JP7570994B2 - Field Water Supply System - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to technology for a field water supply system for supplying water to a field.

Conventionally, the technology of a field water supply system for supplying water to a field has been publicly known. For example, it is as described in Patent Document 1.

The irrigation water management system described in Patent Document 1 is for supplying water stored in a farm pond to farm fields. The irrigation water management system includes a pump that draws up water from the farm pond and sends it to the farm fields, and a water supply valve that opens and closes a path through which water from the pump flows into each farm field. The irrigation water management system can supply water from the pump to farm fields with open water supply valves.

In water management systems such as that described in Patent Document 1, the pump is generally operated 24 hours a day, so that water can be supplied at any time to fields with open water taps. However, in the above configuration, the pump is always operated regardless of the number of open water taps, so there is a possibility that wasteful pump operation occurs when, for example, there are only a few open water taps, and improvements are desired from the perspective of energy conservation.

JP 2021-94029 A

The present invention was made in consideration of the above situation, and the problem it aims to solve is to provide a field water supply system that can reduce the power consumption of the pump.

The problem that the present invention aims to solve is as described above, and the means for solving this problem will be explained next.

That is, in claim 1, there is provided a field water supply system for supplying water to each field provided with a water supply device that manages the water supply to the field, the water supply device having a water supply tap that opens and closes an inlet through which water pressurized from a pump flows into the field, and is switchable between a first state in which the water supply tap is open and a second state in which the water supply tap is closed, the field water supply system comprising: a calculation unit that calculates a number of water supply units indicating the number of water supply devices of each field that can be switched to the first state, and a control unit that stops operation of the pump when the calculation result of the number of water supply units is 0, and stops operation of the pump when the calculation result of the number of water supply units is 1 or more but is less than a first threshold value set to a value of 2 or more.

In claim 2, the control unit resumes operation of the pump when the number of water supply units is equal to or greater than a second threshold value.

In claim 3, the second threshold is set to a value greater than the first threshold.

In claim 4, the control unit issues a predetermined notification when there is a field in which water supply is stopped due to the stop of the pump operation.

In claim 5, each of the fields is assigned a water supply time period during which the water supply device of the field can be switched to the first state, and when there is a water supply stop field among the fields in which water supply is stopped due to the stop of operation of the pump, the control unit additionally assigns an additional water supply time period during which the water supply device can be switched to the first state to the water supply stop field in addition to the water supply time period.

In claim 6, the additional water supply time slots to be assigned to the field to which water supply is stopped include water supply time slots assigned to fields other than the field to which water supply is stopped.

In claim 7, the additional water supply time slots to be assigned to the fields to which water supply has been stopped include vacant time slots to which no water supply time slots are assigned to any of the fields.

In claim 8, when the control unit stops the operation of the pump during the water supply time period assigned to a specific field, the control unit operates the pump during the next water supply time period assigned to the field regardless of the number of water supply units.

The effects of the present invention are as follows:

In claim 1, when the number of water supply units is small, the pump operation can be stopped, thereby reducing the power consumption of the pump.

In claim 2, the pump operation can be restarted appropriately depending on the number of water supply units.

In claim 3, when a relatively large number of fields require water supply, the pump can be restarted, making effective use of the pump.

In claim 4, it is possible to notify that water supply to the field is stopped.

In claim 5, by allocating additional water supply time periods, it is possible to ensure opportunities to supply water to fields where water supply is stopped (fields where water supply is stopped).

In claim 6, water can be supplied to a field to which water supply is stopped and to a field different from the field to which water supply is stopped at the same time.

In claim 7, water can be supplied to fields where water supply has been stopped during off-peak hours, making effective use of these off-peak hours.

In claim 8, it is possible to prevent continuous interruptions in water supply to a particular field, and to appropriately control the stopping and restarting of pump operation.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a field water supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention. A diagram showing the set water level, control range and control water level. 4 is a flowchart showing a pump control process. (a) is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the pump in the "6:00 to 9:00 time slot", (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the pump in the "9:00 to 12:00 time slot". (a) is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the pump in the "time slot from 12:00 to 15:00", (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the pump in the "time slot from 15:00 to 18:00". FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating the state of the pump in the "6:00 to 9:00 time slot" of a modified example, and FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating the state of the pump in the "12:00 to 15:00 time slot" of a modified example.

The following describes a field water supply system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The field water supply system 10 shown in FIG. 1 is for supplying water (irrigation water) to a field H. The field water supply system 10 includes a pumping station 11, a water supply channel 12, a water supply device 13, a user terminal 14, and a water supply management server 15.

The pumping station 11 takes in water from a water source (in this embodiment, the main river (main stream river R)) and sends it to the water supply line 12 described below. The pumping station 11 is equipped with a farm pond 11a and a pump 11b.

Farm pond 11a is for storing water. Farm pond 11a is connected to river R. Water from river R is stored in farm pond 11a.

The pump 11b is used to pump up the water from the farm pond 11a and pump it to the water supply line 12. At least one pump 11b is provided for each farm pond 11a. Figure 1 shows an example in which two pumps 11b are provided. The two pumps 11b shown in Figure 1 can be switched between operating simultaneously or operating only one at a time depending on the amount of water to be pumped. The pump 11b has a communication function for communicating with external devices.

The water supply channel 12 is a flow path for guiding water from the pumping station 11 to each farm field H. The water supply channel 12 branches appropriately and connects to each farm field H. In this embodiment, the water supply channel 12 is a pipe line (pipeline) made up of multiple pipes connected together. The configuration of the water supply channel 12 is not particularly limited, and can be changed as appropriate depending on the topography of the area around each farm field H. For example, the water supply channel 12 may be an open channel.

The water supply device 13 is for managing the water supply to the field H. The water supply device 13 is provided in each field H. The water supply device 13 is equipped with a communication device for communicating with external devices, and a water supply valve for opening and closing the inlet (the connection between the water supply channel 12 and the field H) through which water pumped from the pump 11b flows into the field H (not shown). The water supply device 13 can be switched between an open state and a closed state by opening and closing the water supply valve.

The open state is a state in which the water supply tap is open. When the water supply device 13 is switched to the open state, water flows into the field H from the pump 11b. The water supply device 13 can also adjust the amount of water supplied to the field H depending on the opening degree of the water supply tap. As described below, in this embodiment, the operation of the pump 11b may be stopped. In this case, even if the water supply device 13 is in the open state, water will not flow from the water supply channel 12 to the field H, and the supply of water to the field H will be stopped. In the following, a field H in which water supply is stopped due to the stop of operation of the pump 11b despite being in such an open state will be referred to as a "water supply stopped field Ha."

The closed state is when the water tap is closed. When the water supply device 13 is switched to the closed state, water supply to the field H is stopped.

The water supply device 13 configured as described above has a constant water retention mode, a flow-through mode, a stop mode, etc. as control modes for controlling the opening and closing of the water supply tap.

The constant flooding mode is a mode in which the opening and closing of the water tap is automatically controlled. In the constant flooding mode, the water tap is automatically controlled to maintain a water level (set water level) suitable for the growth of crops in field H. Specifically, in the constant flooding mode, as shown in FIG. 2, when the water level in field H reaches the set water level, the water tap is closed and water supply to field H is stopped. On the other hand, in the constant flooding mode, when the water level in field H falls below a control water level that is lower than the set water level by the control width, the water tap is opened and water is supplied to field H. The control width is a width used to determine whether or not to open the water tap. The control width is set in advance based on the reduced water depth of field H (how much the water level decreases per unit time), etc.

The overflow mode is a mode for supplying water to the field H. In the overflow mode, the water supply valve is open regardless of the water level of the field H. In the overflow mode, the water of the field H is appropriately drained by a drainage device (not shown) installed at the drainage outlet of the field H. More specifically, in the overflow mode, the height (drainage height) of the lifting body of the drainage device that holds back the water of the field H is higher than the set water level by the water fall margin. The water fall margin is set in advance. Thus, in the overflow mode, when the water level of the field H becomes higher to a certain extent (exceeding the water fall margin) than the set water level, the water of the field H overflows from the drainage device and is drained.

The stop mode is a mode for stopping the water supply to the field H. In the stop mode, the water supply tap is closed regardless of the water level in the field H, etc.

The user terminal 14 shown in FIG. 1 is a terminal used by a user (a person who manages the water supply to the field H using the field water supply system 10). The user terminal 14 is equipped with a calculation device capable of executing calculation processing, a storage device in which programs and the like are stored, an input device into which information can be input, and an output device capable of displaying the results of calculation processing and the like. The user terminal 14 is configured by a personal computer, a smartphone, or the like.

The water supply management server 15 performs various processes in response to requests from external devices. The water supply management server 15 is equipped with a calculation device capable of executing calculation processes, a storage device in which programs and the like are stored, and the like. The water supply management server 15 has a communication function and can communicate with external devices. The water supply management server 15 of this embodiment can communicate with the pump 11b of the pumping station 11, the water supply device 13, and the user terminal 14.

The water supply management server 15 can control the operation of the pump 11b by sending a signal to the pump 11b. For example, the water supply management server 15 can stop the operation of the pump 11b or start the operation of the pump 11b. The water supply management server 15 can also obtain the status of the pump 11b (whether it is operating or not) by receiving a signal from the pump 11b. The water supply management server 15 can also execute a pump control process that automatically controls the operation of the pump 11b. The details of the pump control process will be described later.

The water supply management server 15 can also obtain the state of the water supply device 13 (whether it is open or closed) by receiving a signal from the water supply device 13. The water supply management server 15 can also switch between the open and closed states by sending a signal to the water supply device 13. The water supply management server 15 can be configured to communicate not only directly with the water supply device 13, but also indirectly with the water supply device 13 via another server to obtain the state of the water supply device 13 and switch between the open and closed states.

The water supply management server 15 can also provide various information to the user terminal 14 and accept information input from the user terminal 14 by exchanging signals with the user terminal 14. The water supply management server 15 of this embodiment can provide information to the user terminal 14 by creating dynamic web pages using a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) program or the like. The web pages (screens) created by the water supply management server 15 will be described later.

The following describes the method of supplying water to each field H using the field water supply system 10 according to this embodiment.

Water is supplied to each field H not individually but in groups. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, each field H is divided into field groups G. A field group G is a collection of fields H. A field group G includes at least one field H. Multiple field groups G are set based on predetermined criteria (such as the owner or location of the field H). The water supply management server 15 manages which field group G each field H belongs to.

In this embodiment, a time period during which water can be supplied is assigned in advance to each field group G. The time periods during which water can be supplied are adjusted as appropriate so that they do not overlap among the field groups G. Hereinafter, the time periods during which water can be supplied to the field groups G are referred to as "water supply time periods." The water supply time periods for each field group G are managed by the water supply management server 15.

When the water supply time period begins, the water supply device 13 is appropriately switched to the open state by the operation of the control mode (constant water retention mode, etc.) described above. Specifically, the water supply device 13 is switched to the open state when the water level in the field H falls below the control water level (see FIG. 2) while the constant water retention mode is being executed, and when the overflow mode is being executed. When the water supply device 13 has been switched to the open state, it receives an instruction from the water supply management server 15 and is switched to the closed state when the water supply time period has passed. In this way, in this embodiment, a certain limit is placed on the water supply for each field H (field group G), allowing water to be supplied approximately equally to each field H.

Here, there are times when water supply is not necessary in field H, depending on the growing conditions of the crops. For example, when growing rice in field H, water supply is not necessary during the mid-season drainage period when field H is drying out. In field group G, which has a large number of fields H that are in a period when water supply is not necessary, most of the water supply devices 13 may be in a stop mode that closes the water supply valves, even when the water supply period arrives. Even if the constant water retention mode is being executed, if heavy rain falls and the water level in field H rises, most of the water supply devices 13 may be in a closed state. Even if pump 11b is operated in such a state, there is a possibility that pump 11b cannot be operated efficiently because there are only a few fields H to supply water to.

Therefore, the water supply management server 15 executes a pump control process that automatically controls the pump 11b, thereby stopping the operation of all pumps 11b when the number of fields H to be watered is small, thereby improving the efficiency of the operation of the pumps 11b. The pump control process will be explained below with reference to Figure 3.

The pump control process is executed periodically. For example, the pump control process is executed a predetermined time after the previous pump control process is completed. When the water supply management server 15 starts executing the pump control process, it proceeds to step S110.

In step S110, the water supply management server 15 calculates the number of water supply units. The number of water supply units indicates the number of water supply devices 13 that can be switched to the open state among the water supply devices 13 in each field H in the field group G that corresponds to the water supply time period. The water supply management server 15 communicates with the water supply devices 13 in each field H to obtain the state of the water supply devices 13 (whether they are open or not), and calculates the number of water supply units by aggregating the results. The device that calculates the number of water supply units is not limited to the water supply management server 15, and can be changed as desired. For example, a specified server that controls the operation of the water supply devices 13 may calculate the number of water supply units. When the processing of step S110 is completed, the water supply management server 15 proceeds to step S120.

In step S120, the water supply management server 15 determines whether the pump 11b is operating based on a signal from the pump 11b. If the pump 11b is operating (step S120: Yes), the water supply management server 15 proceeds to step S130. On the other hand, if the pump 11b is stopped (step S120: No), the water supply management server 15 proceeds to step S180.

In step S130, the water supply management server 15 determines whether the number of water supply units calculated in step S110 is less than the pump stop opening number. The pump stop opening number is a threshold for determining whether to stop the operation of pump 11b. The pump stop opening number is set in advance. If the number of water supply units is less than the pump stop opening number (step S130: Yes), the water supply management server 15 proceeds to step S140. On the other hand, if the number of water supply units is equal to or greater than the pump stop opening number (step S130: No), the water supply management server 15 ends the pump control process. In this way, the water supply management server 15 continues the operation of pump 11b as long as the number of water supply units does not become less than the pump stop opening number while pump 11b is operating.

In step S140, the water supply management server 15 sends a signal to the pumps 11b to stop the operation of all the pumps 11b. When the processing of step S140 is completed, the water supply management server 15 proceeds to step S150.

In step S150, the water supply management server 15 determines whether there is a field Ha for which water supply is stopped, in which water supply is stopped due to the stopping of operation of the pump 11b, even though the field is in the open state. If the number of water supply units calculated in step S110 is one or more, the water supply management server 15 determines that there is a field Ha for which water supply is stopped (step S150: Yes) and proceeds to step S160. On the other hand, if there is no field Ha for which water supply is stopped (step S150: No), the water supply management server 15 ends the pump control process.

In step S160, the water supply management server 15 assigns an additional water supply time slot to the water supply stopped field Ha for which water supply is stopped by the processing of step S140. The additional water supply time slot is a time slot during which the water supply device 13 of the water supply stopped field Ha can be switched to an open state, separate from the water supply time slot assigned to the field group G to which the water supply stopped field Ha belongs (hereinafter referred to as the "existing water supply time slot"). The water supply management server 15 can assign a time slot other than the existing water supply time slot to the water supply stopped field Ha as an additional water supply time slot. Specifically, the water supply management server 15 can assign a water supply time slot assigned to a field group G other than the field group G to which the water supply stopped field Ha belongs, or an empty time slot to which no water supply time slot of any field group G is assigned, as the additional water supply time slot.

In this embodiment, in step S160, the water supply management server 15 assigns the nearest available time slot to the water supply stopped field Ha as an additional water supply time slot. When the processing of step S160 is completed, the water supply management server 15 proceeds to step S170.

In step S170, the water supply management server 15 notifies the relevant parties of the field Ha where the water supply has been stopped (such as users, workers working in the field Ha where the water supply has been stopped, and the owner of the field Ha where the water supply has been stopped). Specifically, the water supply management server 15 sends a message indicating that water supply has been stopped to devices owned by the relevant parties (such as the user terminal 14 and terminals owned by the workers and owner). The water supply management server 15 also sends a message indicating when the assigned additional water supply time period is. The water supply management server 15 can send these messages via a messaging app, email, etc.

The method of notification is not limited to sending a message and can be changed as desired. For example, the water supply management server 15 may notify by outputting a voice. The information to be notified is not particularly limited and can be changed as desired. For example, instead of directly notifying that water supply has been stopped, information suggesting that water supply has been stopped may be notified. When the processing of step S170 is completed, the water supply management server 15 ends the pump control processing.

In step S180, which is performed if pump 11b is stopped in step S120, water supply management server 15 determines whether the number of water supply units calculated in step S110 is equal to or greater than the pump restart opening number. The pump stop opening number is a threshold for determining whether to resume operation of pump 11b. The pump stop opening number is set in advance. If the number of water supply units is equal to or greater than the pump restart opening number (step S180: Yes), water supply management server 15 proceeds to step S190. On the other hand, if the number of water supply units is less than the pump restart opening number (step S180: No), water supply management server 15 ends the pump control process. In this way, water supply management server 15 continues to stop the operation of pump 11b as long as the number of water supply units does not become equal to or greater than the pump restart opening number while pump 11b is stopped.

In step S190, the water supply management server 15 sends a signal to the pump 11b to start operating the pump 11b. When the processing of step S190 ends, the water supply management server 15 ends the pump control processing. In this way, when the number of water supply units is large, the water supply management server 15 can operate the pump 11b and supply water to many fields H. This allows the water supply management server 15 to operate the pump 11b efficiently.

When an additional water supply time period is assigned in step S160 of the pump control process described above, the water supply management server 15 operates the pump 11b during the assigned time period (a vacant time period in this embodiment). This ensures that water can be supplied to the water supply-stopped field Ha during the additional water supply time period.

Below, a specific example of the pump control process will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Note that in Figures 4 and 5, in order to simplify the description, it is assumed that the control mode of the water supply device 13 is either the flow-through mode or the stop mode. Also, in Figures 4 and 5, the field H in which the water supply device 13 is in the flow-through mode is described as "open," and the field H in which the water supply device 13 is in the stop mode is described as "closed."

First, the prerequisites for this specific example will be explained. In this specific example, the number of pump stop openings and the number of pump restart openings are each assumed to be "2". Also, as shown in FIG. 4(a), in this specific example, "Group A", "Group B", and "Group C" are set as field groups G. Water supply time periods are assigned to "Groups A to C" in order.

Specifically, "Group A" will be assigned the "6:00-9:00" time slot as the water supply time period. "Group B" will be assigned the "9:00-12:00" time slot. "Group C" will be assigned the "12:00-15:00" time slot. The following "15:00-18:00" time slot will be an open time slot.

The pump control process will be described below, starting from the "6:00 to 9:00 time slot." Note that pump 11b is assumed to be operating when the "6:00 to 9:00 time slot" begins.

As shown in FIG. 4(a), in the "6:00-9:00 time slot," one field H in "Group A" is in overflow mode (open state). In this way, when the number of water supply units (1 unit) is less than the number of pumps stopped and opened (2) (Steps S110, S120: Yes, Step S130: Yes), the water supply management server 15 stops the operation of pump 11b (Step S140). This reduces the power consumption of pump 11b. In addition, the water supply management server 15 assigns an additional water supply time slot ("the 15:00-18:00 time slot") to the water supply-stopped field Ha in "Group A," and notifies the relevant parties of the water supply-stopped field Ha (Step S150: Yes, Steps S160 and S170).

As shown in FIG. 4(b), during the "9:00 to 12:00 time period," two fields H in "Group B" are in overflow mode (open state). In this way, when the number of water supply units (2) is equal to or greater than the number of pump restart open valves (2) (steps S110, S120: No, step S180: Yes), the water supply management server 15 restarts the operation of pump 11b (step S190). In this way, water is supplied to the open fields H in "Group B."

As shown in FIG. 5(a), during the "12:00 to 15:00 time period," one field H in "Group C" is in run-off mode (open state). For this reason, the water supply management server 15 stops the operation of pump 11b, just as it did during the "6:00 to 9:00 time period." The water supply management server 15 also assigns an additional water supply time period ("15:00 to 18:00 time period") to the water supply-stopped field Ha in "Group C," and notifies relevant parties of the water supply-stopped field Ha. In this way, the water supply-stopped fields Ha of multiple field groups G are assigned the one available time period, "15:00 to 17:00 time period," as an additional water supply time period.

As shown in FIG. 5(b), pump 11b is operated during the additional water supply time period "15:00-18:00" for the water supply-stopped fields Ha. Those involved in the water supply-stopped fields Ha of "Group A" and "Group C" can supply water to the fields by switching the water supply device 13 to overflow mode (open state). Those involved can also supply water to the fields H by switching the water supply device 13 to constant water retention mode if the water level in field H is low. In this way, by additionally allocating a common free time period to multiple water supply-stopped fields Ha as an additional water supply time period, water can be supplied to the fields Ha during the free time period all at once, making effective use of pump 11b.

The following describes the screens created by the water supply management server 15.

The water supply management server 15 can generate various screens related to the pump control process described above. The monitoring setting screen 20 shown in FIG. 6 is an example of such a screen. The monitoring setting screen 20 is described below.

The monitoring setting screen 20 is a dynamic web page based on a CGI program or the like. The monitoring setting screen 20 can be displayed on the browser of the user terminal 14. The current settings for the number of pump stop openings and the number of pump restart openings are displayed on the monitoring setting screen 20. In addition, on the monitoring setting screen 20, the settings for the number of pump stop openings and the number of pump restart openings can be changed arbitrarily by changing the displayed setting value and pressing the setting button 21.

The monitoring setting screen 20 also allows the user to set the timing of an alarm (the magnitude of the threshold used to determine whether or not to issue an alarm) in response to fluctuations in the discharge pressure of the pump 11b. The monitoring setting screen 20 also allows the user to set an upper limit on the amount of water sent from the pump 11b in accordance with classifications such as non-irrigation periods.

The monitoring setting screen 20 configured as described above allows the water supply management server 15 to change the number of pump stop openings and the number of pump restart openings. In this way, by arbitrarily changing the number of pump stop openings, etc., the operation of the pump 11b can be stopped and restarted at the appropriate timing.

For example, by setting the pump restart open count to a value greater than the pump stop open count, the water supply management server 15 can resume operation of the pump 11b after the number of water supply units (the number of water supply devices 13 in an open state) has increased to a certain extent. This allows water to be supplied to more fields H when the pump 11b operation is resumed, and allows for effective use of the pump 11b.

In addition, if the pump stop opening count and pump restart opening count are set to "0", pump 11b can be operated continuously.

As described above, the field water supply system 10 according to this embodiment is a field water supply system 10 for supplying water to each field H provided with a water supply device 13 that manages the water supply to the field H. The water supply device 13 has a water supply valve that opens and closes an inlet through which water pumped from the pump 11b flows into the field H, and can be switched between an open state (first state) in which the water supply valve is open and a closed state (second state) in which the water supply valve is closed. The field water supply system 10 is equipped with a calculation unit (water supply management server 15) that calculates the number of water supply units, which indicates the number of water supply devices 13 that can be switched to the open state among the water supply devices 13 of each field H, and a control unit (water supply management server 15) that stops the operation of the pump 11b when the calculation result of the number of water supply units is less than a predetermined pump stop open valve number (first threshold value).

By configuring it in this way, the operation of pump 11b can be stopped when the number of water supply units is low, thereby reducing the power consumption of pump 11b.

In addition, when the number of water supply units is equal to or greater than the number of pump restart openings (second threshold value) (step S110, step S120: No, step S180: Yes), the control unit (water supply management server 15) resumes operation of the pump 11b (step S190).

By configuring it in this way, the operation of pump 11b can be resumed appropriately depending on the number of water supply units.

The pump restart opening count is set to a value greater than the pump stop opening count.

By configuring it in this way, pump 11b can be used effectively.

In addition, if there is a field H where water supply is stopped due to the stop of operation of the pump 11b (steps S110, S120: Yes, step S130: Yes, step S140, step S150: Yes), the control unit (water supply management server 15) issues a specified notification (step S170).

This configuration allows the user to easily understand that the water supply will be stopped.
Specifically, even if the water supply device 13 is switched to the open state, if the operation of the pump 11b is stopped, the water supply to the field H will be stopped without the knowledge of the relevant parties. The control unit (water supply management server 15) can notify the relevant parties of this by issuing a specified notification. This allows the relevant parties to easily understand that the water supply will be stopped.

In addition, each field H is assigned a water supply time period during which the water supply device 13 of that field H can be switched to the open state, and if there is a water supply stop field Ha among the fields H in which water supply is stopped due to the stop of operation of the pump 11b, the control unit (water supply management server 15) assigns an additional water supply time period during which the water supply device 13 of that field H can be switched to the open state to the water supply stop field Ha in addition to the water supply time period (step S160).

This configuration ensures the opportunity to supply water to field H where water supply is stopped (water supply stopped field Ha). This makes it possible to mitigate the impact of water supply being stopped. For example, it is possible to prevent a significant delay in the timing of adjusting the water level in field H to a water level suitable for crop growth.

The additional water supply time slots to be assigned to the water supply stopped field Ha include vacant time slots to which no water supply time slots are assigned in any of the fields H.

By configuring it in this way, you can make effective use of your free time slots.

The water supply management server 15 according to this embodiment is one embodiment of the calculation unit and control unit according to the present invention.

Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims.

For example, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which the field water supply system 10 itself is equipped with a water supply device 13 that manages the water supply to each field H, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the field water supply system 10 can also control the operation of the pump 11b in cooperation with a water supply device 13 that is separately provided outside.

The control modes of the water supply device 13 are described as including a constant water retention mode, a flow-through mode, and a stop mode, but the configuration of the control modes is not limited to this and can be changed as desired. For example, the control modes may include other modes in addition to the constant water retention mode, the flow-through mode, and the stop mode, or may include only some of the constant water retention mode, the flow-through mode, and the stop mode.

In addition, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which the operation of pump 11b is controlled based on the number of water supply devices 13 that are in the open state, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the timing at which water supply devices 13 are opened and the timing at which the operation of pump 11b is controlled may be reversed. For example, when the operation of pump 11b is resumed in step S190, it is also possible to switch water supply devices 13 to the open state in conjunction with the resumption of operation of pump 11b. In other words, water supply devices 13 can be switched to the open state simultaneously with the resumption of operation of pump 11b or after the resumption of operation of pump 11b.

In this case, for example, the number of water supply devices 13 that triggers the control of pump 11b (see step S110) can be calculated by counting the number of water supply devices 13 that are scheduled to be switched to the open state, rather than counting the number of water supply devices 13 that have actually been switched to the open state. Specifically, the number of water supply devices 13 for which the conditions for switching to the open state (e.g., the water level of field H falls below the control water level in constant water retention mode, switching to overflow mode, etc.) are met can be counted as the number of water supply devices, and pump 11b can be controlled.

In addition, in this embodiment, the allocation of additional water supply time slots and notification to relevant parties are performed after the operation of pump 11b is stopped (steps S140, S160, S170), but the timing of allocating additional water supply time slots, etc. is not limited to this. The allocation of additional water supply time slots, etc. can be performed at any timing as long as it is determined that the operation of pump 11b is to be stopped (step S130: Yes). For example, it is possible to allocate additional water supply time slots, etc. before the operation of pump 11b is stopped.

In addition, in this embodiment, a water supply time period is assigned to each field group G (see FIG. 4(a)), but the unit for assigning a water supply time period is not limited to the field group G and can be changed arbitrarily. For example, a water supply time period may be assigned to each field H.

In addition, when the water supply management server 15 stops the operation of the pump 11b during a water supply time period for a specific field group G or field H, the water supply management server 15 may operate the pump 11b during the next water supply time period for that field group G or field H regardless of the number of water supply units. By configuring in this manner, it is possible to prevent the water supply to a specific field group G or field H from being stopped repeatedly. This makes it possible to appropriately control the stopping and restarting of the operation of the pump 11b.

In this embodiment, a notification is issued when there is a field Ha to which water supply has been stopped (step S170), but this is not limited to the above, and a notification may not be issued. Also, the relevant person may be able to select whether or not to issue a notification.

In addition, in this embodiment, the free time slots are assigned as additional water supply time slots for the water supply stopped field Ha (see FIG. 5(b)), but this is not limited to this, and time slots other than the free time slots can be assigned as additional water supply time slots. FIG. 7 shows a specific example of pump control processing according to a modified example in which time slots other than the free time slots are assigned as additional water supply time slots.

In the modified example shown in FIG. 7, the water supply-stopped field Ha is assigned the water supply time slot of another field group G as the additional water supply time slot, rather than an unoccupied time slot. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7(a), if the operation of pump 11b is stopped in the "6:00-9:00 time slot," the water supply-stopped field Ha of "Group A" is assigned the "12:00-15:00 time slot" (the water supply time slot of the next field group G) as the additional water supply time slot. This makes it possible to supply water collectively to the water supply-stopped field Ha of "Group A" and the field H of "Group B" in the "12:00-15:00 time slot," as shown in FIG. 7(b).

In this way, the additional water supply time slots that are assigned to the water supply stopped field Ha include water supply time slots that are assigned to a field H that is different from the water supply stopped field Ha.

By configuring it in this way, water can be supplied simultaneously to a field Ha to which water supply has been stopped and to a field H different from the field Ha to which water supply has been stopped.

In addition, the time period allocated as the additional water supply time period to the water supply stopped field Ha is not limited to this embodiment or the above-mentioned modified example. For example, the water supply management server 15 can allocate the time period immediately following the water supply time period of the water supply stopped field Ha as the additional water supply time period, regardless of whether it is an empty time period or a water supply time period of another field group G. Taking the modified example of FIG. 7 described above as an example, the "9:00 to 12:00 time period" immediately following the water supply time period of "Group A" ("6:00 to 9:00 time period") can be allocated as the additional water supply time period to the water supply stopped field Ha of "Group A". This makes it possible to advance the timing of water supply to the water supply stopped field Ha. In addition, the water supply management server 15 may divide a certain empty time period into smaller time periods and allocate one of the divided time periods to one water supply stopped field Ha as the additional water supply time period.

The water supply management server 15 can also inquire of the relevant parties in the field Ha to which the water supply is to be stopped before stopping the operation of the pump 11b. In this case, the water supply management server 15 can determine whether or not to stop the operation of the pump 11b based on the response from the relevant parties.

In addition, in this embodiment, the pump 11b is operated during the additional water supply time period (unused time period), but this is not limited to this, and the operation of the pump 11b may be stopped depending on the magnitude relationship between the number of water supply units and the number of pump stop openings by executing a pump control process, etc. Furthermore, when the operation of the pump 11b is stopped during the additional water supply time period, it is possible to further assign the additional water supply time period to the field Ha where water supply is stopped.

In addition, during the additional water supply period, the water supply device 13 of the water supply stopped field Ha is manually switched to the open state by the relevant person, but this is not limited to this, and the system (for example, the water supply management server 15) may automatically switch it to the open state.

10 Field water supply system 11b Pump 13 Water supply device H Field

Claims (8)

A field water supply system for supplying water to each field, the field being provided with a water supply device that manages the supply of water to the field,
The water supply device is
The water supply valve is provided for opening and closing an inlet through which water pumped from a pump flows into a field, and is switchable between a first state in which the water supply valve is open and a second state in which the water supply valve is closed;
The field water supply system includes:
A calculation unit that calculates the number of water supply devices that are to be switched to the first state among the water supply devices of each of the farm fields;
a control unit that stops the operation of the pump when the calculation result of the number of water dispensers is 0, and stops the operation of the pump when the calculation result of the number of water dispensers is less than a first threshold value set to a value of 2 or more even if the calculation result of the number of water dispensers is 1 or more ;
Equipped with
Field water supply system. The control unit is
When the number of the water supply units becomes equal to or greater than a second threshold value, the operation of the pump is resumed.
The field water supply system according to claim 1 . The second threshold value may include
A value larger than the first threshold is set.
The field water supply system according to claim 2. The control unit is
When there is a field to which water supply is stopped due to the stop of the operation of the pump, a predetermined notification is given.
The field water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A water supply time period during which the water supply apparatus of each of the fields can be switched to the first state is assigned to each of the fields;
The control unit is
When there is a water supply stop field in which water supply is stopped due to the stop of operation of the pump among the fields, an additional water supply time period during which the water supply device can be switched to the first state is additionally assigned to the water supply stop field in addition to the water supply time period.
The field water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The additional water supply time period to be allocated to the water supply stopped field includes:
The water supply time slot allocated to a field other than the field to which water supply has been stopped is included.
The field water supply system according to claim 5. The additional water supply time period to be allocated to the water supply stopped field includes:
The water supply time period of any field is not assigned to any of the fields, and an empty time period is included.
The field water supply system according to claim 5 or 6. The control unit is
When the operation of the pump is stopped during the water supply time slot assigned to a specific field, the pump is operated during the next water supply time slot assigned to the field regardless of the number of the water supply units.
The field water supply system according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

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