EP0362243A1 - An electronic control system for distributing feed for the rearing of animals in fixed housing - Google Patents

An electronic control system for distributing feed for the rearing of animals in fixed housing

Info

Publication number
EP0362243A1
EP0362243A1 EP88904516A EP88904516A EP0362243A1 EP 0362243 A1 EP0362243 A1 EP 0362243A1 EP 88904516 A EP88904516 A EP 88904516A EP 88904516 A EP88904516 A EP 88904516A EP 0362243 A1 EP0362243 A1 EP 0362243A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
feed
loading
animals
station
metering
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP88904516A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Domenico Albano
Maria Elena Pissinis
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0362243A1 publication Critical patent/EP0362243A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01KANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K29/00Other apparatus for animal husbandry
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01KANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K5/00Feeding devices for stock or game ; Feeding wagons; Feeding stacks
    • A01K5/02Automatic devices
    • A01K5/0266Automatic devices with stable trolleys, e.g. suspended

Definitions

  • An electronic control system for distributing feed for the rearing of animals in fixed housing for the rearing of animals in fixed housing.
  • the present invention relates in general to the rearing of animals (cattle, pigs, sheep, etc.) in fixed housing, and more particularly concerns a system for the mechanised distribution of feed for such rearing.
  • the object of the present invention is to enable an animal in a fixed housing to avail itself of feed when it feels the need to eat but in a manner consistent with its actual needs as predetermined by the farmer.
  • this object is achieved by means of a system for distributing feed for the rearing of animals in fixed housing, as defined in the characterising part of Claim 1 and in the sub-claims.
  • the system according to the invention enables all the data relating to each of the animals to be reared and to its physiological needs for optimal production to be put into a program and provides for the distribution of the feed to each animal at predetermined times and in a predetermined manner.
  • the system is composed of one or more electrically-operated motor-driven trolleys which are movable between one or more feed loading stations and a plurality of feed discharge stations corresponding to the positions of the animals to be fed, and a control unit with a programmable electronic processor for the automatic operation of the trolley or trolleys and of the loading stations in dependence on individual instructions for each animal and on instructions indicative of the manner in which the rearing is to be organised.
  • the system includes two pairs of electrically-operated supply trolleys associated with a pair of feed metering-loading devices 2 which are also electrically operated.
  • Each metering-loading device is constituted by a hopper-like container whose base can be opened and closed electrically and which is in turn supplied from one or more feed silos.
  • Each metering-loading device 2 is conveniently arranged to take four different types of feed and to discharge each type of feed separately or as a mixture of different types of feed through its openable base.
  • Each trolley 1 is constituted by an open-topped box on wheels having an electrically-openable bottom, in a manner also within the skill of an expert in the art.
  • the supply trolleys 1 are movable along horizontal overhead rails 3 whose configuration is variable in dependence on the configuration of the rearing system, following paths which lead from each metering-loading device 2 to a plurality of feed discharge stations 4 corresponding to the positions of the animals to be fed.
  • the rails 3 obviously extend above the positions 4 so as to enable the trolleys 1 to be stopped selectively above the respective troughs.
  • Each supply trolley 1 is composed of an electronic part and a mechanical part.
  • the mechanical part includes, as stated above, a wheeled box driven by a geared motor with an electromagnetic brake (not illustrated).
  • the mechanism for opening the bottom to discharge the feed is also constituted by a geared motor.
  • the electronic part is composed of a card (not illustrated) for controlling the electrical components, connected by means of a cable to a programmable control processor 5.
  • a card for controlling the electrical components, connected by means of a cable to a programmable control processor 5.
  • the job of this magnetic card is to set the location to which the trolley 1 is to be moved and to arrange the operation of the electromagnetic parts for the feed loading and discharge operations.
  • Each metering-loading device 2 is likewise composed of a mechanical part for measuring out the feed in variably regulable quantities, and an electronic part. If four different types of feed are to be supplied, the metering is effected by means of electromechanical actuators (not illustrated) connected through a central electrical control (not illustrated) to the electronic control processor 5. The job of the central control is to operate the actuators of the metering devices in dependence on the quantities programmed.
  • the processor 5 is provided with a keyboard 6 and possibly a monitor 7 with a printer 8.
  • the keyboard 6 enables the programs for the organisation of the feed distribution to be typed in and the times and the manner in which the feed is to be distributed to be set.
  • the data input to the processor 5 are individualised for each animal and may, for example, include the total quantity of feed per twenty-four hours, the number of feedings per twenty-four hours, the quantities and measurements of feed or feeds for each feeding, the minimum time interval between one feeding and another, the possible apportionment of the various types of feed, etc.
  • the processor 5 is connected to a series of sensors 9 associated with the positions 4 of the animals to be fed, for providing, when activated, the information that the animal requires food.
  • the sensors 9 may be constituted, for example, by optical or mechanical detectors arranged in the troughs of the positions 4.
  • the system described with reference to the embodiment illustrated is able to provide for the feeding of more than 500 head of livestock, in the following manner.
  • the processor 5 When the processor 5 receives a demand for food from a sensor 9, it processes the demand and, if it is found to correspond with the data programmed for that position, it activates the feeding cycle.
  • the supply trolley 1 operatively associated with the position in question is then positioned beneath the respective metering-loading device 2 by means of which the programmed quantity of feed or feeds is discharged into the trolley 1.
  • the trolley 1 is then moved along its rail 3 and stopped above the position 4, after which the quantity of feed or feeds is discharged to the respective trough.
  • the cycle is repeated in the same way for the various positions 4, at the demand of the animals (after checking the acceptability of the demand) or at prefixed time intervals.
  • the monitor 7 enables both the messages sent by the processor 5 to the user and the instructions which the user gives to the processor 5 to be displayed, whilst any printer 8 enables the organisation of the system to be facilitated by a written daily record of the behaviour of the feed distribution system.
  • the system may also be provided with an autodiagnostic system, also managed by the processor 5, by means of which its functioning is stopped and a corresponding indication is provided to the operator in control of the system if a supply trolley 1 or a metering-loading device 2 breaks down.
  • an autodiagnostic system also managed by the processor 5
  • the processor 5 may be constituted by a peripheral unit connected to a central processing unit for organising several rearing systems.
  • an interface card designed to make the system as insensitive as possible to any electromagnetic interference which may be present at the place of installation is arranged between the central processing unit and the peripheral unit.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Birds (AREA)
  • Feeding And Watering For Cattle Raising And Animal Husbandry (AREA)
EP88904516A 1987-05-21 1988-05-18 An electronic control system for distributing feed for the rearing of animals in fixed housing Withdrawn EP0362243A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT6744687 1987-05-21
IT8767446A IT1210755B (it) 1987-05-21 1987-05-21 Robot computerizzato per la distribuzione del mangime e la gestione di stalla per animali a stabulazione fissa

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0362243A1 true EP0362243A1 (en) 1990-04-11

Family

ID=11302446

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP88904516A Withdrawn EP0362243A1 (en) 1987-05-21 1988-05-18 An electronic control system for distributing feed for the rearing of animals in fixed housing

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0362243A1 (ja)
JP (1) JPH02503505A (ja)
AU (1) AU1727888A (ja)
BR (1) BR8807515A (ja)
HU (1) HUT51445A (ja)
IT (1) IT1210755B (ja)
WO (1) WO1988009119A1 (ja)

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5129361A (en) * 1988-06-20 1992-07-14 Harold L. Deutsch Animal feeding system
GB9019693D0 (en) * 1990-09-08 1990-10-24 David Filmer Limited Livestock feeding control system
NL9002420A (nl) * 1990-11-07 1992-06-01 Agmat Bv Inrichting voor het bevoorraden van een voerbak.
NL9002465A (nl) * 1990-11-12 1992-06-01 Nedap Nv Voersysteem voor dieren.
NL9401876A (nl) * 1994-11-10 1996-06-03 Maasland Nv Voerwagen.
NL9500050A (nl) * 1995-01-11 1996-08-01 Maasland Nv Constructie voor het verplaatsen van materiaal.
EP0721732B2 (en) * 1995-01-11 2010-11-10 Maasland N.V. A construction for displacing feed for animals
US6779486B2 (en) * 2001-10-17 2004-08-24 Feedlogic Systems Inc. Automatic animal feeder
DE20314986U1 (de) 2003-09-26 2005-02-10 Weda-Dammann & Westerkamp Gmbh Fördersystem zur Beförderung von Mischfutter
NL1035804C2 (nl) * 2008-08-08 2010-02-09 Lely Patent Nv Inrichting voor het afgeven van voeder.
UY37539A (es) 2017-12-21 2019-07-31 Marichal Jose Sistema y método para identificar, alimentar y manejar animales, en especial ganado lechero

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2035476C3 (de) * 1970-07-17 1974-02-07 Hans Gr. 4572 Essen Beilage Vorrichtung zur Fütterung von Tieren mit mindestens einem zentralen Futtervorratsbehälter
DE8520654U1 (de) * 1985-07-13 1986-01-23 AGRO-Vertriebsgesellschaft Fritz Hüner GmbH + Co, 2725 Hemslingen Fahrbarer Futterautomat für Milchviehställe
US4712511A (en) * 1985-08-15 1987-12-15 Zamzow Donald D Programmed mix and delivery system

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO8809119A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH02503505A (ja) 1990-10-25
IT8767446A0 (it) 1987-05-21
BR8807515A (pt) 1990-04-17
WO1988009119A1 (en) 1988-12-01
HUT51445A (en) 1990-05-28
IT1210755B (it) 1989-09-20
AU1727888A (en) 1988-12-21

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Legal Events

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PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

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18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19920522