JP7499726B2 - Rice transplanter - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a rice transplanter equipped with a seedling planting device having a seedling carrying platform.

For example, the rice transplanter described in Patent Document 1 is already known as the above-mentioned rice transplanter. The front of the body of this rice transplanter is equipped with a spare seedling loading platform. The operator can place spare seedling mats on this spare seedling loading platform.

JP 2006-168512 A

When performing seedling planting work using the rice transplanter described in Patent Document 1, the worker first places the seedling mat on the seedling placement table (referred to as the "seedling placement table" in Patent Document 1) of the seedling planting device (referred to as the "seedling planting device" in Patent Document 1). The worker then places the seedling mat, supported by the seedling mat support, on the spare seedling placement table.

The seedling mat support is a device that supports the seedling mat, such as a scooping board.

Then, the worker begins planting the seedlings using the rice transplanter. As the planting process progresses, the number of seedlings on the seedling mat placed on the seedling placement table decreases.

When the number of seedlings placed on the seedling tray decreases to a certain level, the worker stops planting the seedlings and stops the rice transplanter. Next, the worker holds the seedling mat placed on the spare seedling tray with his or her hands while it is still supported by the seedling mat support. The worker then separates the seedling mat from the seedling mat support and replenishes it on the seedling tray.

In this way, when the number of seedlings placed on the seedling tray decreases to a certain level, the worker needs to replenish the seedling mats on the seedling tray. Furthermore, the task of replenishing the seedling mats on the seedling tray requires a relatively large amount of effort.

Here, in order to reduce the labor required for supplying seedling mats to the seedling rests, it is possible to provide a seedling transport device that is positioned in front of the seedling rests and transports seedling mats to the seedling rests.
In this case, if the seedling transport device has an ascending section and a descending section, and the ascending section is located at the front of the seedling transport device and is provided in a state in which it is inclined upward at the rear, and the descending section is provided in a state in which it extends rearward from the rear end of the ascending section and is provided in a state in which it is inclined downward at the rear, the seedling transport device will have an arched shape as a whole. This makes it easier to secure space below the seedling transport device for providing an operator's section on which an operator can ride.

However, if the seedling mat is moving at a relatively high speed when it is being supplied from the descending section to the seedling platform, it is possible that the seedling mat may be damaged by colliding with the seedling platform or with a seedling mat already placed on the seedling platform.

In addition, when the seedling mat is being supplied from the descending section to the seedling placement platform, if the seedling mat is moving at a relatively high speed, it is possible that the seedling mat may fly out and not be placed properly on the seedling placement platform.

The object of the present invention is to provide a rice transplanter that can reduce the labor required for supplying seedling mats to the seedling tray and can easily avoid situations in which the seedling mats are damaged when being supplied to the seedling tray or are not properly placed on the seedling tray.

The present invention is characterized in that it comprises a seedling planting device located at the rear of a machine body and having a seedling carrying platform, and a seedling transport device located forward of the seedling carrying platform and transporting seedling mats to the seedling carrying platform, the seedling transport device having an ascending section and a descending section, the ascending section being located at the front of the seedling transport device and being inclined upward at the rear, the descending section extending rearward from the rear end of the ascending section and being inclined downward at the rear, and the seedling transport device transports the seedlings transported rearward by the ascending section. The seedling mat is supplied to the seedling loading platform by sliding down the descending section, and the descending section has a plurality of deceleration sections which reduce the moving speed of the seedling mat , and the plurality of deceleration sections include a plurality of first deceleration sections lined up in the left-right direction of the body and a plurality of second deceleration sections lined up in the left-right direction of the body and positioned lower than the first deceleration sections, and the positioning position of each of the second deceleration sections in the left-right direction of the body does not overlap with the positioning position of any of the first deceleration sections in the left-right direction of the body .

With this invention, the seedling transport device replenishes the seedling mats onto the seedling tray. This means that workers do not need to manually replenish the seedling mats onto the seedling tray. Therefore, this invention makes it possible to reduce the labor required to replenish the seedling mats onto the seedling tray.

Moreover, with this invention, the speed reducing section reduces the movement speed of the seedling mat as it slides down the descending section. This makes it easier to avoid situations where the seedling mat is damaged when it is fed from the descending section to the seedling loading platform, or where the seedling mat is not properly loaded onto the seedling loading platform.

Therefore, this invention can reduce the labor required to supply seedling mats to the seedling tray, and can realize a rice transplanter that can easily avoid situations in which the seedling mats are damaged when being supplied to the seedling tray, or in which the seedling mats are not properly placed on the seedling tray.

Further, the present invention is characterized by a seedling planting device located at the rear of the machine body and having a seedling carrying platform;
and a seedling transporting device located forward of the seedling loading platform and transporting a seedling mat to the seedling loading platform, the seedling transporting device having an ascending section and a descending section, the ascending section being located in front of the seedling transporting device and inclined upward at the rear, the descending section extending rearward from the rear end of the ascending section and inclined downward at the rear, the seedling transporting device being configured such that the seedling mat transported rearward by the ascending section slides down the descending section, and the seedling mat is supplied to the seedling loading platform, the descending section being: The descending section has a plurality of reduction sections which reduce the moving speed of the seedling mat, and the reduction sections have a rotating member which can rotate around a rotation axis along the left-right direction of the body, and a suppression section which suppresses an increase in the rotational speed of the rotating member, and the rotating member has a plurality of protruding sections which protrude radially and are arranged at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction, and is arranged in a state in which the protruding sections contact the seedling mat sliding down the descending section, and it is preferable that the plurality of reduction sections include a first reduction section which is the reduction section, and a second reduction section which is the reduction section which is located lower than the first reduction section .

According to this configuration, when the protruding portion is in contact with the seedling mat sliding down the descending portion, the rotating member receives a force from the seedling mat via the protruding portion. This force is in a direction that rotates the rotating member. However, at this time, the suppressing portion suppresses an increase in the rotational speed of the rotating member. This causes the rotating member to rotate at a relatively slow speed. As a result, the seedling mat in contact with the protruding portion slides down the descending portion at a relatively slow speed.

In other words, this configuration makes it possible to realize a rice transplanter that can easily and reliably reduce the movement speed of the seedling mat as it slides down the descending section.

Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable that the suppression unit is an electric motor that is variable speed and can drive the rotating member at a constant rotational speed that is changed.

With this configuration, when the seedling mat sliding down the descending section comes into contact with the protruding section, the electric motor suppresses an increase in the rotation speed of the rotating member. In other words, with this configuration, it is possible to provide a suppression section with a relatively simple configuration. In addition, by making the rotation speed of the electric motor variable, the rotation speed of the rotating member can be adjusted to be optimal for the inclination of the descending section.

Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable that the suppression section is a friction resistance mechanism that applies a friction resistance force to the rotating member that prevents the rotation of the rotating member.

With this configuration, when the seedling mat sliding down the descending section comes into contact with the protruding section, the friction resistance mechanism suppresses the increase in the rotation speed of the rotating member. In other words, with this configuration, it is possible to provide a suppression section with a relatively simple configuration.

Furthermore, in the present invention , it is preferable that the first reduction section has a plurality of first rotating members which are a plurality of the rotating members arranged in the left-right direction of the body, and the second reduction section has a plurality of second rotating members which are a plurality of the rotating members arranged in the left-right direction of the body, and that the positioning position of each of the second rotating members in the left-right direction of the body does not overlap with the positioning position of any of the first rotating members in the left-right direction of the body.

With this configuration, the seedling mat sliding down the descending section is decelerated by the first deceleration section and the second deceleration section. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which only one deceleration section is provided, it is possible to realize a configuration in which it is easier to sufficiently suppress the movement speed of the seedling mat when it reaches the seedling placement platform.

In addition, in a configuration in which the second rotating member comes into contact with the portion of the seedling mat that the first rotating member comes into contact with as it slides down the descending section, that portion will come into contact with the protruding portion multiple times. This can lead to a situation in which that portion will be damaged.

Here, according to the above configuration, the position of each second rotating member in the left-right direction of the machine body does not overlap with the position of any first rotating member in the left-right direction of the machine body. Therefore, the second rotating member does not come into contact with the part of the seedling mat that comes into contact with the first rotating member as it slides down the descending section. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the situation in which part of the seedling mat is damaged as described above.

Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable that the speed reducing section is provided in the center or lower part of the descending section in the vertical direction of the aircraft body.

When the deceleration section is provided at the top of the descending section in the vertical direction of the machine body, the seedling mat sliding down the descending section travels a relatively long distance after being decelerated by the deceleration section and before reaching the seedling placement platform. Therefore, after being decelerated by the deceleration section, the seedling mat accelerates as it slides down the descending section before reaching the seedling placement platform, so the movement speed of the seedling mat tends to be relatively high when it reaches the seedling placement platform.

Here, with the above configuration, the seedling mat sliding down the descending section travels a relatively short distance until it reaches the seedling placement platform after being decelerated by the deceleration section. Therefore, the seedling mat tends to travel slower when it reaches the seedling placement platform than when the deceleration section is provided at the top of the descending section in the vertical direction of the machine body.

Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable that the lowering section is provided with a temporary stop section for temporarily stopping the seedling mat, and a seedling cut sensor.

When the maximum amount of seedling mats that can be placed on the seedling platform is on the seedling platform, the seedling mats transferred from the ascending section to the descending section come into contact with the seedling mats placed on the seedling platform and are placed on the descending section. Therefore, by temporarily keeping the seedling mats in the descending section using the temporary stop section, it becomes possible to immediately replenish seedling mats when there is a shortage of seedling mats on the seedling platform.

Here, with the above configuration, a configuration can be realized in which the seedling-break sensor can detect when the number of seedlings remaining in the seedling mat placed on the descending section becomes relatively low, or when the seedling mat runs out. This makes it possible to configure the system so that, for example, when the number of seedlings remaining in the seedling mat placed on the descending section becomes relatively low, or when the seedling mat runs out, the operator is notified.

FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the configuration of the reduction section and the like. FIG. FIG. 4 is a left side view in vertical section showing the configuration of a first rotating member and the like. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a friction resistance mechanism and the like. FIG. 13 is a front view showing the configuration of a speed reducer and the like in another embodiment (5).

The embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the direction of arrow F shown in Figures 1, 2, and 6 is defined as "front", the direction of arrow B as "rear", the direction of arrow L shown in Figures 2 to 5, 7, and 8 as "left", and the direction of arrow R as "right". In addition, the direction of arrow U shown in Figures 1, 3 to 6, and 8 as "up", and the direction of arrow D as "down".

[Overall configuration of the rice transplanter]
As shown in Fig. 1, the riding type rice transplanter A is equipped with a traveling body C that has a pair of left and right steering wheels 10, 10 and a pair of left and right rear wheels 11, 11 and can travel in a field. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a riding section 23 where various driving operations are performed is provided in the center of the traveling body C. The riding section 23 is provided on the traveling body C across the width of the traveling body C.

The seedling planting device W is supported and connected to the rear of the traveling body C so that it can rise and fall, and the seedling planting device W is configured to be able to plant seedlings in a field. A pair of left and right steering wheels 10 are provided at the front of the traveling body C so that the direction of the traveling body C can be freely changed, and a pair of left and right rear wheels 11 are provided at the rear of the traveling body C. The seedling planting device W is connected to the rear of the traveling body C via a planting link mechanism 17 so that it can rise and fall. As a result, the seedling planting device W is provided at the rear of the rice transplanter A. The planting link mechanism 17 rises and falls by the extension and contraction of the lifting hydraulic cylinder 16.

At the front of the traveling machine body C, there is an engine 13 capable of driving the traveling machine body C, and an openable bonnet 12. The bonnet 12 has an inclined surface that slopes upward toward the rear and is configured to be able to store the engine 13. Although not described in detail, the steering wheels 10 or the rear wheels 11, or both, are equipped with a known HST (hydrostatic stepless transmission, not shown) as a transmission mechanism for transmitting the power of the engine 13. The power of the engine 13 is transmitted to the steering wheels 10 and the rear wheels 11 via a transmission mechanism provided on the machine body, and the power after the transmission is transmitted to the seedling planting device W via an electric motor-driven planting clutch (not shown).

The seedling planting device W is provided with a plurality of (e.g., four) transmission cases 18, a plurality of (e.g., eight) rotating cases 19, a ground leveling float 21, and a seedling carrying platform 22. The rotating cases 19 are rotatably supported on the left and right sides of the rear of each transmission case 18. A pair of rotary planting arms 20 is provided at both ends of each rotating case 19. The ground leveling float 21 is used to level the rice field surface, and multiple ground leveling floats 21 are provided in the seedling planting device W. Seedling mats M (see Figure 6), which are mat-shaped seedlings for planting, are placed on the seedling carrying platform 22.

In this way, the rice transplanter A is equipped with a seedling planting device W located at the rear of the machine body and having a seedling carrying platform 22.

The seedling planting device W drives the seedling carrier 22 back and forth sideways while rotating each rotating case 19 with the power transmitted from the transmission case 18, so that the seedlings are taken out alternately from the bottom of the seedling carrier 22 by each planting arm 20 and planted on the rice field surface. In other words, the seedling planting device W is configured to plant seedlings using the planting arms 20 provided on multiple rotating cases 19.

[About the spare seedling transport device]
1 and 2, a spare seedling transport device 30 (corresponding to the "seedling transport device" of the present invention) is provided above the boarding section 23. The spare seedling transport device 30 is configured to transport a seedling mat M (see FIG. 6) to the seedling placement table 22. The spare seedling transport device 30 will be described below.

The spare seedling transport device 30 overlaps with the passenger seat 23A of the passenger section 23 in a plan view. In addition, the spare seedling transport device 30 is located forward of the seedling loading platform 22.

In this way, the rice transplanter A is equipped with a spare seedling transport device 30 that is positioned in front of the seedling loading platform 22 and transports the seedling mat M to the seedling loading platform 22.

The spare seedling transport device 30 has an ascending section 31 and a descending section 32. The ascending section 31 is located at the front of the spare seedling transport device 30. The ascending section 31 is inclined so that it is positioned higher toward the rear. In other words, the ascending section 31 is provided in a state in which it is inclined upward toward the rear. The ascending section 31 is also configured to be able to swing up and down around the machine body lateral axis X1 at the rear end.

That is, the rising section 31 is located at the front of the spare seedling transport device 30 and is tilted upward toward the rear.

The descending portion 32 extends rearward from the rear end of the ascending portion 31. The descending portion 32 is also inclined so that it is positioned lower toward the rear. In other words, the descending portion 32 is provided in a state in which it is inclined downward toward the rear.

In this way, the descending section 32 extends rearward from the rear end of the ascending section 31 and is inclined downward toward the rear.

The ascending section 31 is provided with multiple transport mechanisms 40. The multiple transport mechanisms 40 are arranged in a line in the left-right direction. Here, the rice transplanter A in this embodiment is for planting eight rows. That is, eight rows of seedling mats M can be placed on the seedling placement table 22. In this embodiment, the number of transport mechanisms 40 provided matches the number of rows of seedling mats M that can be placed on the seedling placement table 22. That is, in this embodiment, the number of transport mechanisms 40 provided is eight.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, each conveying mechanism 40 has an endless rotating belt 41 and a belt conveying motor 42. The belt conveying motor 42 is configured to rotate the endless rotating belt 41. When the endless rotating belt 41 is rotated, the endless rotating belt 41 rotates so that the upper surface of the endless rotating belt 41 moves to the rear side and the lower surface of the endless rotating belt 41 moves to the front side.

When the belt conveying motor 42 is driven with the seedling mat M placed on the upper surface of the endless rotating belt 41, the seedling mat M is conveyed to the rear by the endless rotating belt 41. As a result, the ascending section 31 conveys the seedling mat M to the rear and hands it over to the descending section 32.

The seedling mat M transferred from the ascending section 31 to the descending section 32 is guided to the seedling placement platform 22 below while sliding on the descending section 32. That is, the seedling mat M is supplied to the seedling placement platform 22 by sliding down the descending section 32.

In this way, the spare seedling transport device 30 is configured so that the seedling mat M transported rearward by the ascending section 31 slides down the descending section 32, thereby supplying the seedling mat M to the seedling loading platform 22.

With the configuration described above, the ascending section 31 can transport eight rows of seedling mats M to the rear side. The descending section 32 has a width sufficient to guide eight rows of seedling mats M to the seedling loading platform 22. As a result, the spare seedling transport device 30 in this embodiment can transport eight rows of seedling mats M to the seedling loading platform 22.

As shown in FIG. 1, the traveling vehicle body C is provided with left and right side frames 24, 24, which are erected upward on both the left and right sides of the passenger seat 23A. A rear support frame portion 25 is connected to the side frames 24, 24. The upper end of the rear support frame portion 25 extends along the vehicle body lateral axis X1.

The lower ends of the left and right ends of the rear support frame 25 are connected to the side frames 24, 24. The rear end of the ascending portion 31 is swingably connected to the upper end of the rear support frame 25. The front end of the descending portion 32 is supported by the rear support frame 25.

Front support frame sections 26, 26 are provided on both the left and right sides of the bonnet 12. An electric hydraulic cylinder 28 and a link mechanism 33 are connected to each of the front support frame sections 26, 26. The link mechanism 33 is pivoted to each of the front support frame sections 26 and the support receiving section 34 at the front of the ascending section 31. The electric hydraulic cylinder 28 is also pivoted to each of the front support frame sections 26 and the link mechanism 33, and the extension and contraction of the electric hydraulic cylinder 28 causes the link mechanism 33 to swing up and down, and the support receiving section 34 to move up and down. As a result, the ascending section 31 is configured to be able to swing up and down around the aircraft lateral axis X1.

[Regarding the reduction gear]
3, the descending section 32 has a plurality of speed reducers 50. Each speed reducer 50 is configured to reduce the moving speed of the seedling mat M sliding down the descending section 32. That is, the descending section 32 has a speed reducer 50 that reduces the moving speed of the seedling mat M. In addition, the rice transplanter A is provided with a plurality of speed reducers 50.

The following describes the speed reducer 50.

As shown in FIG. 3, the descending section 32 in this embodiment has three first reduction sections 51 and three second reduction sections 52. The first reduction sections 51 and the second reduction sections 52 are both reduction sections 50. That is, the descending section 32 in this embodiment has six reduction sections 50.

Each first reduction section 51 is provided in the center of the descending section 32 in the vertical direction of the aircraft. Also, each second reduction section 52 is provided in the lower part of the descending section 32 in the vertical direction of the aircraft. In other words, each second reduction section 52 is located lower than each first reduction section 51.

In this way, the reduction gear section 50 is provided in the center or lower part of the descending section 32 in the vertical direction of the aircraft. The multiple reduction gear sections 50 also include a first reduction gear section 51 which is a reduction gear section 50, and a second reduction gear section 52 which is a reduction gear section 50 located lower than the first reduction gear section 51.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, each reduction gear unit 50 has a plurality of rotating members 60 arranged in the left-right direction of the body. More specifically, the first reduction gear unit 51 has a plurality of first rotating members 61, which are a plurality of rotating members 60 arranged in the left-right direction of the body. The second reduction gear unit 52 has a plurality of second rotating members 62, which are a plurality of rotating members 60 arranged in the left-right direction of the body.

Each first rotating member 61 is fixed to a first support shaft 71 that penetrates each first rotating member 61 and extends in the left-right direction. In addition, a plurality of first support brackets 32a are attached to the front side of the descending section 32. The first support shaft 71 is supported by the plurality of first support brackets 32a in a state in which it can rotate around a first rotation axis Y1 (corresponding to the "rotation axis" according to the present invention) that runs along the left-right direction of the aircraft body.

With this configuration, each of the first rotating members 61 and the first support shaft 71 is supported on the front side of the descending section 32. In addition, each of the first rotating members 61 and the first support shaft 71 can rotate integrally around the first rotation axis Y1.

Each second rotating member 62 is fixed to a second support shaft 72 that penetrates each second rotating member 62 and extends in the left-right direction. In addition, a plurality of second support brackets 32b are attached to the front side of the descending section 32. The second support shaft 72 is supported by the plurality of second support brackets 32b in a state in which it can rotate around a second rotation axis Y2 (corresponding to the "rotation axis" according to the present invention) that runs along the left-right direction of the aircraft.

With this configuration, each second rotating member 62 and the second support shaft 72 are supported on the front side of the descending section 32. In addition, each second rotating member 62 and the second support shaft 72 can rotate integrally around the second rotation axis Y2.

Here, the first rotating member 61 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 6, the first rotating member 61 has a plurality of protrusions 60a. The plurality of protrusions 60a protrude in the radial direction of the first rotating member 61. The plurality of protrusions 60a are also arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the first rotating member 61.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the descending section 32 has a plurality of long holes 32c formed on the surface along which the seedling mat M slides down. Each long hole 32c extends along the direction in which the seedling mat M moves.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first rotating member 61 is arranged with a portion of the first rotating member 61 inserted into the long hole 32c. This causes a portion of the first rotating member 61 to protrude upward from the long hole 32c. With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 6, the protruding portion 60a comes into contact with the bottom of the seedling mat M sliding down the descending portion 32.

In this way, the rotating member 60 has multiple protruding portions 60a that protrude radially and are arranged at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction, and is positioned in a state in which the protruding portions 60a come into contact with the seedling mat M sliding down the descending portion 32.

In the above explanation, the structure of the first rotating member 61 is described in detail, but the second rotating member 62 has the same structure as the first rotating member 61. Therefore, the explanation of the structure of the second rotating member 62 is omitted.

In addition, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the position of each second rotating member 62 in the left-right direction of the body does not overlap with the position of any first rotating member 61 in the left-right direction of the body. As a result, none of the first rotating members 61 are located directly above each second rotating member 62 in the vertical direction of the paper surface in Figure 4.

In other words, the first rotating members 61 and the second rotating members 62 are arranged so that the first rotating members 61 are not positioned upstream of the second rotating members 62 in the direction of movement of the seedling mat M in the descending section 32.

In addition, in FIG. 4, the out-of-seedling sensor S is shown by a virtual line. This out-of-seedling sensor S is disposed at a position adjacent to the second rotating member 62. Furthermore, this out-of-seedling sensor S is attached to one of the multiple long holes 32c in which the rotating member 60 is not disposed. In this manner, the out-of-seedling sensor S may be provided in the descending section 32. The out-of-seedling sensor S may be disposed on the left side of the second rotating member 62 or on the right side of the second rotating member 62.

The seedling-out sensor S can be a known sensor used to detect seedling-out.

If the seedling shortage sensor S detects that the number of seedlings remaining in the seedling mat M placed on the lowering section 32 is relatively low, an alarm device (not shown) may be provided to notify the operator of this.

As shown in FIG. 5, each speed reducer 50 has a suppression section 73. The suppression section 73 is configured to suppress an increase in the rotational speed of the rotating member 60.

That is, the reduction unit 50 has a rotating member 60 that can rotate around a first rotation axis Y1 or a second rotation axis Y2 along the left-right direction of the machine body, and a suppression unit 73 that suppresses an increase in the rotation speed of the rotating member 60.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the first reduction gear unit 51 has an electric motor 74 as a suppression unit 73. The electric motor 74 has an output gear 74a. The electric motor 74 is configured to be able to rotate the output gear 74a at a constant rotational speed.

The output gear 74a meshes with the relay gear 77. The relay gear 77 also meshes with the drive gear 78. As a result, the output gear 74a is connected to the drive gear 78 via the relay gear 77.

The first support shaft 71 passes through the drive gear 78. The drive gear 78 is fixed to the first support shaft 71.

With the above configuration, the driving force of the electric motor 74 is transmitted to each of the first rotating members 61 via the output gear 74a, the relay gear 77, the drive gear 78, and the first support shaft 71. The electric motor 74 is also variable speed. This allows the electric motor 74 to drive and rotate each of the first rotating members 61 at a constant rotational speed that has been changed. The rotation direction of the first rotating members 61 is clockwise in FIG. 6.

In this way, in the first reduction gear section 51, the suppression section 73 is an electric motor 74 that is variable speed and can drive the first rotating member 61 to rotate at a constant rotational speed that is changed.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the seedling mat M is in contact with the first rotating member 61, a force acts from the seedling mat M to the first rotating member 61. The direction of this force is a direction that increases the rotation speed of the first rotating member 61.

When such a force acts on the first rotating member 61, the electric motor 74 is configured to generate a braking force so that the rotational speed of the first rotating member 61 is maintained. This prevents the rotational speed of the first rotating member 61 from increasing.

The electric motor 74 is driven by power supplied from a battery (not shown) installed in the rice transplanter A.

As shown in FIG. 7, the second reduction gear section 52 has a friction resistance mechanism 75 as a suppression section 73. The friction resistance mechanism 75 is located at the left end of the second reduction gear section 52. The friction resistance mechanism 75 has a plurality of bolts 80, a plurality of nuts 81, a plurality of spring members 82, a first friction member 83, and a second friction member 84.

The first friction member 83 and the second friction member 84 are both plate-shaped members. The second support shaft 72 is provided so as to pass through the first friction member 83 and the second friction member 84. The first friction member 83 and the second friction member 84 are provided in a position facing each other.

The first friction member 83 is provided so as to be rotatable relative to the second support shaft 72. The second friction member 84 is fixed to the second support shaft 72. That is, when the second support shaft 72 rotates around the second rotation axis Y2, the second friction member 84 rotates integrally with the second support shaft 72.

As shown in FIG. 7, the second friction member 84 is located between the second support bracket 32b and the first friction member 83 in the left-right direction of the aircraft. The first friction member 83 is also located to the right of the second friction member 84.

Then, multiple bolts 80 are provided so as to penetrate the second support bracket 32b and the first friction member 83 from the left side. Then, a nut 81 is attached to each bolt 80 from the right side. With this configuration, the first friction member 83 is supported by the second support bracket 32b.

In addition, each spring member 82 is provided in a state where it is sandwiched between the nut 81 and the first friction member 83. The spring member 82 generates a biasing force so as to push the first friction member 83 toward the second friction member 84. In other words, the first friction member 83 is pressed against the second friction member 84 by the biasing force of the multiple spring members 82. In addition, the first friction member 83 and the second friction member 84 are configured to generate a frictional force between each other.

When the seedling mat M sliding down the descending section 32 is in contact with the second rotating member 62, a force is applied from the seedling mat M to the second rotating member 62. As a result, the second rotating member 62 rotates around the second rotation axis Y2. The rotation direction of the second rotating member 62 at this time is the same as the rotation direction of the first rotating member 61 described above.

When the second rotating member 62 rotates around the second rotation axis Y2, the second support shaft 72 and the second friction member 84 also rotate integrally with the second rotating member 62. When the second friction member 84 rotates, the second friction member 84 receives a frictional resistance force from the first friction member 83 in a direction that hinders the rotation.

This frictional resistance force is applied to the second rotating member 62 via the second friction member 84 and the second support shaft 72. This frictional resistance force prevents the second rotating member 62 from rotating. As a result, an increase in the rotational speed of the second rotating member 62 is suppressed.

With the above configuration, the friction resistance mechanism 75 applies a friction resistance force to the second rotating member 62 that hinders the rotation of the second rotating member 62. In this way, in the second reduction gear section 52, the suppression section 73 is the friction resistance mechanism 75 that applies a friction resistance force to the second rotating member 62 that hinders the rotation of the second rotating member 62.

The more the bolt 80 and the nut 81 are loosened, the weaker the biasing force of the spring member 82 becomes. Therefore, the more the bolt 80 and the nut 81 are loosened, the weaker the frictional resistance force that prevents the second rotating member 62 from rotating.

According to the configuration described above, the seedling mat M is replenished to the seedling placement table 22 by the spare seedling transport device 30. Therefore, the worker does not need to manually replenish the seedling mat M to the seedling placement table 22. Therefore, with the configuration described above, it is possible to reduce the labor required to replenish the seedling mat M to the seedling placement table 22.

Moreover, with the configuration described above, the speed reducing section 50 reduces the movement speed of the seedling mat M sliding down the descending section 32. This makes it easier to avoid situations where the seedling mat M is damaged when it is supplied from the descending section 32 to the seedling loading platform 22, or where the seedling mat M is not properly loaded onto the seedling loading platform 22.

Therefore, with the configuration described above, it is possible to reduce the labor required for supplying the seedling mat M to the seedling loading platform 22, and it is possible to realize a rice transplanter A that can easily avoid situations in which the seedling mat M is damaged when it is supplied to the seedling loading platform 22, or in which the seedling mat M is not properly placed on the seedling loading platform 22.

Other embodiments
(1) The rice transplanter A may be configured to be capable of automatic travel or may be configured to be unable to automatically travel. If the rice transplanter A is capable of automatic travel, the operator does not need to ride on the riding section 23.

(2) The number of planting rows of the seedling planting device W may be seven rows or less, or nine rows or more. The number of seedling mats M that can be placed on the seedling loading platform 22 may be the number of rows of seven rows or less, or nine rows or more. The number of seedling mats M that can be transported by the spare seedling transport device 30 may be the number of rows of seven rows or less, or nine rows or more.

(3) The rotating member 60 does not have to have a protruding portion 60a. In that case, the surface of the rotating member 60 that comes into contact with the seedling mat M may be made of a material that has an anti-slip effect, such as rubber.

(4) The deceleration section 50 may not have a rotating member 60 and a suppression section 73. In that case, a member having an anti-slip effect, such as rubber, may be provided on the surface of the descending section 32 along which the seedling mat M slides down. In this case, the member corresponds to the "deceleration section" according to the present invention.

(5) As shown in FIG. 8, a power transmission mechanism 86 may be provided between the first support shaft 71 and the second support shaft 72. The power transmission mechanism 86 may be configured, for example, by an endless rotating chain.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 8, the driving force of the electric motor 74 is transmitted from the first support shaft 71 to the second support shaft 72 via the power transmission mechanism 86. As a result, the first rotating members 61 and the second rotating members 62 are rotated by the driving force of the electric motor 74. In addition, in this configuration, the friction resistance mechanism 75 does not need to be provided.

(6) When the descending section 32 is provided with a seedling-out sensor S, it is preferable that the descending section 32 is provided with a temporary stop section that temporarily stops the seedling mat M. In this configuration, the descending section 32 is provided with a temporary stop section that temporarily stops the seedling mat M and a seedling-out sensor S. The temporary stop section may be provided, for example, at the lower end of the descending section 32. The temporary stop section may also be formed, for example, by a movable partition-like member.

The configurations disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies below) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, so long as no contradiction occurs. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the purpose of the present invention.

The present invention can be used in rice transplanters equipped with a seedling planting device that has a seedling carrying platform.

22 seedling carrying platform 30 spare seedling transport device (seedling transport device)
31 Ascending portion 32 Descending portion 50 Speed reducing portion 51 First speed reducing portion 52 Second speed reducing portion 60 Rotating member 60a Protruding portion 61 First rotating member 62 Second rotating member 73 Suppression portion 74 Electric motor 75 Friction resistance mechanism A Rice transplanter M Seedling mat S Seedling cut sensor W Seedling planting device Y1 First rotating shaft core (rotating shaft core)
Y2 Second rotation axis (rotation axis)

Claims (7)

A seedling planting device located at the rear of the machine body and having a seedling platform;
a seedling transport device located in front of the seedling tray and transporting a seedling mat to the seedling tray,
The seedling transport device has an ascending section and a descending section,
The ascending portion is located at the front of the seedling transport device and is inclined upward toward the rear,
The descending portion extends rearward from a rear end of the ascending portion and is inclined rearward and downward,
The seedling transport device is configured such that the seedling mat transported rearward by the ascending section slides down the descending section, so that the seedling mat is supplied to the seedling tray,
The descending section has a plurality of deceleration sections for reducing the moving speed of the seedling mat ,
The plurality of reduction gear units include a plurality of first reduction gear units arranged in a left-right direction of the aircraft body, and a plurality of second reduction gear units arranged in a left-right direction of the aircraft body and positioned lower than the first reduction gear units,
A rice transplanter in which the position of each of the second reduction gear units in the left-right direction of the machine body does not overlap with the position of any of the first reduction gear units in the left-right direction of the machine body . A seedling planting device located at the rear of the machine body and having a seedling platform;
a seedling transport device located in front of the seedling tray and transporting a seedling mat to the seedling tray,
The seedling transport device has an ascending section and a descending section,
The ascending portion is located at the front of the seedling transport device and is inclined upward toward the rear,
The descending portion extends rearward from a rear end of the ascending portion and is inclined rearward and downward,
The seedling transport device is configured such that the seedling mat transported rearward by the ascending section slides down the descending section, so that the seedling mat is supplied to the seedling tray,
The descending section has a plurality of deceleration sections for reducing the moving speed of the seedling mat,
The speed reducer includes a rotating member that can rotate around a rotation axis along a left-right direction of the aircraft body, and a suppression unit that suppresses an increase in the rotation speed of the rotating member,
The rotating member has a plurality of protruding portions that protrude radially and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, and is arranged in a state in which the protruding portions contact the seedling mat sliding down the descending portion,
The rice transplanter , wherein the plurality of reduction gear units include a first reduction gear unit and a second reduction gear unit located lower than the first reduction gear unit. The rice transplanter according to claim 2, wherein the suppression unit is an electric motor that is variable speed and can drive the rotating member at a constant rotation speed that is changed. The rice transplanter according to claim 2, wherein the suppression unit is a friction resistance mechanism that applies a friction resistance force to the rotating member that prevents the rotating member from rotating. The first reduction gear unit has a plurality of first rotating members that are a plurality of the rotating members arranged in a left-right direction of the aircraft body,
The second reduction gear unit has a plurality of second rotating members that are the rotating members arranged in a left-right direction of the aircraft body,
A rice transplanter as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the position of each of the second rotating members in the left-right direction of the body does not overlap with the position of any of the first rotating members in the left-right direction of the body. The rice transplanter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the speed reducer is provided at the center or bottom of the descending section in the vertical direction of the machine body. The rice transplanter according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lowering section is provided with a temporary stop section for temporarily stopping the seedling mat and a seedling break sensor.

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