c) with respect to a single pre-assembled unit is technically necessary. However, it is optionally possible to first perform assembly steps a) for a large number of pre-assembled units, then perform laying steps b) for a large number of pre-assembled units, and then perform connecting steps c) for a large number of pre-assembled units.It is also possible for the individual steps for different pre-assembled units to take place simultaneously in the same field or in different fields, for example if a second pre-assembled unit is currently in assembly step a) or in laying step b), while a first pre-assembled unit is already in laying step b) or connecting step c). Likewise, it is possible, for example by using multiple process lines, to carry out the same steps for different pre-assembled units in parallel, for example by simultaneously producing a first pre-assembled unit in assembly step a) while simultaneously producing a second pre-assembled unit in assembly step a) on a second process line. None of this conflicts with the inventive concept.

[0017] The order of the sub-steps or partial steps and individual features of the higher-level process steps listed above, in particular the assembly step a), the laying step b) and the connection step c), is arbitrary, as long as technically reasonable. The relevant lists above and below are not chronological in nature, unless explicitly stated otherwise. For example, within the scope of assembly step a), the hoses of a pre-assembled unit can first be cut to length, then the hoses can be connected to the supply line segment, and then the hoses can be wound up. However, it is also possible for the hoses to be first wound up, then cut to length, and then connected. This also applies to all other permutations of the sequence of these sub-steps and optionally further sub-steps of assembly step a), as well as the sub-steps of the other higher-level process steps.Likewise, sub-steps can be carried out simultaneously if technically feasible.

[0018] Drip hoses according to the invention are characterized by the fact that they can be laid underground or above ground on agricultural, forestry, or horticultural land and typically comprise drip elements distributed regularly along their length. These drip elements can release finely metered amounts of liquid in a typically continuous flow over extended periods of time at typically comparatively low pressures of less than 10 bar. An example flow rate would be 1.5 liters per square meter per day.Dripper elements can be designed in various ways, for example relatively simply as punctures or small cuts in the wall of the dripper hose, but also more complex, for example comprising at least one outlet and further components, such as one or more pressure compensation modules to ensure a uniform outflow along the entire length of a dripper hose despite potential pressure drops, or components or substances to prevent or reduce root ingrowth. Likewise, the dripper elements can optionally include very short outlet hoses downstream of the water outlet points from the dripper hose, typically compared to the length of the dripper hose, for example as shown in US4461598A. Using such outlet hoses, the position of the water application can be easily controlled away from the installation line of the dripper hose.

[0019] A drip irrigation system according to the invention comprises at least a plurality of drip hoses laid underground or above ground on the relevant area, supply and / or distribution lines, partially divided into segments, which typically supply several drip hoses together with liquid and are directly or indirectly connected to these and one or more central irrigation units. The central irrigation unit connects the field, several fields, or a partial area to the liquid source, such as wells, pumping stations from bodies of water or retention basins, tanks, or the like. The central irrigation unit can, for example, comprise elements such as switchable distributors, pressure control means, filtration means, or dosing or metering systems for auxiliary materials.In addition to applying water for irrigation, the drip irrigation system can also be used to apply liquid fertilizers, pesticides, or other additives to influence plant growth. This can occur simultaneously with or in conjunction with irrigation, or even without combined irrigation.

[0020] The fluid-conducting and final strength connection, which is established during the assembly step at least between the first supply line segment and the dripper hoses in accordance with the method according to the invention, the prefabricated unit according to the invention, and the computer program product according to the invention, describes that this connection is already configured to distribute fluids from the supply line segment to the dripper hoses and has corresponding passages for this purpose. Furthermore, this connection is designed with such strength that it can remain in place until the final layer of dripper hoses and supply line segments is in place after the drip irrigation system is installed. Manual rework on this connection in the field is typically not required.

[0021] Preferably, adjacent windings of adjacent dripper hoses located on a transport drum are offset from one another by a certain distance. Particularly preferably, they have a distance from winding center to winding center that approximately corresponds to the spacing of the dripper hose rows that may subsequently be formed by the dripper hoses in the field after installation. This reduces the number of required deflections in the installation device. During assembly step a), the dripper hoses can be wound into the windings after one, several, or all windings or any winding guides conducting the windings have already been connected to the transport drum.Alternatively or additionally, in the assembly step a), the winding can also be carried out first, for example with the aid of one or more suitable winding guides, and then the wound windings can be connected to the common transport drum in a fixed or rotatable manner, optionally together with one or more suitable winding guides.

[0022] Preferably, a prefabricated unit comprises 3 to 20, particularly preferably 4 to 8, adjacent drip tubes wound in adjacent windings.

[0023] During installation step b), a single pre-assembled unit is preferably located in the installation device. Alternatively, several pre-assembled units, each comprising, among other things, windings for several adjacent drip hose rows, can be installed next to one another in a installation device, for example, two three-row pre-assembled units in a six-row installation device. Preferably, the adjacent windings are unwound simultaneously and substantially evenly as the installation device advances, so that the unwinding drip hose is placed in the ground.

[0024] The drip hoses are preferably unwound from the drip hose coils during installation due to the self-fixing of the already laid ends of the drip hoses in or on the soil, for example, due to their own weight or the weight of the overlying soil or other material, in combination with the forward movement of the installation device. The rotation of the coils in the installation device is therefore preferably not driven. The coils are preferably freely rotatable in the installation machine, whereby the common transport drum can rotate with them or cannot rotate with them.The prefabrication of the drip hoses with a supply line segment connected to several drip hoses at the opposite end of the transport drum offers another particular advantage: Since several drip hoses are connected, the hose ends are automatically secured at the beginning of installation, especially for underground installations, since the supply line segment cannot be pulled into two installation slots simultaneously. This eliminates the need to manually secure the drip hose at the beginning of a row, which would otherwise be necessary at the beginning of a row until a sufficient length of hose has been laid for self-locking.

[0025] The steps within the meaning of the laying method according to the invention can be supplemented within a step by further sub- or partial steps or further features, as well as by further steps or intermediate steps.

[0026] Further advantages of the laying method according to the invention arise in special embodiments.

[0027] In one embodiment of the installation method according to the invention, the drip hoses are further closed to the outside at the end opposite the first supply line segment during the assembly step. Each pre-assembled unit is wound onto a common transport drum from the end opposite the first supply line segment. However, they are only loosely or automatically detachably connected to the drum at the winding origin, so that the connection between the transport drum and drip hoses is automatically released after complete unwinding during installation step b). At least the drip hoses and the first supply line segment, possibly with other directly connected elements, then remain in the area. This has the advantage that no further manual work is required after the winding has been completely unwound.The hose end separates automatically from the coil due to the tensile force and disappears into the surface as the machine continues to move forward. However, at least the transport drum does not remain in the surface. The transport drum remains on the machine and can be reused or recycled. Stopping the installation device's forward movement at the moment of complete unwinding is not necessary.

[0028] In one embodiment of the installation method according to the invention, the individual drip hoses are designed as branch lines. This has the advantage of simple and cost-effective production of the drip hoses.

[0029] In one embodiment of the installation method according to the invention, the individual drip hoses each comprise a supply line and a return line. During the closing of the drip hoses, after cutting to length in the assembly step, the supply and return lines are connected to each other at the end opposite the first supply line segment. This has the advantage that the drip hoses can be flushed through the return line and their flow rate can be checked, thus improving maintenance options.

[0030] In one embodiment of the installation method according to the invention, the first supply line segment of the prefabricated unit also comprises at least one forward line and at least one return line, which are each connected to the forward and return lines of the drip hoses and which are individually connected to the forward and return lines of adjacent supply line segments during the connection step. This has the advantage that the drip irrigation system as a whole can be flushed through the return lines and its flow rate can be checked, thus improving maintenance options.

[0031] In one embodiment of the installation method according to the invention, the dripper hoses are further connected, at the end opposite the first supply line segment, to at least one second supply line segment in a fluid-conducting and final connection during the assembly step. The second supply line segment serves as a transport drum during handling between the assembly step and the end of the installation step, but also remains in the area after installation. This has the advantages that, on the one hand, the dripper hoses can be manufactured cost-effectively and easily, and, on the other hand, the drip irrigation system can be flushed through the second supply line and tested for flow.The disadvantage is that the automatic separation of the hose end when unrolling is then no longer possible, so that releasing the hose end including the second supply line segment is more complex in terms of mechanical construction or manually.

[0032] In one embodiment of the installation method according to the invention, the drip hoses are laid above ground. This has the advantage of better inspection.

[0033] In one embodiment of the installation method according to the invention, the drip hoses are laid underground. This has the advantage of increased water efficiency. Furthermore, this is particularly advantageous if the drip hoses can remain in the ground for several growing seasons, as this allows the installation costs to be spread across several growing seasons.

[0034] In one embodiment of the laying method according to the invention, wherein the drip hoses are laid underground, the method comprises the following further steps:

[0035] • at least one excavation step, whereby before the laying step, a trench is dug in the ground transversely to the laying direction of the drip hoses, into which trench the first supply line segment is inserted with the aid of the laying device at the beginning of the laying step of the prefabricated unit and from which drip hoses are laid,

[0036] • and at least one covering step, wherein after the laying step and the connecting step of the first supply line segments in the trench, the first supply line segments are covered, for example, with earth and the trench is thus closed.

[0037] This has the advantage that, during an underground installation, the supply line segments can be moved directly from the laying device to their final underground position at the beginning of the laying of a strip, and from there, the installation of the drip hoses can begin. The trench running perpendicular to the laying direction here means that the direction of the trench intersects the direction of the drip hoses in the flat field geometry, meaning that the trench is not parallel along its entire length. This cut is preferably made at angles close to 90°, for example, greater than 60°. However, the cut can also be made at smaller angles.

[0038] In one embodiment of the installation method according to the invention, the assembly step and the installation step are carried out spatially separately from one another. This is particularly advantageous when the assembly step is carried out in a factory, while the installation step must necessarily be carried out in the field or area on which the drip irrigation system is to be installed. By centralizing the assembly of a large number of pre-assembled units in a factory, the process underlying the assembly step can be more optimized and rationalized in the case of manual assembly, and work ergonomics can be taken into account. Furthermore, the workers are protected from wind and weather influences. Furthermore, a factory-based implementation of the assembly step offers greater potential for the automation of sub-steps within the underlying production process.

[0039] In one embodiment of the laying method according to the invention, when planning the assembly step a), the field geometry of the field on which the dripper hoses are to be laid is known and the lengths of the dripper hoses of the pre-assembled units are different within the individual pre-assembled unit or the lengths of the dripper hoses are different between different pre-assembled units and the lengths of the dripper hoses are determined based on the position on the field at which the respective pre-assembled unit is to be laid in such a way that the geometry of the field or a partial area is simulated.This is particularly advantageous because it allows the pre-assembled units to be adapted to the specific requirements of a field, for example, during factory-based production. This eliminates the need for any measuring, cutting, or connecting work on the drip hoses during installation in the field, even in unfavorable field geometries. Preferably, the planning of assembly step a) of the pre-assembled units is carried out depending on the field geometry using a suitable computer program, which, for example, has GIS data of the field at its disposal.

[0040] Preferably, the pre-assembled units are / are provided with markings for their identification, for example during assembly step b) of the installation process. These markings can be, for example, written names or numbers, as well as barcodes or RFIDs. Preferably, during the planning of assembly step a), a map or geographical information is also created using a suitable computer program product, which shows which pre-assembled unit is to be placed at which position in the field. This map or geographical information is preferably available to the personnel or the machine during the installation step and / or during transport operations and / or during a dedicated distribution step in the field, for example in digital or printed form.This ensures that each pre-terminated unit is installed in the correct location in the field, taking into account the identifying markings of the pre-terminated units.

[0041] In one embodiment of the installation method according to the invention, the length of an individual supply line segment approximately corresponds to the working width of the installation device, or approximately to the working width of the installation device multiplied by a factor of 2, or approximately to an integer factor of the working width of the installation device, or approximately to an integer factor of the working width of the installation device multiplied by a factor of 2. "Approximately" here means that the deviation is smaller than the distance between two adjacent rows of drip hoses in the field. This is advantageous for inserting the prefabricated units into the installation device.

[0042] In one embodiment of the installation method according to the invention, the number of drip hoses per pre-assembled unit corresponds to the number of rows of the installation device or an integer divisor of the number of rows of the installation device. This is advantageous for inserting the pre-assembled units into the installation device. In one embodiment of the installation method according to the invention, the length of an individual supply line segment of a pre-assembled unit approximately corresponds to the product of the number of adjacent drip hoses encompassed by the pre-assembled unit and the distance between two adjacent drip hose rows in the field. Approximately here means that the deviation is smaller than the distance between two adjacent drip hose rows in the field.This is advantageous for connecting the pre-assembled units in the field during the connection step, provided the drip hoses are connected to supply line segments on both sides, or if the supply line segments are always laid on one side of the drip hoses' installation direction in the field. This laying principle reduces the required total length of the supply lines when laid on one side, but often requires monodirectional processing of the field during installation, meaning that empty runs with the installation machine are regularly required during installation.

[0043] In one embodiment of the installation method according to the invention, the length of an individual supply line segment of a pre-assembled unit approximately corresponds to the product of the constant factor 2, the number of adjacent drip hoses encompassed by the pre-assembled unit, and the distance between two adjacent drip hose rows in the field. Approximately means that the deviation is smaller than the distance between two adjacent drip hose rows in the field. The supply line segment is thus approximately twice as long as the width of the area covered by the drip hoses encompassed by the pre-assembled unit in the field.This is advantageous for connecting the pre-assembled units in the field during the connection step, when the dripper hoses are only connected to supply lines on one side, and the supply line segments are placed alternately in the field on the opposite side of the dripper hose installation direction. This approach is particularly advantageous because it allows the installation device to be moved up and down in the field, thus avoiding empty runs that would be necessary for monodirectional cultivation of the field.Avoiding monodirectional cultivation, or cultivating the field by moving up and down, is particularly advantageous when the laying device used is designed as a combined machine that also performs other agricultural work processes, such as, but not limited to, sowing, planting, or setting, in a single operation with the laying. Such work processes are preferably performed in an up-and-down motion on parallel tracks in the field, so that performing the laying step in a bidirectional manner also significantly improves the combinability of the laying step.

[0044] In one embodiment of the installation method according to the invention, the method comprises, after at least one assembly step and before at least one installation step, at least one distribution step, during which at least one pre-assembled unit, preferably several or all of the pre-assembled units to be installed in a field or partial area, are placed on the ground in the field at a location close to their installation area. This is particularly advantageous if the installation device additionally comprises a rotating or sliding device for the holder for the transport drum, by means of which the transport drum of the pre-assembled unit can be picked up from the ground without manual labor and without additional machines, such as industrial trucks.Preferably, the pre-assembled unit is placed at the headland in front of the installation area of ​​the pre-assembled unit, so that the pre-assembled unit can be automatically picked up by the laying device before, during, or after the turning process between several parallel lanes. Distributing one or more pre-assembled units in the field prior to laying is also advantageous, as this allows the logistics for transporting the pre-assembled units to the field and for placing or unloading the pre-assembled units to be separated from the actual laying of the pre-assembled units.In this design, the laying step is therefore also possible for a large number of pre-assembled units with a single, autonomously operating machine, without the need to transport new pre-assembled units to the field at the same time as laying several pre-assembled units, or without the need for another machine, such as an industrial truck, in the field during the laying of several pre-assembled units. This decoupling is particularly advantageous if the laying device used is designed as a combined machine that also carries out other agricultural work processes, such as but not limited to sowing, planting or setting processes, in a single operation with the laying. In this case, additional parallel logistics processes are usually required to bring planting material or seeds to the field and feed them to the sowing, planting or setting machine.If the logistics of the pre-assembled units can be decoupled during combined relocation, the combinability is simplified, as the field and logistics work, which must be planned synchronously, are not supplemented by additional parallel logistics processes (for the pre-assembled units), which would have to be precisely synchronized with the rest of the logistics to avoid additional waiting times for the entire machine. Thus, the distribution step, especially during combined relocation, eliminates waiting times and the synchronization effort of the logistics processes, as well as the need for a second machine in the field during the entire relocation.

[0045] In one embodiment of the installation method according to the invention, the positions at which the pre-assembled units are to be placed in the field during the distribution step are planned in advance using a computer program product. Preferably, the distribution of the pre-assembled units in the field is also controlled or monitored by a computer program product. This can be achieved by autonomous movement of the machine that distributes the pre-assembled units in the field. Alternatively, the distribution can be carried out by a manned machine, for example, an industrial truck, within which, for example, the target positions of the pre-assembled units are displayed to the driver in a graphical user interface (GUI).Through computer-based planning of the distribution and computer-controlled or computer-monitored implementation of the distribution of the pre-assembled units, the paths of the laying machine during the laying process can be further minimized in order to make the use of the preferably combined laying machine particularly efficient.

[0046] In one embodiment of the laying method according to the invention, the laying device has a receiving means, for example a pivotable holder for transport drums, and before at least one laying step, at least one receiving step is carried out within the scope of the method, during which the laying device independently, i.e. without the need for manual work and without the need for an additional vehicle for insertion, for example an industrial truck, picks up at least one prefabricated unit from a fixed position, for example from the floor, from a fixed holder or base, and brings it into the starting position for the laying step.

[0047] In the sense of the laying method according to the invention, a prefabricated unit comprises at least one first supply line segment and a plurality of adjacent drip hoses, wherein the drip hoses are connected at least at one end to the first supply line segment in a fluid-conducting and end-fixed manner and are wound onto a common transport drum per prefabricated unit from the end opposite the first supply line segment.

[0048] A particularly advantageous embodiment of a prefabricated unit that can preferably be used within the installation method is described below. For the multi-row, mechanical installation of drip hoses for drip irrigation, the prefabricated unit comprises at least several drip hoses for adjacent drip hose rows, at least one transport drum, and at least one first supply line segment suitable for connection to at least one central irrigation unit and / or to at least one adjacent supply line segment, wherein at least one drip hose per drip hose row is fluid-conductingly and permanently connected to at least the first supply line segment.Preferably, the plurality of drip hoses of adjacent drip hose rows are wound in (particularly adjacent) windings on a common transport drum, wherein the drip hoses are connected in a fluid-conducting manner at least to the first supply line segment and are permanently connected to the end of the drip hoses opposite the transport drum.

[0049] This has the particular advantage that the prefabricated unit on the transport drum side can be handled as a whole, particularly mechanically, for example using industrial trucks, or it can be inserted into the laying device, or it can be picked up and inserted independently by the laying device using suitable picking devices. Furthermore, the first supply line segment, which is separate from the transport drum, can be moved directly to its final position during the installation of the drip irrigation system at the start of laying a web using the laying device and in a very targeted manner. "Separate" here means that the first supply line segment is not located near the winding origin, on or in the transport drum, but at the opposite end of the drip hoses.This allows it to be moved to its target position, preferably independently of the transport drum, by unrolling a short length of the hoses at the beginning of the laying step.

[0050] In one embodiment of the prefabricated unit, the drip hoses are closed to the outside at the end opposite the first supply line segment and wound onto at least one transport drum from the end opposite the first supply line segment, but are only loosely or easily detachably connected to the drum at the winding origin. This has the advantage that no further manual work is required after the winding has been completely unwound. The hose end separates automatically from the winding due to the tensile force and disappears into the surface as the machine continues to move forward. The transport drum remains on the machine and can be reused or recycled. It is not necessary to stop the forward movement of the laying device when it has been completely unwound.

[0051] In one version of the prefabricated unit, the individual dripper hoses are designed as branch lines. This has the advantage of simple and cost-effective production of the dripper hoses.

[0052] In one embodiment of the prefabricated unit, the individual dripper hoses each comprise a forward and a return line, which are connected to each other at the end opposite the first supply line segment and are sealed to the outside. This has the advantage that the dripper hoses can be flushed through the return line and their flow rate can be checked, thus improving maintenance options.

[0053] In one embodiment of the prefabricated unit, the first supply line segment comprises at least one supply line and at least one return line, each of which is connected to the supply and return lines of the dripper hoses. This has the advantage that the drip irrigation system as a whole can be flushed through the return lines and its flow rate can be checked, thus improving maintenance options.

[0054] In one embodiment of the prefabricated unit, the transport drum comprises a second supply line segment or is designed as such, and the dripper hoses are fluid-conductingly and permanently connected to at least the second supply line segment at the end opposite the first supply line segment. This has the advantages that, on the one hand, the dripper hoses can be manufactured cost-effectively and easily, and, on the other hand, the drip irrigation system can be flushed through the second supply line and its flow rate can be tested. A disadvantage is that the automatic separation of the hose end during unwinding is then no longer possible, so that releasing the hose end including the second supply line segment is more complex, both mechanically and manually.Alternatively or additionally, the prefabricated unit can comprise at least a second supply line segment, to which the dripper hoses are fluid-conductingly and permanently connected at the end opposite the first supply line segment. After the assembly step, this second supply line segment is positioned in the core of the windings near the transport drum, but is only loosely or automatically connected to the drum. After complete unwinding, it detaches without manual intervention and remains in the area. This also has the advantages that, on the one hand, the dripper hoses can be manufactured cost-effectively and easily, and, on the other hand, the drip irrigation system can be flushed through the second supply line and its flow rate can be checked.However, the disadvantage here is that releasing the hose end including the second supply line segment is more complex in terms of mechanical construction or manual work than with an unconnected hose end.

[0055] In one embodiment of the prefabricated unit, the drip hoses and / or the first and / or second supply line segments are encased in a protective unit, which serves to protect them from damage, particularly by rodents, and / or to detect them in the field, particularly underground, by a sensor unit. This is particularly advantageous for preventing damage from rodents if the drip irrigation system is intended to remain in place over several growing seasons or years.

[0056] In one embodiment of the prefabricated unit, the protective unit is designed as a mesh, wire, or fabric braid. This is advantageous because it allows for material savings compared to a full-surface covering.

[0057] In one embodiment of the prefabricated unit, the protective unit is designed as a metallic mesh or wire mesh. This is advantageous due to the stability and thus increased protective effect of the material.

[0058] In one embodiment of the prefabricated unit, the drip hoses are provided with a marker, which serves to detect them, particularly underground, in the field by a sensor unit. This is particularly advantageous because it allows the drip hoses to be located in the soil, which may be necessary for maintenance purposes, for their collection, for example, during deinstallation after the end of their service life or for soil cultivation measures in soil horizons near the drip hoses. The marker can be combined with the protection unit or even be formed by the protection unit. An example embodiment is a metallic casing, which could also serve as a marker for detection, for example with a metal detector sensor or a ground-penetrating radar. Furthermore, a current flow in or on the drip hose could serve as a marker for an electromagnetic field sensor.Radiation-based markers are also conceivable.

[0059] In one embodiment, the prefabricated unit comprises at least one transport and unwinding connection point suitable for holding the entire prefabricated unit in transport racks or unwinding holders of installation devices. This is advantageous for safe transport and the safe, particularly mechanical, insertion of the prefabricated unit into the installation device.

[0060] In one embodiment, the pre-assembled unit includes at least one support point suitable for accommodating the entire pre-assembled unit in the booms of industrial trucks. This is advantageous for safe transport and the secure, mechanical insertion of the pre-assembled unit into the laying device.

[0061] Forklifts, wheel or telescopic loaders and tractors with front loaders are particularly suitable as industrial trucks.

[0062] In one embodiment of the pre-assembled unit, the length of a single supply line segment of the pre-assembled unit approximately corresponds to the product of the number of adjacent dripper hoses encompassed by the pre-assembled unit and the distance between two adjacent dripper hose rows in the field. "Approximately" here means that the deviation is smaller than the distance between two adjacent dripper hose rows in the field. This is advantageous for connecting the pre-assembled units in the field during the connection step, provided the dripper hoses are connected to supply line segments on both sides or if the supply line segments are always laid on one side of the dripper hose installation direction in the field.

[0063] In one embodiment of the pre-assembled unit, the length of at least one individual supply line segment of a pre-assembled unit approximately corresponds to the product of the constant factor 2, the number of adjacent dripper hoses encompassed by the pre-assembled unit, and the distance between two adjacent dripper hose rows in the field. "Approximately" here means that the deviation is smaller than the distance between two adjacent dripper hose rows in the field. The at least one supply line segment is thus approximately twice as long as the width of the area covered by the dripper hoses encompassed by the pre-assembled unit in the field.This is advantageous for connecting the pre-assembled units in the field during the connection step when the dripper hoses are only connected to supply lines on one side and are placed alternately in the field on the opposite side of the laying direction of the dripper hoses.

[0064] In one embodiment of the prefabricated unit with at least one supply line segment approximately twice the length of the covered area in the field, the supply line is variably foldable or bendable over its entire length, or it comprises a folding or bending device, connection, or point at least between the original length of the supply line segment and the extension. Particularly preferably, the extension of the supply line segment is folded parallel to the segment of the original length of the prefabricated unit during transport of the prefabricated unit, for example, to the field, and optionally during the distribution, insertion, or laying step, and is preferably fixed in this parallel position by at least one transport fixing element, such as at least one strap, at least one wire, at least one clamp, or at least one cable tie.This enables compact and safe handling of the pre-assembled unit with extended length of the supply line segment(s).

[0065] In one embodiment of the prefabricated unit, it comprises one or more anchor points or reinforcements on at least one first supply line segment for securing or guiding the line through hold-down devices on the installation device. These enable secure guidance of the supply line segment during automatic or independent insertion of the prefabricated unit into the installation machine and ensure proper initial unwinding from a section of drip hose during insertion.

[0066] In one embodiment of the prefabricated unit, the common transport drum includes separate winding guides for all drip hoses wound on it, which limit the winding area laterally and / or toward the core of the transport drum. This has the advantage that the drip hoses can be wound and unwound more precisely and that they are secured against lateral slippage of the windings, so that they are preferably always aligned or nearly aligned with their assigned installation outlet or hose guide.

[0067] In one version of the prefabricated unit, the winding guides of all drip hoses in a prefabricated unit are firmly connected to the common transport drum, so that the entire transport drum in the installation machine rotates and must rotate as the drip hoses are unwound during the installation process. This has the advantage of a particularly simple mechanical design of the transport drum.

[0068] In one embodiment of the prefabricated unit, the winding guides of all drip hoses in a prefabricated unit are pivotally connected to the common transport drum, so that as the drip hoses are unwound during the installation process, the winding guides rotate, but not necessarily the entire transport drum. In this embodiment, the common transport drum can be pivotally mounted during the installation step, or it can be permanently connected to the installation device, or to at least one unwinding device of the installation device and / or to at least one holder for transport drums of the installation device. This has the advantage that the individual winding guides do not have to rotate completely uniformly during the unwinding process.This free rotation of the winding guides of the individual windings of a prefabricated unit relative to each other has the advantage that minor deviations in the rotation speeds of the individual unwinding processes of adjacent drip hoses, such as those that may arise due to inaccuracies or tolerances during winding or due to cornering of the laying machine during laying, can be compensated for.

[0069] In the sense of the laying method according to the invention, a suitable laying device is constructed in several rows and is suitable for laying several adjacent rows of drip hoses simultaneously using a prefabricated unit.

[0070] A particularly advantageous embodiment of a laying device that can preferably be used within the scope of the laying method is described below. Here, the laying device for the multi-row, mechanical laying of dripper hoses of several adjacent dripper hose rows comprises at least several hose guides and laying outlets for adjacent dripper hoses, and at least one unwinding device suitable for unwinding the dripper hoses from preferably one or more transport drums. In the design of the laying device, the at least one unwinding device is opposed by a plurality of hose guide rows and laying outlets, each suitable for guiding and discharging a dripper hose, so that the laying device can be operated with preferably one or more prefabricated units for several adjacent rows.Preferably, the hose guides and / or installation outlets can only partially enclose the drip hose or can be opened to allow insertion of at least one drip hose connected on both sides. In this case, a roll-off device serves several row-related hose guides and installation outlets.

[0071] Various types of fastening means are suitable as the unwinding device. The unwinding device is preferably designed by or comprises one or more, particularly preferably two, holders for transport drums. The unwinding device can comprise a rotational axis onto which the transport drum with multiple windings can be placed. Alternatively, this rotational axis can be part of the transport drum. The unwinding device can be designed such that the transport drum is rotatably connected to it after insertion. For this purpose, the unwinding device can comprise corresponding rolling or sliding bearing points. Alternatively, the transport drum can also be firmly connected to the unwinding device after insertion.If the transport drum is permanently connected to the unwinding device, it is necessary for the transport drum to include rotatable bearings, for example, for any winding guides, to ensure the windings can rotate during unwinding within the transport drum of the prefabricated unit. If the unwinding device or the interface between the unwinding device and the transport drum provides a rotatable bearing, a rotatable bearing, for example, for any winding guides, encompassed by the transport drum is optionally possible.

[0072] The laying outlet is the point, or subcomponent of the hose guide, at which the drip hose leaves the hose guide and thus the laying device during operation of the laying device.

[0073] The opening option or partial hose enclosure can preferably be designed analogously for the installation outlets in the same way or in a free combination of opening option or partial hose enclosure for the hose guide and the installation outlets. This enables the insertion, specifically, and the general use of prefabricated units in which the drip hoses are wound onto a common transport drum on the side opposite the first supply line segment.

[0074] In one embodiment of the laying device, the hose guides and / or laying outlets can be opened in a switchable manner. This is advantageous, on the one hand, when used in combination with embodiments of pre-assembled units in which the dripper hoses are connected to a second supply line segment at the end opposite the first supply line segment in a fluid-conducting and permanently connected manner. Here, the hose guides can be opened when the dripper hoses are completely unwound, preferably automatically, so that the second supply line segment can then be automatically released from the machine and also remains on the surface. This embodiment is also advantageous in order to enable convenient insertion of pre-assembled units which are wound on the end opposite the first supply line segment, for example onto a transport drum.In this design, the hose guides do not have to be opened manually individually, but can all be opened simultaneously in one operation and closed after insertion.

[0075] In one embodiment of the laying device, the opening of the hose guides and / or laying outlets can be controlled by a radio remote control. This is particularly advantageous for the mechanical insertion of prefabricated units into the laying device using an industrial truck, as the opening and closing process of the hose guides and / or laying outlets can be controlled by the driver of the industrial truck via remote control.

[0076] In one embodiment of the laying device, the unwinding device comprises a holder for a transport drum, which has reinforced guides so that pre-assembled units can be inserted into the laying device using industrial trucks. This compensates for any tolerances in the positioning of the transport drum when inserting it into the laying machine and thus allows the driver of the industrial truck to make slight deviations from the ideal path. This significantly simplifies the insertion process using an industrial truck. In one embodiment of the laying device, the unwinding device comprises a holder for a transport drum with a switchable locking mechanism. The locking mechanism fixes the transport drum in the unwinding position, but can also be switched to release it.This is advantageous, on the one hand, when used in combination with designs of pre-assembled units in which the dripper hoses are fluid-conductingly and permanently connected to a second supply line segment at the end opposite the first supply line segment. Here, the securing mechanism of the unwinding device can be opened, preferably automatically, when the dripper hoses are completely unwound, so that the second supply line segment can then be automatically released from the machine and also remains on the surface. Furthermore, this design is advantageous for enabling convenient insertion of pre-assembled units wound on the end opposite the first supply line segment, for example, onto a transport drum.In this design, the safety mechanism of the unwinding device does not have to be opened manually individually, but can be opened by one operating action and closed after insertion.

[0077] In one embodiment of the installation device, the safety mechanism can be activated by a radio remote control. This is particularly advantageous for the mechanical insertion of pre-assembled units into the installation device using an industrial truck, as the opening and closing process of the hose guides and / or installation outlets can be controlled by the driver of the industrial truck via remote control.

[0078] In one embodiment of the laying device, the laying device comprises soil opening tools, wherein the hose guides and laying outlets are each arranged at least partially behind the soil opening tools in the direction of travel and the laying outlets are located in the soil during operation, so that the laying device serves for the underground installation of the dripper hoses. The soil opening tools can be designed, for example, as shares, chisels, moldboards, or knives. This allows the laying device to be used for the installation of dripper hoses for underground drip irrigation. The soil opening tools and hose guides and laying outlets are preferably designed with, for example, spring-loaded or hydraulically preloaded overload protection devices, so that they can deflect individually, together, or in groups when foreign objects such as stones are found in the soil.

[0079] In one embodiment of the laying device, the laying device is designed as an attachment for an agricultural, forestry, or horticultural tractor, for example, a tractor, a single-axle tractor, a wide-span vehicle, or a quad bike, or can be combined with an attachment. In exemplary embodiments, the attachment can be designed as a mounted attachment without its own chassis and, for example, mounted in a three-point linkage of an attached machine, or as a towed attachment with its own chassis.

[0080] Furthermore, the laying device can be designed as an agricultural, forestry, or horticultural self-propelled vehicle, in which the chassis, drive, and work-process-related components are combined in a single vehicle. A design as a field robot or as a module for a field robot is also possible. The device according to the invention can also be combined with the aforementioned vehicles. The aforementioned vehicles can be operated and driven directly by humans during the laying process, or the laying process can be carried out as part of an autonomous ferry operation.

[0081] In one embodiment, the laying device can be combined with an agricultural machine that serves additional purposes. This is advantageous with machines for work processes that are typically carried out at the beginning of a growing season, for example, in combination with soil cultivation or maintenance machines. A combination with drainage installation machines is also advantageous.

[0082] In one embodiment of the installation device, the installation device can be combined with a sowing, planting, or seeding machine. This is particularly advantageous because the dripper hoses are then installed directly at the beginning of the growth phase, allowing the plants to be supplied with targeted nutrients right from the start. Furthermore, the installation takes place at a time after which no further soil cultivation typically takes place during the growing season, which promotes soil contact in the soil horizons between plant roots and the dripper elements of the dripper hoses.

[0083] In one embodiment, the installation device can be combined with a bed shaping or stone removal machine. This combination is particularly advantageous because it combines the installation of the drip hoses, preferably underground, with comprehensive soil cultivation measures.

[0084] In one embodiment of the laying device, at least one holder for a transport drum is mounted so as to be adjustable relative to the frame of the laying device by at least one rotational and / or at least one translational movement or combinations of rotations and translations. The rotational and / or translational movement is preferably controlled by actuators, which can be driven mechanically, electrically, hydraulically and / or pneumatically, or by combinations of these drive technologies.The adjustability of at least one holder relative to the frame of the laying device is preferably configured such that, through the adjustment movement, the laying device can independently pick up the transport drum of pre-assembled units from the floor or from fixed stands, i.e., without additional manual labor or an additional loading vehicle, and move them into the starting position for installation within the laying machine. This significantly simplifies the insertion of the pre-assembled units into the laying device.

[0085] The adjustment movement of at least one holder for transport drums of prefabricated units enables the transport drums to be picked up independently from the floor or fixed stands or supports. "Independent" here means that neither manual labor nor an additional vehicle for insertion, such as an industrial truck, is required. The adjustment movement can be controlled by a human operator controlling the laying device or, preferably, the driver of any tractor unit connected to the laying machine. In this case, the driver moves the laying device toward the transport drum, brings the holders into the pick-up position so that, for example, the transport or unwinding connection point hooks into place, and then triggers the adjustment movement to the starting position for laying.Alternatively or additionally, the laying device can also include suitable sensors, such as cameras or distance sensors, which serve to detect the pre-assembled units, the transport drum, and / or the transport or unwinding connection points, as well as, preferably, a control system that controls the approach to the pre-assembled unit and / or the adjustment movement of at least one holder for transport drums. In this way, the picking and insertion process can then be carried out not only independently but also fully or partially automated.

[0086] In one embodiment of the installation device, it comprises at least one hold-down device configured to hold at least a first supply line segment of a pre-assembled unit in place, for example, during the automatic insertion process of a pre-assembled unit, or to allow it to slide into position, so that during the adjustment movement of at least one holder for transport drums, the drip hoses are already unwound a defined distance and slide into the corresponding hose guides. This allows the drip hoses of the pre-assembled units to be almost completely wound up during transport and distribution in the field. Only a slot for inserting the hold-down device(s) between the first supply line segment and the transport drum is required.During the automatic insertion process, the hose is then safely unwound to the length required for passage through the hose guides. The almost complete winding of the drip hoses during transport significantly improves the transport and handling properties of the pre-assembled units.

[0087] In one embodiment of the laying device with hold-down device, this hold-down device or these hold-down devices are formed and integrated as a component of the laying outlets or hose guides as one part.

[0088] In one embodiment of the laying device with a hold-down device, this hold-down device(s) is / are designed as separate parts and connected to the frame of the laying device. Preferably, at least one hold-down device is translationally or rotationally adjustable relative to the frame of the laying device, so that it can be moved into its functional position during the automatic insertion process to fix the first supply line segment in one position or to allow it to slide into a specific position. After the automatic insertion of the pre-assembled unit, it can be moved into a rest position, for example, near the frame of the laying device, so that the hold-down device does not cause problems during the installation step, particularly during underground installation.

[0089] In one embodiment of the laying device, it comprises a storage room or storage holder for several pre-assembled units, which can be carried along during the laying of at least a first pre-assembled unit, wherein the laying device is configured to independently remove at least a second pre-assembled unit from the storage room or storage holder after the laying of at least a first pre-assembled unit and to bring it into the starting position for laying, or to move the transport drum of the second pre-assembled unit from the storage room or storage holder to the holder(s) of a unwinding device. This design of the laying machine is particularly advantageous because it can reduce the number of times pre-assembled units are to be transferred to the laying machine, and the journeys within the field required for this can be avoided.

[0090] The computer program product according to the invention serves to determine dripper hose lengths for one or more pre-assembled units and comprises at least one first supply line segment and several adjacent dripper hoses, wherein when calculating the dripper hose lengths of adjacent dripper hoses of one or more pre-assembled units, comprising at least one first supply line segment and several adjacent dripper hoses, wherein the dripper hoses are connected at least at one end to the first supply line segment in a fluid-conducting and end-fixed manner, the field geometry of the field on which the dripper hoses are to be laid,is known and the lengths of the dripper hoses of the pre-assembled units vary within the individual pre-assembled unit or between different pre-assembled units, and the lengths of the dripper hoses are determined based on the position in the field where the respective pre-assembled unit is to be installed, in such a way that the geometry of the field or a sub-area is simulated. This computer program product is particularly advantageous for controlling factory-based production of field-adapted and thus customer-specific pre-assembled units for drip irrigation.

[0091] The above-described features of the laying method, the pre-assembled unit, the laying device, and the computer program product can be combined with each other in any way with the features of the independent claims. The same applies to the features introduced in the element-by-element description and the drawings. It is also possible to combine features of the laying device and / or the pre-assembled unit and / or the computer program product—provided this is expedient and technically reasonable—with the features of the independent claim of the laying method, and vice versa.

[0092] Further modifications and configurations of the installation method, the prefabricated unit, the installation device, and the computer program product can be found in the following component-by-component description and the drawings. A more detailed description is now provided using several exemplary embodiments. They show:

[0093] Fig. 1 : an exemplary possible design of a pre-assembled unit in side view and top view,

[0094] Fig. 2: an exemplary possible design of a laying device designed as a tractor attachment with an inserted, possible design of a prefabricated unit in side view,

[0095] Fig. 3: an exemplary possible design of a laying device designed as a tractor attachment with an inserted, possible design of a prefabricated unit in plan view,

[0096] Fig. 4: an exemplary possible design of the beginning of the laying step of a single pre-assembled unit for underground laying in a side view, Fig. 5: an exemplary possible design of the end of the laying step of a single pre-assembled unit for underground laying in a side view,

[0097] Fig. 6: an exemplary possible design of a drip irrigation system on a field after completion of the laying process in plan view,

[0098] Fig. 7: Two exemplary possible designs of underground drip hoses within a prefabricated unit after completion of the laying step in a side view,

[0099] Fig. 8: exemplary possible designs of drip hoses with protective sheath and marker as well as detectors in side view,

[0100] Fig. 9: exemplary possible designs of hose guides in combination with floor opening tools in plan view,

[0101] Fig. 10: an exemplary possible design of a laying device with a safety mechanism and hose guides and / or laying outlets that can be opened switchably, in a side view,

[0102] Fig. 11 : an exemplary possible design of a prefabricated unit with transport and unrolling connection point as well as pick-up point for industrial trucks in plan view,

[0103] Fig. 12: an exemplary possible embodiment of an insertion process of a pre-assembled unit into a laying device by means of an industrial truck in a side view,

[0104] Fig. 13: an exemplary possible design of two first phases of an insertion process of a pre-assembled unit into a laying device with automatic pickup of the pre-assembled unit from the floor in a side view, Fig. 14: an exemplary possible design of a last phase of an insertion process of a pre-assembled unit into a laying device with automatic pickup of the pre-assembled unit from the floor in a side view,

[0105] Fig. 15: an exemplary possible design of a pre-assembled unit with an extended supply line segment before and after the installation step in plan view,

[0106] Fig. 16: an exemplary possible design of the installation of a drip irrigation system on a field with an extended supply line segment, distribution step of the pre-assembled units before the laying step and implementation of the laying in up-and-down travel on the field in a top view and

[0107] Fig. 17: exemplary possible designs of transport drums with winding guides and drip hose windings, wherein the winding guides are fixedly or rotatably connected to the transport drum, in a sectional view.

[0108] Fig. 1 shows an example possible design of a pre-assembled unit in a side view and a top view. The upper part of the figure shows a side view of the pre-assembled unit 9. The drip hose 6 is wound in winding 4 onto the transport drum 5. The supply line segment 7 is connected to the drip hose 6 via the liquid-conducting, end-stable connection 8. The lower part of the figure shows a top view of the pre-assembled unit 9. Here, several drip hoses 6 of adjacent rows of drip hoses can be seen, which are wound in windings 4 onto the transport drum 5. The first supply line segment 7 is connected to the drip hoses 6 via the liquid-conducting, end-stable connections 8.

[0109] Fig. 2 shows a side view of an exemplary possible embodiment of a laying device designed as a tractor attachment with a possible embodiment of a prefabricated unit inserted. The laying device is designed here as a mounted attachment for a manned agricultural tractor 1. As a dedicated laying machine 3, it is not combined with devices for other agricultural work processes; during underground laying, soil movement continues to occur to the extent required for the laying step. Reference numeral 2 denotes the forward movement direction of the laying device during the laying step. The laying machine 3 is connected to the tractor via the connection 14. It further comprises, among other things, one or more holders for transport drums 13 and soil opening tools 12, as well as hose guides 11.A prefabricated unit 9 is already inserted into the installation device, with the end of the drip hose(s) 6 already inserted into the hose guides 11. Hose guides 11 can be designed, for example, as guide rollers, guide plates, or guide tubes.

[0110] Fig. 3 shows an exemplary possible embodiment of a laying device designed as a tractor attachment with an inserted, possible embodiment of a pre-assembled unit in a top view. The laying device is designed here as a carried attachment for a manned, agricultural tractor 1. As a dedicated laying machine 3, it is not combined with devices for other agricultural work processes, whereby, during underground laying, soil movement continues to occur to the extent required for the laying step. The reference numeral 2 denotes the forward movement direction of the laying device during the laying step. The laying machine here comprises at least one or more holders for transport drums 13 and soil opening tools 12. A pre-assembled unit 9 is already inserted into the laying device.In this embodiment, the first supply line segments 7, which are connected to the end of the drip hoses 6 in a fluid-conducting and final-fixed manner, are laid down behind the laying machine 3 at the beginning of the laying step in the direction of travel 2.

[0111] Fig. 4 shows a side view of an example possible embodiment of the beginning of the laying step of a single prefabricated unit for underground installation. Before starting the laying step, a trench 22 running transversely to the laying direction was excavated into the ground 21 as part of an excavation step. The first supply line segments 7 are inserted into this trench 22. This can be done without driving over the trench 21 by the tractor 1 traveling on the ground surface 20, approaching the trench 22 in reverse with the excavated laying machine 3 including the inserted prefabricated unit 9, and lowering the laying machine after the ground opening tools 12 have reached a position above the trench 22. The upper part of the figure shows the state after this lowering has taken place.The first supply line segment 7 is now already in its final position, to which it was moved by the laying machine 3 in the manner described. The advance movement now begins with the laying machine lowered in the advance direction 2. The lower part of the figure shows an example of a possible further course of the laying step. The soil has been opened 21a by the soil opening tool 12, for example, by cutting a slot. The drip hose 6 is placed at the bottom of the opened soil 21a, starting from the supply line segment 7 located in the trench 22.

[0112] Fig. 5 shows a side view of an exemplary possible configuration for the completion of the installation step of a single prefabricated unit for underground installation. The upper part of the figure shows how the tractor 1 with the installation machine 3 has now advanced a further distance in the direction of travel 2 on the soil surface 20. The trench is therefore no longer visible. The soil 21 is then opened by the soil opening tool 12, and the drip hose 6 is placed at the bottom of the opened soil 21a. The prefabricated unit is now completely unwound. At this moment, the winding end 57 automatically detaches from the transport drum 5.The lower part of the figure then shows, by way of example, how, as the tractor 1 and laying machine 3 continue to advance in the direction of travel 2, the remaining end of the drip hose 6 is also pulled out of the hose guide 11 and the laying outlets of the laying machine. This also requires no action from the driver or operator. After the drip hose 6 has completely left the laying machine and is completely placed at the bottom of the opened floor 21a, the laying machine 3 can now be lifted out. The empty transport drum 5 can be removed from the laying machine 3 and reused or recycled. After inserting another pre-assembled unit 9, the laying step for the next unit can start again.

[0113] Fig. 6 shows a top view of an example possible design of a drip irrigation system on a field after completion of the installation process. The field is delimited by the field geometry 30 and, with the exception of the headlands, is equipped with installed dripper hoses 6 over its entire area. Alternatively, installation is also possible on only one or more partial areas. The central irrigation unit 33 is located outside the field geometry here. It is also possible to place the central irrigation unit 33 within the field geometry. Furthermore, it is possible to use one central irrigation unit 33 for several fields or several central irrigation units 33 for one field. The trench 22, which runs, for example, transversely to the installation direction of the dripper hoses 6, is shown hatched here at an angle of -45°. In this design, it is closed again at the end of the installation process as part of the covering step.Starting from the trench located in the center of the area, drip hoses 6 were laid in both directions. The supply line segments 7 of the prefabricated units are located in the trench 22. These were already connected to each other and to the central irrigation unit 33 during the connection step. For this purpose, it may be necessary to install additional connectors 31 between the supply line segments. It may also be necessary to install one or more connecting and / or distribution lines 32 between supply line segments 7 and the central irrigation unit 33. The two field areas marked with reference number 34 indicate exemplary areas of the field, each of which is covered and irrigated by a prefabricated unit. It is clear that the lengths of the drip hoses 6 differ both within and between the field areas.This is preferably achieved by appropriate planning of the cutting of the dripper hoses 6 and the fitting of the pre-assembled units with dripper hoses 6 during the assembly step. This planning is preferably carried out with knowledge of the field geometry 30 and with the aid of suitable algorithms using a computer program product.

[0114] Fig. 7 shows two exemplary possible designs of underground drip hoses within a prefabricated unit after completion of the installation step in a side view. The upper part of the figure shows a design of the drip hoses as a branch line. Starting from the supply line segment 7 located in the trench 22, the drip hose 6, connected by a fluid-conducting and final-tight connection 8, is laid underground in the soil 21 below the soil surface 20. Dripper elements 15 are installed along the drip hose 6, typically at regular intervals. The drip hose 6 is provided with a covering, for example, to protect against rodents.The end of the drip hose opposite the first supply line segment was closed with the end closure 17 after cutting to length during the assembly step, so that liquid can only escape from the drip hose 6 in the base 21 through the drip elements 15.

[0115] The lower part of the figure shows a design of the dripper hoses comprising a forward and a return line. Starting from the supply line segment 7 located in the trench 22, the dripper hose 6, connected by means of a liquid-conducting and end-tight connection 8, is laid underground in the soil 21 below the soil surface 20. Dripper elements 15 are arranged at typically regular intervals along the length of the dripper hose 6. The dripper hose 6 is provided with a covering, for example, to protect against pests such as rodents. The end of the dripper hose opposite the first supply line segment was closed with the end closure 17 after cutting to length during the assembly step, so that any leakage of liquid from the dripper hose 6 into the soil 21 is only possible through the dripper elements 15.In this embodiment, the dripper hose comprises a supply line 50 and a return line 51, which are separated here by the partition 52. On the end of the dripper hose 6 opposite the first supply line segment, in addition to the end closure 17, a connection between the supply line and return line can be seen, which can be introduced during the assembly step. Furthermore, the supply line segment 7 also comprises a supply line 54 and a return line 55, which are separated by the partition 56. In this embodiment, the liquid-conducting and end-resistant connection 8 also ensures that the supply line 50 and return line 51 of the dripper hose 6 are each separately connected in a liquid-conducting manner to the supply line 54 and return line 55 of the supply line segment 7. In the embodiment of dripper hoses 7 with supply line 50 and return line 51 shown here, the dripper elements 15 are attached exclusively to the supply line 50.Alternatively, the dripper elements 15 can be attached exclusively to the return line 51, or can be attached to it in equal or unequal parts distributed between the forward and return lines 51. Fig. 8 shows examples of possible designs of dripper hoses with protective sheathing and / or markers as well as detectors in a side view. The upper part of the figure shows the dripper hose 6 with a sheath 16. This sheath 16 can include further formations 18, for example, to improve the detection properties. The lower part of the figure shows dripper hoses with a sheath 19 laid in the soil 21. The dripper hoses with sheathing can be detected by detection units 41 as to their position and depth in the soil 21. The detection units can be designed individually or in a plurality and can comprise one or more, identical or different sensors or can be formed by a single sensor.Suitable sensors can be, for example, metal detectors or ground-penetrating radar sensors. By determining the positions of the dripper hoses in the soil, soil tillage tools 42, which are connected to the frame of a soil tillage implement 40 and penetrate the soil 21 below the soil surface 20 to loosen it in the soil horizon of the dripper hoses with sheath 19, can be controlled in a suitable manner so that the soil tillage tools 42 do not damage the dripper hoses with sheath 19.

[0116] Fig. 9 shows, by way of example, possible designs of hose guides in combination with soil opening tools in a top view. The direction of travel of the laying device during the laying step is indicated by arrow 2. In this direction, the hose guides, here comprising guide rollers 69, 69a, for example, are always located behind the soil opening tools 12. The upper and middle parts of the figure show a design of hose guides that can be opened in a switchable manner. In the upper part of the figure, this hose guide is closed. The drip hose 6 is enclosed by the guide roller 69 and the lateral guide plates 60. The optional rear cover plate 61 can serve, for example, to protect or clean the guide roller 69. In the middle part of the figure, the hose guide is open. The guide roller 69a and the cover plate 61a are pivoted out in the direction of the pivoting direction 63.The drip hose can then be inserted into the hose guide in the direction of arrow 62, transverse to its longest extension direction, so that at the time of insertion it can be connected on both sides to transversely running elements, for example a transport drum and the first supply line segment. Pulling the hose through the hose guide along its length is therefore not necessary during insertion. The guide roller 69a and the cover plate 61a form a V-shape here, which is beneficial for easier, particularly mechanical insertion of the drip hose in particular and the prefabricated unit in general. The lower part of the figure shows a laterally open version of the hose guide. Since only a lateral guide plate 60 is installed here besides the guide roller 69, the hose 6 can be inserted laterally in the direction of arrow 62, transverse to its longest extension direction.A swivel mechanism for opening the hose guide is not required here. However, there is no V-shaped inlet either, which makes mechanical insertion difficult.

[0117] Fig. 10 shows a side view of an exemplary possible design of a laying device with a safety mechanism and hose guides and / or laying outlets that can be opened in a switchable manner. The tractor 1 is connected to the frame of the laying machine 10 via the connection 14. The holder 13 for the transport drum is provided with guides 64, which compensate for positioning errors of the transport drum during mechanical insertion into the laying machine. The hose guides arranged behind the soil opening tool 12 are also provided with guides 65. These guides can be shaped like the V-shape of switchable laying outlets, pivoted guide roller 69a and pivoted cover plate 61a in Fig. 10. They also serve to compensate for positioning errors when inserting the drip hose transversely to its longest extension direction into the hose guide.

[0118] Fig. 11 shows an example possible design of a pre-assembled unit with transport and unwinding connection points as well as a pickup point for industrial trucks in a top view. The figure shows a design of the pre-assembled unit 9 in a top view. Here, several drip hoses 6 of adjacent drip hose rows can be seen, which are wound in coils 4 onto the transport drum 5. The first supply line segment 7 is connected to the drip hoses 6 via the liquid-conducting, end-resistant connections 8. Furthermore, lateral transport and unwinding connection points 67 can be seen, which are used for insertion into the holders of laying devices or transport frames. Furthermore, the pre-assembled unit here comprises pickup points 66 for secure pickup by industrial trucks, which here are designed as recesses 66 in the transport drum 5 for the insertion of pallet forks.

[0119] Fig. 12 shows a side view of an exemplary possible embodiment of an insertion process for a pre-assembled unit into a laying device using an industrial truck. The tractor 1 is connected to the frame of the laying machine 10 via the connection 14. The holder 13 for the transport drum is provided with guides 64, which compensate for positioning errors of the transport drum during mechanical insertion into the laying machine. The hose guides arranged behind the soil opening tool 12 are also provided with guides 65. The pre-assembled unit, here comprising the transport drum 5, the first supply line segment 7, the drip hose 6, the fluid-conducting and final connection 8, and the winding of the drip hose 4, is located on the pallet fork of an industrial truck 68, here designed as a forklift.In the forward direction 2, the forklift moves toward the installation device to insert the pre-assembled unit into the designated holder 13. It may be necessary to unwind the pre-assembled unit to a defined length. This length is defined so that it just exceeds the path taken by the drip hoses during the installation step from the unwinding point through one or more hose guides to the installation outlet. The drip hoses can then be inserted into all existing hose guides and installation outlets perpendicular to their longest extension direction.

[0120] Fig. 13 shows an exemplary possible embodiment of two first phases of a laying process of a pre-assembled unit into a laying device with automatic picking up of the pre-assembled unit from the ground in a side view. The upper part of the figure shows the laying device after it has been moved into the transport drum 5 lying on the ground. The laying device is designed here as an attachment for an agricultural tractor 1. The frame of the laying machine 10 is connected to the tractor 1 via a connecting device 14, for example a three-point hitch, so that the frame of the laying machine 10 can be lifted by the tractor 1. A ground opening tool 12, which is optionally available for underground laying, is thus moved above the ground surface 20 of the ground 21 during the retraction and picking up of the transport drum 5.The holder 13 for the transport drum 5 is rotated around the pivot point 70 towards the ground and extended at the telescopic point 71 so that the transport drum 5 can be caught by the guide 64. The transport drum 5 with windings 4 and supply line segment 7 as well as the short unwound drip hose section 6 lies on the ground surface 20. The cover plates 61a and guide 65 are open and ready to guide the drip hoses 6 into the hose guides 11 transversely to the hose length. The hold-down devices 72 are designed separately as offset parts and are extended so that they penetrate the area between the first supply line segment 7 and the transport drum 5 in order to hold the first supply line segment 7 in position or to allow it to slide into position. The lower part of the figure shows the laying device after the transport drum 5 has begun to be picked up.The laying device is designed here as an attachment for an agricultural tractor 1. The frame of the laying machine 10 is connected to the tractor 1 via a connecting device 14, for example a three-point linkage, so that the frame of the laying machine 10 can be lifted by the tractor 1. A soil opening tool 12, which is optionally available for underground laying, is thus moved above the soil surface 20 of the soil 21 during the retraction and pickup of the transport drum 5. The holder 13 for the transport drum 5 has been rotated here about the pivot point 70 away from the soil surface 20 in the direction of arrow 73. At the telescopic point 71, the holder 13 for the transport drum 5 is further extended. As a result of the rotational movement 73, the transport drum 5, which was caught by the guide 64, was picked up from the ground.The cover plates 61a and guides 65 are opened, and the drip hoses 6 are guided into the hose guides 11 transversely to the hose length. The hold-down devices 72 are designed separately as offset parts and are extended. These hold the supply line segment 7 in a lower position. As a result, the drip hoses 6 are automatically unwound a further distance from the windings 4 of the transport drum 5 during pickup in order to apply the hose length required for passage through the hose guides 11 and installation outlets. Fig. 14 shows an example possible embodiment of a final phase of an insertion process for a pre-assembled unit into a laying device with automatic pickup of the pre-assembled unit from the floor in a side view. Figure 14 shows the laying device after the transport drum 5 has been picked up.The laying device is designed here as an attachment for an agricultural tractor 1. The frame of the laying machine 10 is connected to the tractor 1 via a connecting device 14, for example a three-point linkage, so that the frame of the laying machine 10 can be lifted by the tractor 1. A soil opening tool 12, which is optionally available for underground laying, is thus moved above the soil surface 20 of the soil 21 during the retraction and pickup of the transport drum 5. The holder 13 for the transport drum 5 has been rotated here about the pivot point 70 away from the soil surface 20 in the direction of arrow 73 and brought into the starting position for the laying step. At the telescopic point 71, the holder 13 for the transport drum 5 has been pushed in in the direction of arrow 74. As a result of the rotational movement 73, the transport drum 5, which was caught by the guide 64a, was picked up from the ground.The guide 64a is locked here to secure the transport drum 5 during the installation step. The cover plates 61 and guide are now closed, so that the drip hose 6 can no longer deviate from the trajectory along the hose guides 11. For the hose length between the position of the transport drum 5 and the first supply line segment 7, the drip hose 6 was automatically unwound from the coil 4.

[0121] Fig. 15 shows an exemplary possible design of a prefabricated unit with an extended supply line segment before and after the installation step in plan view.

[0122] The upper part of Figure 15 shows the prefabricated unit 9 in its transport state. The transport drum 5 is provided with transport and unwinding connection points 67, as well as receiving points 66, for example for industrial trucks. Several windings 4 of adjacent drip hoses 6 are wound onto this. The drip hoses 6 are connected to the first supply line segment 7 at the end opposite the transport drum 5 in a fluid-conducting and final-tight manner 8. The supply line segment 7 is optionally provided with stops 82 or reinforcement areas for hold-down devices of the laying machine. The supply line segment 7 is approximately twice the length compared to the width of the field area covered by the drip hoses 6. The extension 80a of the supply line segment 7 is folded up onto the outlet section of the supply line segment 7.For this purpose, the supply line segment is designed to be fully or partially flexible, at least in the connection area 81 to the extension 80a. To secure the extension 80a, the transport fixation 83 is provided, which can be designed, for example, as at least one band, at least one wire, at least one clamp, and / or at least one cable tie.

[0123] The lower part of Figure 15 shows the prefabricated unit 9 after installation has been completed. Starting from the first supply line segment 7, the dripper hoses 6 are completely unwound from the transport drum and laid in the field. Reference number 90 indicates the spacing between adjacent rows of dripper hoses. The transport drum 5, which has been completely freed of windings, is provided with transport and unwinding connection points 67, as well as pick-up points 66, for example, for industrial trucks. It can now be reused for the production of further prefabricated units. The dripper hoses 6 are connected to the first supply line segment 7 in a fluid-conducting and final-strength manner 8. The supply line segment 7 is optionally provided with stops 82 or reinforcement areas for hold-down devices of the laying machine.The supply line segment 7 here is approximately twice as long as the width of the field area covered by the drip hoses 6. The extension 80 of the supply line segment 7 is folded out in alignment with the outlet section of the supply line segment 7. For this purpose, the extension 80 was folded in the direction of arrow 82 after the laying step during the connection step.

[0124] Fig. 16 shows an exemplary possible design of the installation of a drip irrigation system on a field with an extended supply line segment, distribution step of the prefabricated units before the laying step and implementation of laying in up-and-down travel on the field in a top view.

[0125] The field geometry 30 was known during the planning of the assembly step and the distribution step, so that the lengths of the individual dripper hoses 6 of the individual pre-assembled units 9 could be determined in advance. The dripper hoses 6 could be cut to the appropriate length and connected to at least one first supply line segment 7 to form suitable pre-assembled units 9 and wound up in adjacent windings located on a common transport drum. The field areas indicated by the reference numeral 34 each show a partial area of ​​the field 30, which is covered and irrigated by the dripper hoses 6 of a respective pre-assembled unit 9 or supplied with liquid or dissolved fertilizers or pesticides. The dripper hoses 6 are each designed as branch lines and are each connected to supply line segments 7 on one side.However, the supply line segments 7 are laid alternately on each of the two sides of the field during the installation step. This means, for example, in a north-south installation, the supply line segment 7 is initially placed on the north side for a pre-assembled unit 9, then on the south side for the directly adjacent pre-assembled unit, and then again on the north side for the next pre-assembled unit. This procedure allows the laying machine 3 to move up and down, thus enabling particularly efficient installation without empty runs.

[0126] Since, due to the alternating placement of the supply line segments 7 on each side of the field 30, only half of the length is covered by directly connected sections of the supply line segments 7, a large number of supply line segments 7 are provided with extensions 80. However, the extension 80 can typically be omitted for the supply line segment 7 of the first pre-assembled unit 9 at the field edge 30 or the first two pre-assembled units 9 at the field edge 30. A disadvantage of the alternating placement of the supply line segments 7, which enables efficient laying in up-and-down travel, is that both sides of the field 30 must be connected to the central irrigation unit, thus longer distribution lines 32 may be required.Between the supply line segments 7, these are further connected to one another after laying as part of the connecting step, for example with connecting pieces 31.

[0127] The right-hand part of the figure shows a method of carrying out the laying step that is suitable for alternating placement. As part of a previous distribution step, pre-assembled units 9 were already deposited at the headlands 89. The supply line segments 7 of the deposited pre-assembled units 9 each comprise extensions 80a that are folded onto the connected sections of the supply line segments 7. The planning of the deposit is preferably carried out using a computer program product and preferably in alignment with the direction of travel of the respective laying row. The travel path of the tractor 1 with the connected laying machine 3 is shown here in dashed lines. It can be seen that the direction of travel in the current laying row 86 is opposite the direction of travel in the next laying row 87 after the turning process 88, thus allowing up and down travel.In this embodiment, the laying machine 3 preferably has means for automatically picking up the pre-assembled units 9 from the ground, such as pivoting holders for transport drums, etc. In this way, first a pre-assembled unit 9 can be automatically picked up, then another laying row 86 can be laid, then the turning process 88 can be carried out, then the next pre-assembled unit can be automatically picked up at the opposite headland 89, then another laying row 87 can be laid in the opposite direction, etc.

[0128] Fig. 17 shows exemplary possible designs of transport drums with winding guides and drip hose windings, wherein the winding guides are fixedly or rotatably connected to the transport drum, each in a sectional view.

[0129] The upper part of Figure 17 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a transport drum 5 with winding guides 91 and drip hose windings 4, wherein the winding guides 91 are here firmly connected 92 to the transport drum 5. The transport drum 5 is optionally provided with receiving points 66 and / or transport or unwinding connection points 67 and is marked with hatching rising at 45°. The windings 4 of the drip hoses 6 are shown with hatching falling at 45°. The windings 4 are fixed laterally and / or in the core by the winding guides 91 to ensure secure winding and / or unwinding. The winding guides 91 are firmly connected to the transport drum 5 by the connection 92. During the unwinding of the drip hoses 6 from the windings 4, the entire transport drum 5 must therefore rotate.The lower part of Figure 17 shows a sectional view of another alternative embodiment of a transport drum 5 with winding guides 91 and drip hose windings 4, wherein the winding guides 91 are connected to the transport drum 5 in a rotatable manner 93. The transport drum 5 is optionally provided with receiving points 66 and / or transport or unwinding connection points 67 and is marked with hatching rising at 45°. The windings 4 of the drip hoses 6 are shown with hatching falling at 45°. The windings 4 are fixed laterally and / or in the core by the winding guides 91 to ensure secure winding and / or unwinding. The winding guides 91 are connected to the transport drum 5 by the rotatably mounted connection 93. The winding guides 91, with their windings 4, can thus be rotated individually around the rotation axis of the winding / unwinding process.For this purpose, a roller bearing connection, for example in the form of a ball bearing 93, as well as a plain bearing connection or other rotatable connection can be provided between the winding guides 91 and the transport drum 5. During the unwinding of the dripper hoses 6, the winding guides 91 can thus rotate individually without the transport drum 5 having to be rotated as a whole. This rotation can be significantly easier than the rotation of the transport drum 5 and thus exerts less tensile force on the dripper hose 6 during installation, thus reducing the risk of the dripper hose(s) 6 tearing due to irregularities. Likewise, the individual rotatability of the individual windings 5 ​​or the individual winding guides 91 can compensate for tolerances or differences in the unwinding lengths when cornering during installation.

[0130] The accompanying illustrations, figures, descriptions of illustrations, descriptions of figures, and exemplary embodiments serve only to illustrate the invention. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that they can modify the exemplary embodiments in a manner they deem appropriate in order to adapt them to a specific application.

[0131] 1 towing vehicle.

[0132] 2 Priority direction.

[0133] 3 laying machines.

[0134] 4 windings.

[0135] 5 Transport drum.

[0136] 6 drip hose.

[0137] 7 supply line segment.

[0138] 8 Fluid-conducting, final-strength connection.

[0139] 9 Pre-assembled unit.

[0140] 10 frames of the laying machine.

[0141] 11 Hose guide, for example designed as or comprising a guide roller.

[0142] 12 floor opening tool.

[0143] 13 Holder for transport drum.

[0144] 14 Connection between towing vehicle and laying machine.

[0145] 15 drip element.

[0146] 16 Cover of the drip hose.

[0147] 17 End cap of the drip hose.

[0148] 18 Shaping of the drip hose cover.

[0149] 19 drip hose with cover.

[0150] 20 soil surface.

[0151] 21 floor.

[0152] 21a floor, open here.

[0153] 22 ditch.

[0154] 30 Field geometry.

[0155] 31 connectors between supply line segments.

[0156] 32 Connector and / or distribution line between supply line segment and irrigation central unit.

[0157] 33 Central irrigation unit.

[0158] 34 Field areas covered by a single prefabricated unit. 40 Frames of tillage implements.

[0159] 41 detection unit.

[0160] 42 Tool of soil tillage equipment.

[0161] 50 Inlet line of the drip hose.

[0162] 51 Return line of the drip hose.

[0163] 52 Partition between the forward and return lines of the drip hose, shown in dashed lines.

[0164] 53 Connection between the forward and return lines of the drip hose at the end of the line.

[0165] 54 Outgoing line of the supply line segment.

[0166] 55 Return line of the supply line segment.

[0167] 56 Partition wall between the supply and return lines in the supply line segment, shown dashed here.

[0168] 57 Removable winding end.

[0169] 60 Side baffle.

[0170] 61 cover plate.

[0171] 61a Cover plate, swung out here.

[0172] 62 Drip hose insertion direction.

[0173] 63 Swivel direction of cover plate and hose guide.

[0174] 64 Reinforced guide for transport drum in holder.

[0175] 64a Reinforced guide for transport drum in holder, locked here.

[0176] 65 guides for hose guides.

[0177] 66 pickup point.

[0178] 67 Transport and unrolling connection point.

[0179] 68 industrial trucks.

[0180] 69 Guide roller.

[0181] 69a Guide pulley, here swung out.

[0182] 70 Pivot point of the transport drum holder,

[0183] 71 Telescoping of the transport drum holder,

[0184] 72 hold-down clamps for supply line segment.

[0185] 73 Rotation of the transport drum holder during the recording process. 74 Telescopic movement of the transport drum holder during the recording process.

[0186] 75 Feed direction of the hold-down device to complete the pick-up process.

[0187] 80 Extension of the supply line segment.

[0188] 80a Extension of the supply line segment, here folded onto the part of the supply line segment connected to the drip hoses.

[0189] 81 Variable, for example foldable, connection of the parts of the supply line segment.

[0190] 82 Stop for hold-down device, for fixing the supply segment during the picking process.

[0191] 83 Transport fixation of the parts of the supply line segment.

[0192] 84 Folding movement of the supply line segment extension during installation.

[0193] 86 Route of the tractor with laying device in the current laying row.

[0194] 87 Path of the tractor with laying device in the next laying row.

[0195] 88 Path of the tractor with laying device during the turning process.

[0196] 89 headland.

[0197] 90 distance between adjacent drip hose rows.

[0198] 91 winding guide.

[0199] 92 Fixed connection of the winding guide to the transport drum.

[0200] 93 Rotatable connection of the winding guide with the transport drum.

[0201] Non-patent literature

[0202] [NP1] Model 6818 Subsurface Drip Applicator, https: / / www.rainfloirrigation.com / equipment / drip-applicators / model-6818-subsurface

[0203] [accessed on February 29, 2024]

Claims

Claims 1. A method for laying drip irrigation with dripper hoses (6), wherein the dripper hoses (6) are laid mechanically in agricultural, forestry, or horticultural areas by a multi-row laying device (3) which lays several adjacent rows of dripper hoses simultaneously, characterized in that the method comprises at least the following steps: a at least one assembly step, during which at least several dripper hoses (6) are cut to length and several dripper hoses (6) of adjacent rows of dripper hoses are wound up in windings on a common transport drum (5), wherein the dripper hoses (6) are connected at least at one end opposite the transport drum (5) to at least one first supply line segment (7) in a fluid-conducting and final-fixed manner (8) to form a prefabricated unit (9), b at least one laying step,in the context of which at least the laying device (3) lays at least one prefabricated unit (9) created in the assembly step a), and c at least one connecting step, in the context of which at least the first supply line segment (7) is connected to at least one adjacent supply line segment (7) and / or to at least one central irrigation unit (33).

2. Laying method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the context of the assembly step a) the drip hoses (6) are further closed to the outside (17) at the end opposite the first supply line segment (7) and are wound up per pre-assembled unit (9) from the end opposite the first supply line segment (7) onto a common transport drum (5), but are only loosely or automatically detachably connected to this at the winding origin (57), so that the connection between the transport drum (5) and drip hoses (6) is automatically released (57) after complete unwinding during the laying step b).

3. Laying method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the context of Assembly step a) further comprises connecting the drip hoses (6) at the end opposite the first supply line segment (7) to at least one second supply line segment (7) in a fluid-conducting and final-fixed manner (8), wherein the second supply line segment (7) serves as a transport drum (5) during handling between assembly step a) and the end of laying step b), but also remains in the area after laying.

4. Laying method according to claim 1, characterized in that during the assembly step a) the drip hoses (6) are further connected at the end opposite the first supply line segment (7) to at least one second supply line segment (7) in a fluid-conducting and final-fixed manner (8), wherein the second supply line segment (7) is positioned at the winding origin of the drip hose windings on or near the transport drum during the assembly step a), but is only loosely or automatically detachably connected (57) to the transport drum, so that the connection between the transport drum (5) and the second supply line segment (7) is automatically released (57) after complete unwinding during the laying step b) and the second supply line segment (7) also remains in the area after laying.

5. Laying method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drip hoses (6) are laid underground and the method comprises the following further steps: • at least one excavation step, wherein before the laying step b) a trench (22) is dug in the ground (21) transversely to the laying direction of the drip hoses (6), into which trench the first supply line segment (7) is inserted with the aid of the laying device (3) at the beginning of the laying step b) of the prefabricated unit (9) and from which drip hoses (6) are laid, • and at least one covering step, wherein after the laying step b) and the connecting step c) of the first supply line segments (7) in the trench (22), the first supply line segments (7) are covered, for example, with earth and the trench (22) is thus closed.

6. Laying method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the assembly step a) and the laying step b) are carried out spatially separately from one another.

7. Laying method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when planning the assembly step a) the field geometry (30) of the field on which the dripper hoses (6) are to be laid is known and the lengths of the dripper hoses (6) of the pre-assembled units (9) are different within the individual pre-assembled unit (9) or the lengths of the dripper hoses (6) are different between different pre-assembled units (9) and the lengths of the dripper hoses (6) are determined based on the position on the field at which the respective pre-assembled unit (9) is to be laid in such a way that the geometry of the field (30) or a partial area is simulated and preferably the planning is carried out with the aid of a suitable computer program product.

8. Laying method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method, after at least one assembly step a) and before at least one laying step b), additionally comprises at least one distribution step, during which at least one pre-assembled unit (9), preferably several, particularly preferably all pre-assembled units (9) to be installed on a field (30) or a partial area, are deposited on the field (30) or on the headland (89) or on the edge or near the edge of the field (30) on the ground or a fixed base at a position near its installation area (34), wherein the deposit positions are preferably planned using a computer program product before carrying out the distribution step.

9. Laying method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laying device has a receiving means, for example a pivotable holder (13) for transport drums (5) and before at least one laying step b) at least one receiving step is carried out within the scope of the method, in the scope of which the laying device independently, that is to say without the need for manual work and without the need for an additional vehicle for insertion, for example an industrial truck, at least one prefabricated unit (9) from a fixed position, for example from the ground, from a fixed holder or base, and brings it into the starting position for the laying step.

10. Prefabricated unit (9) for multi-row, mechanical laying of dripper hoses (6) for drip irrigation, at least comprising several dripper hoses (6) for adjacent dripper hose rows, at least one transport drum (5) and at least one first supply line segment (7), suitable for connection to at least one irrigation central unit (33) and / or to at least one adjacent supply line segment (7), characterized in that several dripper hoses (6) of adjacent dripper hose rows (6) are wound in windings (4) on a common transport drum (5), wherein the drip hoses (6) are connected at least to the first supply line segment (7) are connected in a liquid-conducting and final-fixed manner to the end of the dropper hoses (6) opposite the transport drum (5).

11. Prefabricated unit (9) according to claim 10, characterized in that the drip hoses (6) are closed to the outside (17) at the end opposite the first supply line segment (7) and are wound onto the at least one transport drum (5) from the end opposite the first supply line segment (7), but are only loosely or easily detachably connected to the latter at the winding origin (57).

12. Prefabricated unit (9) according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the drip hoses (6) and / or the first and / or the second supply line segment (7) are covered with a protective unit (16) which serves to protect them from damage, in particular by rodents, and / or to detect them, in particular underground, in the field by a sensor unit (41).

13. Prefabricated unit (9) according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the prefabricated unit (9) comprises at least one transport and unwinding connection point (67) suitable for receiving the entire prefabricated unit (9) in transport racks or unwinding holders (13) of laying devices (3).

14. Prefabricated unit (9) according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized characterized in that the length of at least one supply line segment (7) of the pre-assembled unit (9) approximately corresponds to the product of the number of adjacent drip hoses (6) encompassed by the pre-assembled unit (9) and the distance (90) between two adjacent drip hose rows in the field (30).

15. Pre-assembled unit (9) according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the length of at least one supply line segment (7) of the pre-assembled unit (9) approximately corresponds to the product of the factor 2, in words "two", the number of adjacent dripper hoses (6) encompassed by the pre-assembled unit (9) and the distance (90) between two adjacent dripper hose rows in the field (30).

16. Prefabricated unit (9) according to claim 15, characterized in that the supply line segment (7) is flexibly foldable or bendable over its entire length or comprises a folding or bending device, connection or point (81) at least between the original length of the supply line segment (7) connected to the drip hoses (6) and the extension (80).

17. Prefabricated unit (9) according to one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the prefabricated unit (9) comprises on at least one first supply line segment (7) one or more stop points (82) or reinforcements which are suitable for the fixing or sliding introduction of the supply line segment(s) (7) by means of hold-down devices on the laying device during insertion or reception.

18. Pre-assembled unit (9) according to one of claims 10 to 17, characterized in that the pre-assembled unit (9) comprises at least one receiving point (66) suitable for receiving the entire pre-assembled unit (9) in booms of industrial trucks (68).

19. Laying device (3) for multi-row, mechanical laying of dripper hoses (6) of several adjacent dripper hose rows, at least comprising several hose guides (11) and laying outlets for adjacent dripper hoses (6) and at least one unwinding device, suitable for unwinding the Dripper hoses (6) from one or more transport drums (5), characterized in that in the structure of the laying device (3) at least one unwinding device is opposed by a plurality of hose guide rows and laying outlets, suitable for guiding and discharging a dripper hose (6) in each case, so that the laying device (3) can be operated with one or more prefabricated units (9) for several adjacent rows, wherein the hose guides (11) and / or laying outlets only partially enclose the respectively assigned dripper hose (6) or can be opened for inserting at least one dripper hose (6) connected on both sides.

20. Laying device (3) according to claim 19, characterized in that the hose guides (11) and / or laying outlets can be opened in a switchable manner.

21. Laying device (3) according to claim 20, characterized in that the opening of the hose guides (11) and / or laying outlets can be switched by a radio remote control.

22. Laying device (3) according to one of claims 20 to 21, characterized in that the at least one unwinding device comprises a holder (13) for a transport drum (5) with a safety mechanism which is switchable.

23. Laying device (3) according to claim 22, characterized in that the safety mechanism can be switched by a radio remote control.

24. Laying device (3) according to one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that the laying device comprises ground opening tools (12), wherein the hose guides (11) and laying outlets are each arranged at least partially behind the ground opening tools (12) in the direction of travel (2) and the laying outlets are located in the ground (21) during operation, so that the laying device (3) serves for the underground laying of the drip hoses (6).

25. Laying device (3) according to one of claims 20 to 24, characterized in that at least one holder (13) for a transport drum (5) is pivotable relative to the frame (10) of the laying device (3) by at least one rotation (73) and / or at least one translational movement (74) or combinations of rotations (73) and translations (74) is adjustably mounted, and the laying device is designed such that, by means of the adjusting movement (73, 74), the laying device (3) can independently, i.e. without additional manual work or an additional insertion vehicle, pick up transport drums (5) of prefabricated units (9) from the floor / floor surface (20) or from fixed stands, fixed supports or from a comparable fixed position.

26. Laying device (3) according to one of claims 20 to 25, characterized in that the laying machine (3) comprises at least one hold-down device (72) which is designed to hold at least a first supply line segment (7) of a prefabricated unit (9) fixed or to allow it to slide into position, for example during the independent insertion process of a prefabricated unit (9), so that during the adjustment movement (73, 74) of at least one holder (13) for transport drums (5), the drip hoses (6) are already unrolled a defined distance and slide into the corresponding hose guides (11).

27. Laying device (3) according to one of claims 20 to 26, characterized in that the laying device (3) comprises a storage space or storage holder for a plurality of pre-assembled units (9), which can be carried along during the laying of at least a first pre-assembled unit (9), wherein the laying device (3) is designed to independently remove at least a second pre-assembled unit (9) from the storage space or storage holder after the laying of at least a first pre-assembled unit (9) and to bring it into the starting position for the laying, or to move the transport drum (5) of the second pre-assembled unit (9) from the storage space or storage holder into the holder(s) (13) of a roll-off device.

28. Computer program product for determining dripper hose lengths for one or more pre-assembled units (9) comprising at least one first supply line segment (7) and several adjacent dripper hoses (6), characterized in that when calculating the dripper hose lengths of adjacent dripper hoses (6) of one or more pre-assembled units (9), comprising at least one first supply line segment (7) and several adjacent Dripper hoses (6), wherein the dripper hoses (6) are connected (8) at least at one end to the first supply line segment (7) in a fluid-conducting and end-fixed manner, the field geometry (30) of the field on which the dripper hoses (6) are to be laid is known and the lengths of the dripper hoses (6) of the pre-assembled units (9) are different within the individual pre-assembled unit (9) or are different between different pre-assembled units (9), and the lengths of the dripper hoses (6) are determined based on the position on the field on which the respective pre-assembled unit (9) is to be laid, in such a way that the geometry of the field (30) or a partial area is simulated.

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