WO2016199072A1 - Machine for transplanting seedlings with a rootball - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine for transplanting seedlings, which comprises a movable chassis and a transplantation unit. The movable chassis has wheels, and trays containing the seedlings to be transplanted are disposed on the chassis. The transplantation unit is formed by a digging cylinder and a tube that is operatively disposed in the movable chassis so that the digging cylinder makes the holes into which the seedlings are placed and the tube guides the seedlings towards the hole.

Description

 MACHINE FOR TRANSPLANTING PLANTS WITH BRUSH

Field of the Invention

 The present invention relates to machines for transplanting plant species. Specifically, with the equipment or machines to transplant seedlings with root ball.

Description of the state of the art

 Conventionally the transplantation of seedlings with root ball (hereinafter seedling) from the trays to the planting place is done manually, that is, an operator performs the hole in the place where the seedling will be arranged, removes the seedling from the tray, and finally arrange the seedling in the hole. The place where the seedling is arranged is called a bed and is a rectangular terrain, usually at floor level. The bed is located in a greenhouse or under a covered structure or shed.

In this process, the use of labor is highly intensive and due to the conditions under which the process is carried out, the operators adopt inadequate postures, load handling and repetitive movement execution. The foregoing generates in the operator inconvenience at the level of occupational health, and commonly the relocation of the same in a different job, and therefore economic inconvenience for the employer.

In the prior art there are disclosures of machines for assistance in seedling transplantation, such as the DUE 144 Automatic machine of the Italian company Hortech (published on the site

a & sez = ^ rodotti, accessed September 1, 2014), and patent document US20020043196A1 of the Italian company Checchi & Magli SRL. The disclosure of the DUE 144 Automatic machine indicates that the machine transplants seedlings with 4x4 or 5x5 cubic rootball (cm x cm). Machine It comprises two chassis independent of each other. A chassis is external and is mounted on four wheels; The wheels allow the movement of the machine. The other chassis is internal and in this a transplant system is arranged. The transplant system consists of a feeding belt that precedes the automatic loading of the seedlings in a vertical distributor, bucket band type. When the vertical distributor descends to the floor, the buckets make the hole and additionally open to arrange the seedling in the hole. This machine is available in the version driven by a tractor or self-propelled by an internal combustion engine. Patent document US20020043196 A1 discloses a carousel distribution unit for the handling and planting of plant species. The unit is capable of planting two rows simultaneously with a single operator. The unit comprises two arms that make holes in the rows. The unit also comprises a carousel-like structure that has conical cups in which the plant species to be planted are arranged (by the operator). The arms and the carousel-like structure are operatively arranged so that when the arms culminate the realization of the holes, the conical cups open, and through some channels the plant species descend from the conical cup to the hole. This unit must be moved by an external power source, such as a tractor.

Depending on the species to be transplanted, the number of rows and row distribution may vary. Conventionally, the number of rows is greater than two. As for the rows, the distribution of the holes can be such that they configure rows parallel to each other, but they can also configure diagonals or other distributions. Therefore, a machine is needed for the seedling transplant process, which avoids occupational health problems in the operators, which is versatile with respect to the number of rows and distribution of the holes to which the seedlings are transplanted, and versatile with respect to the power source that moves it. Short description

The present invention corresponds to a machine for seedling transplantation. The machine comprises a mobile chassis and a transplant unit operatively arranged to make holes in a bed where the seedlings are transplanted. The mobile chassis comprises wheels to move the machine and in its upper part it includes a tray support to arrange the trays where the seedlings are located. The transplant unit is arranged in the mobile chassis, and is comprised of a choke cylinder and ducts. The drowning cylinder makes the holes in the bed and through the ducts the seedlings are guided to the holes. In one embodiment of the invention, the machine comprises a power unit operatively arranged to transmit power to the mobile chassis wheels. Description of the figures

Fig. 1 corresponds to an isometric perspective view of an embodiment of the invention, in which the mobile chassis and the transplant unit are displayed. Fig. 2 corresponds to a top view, in which the holes made by the choke cylinder of the transplant unit and the arrangement of the ducts with respect to the choke cylinder are visualized.

Fig. 3 corresponds to an isometric perspective view and a detail of an embodiment of the invention, which in addition to comprising the mobile chassis and the transplant unit, comprises a power unit.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The configuration of the present invention will be described using FIGS. 1 to 6, but it should be understood that this can be done in many other specific ways without departing from the concept or scope of the present invention. The present invention corresponds to a machine for seedling transplantation. Referring to Fig. 1, the machine essentially comprises two units: - a mobile chassis; Y

 - a transplant unit.

The mobile chassis is a structure whose function is to house the rest of the machine components. The mobile chassis comprises in its upper part a tray support (2) and in its lower part it comprises wheels (3). In the tray holder (2) the trays containing the seedlings to be transplanted are arranged.

Referring to Fig. 1, in one embodiment of the invention, the mobile chassis comprises:

- profiles (1);

 - a tray support (2); Y

 - four wheels (3).

In one embodiment of the invention, and referring to Fig. 1, the profiles (1) are operationally arranged forming a rectangular parallelepiped, in which the profiles (1) located in a vertical position extend towards their lower part beyond its articulation with the profiles (1) located in a horizontal position. At the ends of the profiles (1) that extend, the wheels (3) are arranged, that is, a total of four wheels (3) are arranged, one for each profile (1).

In one embodiment of the invention, and referring to Fig. 1, in the upper part of the rectangular parallelepiped formed by the profiles (1) the tray support (2) is arranged. The tray support (2) is understood of tubes (4) that make up a rectangle. The tray support (2) is articulated with the rectangular parallelepiped formed by the profiles (1) by means of the pivot (5). The pivot (5) allows the support of trays (2) to pivot with respect to the upper part of the rectangular parallelepiped formed by the profiles (1). In one embodiment of the invention (not illustrated), the tray support (2) is fixed to the upper part of the rectangular parallelepiped formed by the profiles (1). In this case, the tray support (2) does not pivot.

In one embodiment of the invention (not illustrated), the tray support (2) is a plate, sheet or surface on which the trays are arranged.

The profiles (1) can be hollow or rigid closed profiles, or open profiles. In one embodiment of the invention, the material of the profiles (1) and the tray support (2) is metallic, such as steel, aluminum, preferably a corrosion resistant material such as stainless steel or with coatings or treatments that allow to protect from the environment, such as galvanized, aluminum film coating, stainless paints, epoxy paints or electrostatic paint. The transplant unit is comprised of a choke cylinder (6) and at least one duct (7). The choke cylinder (6) and the duct (7) are operatively arranged in the mobile chassis so that the choke cylinder (6) makes the holes where the seedlings are arranged, and the duct (7) guides the seedling into the hole generated by the choke cylinder (6).

Referring to Fig. 1, in one embodiment of the invention, the transplant unit comprises:

- a choke cylinder (6); Y,

- pipelines (7). Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the choke cylinder (6) is arranged in the front of the machine, such that the choke cylinder (6) makes the holes in the bed where the seeds are then transplanted. seedlings The choke cylinder (6) comprises a cylinder (13) and chokes (1 1) distributed on the surface of the cylinder (13).

In one embodiment of the invention, the cylinder (13) is rigid, although in other embodiments the cylinder (13) is a hollow cylinder with covers at its ends. The last modality allows a cylinder (13) of lower weight with respect to a rigid cylinder.

The chokers (11) have a three-dimensional geometry that allows a hole in the bed where seedlings, verb and grace cones, truncated cones, pyramids, cylinders are transplanted. The distribution of the holes in the bed is determined by the type of plant species of the seedling, and technical requirements of the crop, therefore it obeys a pattern, which can be organized or not. Therefore, the distribution of the chokes (1 1) in the cylinder (13) is carried out in such a way that the distribution of the holes to be made coincides with the required pattern. Referring to Fig. 2, the distribution of the chokes (11) in the cylinder (13) corresponds to a pattern of holes that form rows parallel to each other, but perpendicular to the direction of advance of the machine.

Referring to Fig. 1, the choke cylinder (6) is articulated with the mobile chassis by two arms (8). At one end of the arms (8) they are articulated to the profiles (1), arranged in a horizontal position. The articulation between arms (8) and profiles (1) is carried out by means of fasteners such as screws, pins, bushings, rivets and the like, which allow the pivoting of the arms (8) with respect to the profiles (1). The other end of the arms (8) is articulated with the ends of the choke cylinder (6), an arm (8) at each end of the choke cylinder (6). The joint between the arms (8) and the choke cylinder (6) is such that it allows rotation of the choke cylinder (6) relative to the point of articulation.

The transplant unit comprises a positioning mechanism to place the choke cylinder (6) in working position and transfer position. The working position corresponds to the position in which the choke cylinder (6) is arranged to make holes in the bed, and the transfer position, corresponds to the position in which the choke cylinder (6) is arranged to move the machine, in this position the choke cylinder (6) has no contact with any surface. The positioning mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a gearmotor, a pulley or chain type transmission mechanism, a bar structure, actuators, servomotors and a combination of the above; which is operatively arranged to change from working position to transfer position and vice versa to the choke cylinder. Referring to Fig. 1, the positioning mechanism is two bar structures, each comprising a lever (9), a bar (10) and a pin (14). One end of the bar (10) is articulated with the arm (8); The joint allows pivoting between both elements. The other end of the bar (10) is articulated with the lever (9), along the latter. One end of the lever (9) is articulated to a profile (1) of the mobile chassis arranged in an upright position, the joint allows the lever (9) to pivot with respect to the profile (1). The pin (14) is fixed to a profile (1) of the mobile chassis arranged in an upright position, preferably located at the rear of the mobile chassis. The profile (1) to which the pin (14) is fixed is different from the profile (1) to which the lever (9) is articulated. A bar structure is arranged by each arm (8), that is, two bar structures are arranged.

Referring to Fig. 1, to position the choke cylinder (6) in the working position, the lever (9) is pivoted clockwise with respect to its articulation with the profile (1). Given the previous movement, the bar (10) moves down and induces the arm (8) to pivot clockwise with respect to the profile (1) to which it is articulated, and therefore the choke cylinder (6) descends.

Referring to Fig. 1, to position the choke cylinder (6) in the transfer position, the lever (9) is pivoted counterclockwise with respect to its articulation with the profile (1). Given the previous movement, the bar (10) is displaced upwards and causes the arm (8) to pivot counterclockwise with respect to the profile (1) to which it is articulated, and consequently the choke cylinder (6) ascends. Referring to Fig. 1, when observing the machine from its rear to its anterior part, the ducts (7) are located after the choke cylinder (6). The ducts (7) are arranged in such a way that at one of their ends the seedlings to be transplanted are entered, and at the other end the seedlings go directly to the holes made by the choke cylinder (6). Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the end of the duct (7) through which the seedlings enter is placed at the top of the mobile chassis, when this end is fixed to a first plate (12), which is fixed to the profiles (1) of the mobile chassis. Referring to Fig. 1, the end of the duct (7) through which the seedlings leave is arranged in the lower part of the mobile chassis, by fixing this end to a second plate (18), which is fixed to the profiles ( 1) of the mobile chassis. In one embodiment of the invention, the duct (7) is straight and vertical in the section that is contained between the end where the seedlings enter and the end where the seedlings leave. The amount of ducts (7) is equal to the number of holes in which the seedlings are transplanted, that is, as many ducts (7) are arranged as holes made by the choke cylinder (6).

Referring to Fig. 2, the distribution of the ducts (7) is determined by the pattern described by the choke cylinder (6) when making the holes. In one embodiment of the invention, the distribution of the ducts (7) corresponds to a pattern of holes that form rows parallel to each other, but perpendicular to the direction of advance of the machine.

In one embodiment of the invention, and referring to Fig. 3, the machine comprises a power unit, which is operatively arranged to transmit power to at least one wheel (3). The power unit is comprised of: a power source (15), a transmission (17) and a power supply (16). The power source (15) is selected from the group consisting of electric motor, servomotor, hydraulic motor, internal combustion engine and pneumatic motor. The transmission (17) is selected from the group consisting of gear reducer, pulley - belt transmission, chain transmission - cogwheel, worm gear - crown, cycloidal reducers, and a combination of the above. And the power supply (16) is selected from the group consisting of batteries, power transmission cable, pump, reservoir and hydraulic circuit (oil, water and other liquids), compressor, tank and circuit for air and fuel tank. The power supply (16) is selected according to the selected power source (15).

In one embodiment of the invention, the power source (15) is an electric motor, the transmission (17) is comprised of a gear reducer and chain-toothed wheel transmission, and the power supply (16) are batteries. In this mode, the power unit is operatively arranged in the mobile chassis to transmit power to the rear wheels (3) of the machine.

In one embodiment of the invention (not illustrated), the machine has a power unit and additionally has a control unit. The control unit is operatively connected to the power unit to drive the feedrate, feed rate, machine stop and transplant time. The control unit comprises a controller and input controls. The input controls comprise at least one input control to operate the advance of the machine, and the control unit detects the machine according to the programming that is established.

The machine can be stopped at the end of the bed path, but during that journey the seedling transplantation is continuous. The machine can also be stopped at certain established points along the route, in this case the number of holes made in the distance traveled must be taken into account, in order to determine the quantity and distribution of ducts (7) that the machine will comprise for seedling transplant, and therefore not leave pits without transplanted seedlings. In the latter case, the machine stop time may be set in the controller or determined by the operator who will drive the machine forward.

Seedling transplantation can be performed by an operator or by automated arms. In both modalities, the seedlings will be taken from the seedling tray and placed at the entrance of the ducts (7) so that they descend through them into the holes made by the choking cylinder (6). In the mode that automated arms are used, these are connected to the control unit. In one embodiment of the invention, the advance of the machine is controlled by the operator. In this case, you can have a signal that tells the operator the distance traveled. For example, a mark can be established on the choke cylinder (6) visible by the operator, with which the operator deducts the amount of turns given by the choke cylinder (6), and taking into account the perimeter length of the choke cylinder (6) the distance traveled can be determined. As for stopping the machine, the operator can interrupt the power supply to the power source, or he can actuate an input command that tells the controller to stop the machine. Example. The seedlings to be transplanted are chrysanthemum, which are located in a tray, and are transplanted to a bed with a width of 1300mm and a planting density of 91 seedlings per m ² . Referring to Fig. 2, the pattern of the holes is of lines parallel to each other, and perpendicular to the direction of advance of the machine. Each line is described by 10 holes. The separation between rows is 10Omrn and the separation between the center of the holes in the same row is 86mm. The bed is located in a greenhouse.

The machine is comprised of a mobile chassis, such as the one described with reference to Fig. 3, that is to say profiles (1) that are operatively arranged to configure a rectangular parallelepiped with a width of 1400mm, a length of 1250mm and a height 1260mm The mobile chassis comprises four wheels (3) of 210mm in diameter. The profiles (1) comprising the mobile chassis are hollow tubular stainless steel profiles. The mobile chassis comprises eight tray supports (2), four on each side of the ducts (7).

The choking cylinder (6) of the machine comprises a total of one hundred and twenty chokers (1 1), distributed in twelve rows of ten chokers (1 1) for each row. The separation between row is 100mm and the separation between center drowners (1 1) of the same row is 86mm.

The machine comprises twenty pipelines (7) distributed in two rows, ten pipelines (7) for each row. The separation between rows is 100mm and the separation between the center of the ducts (7) of the same row is 86mm. Referring to Fig. 3, the machine has a power unit comprising:

- a power supply (17), which are two dry rechargeable batteries of 12V each of 5.5 A-h;

- a power source (15), which is a 24V and 7.5A DC electric motor that supplies a power of 180W; Y, - a transmission (16), comprising a gear reducer and chain-toothed wheel transmission. The gear reducer is coupled to the electric motor and its output shaft delivers a rotation speed of 188RPM. The chain-sprocket transmission is operatively arranged to couple the output shaft of the gear reducer with the rear wheels (3), and deliver a turning speed on the rear wheels (3) of 27.8RPM.

The machine has a control unit comprising a controller and control commands. The control commands are: - one to allow the passage of electrical current from the controller to the motor,

- one to allow the electric current from the batteries to the controller, and

 - one to trigger an emergency stop. The controller is programmed so that every two rows available for seedling transplantation, the machine stops. For this, the speed of rotation of the wheels (3) and their circumference are considered.

Seedling transplantation is performed by two operators, who are arranged on either side of the machine. The operators take the seedlings from the trays located in the trays supports (2) and arrange them at the entrances of the ducts (7). This operation is performed every time the machine stops. When the operators have arranged the twenty seedlings, one for each duct (7), one of the operators activates the control command that allows the passage of electrical current from the controller to the electric motor for the self-propelled transfer of the machine to the next position of transplant.

Claims

Claims 1. A machine for seedling transplantation, comprising:  - a mobile chassis with wheels, in which the trays containing the seedlings to be transplanted are arranged; Y  - a transplant unit, which is made up of a drowning cylinder and a duct operatively arranged in a movable chassis so that the drowning cylinder makes the holes where the seedlings are arranged and the duct guides the seedlings towards the hole. 2. The machine claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the mobile chassis is comprised of profiles operatively arranged to form a rectangular parallelepiped having wheels in the profiles that extend vertically. 3. The machine claimed in claim 2, characterized in that a tray support is arranged in the upper part of the rectangular parallelepiped. 4. The machine claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the choking cylinder is comprised of a cylinder and chokes distributed on the surface of the cylinder. 5. The machine claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the chokes have a three-dimensional geometry. 6. The machine claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the distribution of chokes is such that it corresponds to the pattern of holes to be made. 7. The machine claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the transplant unit comprises a positioning mechanism for positioning the choke cylinder in working position and transfer position. 8. The machine claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the ducts are arranged in such a way that the seedlings are entered at one end, and the seedlings come directly to the holes at the other end. 9. The machine claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the distribution of the ducts coincides with the pattern of holes to be made. 10. The machine claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the amount of ducts is equal to the number of holes in which seedlings are transplanted. 11. The machine claimed in claim 1, comprising a power unit, which is operatively arranged to transmit power to a wheel of the mobile chassis. 12. The machine claimed in claim 11, comprising a control unit operatively connected to the power unit. 13. The machine claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the control unit controls the feedrate, feed rate, machine detection and transplant time. 14. The machine claimed in claim 12, comprising an automated arm connected to the control unit, which takes the seedlings from the tray and disposes them at the entrance of the ducts. 15. The machine claimed in claim 1, comprising a signal that tells an operator the distance traveled.