SYSTEM FOR MANAGING AN AGRICULTURAL OPEN SPACE

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (10) for managing an agricultural open space (12), having: at least two guide rail arrangements (11) running parallel to one another; a processing device (24) supported on both guide rail arrangements (22) and being able to be moved along the guide rail arrangements (22); at least one solar panel arrangement (28) arranged above the guide rail arrangements (22) and the processing device (24).

Claims

1. A system (10) for managing an agricultural open space (12), having: at least two guide rail arrangements (11) running parallel to one another; a processing device (24) supported on both guide rail arrangements (22) and being able to be moved along the guide rail arrangements (22); at least one solar panel arrangement (28) arranged above the guide rail arrangements (22) and the processing device (24).

2. The system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the solar panel arrangement (28) is supported on at least one of the guide rail arrangements (22) via at least one support structure (30).

3. The system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the system (10) has at least one electrical energy store (32) for storing electrical energy generated by the solar panel arrangement (28); and/or wherein the system (10) has at least one water reservoir (34) and the processing device (24) can be refilled with water from the water reservoir (34).

4. The system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two pairs of guide rail arrangements (22) are provided, and the guide rail arrangements (22) of each pair are set up to interact for guiding the processing device (24) and wherein at least part of the processing device (24) is set up to move between said pairs.

5. The system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the solar panel arrangement (28) at least partially covers an area within which the processing device (10) can be moved.

6. The system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing device (22) comprises at least one of the following units: an irrigation unit for irrigating the open space; a camera sensor for surveying the open space; a UV-C light source for illuminating plants with UV-C light; a weed removal device; a humidity sensor; a nutrient sensor; a soil sensor, in particular for determining a humus layer thickness.

7. The system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide rail arrangements (22) each have a plurality of consecutive (42) rail segments.

8. The system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the guide rail arrangements (22) has a toothed rack, in which a driven gear wheel of the processing device (24) engages to generate a displacement movement; or has a rail on which a driven wheel of the processing device (24) rolls.

9. The system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide rail arrangements (22) at least in sections rest on a ground and/or are detachably held on the ground.

10. The system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide rail arrangements (22) are fastened to a ground anchor (20) which can be detached non-destructively from a soil of the open space (12).

Description

[0071] Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying schematic figures.

[0072] FIG. 1 shows a perspective partial view of a system according to an embodiment.

[0073] FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of an individual rail segment from a guide rail arrangement of the system.

[0074] FIGS. 3-4 show perspective views of a system according to a further embodiment, different positions of a processing device being shown;

[0075] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a system according to yet further embodiment having an integrated row changing option for a processing device;

[0076] FIGS. 6-7 show detailed views of a system according to yet further embodiment having (protective) webs stretched between adjacent solar panel arrangements.

[0077] FIG. 1 shows a system 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The system 10 is not depicted in its entirety, but rather extends beyond the portion shown. Individual parts of the system 10 are therefore not depicted in full or are cut off.

[0078] The system 10 is used to manage an agricultural open space 12. Of said open space, only a soil surface 14 is depicted schematically, but not underlying soil layers, so that components (rods 16) of ground anchors 20 explained below that extend therein can be seen uncovered.

[0079] Plants 17 cultivated on the open space 12 are indicated in an exemplary area (not all of them are provided with their own reference numbers). The entire open space 12 is preferably covered with corresponding plants 17.

[0080] The system 10 comprises at least two parallel guide rail arrangements 22. These are generally elongate in form, a longitudinal axis L being entered for one of the guide rail arrangements 22. Each two guide rail arrangements 22 interact such that they guide a processing device 24 explained below. The guide rail arrangements 22 of a correspondingly interacting pair are spaced apart from one another by a distance A of, for example, at least 1 m.

[0081] In the example shown, the central guide rail arrangement 22 interacts with both outer guide rail arrangements 22 in the manner described, since guide surfaces for supporting a processing device 4 are formed on both of its outer sides (see discussion of FIG. 2 below).

[0082] Naturally, a plurality of such interacting pairs of guide rail arrangements 22, together with the processing devices 24 guided therein, can be positioned next to one another, as is correspondingly indicated in FIG. 1. Thus, a plurality of rows of interacting guide rail arrangements 22 can be formed in order to cover a surface area of the open space 12 that is to be processed.

[0083] In the example shown, the guide rail arrangements 22 rest on largely concealed ground anchors 20, some of the positions of which are marked with reference numbers and result from the positions of their rods 16. For reasons of clarity, not all of the rods 16 in FIG. 1 are provided with a separate reference number.

[0084] Additionally or alternatively, the guide rail arrangements 22 rest on the soil surface 14 at least in sections. The proportions in FIG. 1 show that a soil surface 12 covered by the guide rail arrangements 22 is small. Preferably, said surface is less wide than the tire footprint of a conventional tractor. The system 10 is thus characterized by a high utilization of land for agricultural management.

[0085] The guide rail arrangements 22 are composed of a plurality of individual rail segments 42, one of which is explained below with reference to FIG. 2.

[0086] The processing device 24, which is only depicted as an example for the right interacting pair of guide rail arrangements 22, bridges the distance A between said guide rail arrangements 22. Said processing device is supported on both sides or, in other words, on both ends of the guide rail arrangements 22. In doing so, said processing device engages in toothed racks of the guide rail arrangements 22 (not depicted) via driven gear wheels (not visible). As a result, the processing device 24 can move along the guide rail arrangements 22 (more precisely along their longitudinal axis L).

[0087] A plurality of functional units 26 distributed along the processing device 24 are indicated (not all of them are provided with their own reference numbers). This can be any of the units explained in the general part of the description, for example, irrigation devices, weed removal devices or UV-C light sources.

[0088] A water reservoir of the processing device 24 and an electrical energy store thereof are not shown separately. These can generally be moved together with the processing device 24.

[0089] The system 10 also has a plurality of solar panel arrangements 28 (not all of them are provided with their own reference numbers). Each solar panel arrangement 28 consists of a planar arrangement of a plurality of individual solar panels 29 (not all of them are provided with their own reference numbers). The solar panel arrangements 28 are each connected to the guide rail arrangements 22 via support structures 30 (only those selected are provided with their own reference number).

[0090] Generally, each solar panel arrangement 28 bridges the distance A of each pair of guide rail arrangements 22 to which it is connected, thereby covering a corresponding part of the underlying open space 12. Furthermore, the solar panel arrangements 28 are lined up along the guide rail arrangements 22.

[0091] Electrical energy generated by means of the solar panel arrangements 28 can be stored in at least one electrical energy store 32 which is indicated only schematically. The processing device 24 and in particular an electrical energy store integrated there can be temporarily supplied with power or charged from this energy store 32.

[0092] For this purpose, the processing device 24 can move to a predefined position along the guide rail arrangements 22 and connect there to an electrical interface, which in turn is connected to the electrical energy store 32. FIG. 1 generally does not show any electrical line runs required therefor. However, said electrical line runs can advantageously run at least partially along and/or through the guide rail arrangements 22.

[0093] At least one optional water reservoir 34 is further shown. Like the electrical energy store 32, said water reservoir is arranged, for example, on a guide rail arrangement 22 and/or support structure 28. The processing device 24 can selectively connect to the water reservoir 34, for example, at a filling station, to fill up its own water reservoir.

[0094] At least one control device 40, for example, a control computer, is shown as a further optional component. Said control device can be integrated into any component of the system 10 depicted, for example, also into the processing device 24. Likewise, the control device 40 can comprise a plurality of interacting individual control computers, for example, a control computer for controlling the processing device 24, a control computer for controlling the energy store and/or water reservoir 32, 34 and/or a control computer for controlling the generation of energy by means of the solar panels 28. Such control computers 40 do not necessarily have to communicate with one another. Instead, they can, for example, carry out predetermined measures depending on predefined system states and/or states of the units controlled by other control computers.

[0095] Measurement or sensory survey results of the type described herein obtained by means of the processing device 24 can be transmitted to the control device 40. Instructions can also be stored by means of the control device 40, based on which work processes of the system 10 can be controlled.

[0096] During operation, the processing device 24 can carry out processing and/or surveying processes of the plants using such programmed work processes and/or, depending on the phase of plant growth, by means of any of the units described herein comprised by the processing device 24. The processing device 24 can, for example, move independently or automatically along the guide rail arrangements 22 to positions where plants and in particular rows of plants are located. Said processing device 24 can independently or automatically carry out the desired processing there.

[0097] FIG. 2 shows a single rail segment 42 in a perspective individual representation. The orientation corresponds to a rail segment 42 of the middle guide rail arrangement 22 in FIG. 1. When installed in a guide rail arrangement 22, a longitudinal axis L of the rail segment 42 coincides with the longitudinal axis L from FIG. 1 or defines its orientation accordingly.

[0098] The rail segment 42 is an elongate metal profile having a cross-sectional shape open at the top. By way of example, the cross-sectional shape in the case shown is a rectangle open at the top or a U-shaped cross section having sharp corners. The rail segment 42 has interface areas 44 at both of its ends along the longitudinal axis L for connecting to adjacent rail segments 42. By way of example only, these interface areas 44 comprise holes for the insertion of bolts.

[0099] The rail segment 42 also has a bottom surface 46 that is only partially visible. In the left part of the rail segment 42 that can be seen in FIG. 2, the bottom surface 46 is indented relative to the interface area 44 there. However, the bottom surface 46 of a rail segment 42 attached there can protrude sufficiently so that a gap-free, contiguous bottom surface can be formed.

[0100] Furthermore, the rail segment 42 comprises two sidewalls 48 extending upright from the bottom surface 46. The side walls 48 delimit a receiving area with the bottom surface 44 in which, for example, ends of the support structures 30 can be received.

[0101] A toothed rack can be attached (in particular screwed) to the outside of the right-hand side wall 42 facing the viewer, the teeth of which preferably point upwards. More precisely, the toothed rack can be attached to an upper edge profile 49, for example, by forming a positive fit therewith. For this purpose, the toothed rack can be pushed into or onto the rail segment 42 or its edge profile 49 along the longitudinal axis L, for example. Such a toothed rack can also be attached to the opposite outer wall (see edge profile 49 there). This enables the guide rail arrangement 22 to be designed so that it can guide and support a processing device 24 on both sides.

[0102] As an alternative to a toothed rack, a smooth rail can be connected to the edge profiles 49 or an upper side of the edge profile 49 (preferably larger than that shown in FIG. 2) can be used as a rail for rolling off, for example, driven wheels of the processing device 24.

[0103] The possibility of providing an electrical energy supply for the processing device 24 within the rail segments 42 or also generally within a guide rail arrangement 22 is not depicted separately. For example, a conductor rail or an inductive energy transmission device can be provided on the guide rail arrangement 22 for this purpose, the processing device 24 being able to receive electrical energy via a current collector or a corresponding inductive device.

[0104] The rail segments 42 can be produced inexpensively by forming and in particular folding a metal strip and/or can generally be designed in one piece. The rail segments 42 can be reusable after dismantling. In general, at least individual rail segments 42 or even complete guide rail arrangements 22 can remain on the open space 12 even after a partial system dismantling and can serve as planters for providing a flower strip.

[0105] In FIGS. 3 and 4, a further embodiment of a system 10 is shown in different operating states. By way of example, the system 10 has five guide rail arrangements 22, of which two adjacent ones are set up to interact to guide a processing device 24. Accordingly, there are a total of four such pairs, each of which forms a row of the system 10 within which the vegetation can be processed. The remaining components of the system 10 and in particular the solar panel arrangement 28 are designed analogously to the variant from FIG. 1.

[0106] Deviating from FIG. 1, the processing device 24 in the narrower sense, however, is formed by a movable processing head 100. Said processing head comprises any units with which any processing operations and/or sensory surveying disclosed herein are to be carried out. The processing head 100 is movably guided on at least one crossbeam 102 (in the case shown, two crossbeams 102 per row), in particular in the transverse direction relative to the guide rail arrangements 22.

[0107] To carry out processing, the crossbeams 102 with the processing head 100 guided thereon can be moved along a row (arrow X). If an adjacent row is to be processed, the processing head 100 can change to the crossbeams 102 that are present there and preferably assume a defined parking or changing position. A transverse rail section (not depicted) can be provided for this purpose, for example, which enables the processing head 100 to be moved over from one crossbeam (pair) 102 to an adjacent crossbeam (pair) 102. Alternatively, the processing head 100 or at least one of the drive mechanisms comprised therein can be suitably dimensioned so that said processing head can bridge a gap between the adjacent (crossbeams 102 (or pairs)).

[0108] FIG. 4 shows the state after the row change has been completed.

[0109] FIG. 5 shows an alternative solution for performing a row change. The system 10 there is constructed analogously to that shown in FIGS. 3-4. Said system therefore again has four processing rows, which are formed or, to put it another way, delimited by adjacent guide rail arrangements 22.

[0110] Furthermore, at least one crossbeam 102 that can be moved along the row and, by way of example, a crossbeam pair is provided for each row. The system 10, in turn, has a processing head 104 that can change between the rows and crossbeam pairs. This is done via curved track sections 106, each connecting a guide rail arrangement 22 to a guide rail arrangement 22 of an adjacent pair. The outer or respectively outer guide rail arrangements 22 of two adjacent pairs are preferably connected.

[0111] To change the row being processed, the processing head 100 (preferably when the crossbeam pair assumes a defined parking or changing position) moves in the transverse direction onto a track section 106. Said processing head then moves along this in accordance with the arrow W until said processing head reaches the adjacent row and a guide rail arrangement 22 there. Said processing head changes therefrom to a crossbeam pair in this row.

[0112] FIG. 6 shows a partial view of a system 10 designed essentially analogously to the variant from FIG. 1. The positions and extensions of the rods 16 of the ground anchors 20 are once again particularly clear in this representation.

[0113] In a deviation from FIG. 1, a preferably flexible web 108 is stretched between successive solar panel arrangements 28 (viewed along the guide rail arrangements 22). Said web can be essentially closed or net-like. Said web can protect the underlying soil area from the weather and/or (at least when the surface is closed) collect rainwater in order to direct it to a water reservoir, not depicted.

[0114] A water channel 110 can optionally be arranged on at least one outer edge of a respective solar panel arrangement 28 (see enlarged partial view in FIG. 7). Water can be routed to a water reservoir device or can be diverted in a defined manner to protect the soil by means of said water channel 110. The outer edge is preferably an expected or permanently inclined side edge or, as a result of a permanent or expected inclination of the preferably planar solar panel arrangement 28, a lower edge of the solar panel arrangement 28.