FR2844145A1 - Automatic liquid feed dispenser for livestock has pipe with downward pointing ends located across gangway to fill two rows of troughs - Google Patents

Abstract

The liquid feed dispenser, located in a gangway (1) between two rows (10) of troughs (101, 102, 103, 101', 102', 103'), has a dispensing pipe (2) with two downward-pointing ends (21, 21'), fed by a central branch (22) connected to a mobile trolley (3) travelling along a guide (4) and a delivery system (5). The ends of the dispensing pipe have valves (210, 210') actuated by trough position detectors and a programmable control unit (6).

Description

The invention relates to an automated distribution installation of a

  liquid feed, intended to be installed in a livestock building

  animals, especially cattle, for example veal calves.

  These cattle are reared inside a building generally comprising boxes distributed on either side of a central corridor. Each box is provided on the front, that is to say along this corridor, with one or more troughs

  depending on the number of animals present in this box.

  Each trough must be filled with a precise and predetermined dose of liquid food.

  There are currently several techniques for filling these troughs.

  The manual technique consists in filling each trough by means of an installation comprising a flexible hose, one end of which is connected to a storage tank for said liquid food and the other end of which is provided with a spray gun actuated by an operator. The latter moves from trough to trough and fills each individually.

  This technique is slow, tedious and expensive since it requires the intervention of an operator.

  The automatic filling technique consists in supplying the troughs by means of a fixed network of pipes and valves with electric or pneumatic control, actuated in sequence. However, most often, a valve only allows two troughs to be fed simultaneously thanks to a parallel mounting, or even four troughs in the best of cases, and this, to guarantee the distribution of an identical volume between the troughs. Total filling time

troughs therefore remains important.

  The object of the invention is to solve the aforementioned drawbacks, in particular to reduce the labor required to fill the

  troughs and reduce the total filling time of troughs.

  The object of the invention is also to automate the filling and to carry it out continuously or almost continuously.

  To this end, the invention relates to an automated liquid feed distribution installation, for a building for breeding animals, in particular cattle, in which a corridor is arranged between two rows of troughs open upwards and intended to be filled individually and successively with a certain

volume of liquid food.

  According to the invention, this installation comprises a liquid food distribution pipe in the general shape of a "U" open at the bottom, having two lateral branches, called "distribution" and in its middle part, a branch called "d "supply", this pipe being arranged transversely in said passage, so that each distribution branch opens out above a row of troughs, - means for supplying liquid food, connected to the supply branch of said distribution pipe and allowing the distribution of a predetermined volume of food in each trough, - a carriage of which said distribution pipe is integral, provided with motorization and guide means allowing its sequential displacement in translation along said corridor, in one direction and in the other, - valves for controlling the flow of liquid food, arranged in each distribution branch of said distribution pipe, - at least one sensor for position capable of detecting the position of said distribution pipe with respect to said troughs,

  a programmable central unit, intended to control said means for motorizing the carriage, the flow control valves and the means for supplying liquid food, according to the information received from said position sensor.

  According to other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of the invention, taken alone or in combination: - the motorization and guiding means of the carriage comprise at least one guide rail of said carriage extending along the longitudinal axis of said corridor , a towing rope integral with said carriage and driven by a motor so as to allow the translation of said carriage in one direction or the other, along said guide rail; the position sensor is a magnetic detection sensor and in that the position of the troughs is materialized by magnets arranged on the guide rail; - The middle part of the distribution pipe is articulated on the carriage around a vertical axis, means being provided to pivot said distribution pipe, alternately around this axis, so as to allow the displacement of the one of the distribution branches, called "first branch", from a first position in which it is located above a trough of rank n from one of the rows towards a second position in which it is located above the trough of row n + 1 of the same row, with reference to the direction of movement of the carriage, during the filling time by the opposite distribution branch of a trough of row m of the opposite row, then the displacement of said opposite distribution branch towards a position in which it is above the trough of row m + 1 of said opposite row, during the filling time by the first distribution branch of said trough of row n + 1; the means for pivoting the distribution pipe comprise two lateral spreading fingers each provided on, or in the vicinity of, one of the two distribution branches of said pipe, each spreading finger being able to move independently of the other, under the action of the programmable central unit, between a first position, called the "extended position", in which it projects outside of said distribution branch, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the corridor and is capable of coming to contact of a stop placed 15 above a trough, so that this distribution branch is then immobilized above this trough, and a second position, called "retracted position", in which it does not protrude outside said distribution branch; the vertical axis around which said distribution pipe can pivot passes through the middle of the middle part of the distribution pipe and possibly coincides with the axis of the supply branch; - The distribution pipe is provided with means for limiting its angular movement; the distribution branches are provided with return means 25 making it possible to fold them towards the inside of the distribution pipe, these return means acting under the action of the programmable central unit, according to information received from a obstacle detection sensor possibly

  present on the path of movement of said distribution pipe.

  The invention also relates to an automated dispensing system for liquid feed, for a building for breeding animals, in particular cattle, in which a corridor is arranged between two rows of troughs open upwards and intended to be filled individually and successively with a certain

volume of liquid food.

  According to the invention, this installation comprises: 35 - a liquid food distribution pipe in the general shape of a "U" open downwards, having two lateral branches, called "distribution" and in its middle part, a branch called "supply", this pipe being arranged transversely in said corridor, so that each distribution branch opens out above a row of troughs, said distribution branches being provided with return means making it possible to fold them back at least partly in order to avoid possible obstacles, - means for supplying liquid food, connected to the supply branch of said distribution pipe and making it possible to distribute a predetermined volume of food in each trough, - a carriage of which said distribution pipe is fixedly secured, provided with motorization and guiding means allowing its sequential displacement in translation along said corridor, in one direction and da ns the other, - valves for controlling the flow of liquid food, disposed in each distribution branch of said distribution pipe, - at least one position sensor capable of detecting the position of said distribution pipe with respect to at said troughs, - a programmable central unit, intended to control said motorization means of the carriage, the flow control valves and the means for supplying liquid food, according to information received from said position sensor and to control said recall means, as a function of information received from a sensor for detecting possible obstacles present on

  the path of movement of said distribution pipe.

  Advantageously, the distribution pipe has a portion of flexible pipe, interposed between each rigid and substantially vertical distribution branch and one of the ends of the rigid and substantially horizontal middle portion of the distribution pipe and said return means comprise two cylinders whose respective bodies are integral with the middle part of said pipe, the rod of the first cylinder being integral with one of the distribution branches and the rod of the second cylinder being integral with the other distribution branch. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from

  reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention. This description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings in

  which: - Figure 1 is a schematic overview of an automated liquid feed distribution installation according to the invention, located in an animal breeding building; - Figure 2 is a schematic front view of this installation; - Figure 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the carriage and the installation guide rail, according to the section plane shown by line III-III in Figure 2; - Figure 4 is a sectional view of part of the carriage and the distribution pipe, taken along the cutting plane shown schematically by the line IV-IV in Figure 2; - Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, but in which the distribution pipe has pivoted slightly; - Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the movements of the distribution pipe; - Figure 7 is a front view of part of the distribution pipe according to an alternative embodiment of the installation; and finally

  - Figure 8 is a partial view of the distribution pipe according to another alternative embodiment of the invention.

  It will be noted that all of these figures are schematic, in particular as regards the scale of representation of certain parts of the installation.

  Referring now to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the installation according to the invention is intended to equip a building for breeding animals 20, in which a central corridor 1 is arranged between two rows 10 and 10 ′ aligned troughs, open upwards. The animal breeding huts do not have

  have been shown in this figure for the sake of simplification.

  The longitudinal axis of the corridor 1 carries the reference X-X 'and the ground, the reference s.

  Each row 10, 10 'has a series of troughs. In Figure 1, only three troughs have been shown in each row. These troughs respectively bear the references 101, 102 and 103 for row 10 and 101 ', 102' and

103 'for row 10'.

  This distribution installation comprises: 30 - a pipe 2 for distributing the liquid food, - a carriage 3 on which said pipe 2 is mounted, - motorization and guide means 4 allowing the sequential movement of said carriage 3 along the corridor 1, in one direction and in the other, - means 5 for supplying liquid food, connected to said distribution pipe 2,

  - A programmable central unit 6 intended to manage the operation of the various aforementioned elements.

  These various elements will now be described in more detail.

  As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the liquid food distribution pipe 2 has the general shape of a "U" open downwards, that is to say towards the ground, has two lateral branches 21, 21 ', called "of

  distribution "and in its middle part 23, a supply branch 22.

  The middle part 23 extends horizontally or substantially horizontally and the two distribution branches 21, 21 'extend

substantially vertically.

  Although the pipe 2 has been shown in the figures as consisting of portions of substantially straight tubes, it could also have

the shape of a hoop.

  The supply branch 22 extends vertically along an axis referenced Z-Z '. Advantageously, this supply branch 22 is located at

  middle of the middle part 23 of the distribution pipe 2.

  The distribution pipe 2 is arranged transversely in the corridor 1, so that its central part 23 extends along a horizontal axis Y-Y ', 20 perpendicular to the axis X-X', and that each distribution branch 21 , 21 'opens above one of the rows of trough 10, 10'. The length of this part

  median 23 is therefore slightly greater than the width of lane 1.

  A stop valve 210 (of the solenoid valve type) is mounted inside the distribution branch 21, preferably near its lower end. This position prevents the food from dripping once

  the valve closed and improves the accuracy of the volume dispensed. This valve controls the flow of liquid food out of the distribution branch.

  A similar stop valve 210 'is present in the distribution branch 21'.

  The supply branch 22 is integral with the carriage 3, the latter 30 being located above the distribution pipe 2 and supporting the latter.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the supply means 5 comprise a reservoir 51 of the liquid food 50, connected to the supply branch 22 of the pipe 2 by a flexible pipe 53, on which is mounted a

pump 52.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the flexible pipe 53 is tightly connected to the branch 22 by a suitable connection element, placed inside the

carriage 3.

  The flexible pipe 53 has a sufficient length to be able to follow the movement of the carriage 3. The pump 52 is actuated by the central unit 6 so as to deliver inside the distribution pipe 2 and therefore from each trough, a volume

  predetermined liquid food 50.

  The motorization and guiding means 4 comprise at least 10 a guide rail and preferably two, referenced 41, 41 ′ and a towing rope 42,

  integral with this carriage 3 and driven by a motor 43.

  These rails 41, 41 'are rectilinear profiles, extending along the longitudinal axis X-X' of the corridor 1, above the latter, for example at a height

  about two meters, to allow passage to an operator.

  More precisely, and as appears better in FIG. 2, these guide rails 41, 41 ′, having a section in "C" open towards the ground s. The longitudinal edges of each guide rail 41, respectively 41 ′, are folded inwards and upwards, so as to form treads 410,

respectively 410 '.

  The carriage 3 has in its upper part at least one pair of left hangers 30 and right 30 'and preferably two pairs, the left hangers 30 of each pair being aligned along the axis XX',

  same as the right legs 30 ', (see the left side view of FIG. 3).

  The upper end of each suspension lug 30 carries two rollers 300, of axis parallel to the axis Y-Y 'intended to roll on the treads 410. The lug (s) 30' have the same structure. The carriage 3 is thus suspended under the rails 41, 41 'and can move in translation along the corridor

1, one way or the other.

  The carriage 3 also has on one of its lateral faces, a fixing lug 31 to which the towing rope 42 is connected.

  The tow rope 42 is folded back on itself so as to form an endless loop, the two ends of which are received in pulleys 44 and 45 of vertical axis, located at the two ends of the corridor 1. One of these pulleys, (here the pulley 45) is rotated by a motor 43, itself actuated by the central unit 6. The rotation of the pulley 45 in one direction or the other has the effect of causing the translation of the carriage 3 along the guide rails 41, 41 ', in a

sense or in the opposite direction.

  The two pulleys 44 and 45 could also be replaced by two motorized winches.

  Note that in Figure 1 and in the description, for the purposes of

  simplification, there is shown and described the tow rope 42 and the pulleys 44 and 45 as being positioned on the side of the carriage 3, however preferably, the attachment point of the rope 42 is located on or under the carriage 3, in the axis of the guide rails

41, 41 '.

  The programmable central unit 6 (computer) is connected to the pump 52, to the motor 43 and to the valves 210 and 210 ′ and the operator can program it in order to predetermine the volume of liquid food 50 to be distributed in

  each trough and the speed of movement of the carriage 3.

  Finally, a position sensor 90, mounted for example on the carriage 3 15, makes it possible to detect the position of the distribution pipe 2 relative to the troughs 101,

102, 103, 101 ', 102' and 103 '.

  This position sensor 90 is also connected to the central unit 6 which will actuate the pump 52, the motor 43 and the valves 210 and 210 ′ as a function of the information received from this sensor and therefore of the position of the pipe 2 relative to said troughs.

  A first variant embodiment of the installation will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4 to 6. According to this variant, the distribution pipe 2 is articulated on the carriage 3 so as to be able to pivot around

  the vertical axis Z-Z 'coinciding with the axis of the supply branch 22.

  For this purpose, the flexible pipe 53 is mounted on the branch

  supply 22 using a rotary joint not shown in the figures.

  The pivoting means 7 consist of two lateral extensor fingers 70 and 70 ', each provided on one of the two distribution branches 21, respectively 21', of the pipe 2 or in the vicinity thereof, that is to say at the ends of the middle part 23.

  Each expander finger 70 is a jack, capable of moving independently of the other finger, under the action of the central unit 6, between a first active position, called "extended position", in which it projects outside of the corresponding distribution branch, substantially perpendicular to the axis XX 'and parallel to the axis Y-Y', (see left half of FIG. 2) and a second passive position, called "retracted position", in which it does not protrude outside the distribution branch, (see

right part of figure 2).

  In addition, a stop 72 is provided above each trough of row 10, (respectively stops 72 'for row 10'). These stops are oriented perpendicular to the axis XX '. FIG. 6 is a diagram representing the alternating pivoting of the distribution pipe 2 around the axis Z-Z 'and the different filling phases

troughs.

  It will be noted that the filling of the troughs can only be carried out one after the other, the liquid food 50 being distributed only alternately from

  a branch 21 then the other 21 ', to promote the precision of the volume distributed.

  At the start, the distribution pipe 2 is located at one of the ends of the corridor 1 and its middle part 23 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis XX ′.

  The extensor fingers 70, 70 'are in the extended position, so that they come into contact with the respective stops 72 and 72' of the first trough 101 of the row 10, (of

  even from the first trough 101 'of row 10'), (see FIG. 6).

  The central unit 6 actuates the pump 52 and the opening of the valve 210 ', so as to allow the filling of the trough 101', called trough of rank n.

  Then the central unit 6 actuates the pump 52 and the valve 210, to ensure the filling of the trough 101, called trough of row m.

  During the duration of filling of the trough 101 by the distribution branch 21, the central unit 6 controls the retraction of the extensor finger 70 ', which has the effect of freeing the end of the arm 2 and which associated with the movement of traction (arrow G) exerted by the towing rope on the carriage 3, causes the pipe 25 to pivot 25 (arrow Fl). Pipe 2 is supported by the finger

  expander 70 against the stop 72 of the trough 101.

  Immediately, the central unit 6 actuates the extender finger 70 'again in the extended position, so that the latter comes into contact with the stop 72' of the trough 102 ', or trough of rank n + l. In other words, the displacement between the position in which the distribution branch 21 ′ is located above the trough 101 ′ of rank n to the second position in which it is located above the 'trough 102' of rank n + 1 takes place in masked time, for the duration of the

filling the trough 101.

  The traction movement on the carriage 3 is interrupted under the control of the central unit 6 and resumes when the filling of the trough 101 of

row m is finished.

  The extender finger 70 is then temporarily retracted and the distribution pipe 2 can pivot according to the arrow F2. The retractable finger 70 'is supported on the stop 72' of the trough 102 'of rank n + 1. During the duration of filling by the distribution branch 21 ′ of the trough 102 ′ of rank n + 1, the opposite distribution branch 21 can move until it is above the trough 102 of rank m + 1.

  This alternating pivoting movement is repeated, (see arrow F3 and F4) until the filling of all the troughs has been completed.

  When the carriage 3 returns to its original position, the two extensor fingers 70 and 70 'are retracted.

  The distribution pipe 2 is further provided with means for limiting its angular movement, such as studs 32, 32 ', fixed on either side of a ring 34 secured to the rotary supply branch 22. As appears better in FIGS. 4 and 5, these studs 32, 32 ′ can be received in a cavity 33 of the carriage 3, so as to limit the movement at an angle a.

  Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a second embodiment of the distribution pipe according to the invention, wherein the distribution pipe 2 is fixedly secured to the carriage 3, which means that it can not perform any rotational movement around the vertical axis Z-Z '. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the distribution branches 21 and 21 'are provided with return means 8

  allowing them to be folded back at least in part, in order to avoid possible obstacles.

  According to a first variant, the distribution pipe 2 has a portion of intermediate flexible pipe 24, interposed between the rigid and substantially vertical distribution branch 21 and one of the ends of the rigid and substantially horizontal middle portion 23 of the distribution pipe 2, as well as a portion of flexible hose 24 'between the distribution branch 21' and the other end of the

middle 23.

  The return means 8 comprise two jacks 80, 80 ', the respective bodies 800 and 800' of which are secured to the middle part 23 of the pipe 2, the rod 801 of the jack 80 being secured to the distribution branch 21, while the

  rod 801 'of the second cylinder 80' is integral with the other distribution branch 21 '.

  These jacks 80, 80 ′ can be actuated by the central unit 6, so as to ensure the displacement of the rod inside the jack body.

  When these jacks are in their maximum extension position 35 illustrated in FIG. 6, the distribution branches 21 and 21 ′ are vertical or substantially vertical and their respective ends open out above the troughs. When the rods 801, 801 'of the jacks 80, 80' are on the contrary retracted, the distribution branches 21 and 21 'are folded inwards (arrow 5 H), this movement being made possible by the presence of the intermediate portion flexible hose 24, (respectively 24 ') which acts as a hinge. This

  folded position allows for example to avoid an obstacle such as a pole 92, 92 '.

  According to a second variant illustrated in FIG. 8, the distribution pipe 2 has the U-shaped structure illustrated in FIG. 1.

  The lower end of the distribution branch 21 'carries a fixing lug 25' extending vertically downwards. A rigid tube section 27 ′, carrying the stop valve 210 ′, is articulated at one of its ends to this fixing lug 25 ′, around an axis of rotation WW ′ horizontal and parallel or

  substantially parallel to the axis XX '.

  A portion of flexible pipe 26 'connects the lower end of the distribution branch 21' to the end of the section 27 'adjacent to the axis W-W'. This portion of flexible hose 26 'acts as a hinge and allows the transfer of

  the liquid food from this branch 21 'to this section 26'.

  The return means 8 here consist of a cylinder 81 'whose body 810' is articulated at the upper part of the distribution branch

  21 'and whose rod 811' is fixed in the vicinity of the free end of the section 27 '.

  The displacement of the rod 811 'of the jack 81' (under the control of the central unit 6) makes it possible to pivot the section 27 'around the axis WW' between a position for distributing the liquid food in the troughs (illustrated in Figure 25 8) and a folded position to avoid obstacles 92 '. In the position

  folded over (illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 8), the section 27 ′ is almost vertical.

  In the two aforementioned variants, the central unit 6 acts on these return means 8, as a function of information received from a sensor 91 for detecting obstacles 92, 92 ′ which may possibly be present on the path of movement of the distribution pipe 2. This sensor 91 appears in FIG. 1.

  It can be confused with the aforementioned position sensor 90 or on the contrary be another independent sensor whose role is only to detect

obstacles.

  By way of example, the sensors 90 and 91 can be presence detection sensors or infrared sensors.

  The sensor 91 (or the sensor 90) can also be a magnetic detector (magnet detector), arranged on the carriage 3, near the guide rails 41, 41 '. In this case, the obstacles (posts 92, 92 ') or the troughs 101, 102, 103, 101', 102 ', 103' are materialized by magnets placed on the metal guide rails 41, 41 ', at the height of said obstacles. Finally, according to a third embodiment not shown in the figures, it is possible to combine the two aforementioned embodiments and to equip the distribution pipe 2, means 7 making it possible to rotate it around a vertical axis ZZ ' and return means 8. In this case, the supply branch 10 is rotatable as in the embodiment illustrated in the

figure 2.

Claims (10)

  1. Installation for the automated distribution of liquid food (50), for a building for breeding animals, in particular cattle, in which a corridor (1) is arranged between two rows (10, 10 ′) of troughs ( 101, 102, 103; 101 ', 102', 103 ') open upwards and intended to be filled individually and successively 5 with a certain volume of liquid food (50), this installation being characterized in that it comprises: - a pipe (2) for dispensing liquid food in the general shape of a "U" open downward, having two lateral branches (21, 21 '), called "dispensing" and in its middle part (23) , a branch (22) called "supply", this pipe (2) being arranged transversely in said corridor (1), so that each distribution branch (21, 21 ') opens out above a row ( 10, 10 ') of troughs, - means (5) for supplying liquid food (50), connected to the supply branch (22) of said distribution pipe (2) and allowing to distribute a predetermined volume of food (50) in each trough (101, 102, 103 101 ', 102', 103 '),   - a carriage (3) of which said distribution pipe (2) is integral, provided with motorization and guide means (4) allowing its sequential displacement in translation along said corridor (1), in one direction and in the other , - valves (210, 210 ') for controlling the flow of the liquid food (50), arranged in each distribution branch (21, 21') of said distribution pipe (2), - at least one sensor position (90) capable of detecting the position of said distribution pipe (2) relative to said troughs (101, 102, 103; 101 ', 102', 25 103 '), - a programmable central unit (6), intended for controlling said motorization means (4) of the carriage (3), the flow control valves (210, 210 ') and the means for supplying liquid food (5)   based on information received from said position sensor (90).   2. Distribution installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the motorization and guide means (4) of the carriage (3) comprise at least one rail (41, 41 ') for guiding said carriage (3) extending along the longitudinal axis (X-X ') of said corridor (1), a towing rope (42) integral with said carriage (3) and driven by a motor (43) so as to allow the translation of said carriage (3)   in one direction or the other, along said guide rail (41).   3. Distribution installation according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the position sensor (90) is a magnetic detection sensor and in that the position of the troughs (101, 102, 103; 101 ', 102' , 103 ') is materialized by magnets arranged on the guide rail (41, 41').   4. Distribution installation according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the middle part (23) of the distribution pipe (2) is articulated on the carriage (3) about a vertical axis (Z-Z '), means (7) being provided for pivoting said distribution pipe (2), alternately around this axis (Z-Z '), so as to allow the displacement of one of the distribution branches (21) , 21 '), called "first branch", from a first position in which it is located above a trough of row n of one of the rows (10, 10') towards a second position in which it is located above the trough of 15 row n + 1 of the same row (10, 10 '), with reference to the direction of movement of the carriage (3), during the filling time by the opposite distribution branch (21 ', 21) of a trough of row m of the opposite row (10', 10), then the displacement of said opposite distribution branch (21 ', 21) towards a position in which it is located above the trough of row m + 1 of said opposite row 20 (10 ′, 10), during the period of filling by the first branch of   distribution (21, 21 ') of said trough of rank n + 1.   5. Distribution installation according to claim 4, characterized in that the means (7) for pivoting the distribution pipe (2) comprise two lateral spreading fingers (70, 70 ') each provided on, or in the vicinity of, 25 one of the two distribution branches (21, 21 ') of said pipe (2), each extensor finger (70, 70') being able to move independently of the other, under the action of the programmable central unit (6 ), between a first position, called "extended position", in which it projects outside of said distribution branch (21, 21 '), substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X-X') of the corridor ( 1) and 30 is likely to come into contact with a stop (72, 72 ') placed above a trough (101, 102, 103; 101', 102 ', 103'), so that this branch distribution (21, 21 ') is then immobilized above this trough (101, 102, 103; 101', 102 ', 103'), and a second position, called "retracted position", in lac she doesn't   projection outside said distribution branch (21, 21 ').   6. Distribution installation according to claim 4, characterized in that the vertical axis (Z-Z ') around which said distribution pipe (2) can   pivot through the middle of the middle part (23) of the distribution pipe (2).   7. Distribution installation according to claim 4 or 6, 5 characterized in that the vertical axis (Z-Z ') around which said distribution pipe   (2) can pivot concisely with the axis of the supply branch (22).   8. Distribution installation according to claim 3, characterized in that the distribution pipe (2) is provided with means (32, 32 ') for limiting its angular movement.   9. Distribution installation according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that the distribution branches (21, 21 ') are provided with return means (8) making it possible to fold them back at least in part in order to avoid possible obstacles (92, 92'), these means reminder (8) acting under the action of the programmable central unit (6), as a function of information received from a sensor (91) for detecting said obstacles (92, 92 ').   10. Installation for the automated distribution of liquid food (50), for a building for breeding animals, in particular cattle, in which a corridor (1) is arranged between two rows (10, 10 ′) of troughs ( 101, 102, 103; 101 ', 102', 103 ') open upwards and intended to be filled individually and successively with a certain volume of liquid food (50), this installation comprising: - a pipe (2 ) dispensing liquid food in the general shape of a "U" open downwards, having two lateral branches (21, 21 '), called "dispensing" and in its middle part (23), a branch (22) called "supply", this pipe (2) being arranged transversely in said passage (1), so that each distribution branch (21, 21 ') opens out above a row (10, 10') of troughs, said distribution branches (21, 21 ') being provided with return means (8) making it possible to fold them back at least in part in order to avoid possible obstacles (92, 92 '),   - means (5) for supplying liquid food (50), connected to the supply branch (22) of said distribution pipe (2) and making it possible to distribute a predetermined volume of food (50) in each trough (101, 102, 103 101 ', 102', 103 '),   a carriage (3) of which said distribution pipe (2) is fixedly secured, provided with motorization and guide means (4) allowing its sequential displacement in translation along said corridor (1), in one direction and in the other, - valves (210, 210 ') for controlling the flow of the liquid food (50), arranged in each distribution branch (21, 21') of said distribution pipe (2), - at least one position sensor (90) capable of detecting the position 5 of said distribution pipe (2) relative to said troughs (101, 102, 103; 101 ', 102', 103 '),   - a programmable central unit (6), intended to control said motorization means (4) of the carriage (3), the flow control valves (210, 210 ') and the feed means (5) liquid, according to information received from said position sensor (90) and to control said return means (8), according to information received from a sensor (91) for detecting possible obstacles (92, 92 ' ) present on the journey of said distribution pipe (2).