Paddy field working machine

Abstract

Provided is a paddy field working machine comprising a collecting mechanism that is attached to a vehicle body and collects a removal target present in an agricultural field, wherein the collecting mechanism has a collecting frame part and a collecting part held by the collecting frame part, the collecting part has a plurality of linear members, the plurality of linear members forms a cylindrical, spindle, or bicone shape and forms a space inside thereof, and the linear members have elasticity and thus reliably remove the removal target such as Pomacea canaliculata.

Description

Paddy field farming machine

[0001] The present invention relates to a paddy field working machine equipped with a recovery unit that recovers objects to be removed, such as giant snails.

[0002] When targeting pests in a field, such as giant apple snails (Pomacea canaliculata) and other harmful insects, conventional techniques have been known to spray chemicals on the field to kill them and prevent damage. Other techniques have also been developed to physically exterminate the pests.

[0003] JP 2023-91941 A JP 2020-110112 A JP 2024-7700 A

[0004] However, there is a problem that it is difficult to eradicate with a small amount of chemicals, and if too much is used, it may have a negative impact on the field.

[0005] On the other hand, physical trampling may not be able to kill (eliminate) pests if the field is soft. There is also the problem that pests cannot be eradicated from the field at the same time as agricultural work is being carried out.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In consideration of the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technology, the present invention aims to provide a paddy field working machine that can reliably remove objects to be removed, such as giant snails.

[0007] The first invention is a paddy field working machine comprising a recovery mechanism (7) attached to a vehicle body (1) for recovering objects to be removed (W) present in a field, the recovery mechanism (7) having a recovery frame section (70) and a recovery section (71) held by the recovery frame section (70), the recovery section (71) having a plurality of linear members (71a), the plurality of linear members (71a) forming a cylindrical, spindle-shaped or biconical shape, and having a space (S) inside, and the linear members (71a) having elasticity.

[0008] The second invention is a paddy field working machine as described in claim 1, wherein the recovery frame portion (70) has a pair of flange portions (70a) spaced at least a predetermined distance apart, and both ends of the plurality of linear members (71a) are each connected to the pair of flange portions (70a).

[0009] The third invention is a paddy field working machine according to claim 2, wherein the spacing between the plurality of linear members (71a) is adjustable in accordance with the object to be removed (W), and the maximum spacing (K) among the spacings (K) between adjacent linear members (71a) when recovering the object to be removed (W) is narrower than the size of the object to be removed (W), and when the object to be removed (W) is pressed against the linear members (71a), the spacing (K) between the elastic linear members (71a) widens, allowing the object to be removed (W) to pass through from there into the internal space (S).

[0010] The fourth aspect of the present invention is a paddy field working machine as described in claim 3, wherein the predetermined distance (D) between the pair of flange portions (70a) is configured to be changeable, and when the object to be removed (W) is discharged from the internal space (S) to the outside, the predetermined distance (D) between the pair of flange portions (70a) is made shorter than when it was recovered, thereby widening the spacing (K) between the multiple linear members (71a), and discharging the object to be removed (W) that has been taken into the internal space (S) to the outside.

[0011] The fifth aspect of the present invention is a paddy field working machine according to claim 4, wherein the recovery frame portion (70) has a bar (70b) extending in the left-right direction held by the main body of the planting device (2), at least a pair of brackets (70c) attached to the bar (70b), and a shaft (70d) connecting the pair of brackets (70c), the pair of flange portions (70a) are attached to the shaft (70d), and at least one of the flange portions (70a) is slidable along the shaft (70d), and at the time of discharge, one of the flange portions (70a) is slid by an arm (70e) held at a predetermined location on the recovery frame portion (70), thereby making it possible to shorten the predetermined distance (D) between the pair of flange portions (70a) compared to when the device is being recovered.

[0012] According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reliably remove objects to be removed, such as giant snails.

[0013] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the flange portion is utilized, resulting in a simple structure.

[0014] The third aspect of the present invention makes it possible to flexibly deal with various sizes of objects to be removed.

[0015] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the object to be removed can be easily discharged.

[0016] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the object to be removed can be easily discharged with a simple structure.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a side view of a paddy field working machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a plan view of the paddy field working machine; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a recovery mechanism provided in the paddy field working machine; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a recovery mechanism provided in the paddy field working machine; (A), (B), and (C) are diagrams showing the recovery mechanism provided in the paddy field working machine;

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0019] 1 is a configuration diagram of a rice transplanter as an example of a paddy field working machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the following, the terms "front, rear, left and right" are defined based on the traveling direction of the rice transplanter.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a side view of a paddy field working machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof.

[0021] Here, a vehicle body (1) as an example of a vehicle body has a seedling planting device (2) as an example of a planting device for planting seedlings attached to the rear, and a spare seedling frame (3) for placing spare seedlings attached to the front. A driver's seat (4) is located in the center, and the vehicle can travel on front wheels (5) and rear wheels (6).

[0022] A recovery mechanism (7) for recovering objects to be removed (W), such as giant pond snails, present in the field is installed below the seedling planting device (2). The recovery mechanism (7) has a recovery frame (70) attached to the main body (2a) of the seedling planting device (2) and a recovery unit (71) held by the recovery frame (70).

[0023] This recovery mechanism (7) is realized by utilizing a conventional ground leveling rotor mechanism as will be described later.

[0024] Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the recovery frame portion (70) and recovery portion (71) of the recovery mechanism (7). The recovery portion (71) has a plurality of parallel linear members (71a, 71a, ...) such as wires, which together form a spindle or bicone shape with an internal space (S). There are a plurality of recovery portions (71), and they are provided on the recovery frame portion (70). The linear members (71a) are elastic.

[0025] As shown in Figure 4, the recovery frame portion (70) has at least a pair of flange portions (70a, 70a) spaced apart by a predetermined distance (D). A plurality of linear members (71a) are arranged between the pair of flange portions (70a, 70a), and both ends of the linear members (71a) are connected to the pair of flange portions (70a, 70a). Reference numeral (18) denotes a drive transmission shaft that transmits drive power from the vehicle body (1), and is connected to the shaft (70d).

[0026] The intervals (K, K, ...) (see FIG. 3) between the adjacent linear members (71 a) in the parallel state can be adjusted according to the object to be removed (W). For example, when the ends of the linear members (71 a) are connected to the flange portion (70 a), the flange portion (70 a) has a large number of circular holes drilled inside, and the intervals (K) can be adjusted by selecting whether to fit the ends of the linear members (71 a) every other hole or every third hole.

[0027] When the object to be removed (W) is being collected, the maximum of the distances (K) between the parallel linear members (71a) is narrower than the size of the object to be removed (W). The distances (K) between the linear members (71a) vary depending on the location of the linear members (71a), but here even the widest distance (K) is narrower than the size of the object to be removed (W). As will be described later, this is to prevent the object to be removed (W) once taken into the internal space (S) from spilling out.

[0028] Next, when the object to be removed (W) is pressed against the plurality of linear members (71a), the gaps (K) between the elastic linear members (71a) widen, allowing the object to be removed (W) to pass through from there into the internal space (S).

[0029] On the other hand, the flange portions (70a) are slidable on the shaft (70d), and the predetermined distance (D) between the pair of flange portions (70a) can be changed by this sliding.

[0030] Therefore, when discharging the object to be removed (W) from the internal space (S) to the outside, the predetermined distance (D) between the pair of flange portions (70a) is shortened from that at the time of recovery, thereby widening the gap (K) between the multiple linear members (71a) in parallel state, and the object to be removed (W) that has been taken into the internal space (S) can be discharged to the outside.

[0031] More specifically, it is configured as follows:

[0032] The recovery frame section (70) has a bar (70b) extending in the left-right direction held by the main body (2a) of the planting device (2), at least a pair of brackets (70c) attached to the bar (70b), and a hexagonal shaft (70d) connecting the pair of brackets (70c), and a pair of flange sections (70a, 70a) are attached to the shaft (70d), and at least one of the flange sections (70a) is slidable along the shaft (70d), and when discharging, one of the flange sections (70a) is slid by an arm (70e) held at a predetermined location on the recovery frame section (70), thereby making it possible to shorten the predetermined distance (D) between the pair of flange sections (70a) compared to when the device was recovered.

[0033] The arm (70e) is driven in conjunction with the lifting operation of the planting device (2) to slide one of the flange portions (70a).

[0034] During operation, the drive transmission shaft (18) rotates the hexagonal shaft (70d), which in turn rotates the pair of flanges (70a) and the collection section (71), thereby collecting giant snails from the field into the internal space (S).

[0035] When the planting device (2) is raised, the arm (70e) is automatically driven, pushing and sliding one or both flange portions (70a), reducing the predetermined distance (D) between the flange portions (70a), widening the gap (K) between the linear members (71a), and dropping the giant snails collected in the internal space (S).The giant snails are then disposed of all at once or crushed on the spot.

[0036] The arm (70e) may be driven manually regardless of the elevation of the planting device (2).

[0037] It is also desirable that the sliding movement be a reciprocating movement. That is, it is desirable that the arm (70e) slides by retracting, then returning to its original position, and repeating this reciprocating movement. This is because the snails may get caught on the linear member (71a) and not fall off, so the reciprocating sliding movement makes it easier to fall off.

[0038] In addition, three gutter-shaped semi-cylindrical receiving members (15) (see Figure 5(A)) can be installed over each of the central, left, and right collection sections (71). These can be positioned at the top during collection and rotated to the bottom during discharge. This allows the receiving members (15) to be positioned at the top so as not to get in the way during collection, and then rotated down during discharge. The arms (70e) can then widen the gap (K) to allow the giant snails to fall into the gutter-shaped semi-cylindrical receiving members (15) and be collected. Furthermore, it is desirable to tilt the gutter-shaped semi-cylindrical receiving members (15) left and right, so that the falling giant snails can be collected at the edge of the gutter-shaped semi-cylindrical receiving members (15). This reduces the effort required to collect the discharged giant snails. The semi-cylindrical receiving members (15) are not limited to a semi-cylindrical shape, and may have a rectangular cross section.

[0039] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the collection section (71) is located forward of the seedling planting rod (8) and the float (9). This allows the float (9) to level the field even if the collection section (71) slightly disturbs the field surface. Also, the removal target (W) can be removed before planting, preventing damage from being eaten.

[0040] Furthermore, the recovery mechanism (7) is constructed using a conventional soil-leveling rotor mechanism. Specifically, Figures 6 and 7 show the soil-leveling rotor mechanism (100) of a rice transplanter, with Figure 6 being a plan view of the left rotor (101) and Figure 7 being a side view of the left rotor (101) and the central rotor (102). Reference numeral (103) denotes a joint that transmits power from the vehicle body to the left rotor (101), and the height of each rotor can be adjusted by a height adjustment device (104) via height adjusters (104a, 104b). Furthermore, through the joint (103), rotational power is transmitted from the vehicle body (1) to the left rotor (101), and the power is then transmitted to the central rotor (102), and from there to the right rotor.

[0041] The recovery section (71) is attached in place of the left, right and center rotors (101, 102) of such a conventional ground leveling rotor mechanism (100).

[0042] By doing this, just as it was possible to match the rotational speed of the soil leveling rotor mechanism (100) to the traveling speed of the vehicle body (1) in the past, the rotational speed of the collection unit (71) can also be matched in conjunction with the traveling speed of the vehicle body (1) (see Figure 5). As a result, the collection unit (71) can reliably collect the giant snails, which are the objects to be removed (W), without slipping relative to the field. Furthermore, since there is no slippage, wear on the collection unit (71) can be prevented, improving durability.

[0043] Furthermore, the height of the recovery section (71) can be adjusted. That is, as shown in Figure 7, conventionally, the height adjustment device (104) could adjust the height of each rotor (101, 102) via height adjustment tools (104a, 104b), but the height of the left, right, and center recovery sections (71) can also be adjusted using a similar mechanism.

[0044] This height adjustment allows the height to be adjusted to suit the hardness of the field, improving collection accuracy. In other words, in soft fields, the spring material will not deform unless it is pressed hard, making it impossible to capture giant snails, so height adjustment is necessary.

[0045] The height can also be adjusted in conjunction with the hydraulic sensitivity dial. The hydraulic sensitivity corresponds to the hardness of the field, improving capture accuracy.

[0046] In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, the plurality of linear members (71a) are generally spindle-shaped or biconical, but they may be simply cylindrical, or even rectangular.

[0047] In the case of a spindle or bicone shape, the length of the linear member (71a) is longer than the distance (D) between the pair of flange portions (70a, 70a), so when assembled, the linear member (71a) curves as shown in the figure, which reduces stress when deforming when pressed against the field, increases durability, allows for greater deformation, and has the advantage of being able to accommodate large-sized giant snails.In addition, the linear member (71a) may be made of plastic wire instead of metal wire.

[0048] Furthermore, the plurality of linear members (71a) may form a spindle or bicone shape as a whole, but may have a flat portion (F) in the center. That is, Fig. 5(B) shows an individual linear member (71a) of the plurality of linear members (71a), but its center portion forms a flat portion (F). Furthermore, a shape without a curved portion, as shown in Fig. 5(C), is also possible. The presence of this flat portion (F) makes it easier to capture giant snails from a wider range.

[0049] The recovery mechanism (7) may be attached not only to the location where the ground leveling rotor mechanism (100) was located, but also to another location, such as under the hood.

Claims

1. A paddy field working machine comprising a recovery mechanism attached to a vehicle body for recovering materials to be removed that are present in a field, the recovery mechanism having a recovery frame section and a recovery section held by the recovery frame section, the recovery section having a plurality of linear members, the plurality of linear members forming a cylindrical, spindle-shaped or biconical shape and having an interior space, and the linear members having elasticity.

2. A paddy field working machine as described in claim 1, wherein the recovery frame portion has a pair of flange portions spaced at least a predetermined distance apart, and both ends of the multiple linear members are respectively connected to the pair of flange portions.

3. A paddy field working machine as described in claim 2, wherein the spacing between the multiple linear members is adjustable to correspond to the object to be removed, and the maximum spacing between adjacent linear members when collecting the object to be removed is narrower than the size of the object to be removed, and when the object to be removed is pressed against the linear members, the spacing between the elastic linear members widens, allowing the object to be removed to pass through into the internal space.

4. A paddy field working machine as described in claim 3, wherein the predetermined distance between the pair of flange portions is configured to be changeable, and when the object to be removed is discharged from the internal space to the outside, the predetermined distance between the pair of flange portions is made shorter than when it was recovered, thereby widening the spacing between the multiple linear members and discharging the object to be removed that has been taken into the internal space to the outside.

5. A paddy field working machine as described in claim 4, wherein the recovery frame portion has a bar extending in the left-right direction held by the main body of the planting device, at least a pair of brackets attached to the bar, and a shaft connecting the pair of brackets, the pair of flange portions are attached to the shaft, and at least one of the flange portions is slidable along the shaft, and when discharging, one of the flange portions can be slid by an arm held in a predetermined position on the recovery frame portion, thereby making it possible to shorten the predetermined distance between the pair of flange portions compared to when the machine is being recovered.

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