JP2011103793A - Apparatus for controlling ruminant, system for controlling ruminant and method for controlling ruminant - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for controlling ruminants, which detects lower jaw movements following actions of intake, rumination, water drinking, or the like, by a simple constitution and easily sends out a message to the outside, a system for controlling ruminants and a method for controlling ruminants. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus for controlling ruminants, which controls actions of ruminants, includes a bent sensor 1 that is attached to a peripheral part of a ruminant mouth and outputs signals in response to a bent amount caused by ruminant jaw movements following actions of intake, rumination, water drinking, or the like, and a transmission part 16 for sending data based on signals output from the bent sensor 1. A wiring 9 connecting the bent sensor 1 to the transmission part 16 is covered with a cover pipe 3 and a halter is formed by the bent sensor 1, the transmission part 16, the wiring 9 and the cover pipe 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a ruminant management apparatus, a ruminant management system, and a ruminant management method.

  For the breeding of ruminants, it is very important to manage the health of the animals to be kept, milk quality management, grasp the timing of estrus and parturition, change of feeding contents, etc. Observation is necessary. In addition, in the case of free stall or free burn feeding system, it becomes more difficult to grasp the state of the individual, and it is difficult to appropriately perform these. Therefore, the number and time of chewing by rumination and feeding were measured using a dedicated device, and the ruminant was managed by grasping the health condition, estrus, delivery timing, etc. (patent) Literatures 1-3).

JP 2003-219757 A JP 2008-228573 A JP-A-10-262498

  However, in the technique of detecting the mandibular movement of the ruminant with the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber, strain gauge, acceleration sensor, and vertical movement sensor described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, the signal obtained from the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber or the like is used. When the amount of change is small and a signal corresponding to the movement of the lower jaw is transmitted to the outside, it is necessary to amplify the signal with an amplifier and transmit it.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, a ruminant management device that can detect the movement of the lower jaw associated with actions such as feeding, rumination, drinking water, etc. with a simple configuration and can easily transmit to the outside, It is an object to provide a ruminant management system and a ruminant management method.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a ruminant management device for managing the behavior of ruminants according to the present invention is mounted on the periphery of the ruminant's mouth, and the ruminant's behavior associated with behaviors such as feeding, rumination, drinking water, etc. Jaw movement detection means for outputting a signal corresponding to the amount of bending caused by jaw movement, transmission means for transmitting data based on the signal output from the jaw movement detection means, and processing for analyzing and managing jaw movement information Means are provided.

  According to the present invention, the amount of change in the output signal increases as the jaw movement increases by using the jaw movement detection means that bends according to the movement of the jaw. Therefore, the data based on the signal of the jaw movement detection means The movement of the ruminant jaw can be acquired by transmitting to the outside by the transmitting means without amplifying the signal.

  The ruminant management apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the jaw movement detecting means is a bending sensor.

  According to the present invention, the resistance value of the bending sensor changes continuously according to the angle of bending, and the difference between the resistance value when not bending and the resistance value when bending is large. A signal with a large amount of change can be output. Accordingly, the corresponding signal can be transmitted to the outside by the transmission means without being amplified, and the movement of the ruminant jaw can be acquired outside.

  The ruminant management apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the transmission means transmits data based on a signal output from the jaw movement detection means by radio wave transmission to the outside.

  According to the present invention, since a signal indicating the movement of the ruminant jaw can be transmitted to the outside by radio waves, it is possible to know the movement and behavior of the jaw without restricting the behavior of the ruminant. Moreover, even when a ruminant can freely move by grazing or the like, data corresponding to the jaw movement can be easily received.

  Further, the ruminant management apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the transmission means collectively transmits data acquired from the jaw movement detection means after acquiring a predetermined number of signals from the jaw movement detection means. To do.

  According to the present invention, since the signal acquired from the jaw movement detecting means is small in size, if a signal acquired frequently is transmitted each time, waste of communication overhead is increased, so that a plurality of signals are transmitted collectively. Thus, efficient transmission can be performed.

  In addition, the ruminant management apparatus according to the present invention includes wiring means for electrically connecting the jaw movement detection means and the transmission means, and covering means for covering the wiring means and having flexibility. And

  According to the present invention, since the wiring means is covered with the covering means, it is difficult for the wiring means to be disconnected when the ruminant management device is used. Further, since the covering means has flexibility, the ruminant animal management device can be easily attached to the ruminant and the load on the ruminant can be reduced.

  Also, in the ruminant management apparatus according to the present invention, the wiring means includes a connection part that can be attached to and detached from an end part, and the jaw movement detection means is electrically connected to the wiring means via the connection part. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, since the jaw movement detecting means and the wiring means can be easily separated, the jaw movement detecting means can be easily exchanged when the jaw movement detecting means fails.

  In the ruminant management device according to the present invention, the connecting portion includes a first terminal connected to the jaw movement detecting means and a second terminal other than the first terminal.

  According to the present invention, devices other than the jaw motion detection means can be connected to the connection portion, so that the ruminant animal management device can have expandability.

  In addition, the ruminant management apparatus according to the present invention further includes coupling means for connecting the transmission means and the jaw movement detection means, and the jaw movement detection means has a shape of at least a part of the mouth periphery of the ruminant. The transmitting means is disposed behind the ruminant head, the wiring means and the covering means are disposed along one side of the ruminant head, and the coupling means is The wiring means and the covering means are disposed on a side surface opposite to the head side surface of the ruminant.

  According to the present invention, the head of the ruminant can be surrounded by the jaw movement detecting means, the transmitting means, the wiring means, the covering means, and the coupling means, and the ruminant animal management device is securely attached to the ruminant head. be able to.

  In addition, the ruminant management apparatus according to the present invention further includes head inclination detection means for detecting the inclination of the head of the ruminant, and the transmission means is data based on a signal output from the head inclination detection means. Is transmitted to the outside.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to discriminate the behavior of a ruminant in detail based on the tilt information of the head of the ruminant and the movement information of the jaw.

  The ruminant management apparatus according to the present invention further includes a measuring unit that measures at least one of ambient temperature, humidity, and body temperature of the ruminant, and the transmitting unit is based on a signal output from the measuring unit. It is characterized by transmitting data to the outside.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not the environment in which the ruminant exists is appropriate, and it becomes easy to keep the ruminant in an appropriate environment. In addition, the health of ruminants can be easily managed.

  Further, in the ruminant management apparatus according to the present invention, the transmission unit obtains a signal output from the head tilt detection unit and / or the measurement unit after acquiring a predetermined number of signals from the jaw movement detection unit. The base data is transmitted to the outside together with the data based on a predetermined number of signals output from the jaw movement detecting means.

  According to the present invention, when data based on jaw movement is transmitted, data based on signals output from the head tilt detection means and / or measurement means is transmitted. Information that does not need to be acquired frequently can be transmitted efficiently.

  Moreover, the ruminant management apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the transmitting means is an IEEE 802.15.4 module.

  According to the present invention, the battery life can be extended by using an IEEE 802.15.4 module with low power consumption. Even if ruminants move to a place where data based on jaw movements cannot be sent directly to the data collection site, the data based on jaw movements can be reliably transferred by the router function of the IEEE 802.15.4 module. It can be sent to the central location.

  A ruminant health management system according to the present invention is a ruminant health management system comprising the ruminant animal management apparatus and a management information processing unit that manages data transmitted from the transmission unit. The information processing unit includes a receiving unit that receives data transmitted from the ruminant management device, a processing unit that processes the data received by the receiving unit, and a notification unit that notifies a processing result by the processing unit. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, ruminant status is determined from data obtained from a ruminant management device, and the ruminant management is facilitated by notifying the ruminant manager or the like of this.

  A ruminant management method for managing the behavior of a ruminant according to the present invention obtains a signal output in accordance with the amount of bending caused by the movement of the ruminant's jaw from a device attached to the periphery of the ruminant's mouth. And the data based on the signal output according to the said bending amount are transmitted outside.

  According to the present invention, since the output corresponding to the amount of bending generated according to the movement of the jaw has a large amount of change in the signal, the movement of the ruminant's jaw is acquired even if it is transmitted to the outside without amplifying the corresponding signal. it can.

  Also, the ruminant management method according to the present invention, after obtaining a signal output according to the amount of bending a predetermined number of times, and collectively transmitting data based on the signal output according to the amount of bending. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, the signal acquired by the jaw movement is small in size, and if a signal acquired frequently is transmitted each time, waste of communication overhead is increased. Efficient transmission is possible.

  Further, the ruminant management method according to the present invention is characterized in that the amount of inclination of the ruminant head is detected, and data based on the detected amount of inclination of the ruminant head is transmitted to the outside. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to discriminate the behavior of a ruminant in detail based on the tilt information of the head of the ruminant and the movement information of the jaw.

  Further, the ruminant management method according to the present invention measures at least one of ambient temperature, humidity, and body temperature of the ruminant, and externally outputs data based on the measured ambient temperature, humidity, and body temperature of the ruminant. It is characterized by transmitting to.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not the environment in which the ruminant exists is appropriate, and it becomes easy to keep the ruminant in an appropriate environment. In addition, the health of ruminants can be easily managed.

  In the ruminant management method according to the present invention, after obtaining a signal output according to the bending amount a predetermined number of times, the data based on the head tilt amount and / or the ambient temperature, humidity, and the rumination are obtained. Data based on the body temperature of the animal is transmitted to the outside together with data based on the predetermined number of signals.

  According to the present invention, when transmitting data based on jaw movement, data based on the amount of tilt of the head and / or data based on ambient temperature, humidity, and ruminant body temperature are transmitted, and therefore acquired frequently. It is possible to efficiently transmit necessary information and information that does not need to be acquired frequently.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a ruminant management device, a ruminant management system, and a ruminant management method that can detect the movement of the mandible with a simple configuration and can easily transmit it to the outside.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the mounting state at the time of mounting | wearing the head of a cow with the ruminant management apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mounting | wearing state at the time of mounting | wearing the cow head with the ruminant management apparatus based on this invention, and a movement of the jaw part of a variable part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the ruminant management apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the fastener and connecting part of the ruminant management apparatus which concern on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the connection part which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the ruminant management system which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the process performed with the ruminant management apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the process performed in the ruminant management center which concerns on this invention. It is a graph which shows the measurement result by the ruminant management apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other Example of the ruminant management apparatus which concerns on this invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Moreover, the case where it applies to a cow as a ruminant is demonstrated as an example.

  FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are explanatory views showing a mounting state when the ruminant management device according to the present invention is mounted on the head of a cow, FIG. 1 shows a state where the cow closes its mouth, and FIG. The mouth is opened. The ruminant management device 10 includes a bending sensor 1 serving as a jaw movement detection means for outputting a signal corresponding to the amount of bending caused by the movement of the ruminant jaw, and a rear part of the head of the cow and above the neck. The main body box 2, the battery boxes 7 </ b> A and 7 </ b> B, the wiring 9, the cover pipe 3, the fastener 5, and the coupling pipe 23 (see FIG. 3) are arranged. As will be described later, an acceleration sensor 11 that detects the tilt of the head of the cow in the front-rear direction and a weather sensor 12 that measures temperature and humidity are provided inside the main body box 2 (see FIG. 6).

  When a cow feeds, rubs, drinks water, and licks, the mouth (particularly the lower jaw) is moved up, down, left and right as shown in FIG. As a result, the bending sensor 1 is deformed as shown in FIG. 2 and the resistance value inside the bending sensor 1 is changed. By detecting the change in the signal value of the bending sensor 1 according to the movement of the mouth, mastication or the like is performed. It can be easily detected. The bending sensor 1 is a film-type resistance sensor in which a conductive ink is applied as a thin film. The bending sensor 1 has a property that the resistance value when it is not bent is about 10 kΩ, but when it is bent, the resistance value continuously changes to about 22 kΩ depending on the bending angle. Therefore, when a sense resistor is connected in series with the bending sensor 1 and a constant voltage is applied to both ends thereof, a change in the resistance value of the bending sensor can be known from a change in voltage measured at both ends of the sense resistor. Hereinafter, the voltage measured at both ends of the sense resistor is set as a signal value output from the bending sensor 1. Since the bending sensor 1 has a large amount of change in the signal value, the signal value can be transmitted wirelessly without amplifying the signal by an amplifier, and the ruminant management apparatus 10 does not need to be provided with an amplifier, so that the device configuration is reduced. Can do.

  The wiring 9 as the wiring means for electrically connecting the bending sensor 1 and the transmitting unit 16 (see FIG. 6) disposed inside the main body box 2 passes through the covering pipe 3 as a flexible covering means. Passing through. Further, the bending sensor 1 is also arranged inside the protective pipe 8 having the same flexibility as the covering pipe 3. Therefore, the bending sensor 1 and the central processing unit 14 (see FIG. 6) provided inside the main body box 2 can be easily connected. Even if the cow rubs his head against a fence or the like, the covering pipe 3 and the protective pipe 8 protect the wiring 9 and the bending sensor 1, so that the wiring 9 and the bending sensor 1 can be prevented from being damaged. In this embodiment, the protective pipe 8 and the cover pipe 3 are made of stainless steel flexible pipes, but can be used as long as they are resin pipes, metal pipes, etc., and have protective ability and flexibility. Can be replaced. Moreover, it can replace with the thing which is not destroyed by the ruminant wearing the ruminant management apparatus 10.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a ruminant management apparatus according to the present invention. A connecting portion 4 as a detachable connecting portion electrically connects the wiring 9 and the bending sensor 1. Moreover, the connector part 2a connects the wiring 9 and the central processing part 14 (refer FIG. 6) in the main body box 2 so that attachment or detachment is possible. Thereby, the bending sensor 1, the wiring 9, and the main body box 2 can be easily separated by separating the connecting portion 4 and the connector portion 2a. Note that the connecting portion 4 and the connector portion 2a are preferably waterproof connectors.

  Further, the main body box 2 and the bending sensor 1 are further connected by the wiring 9 and the covering pipe 3 on the left side surface of the head of the cow, but are connected by the coupling pipe 23 as a coupling means on the right side surface. One end of the coupling pipe 23 is detachably coupled to the protective pipe 8 by the first coupling portion 24, and the other end is detachably coupled to the main body box 2 and the second coupling portion 2b. In addition, the 1st coupling | bond part 24 and the 2nd coupling | bond part 2b differ from the connection part 3 and the connector part 2a, and do not electrically connect the bending sensor 1 and the central processing part 14 (refer FIG. 6). Therefore, here, the first coupling portion 24 and the second coupling portion 2b employ screw-type coupling screws having a waterproof function. In addition to the screw-type coupling screw, any one that can separate the protective pipe 8, the coupling pipe 23, and the main body box 2 can be employed, and preferably a waterproof function is provided. The joint pipe 23 employs the same stainless steel flexible pipe as the protective pipe 8 and the cover pipe 3, but a resin pipe, a metal pipe or the like can be used and can be replaced with a flexible pipe. . Moreover, it can replace with the thing which is not destroyed by the ruminant wearing the ruminant management apparatus 10.

  As described above, since the protective pipe 8, the cover pipe 3, and the coupling pipe 23 are detachably connected, when the bending sensor 1 breaks down or the protective pipe 8 is damaged, the connection portion 4 and the first coupling portion 24 are connected. The bending sensor 1 and the protective pipe 8 can be easily replaced by separating them. Similarly, when the wire 9 is disconnected or the cover pipe 3 is damaged, the wire 9 and the cover pipe 3 can be easily replaced by separating the connection portion 4 and the connector portion 2a. When the coupling pipe 23 is damaged, the coupling pipe 23 can be easily replaced by separating the first coupling portion 24 and the second coupling portion 2b.

  The fasteners 5 are arranged on the left and right sides of the head of the cow, and one is substantially fixed to the connecting portion 4 side of the covering pipe 3 and is positioned on the left side of the head by the nose band 6 and the bending sensor 1. The other is substantially fixed to the first coupling portion 24 side of the coupling pipe 23 and is positioned on the right side of the head by the nose band 6 and the bending sensor 1. As a result, the ruminant management apparatus 10 can surround the head with the bending sensor 1, the wiring 9, the covering pipe 3, the main body box 2, and the coupling pipe 23 to form a headline, so that it can be easily attached to the cow. It becomes possible. If necessary, a throat leather may be provided between the covering pipe 3 and the coupling pipe 23. By adjusting the length of the throat leather, cows and other ruminants having different head sizes are ruminants. The management device 10 can be easily and reliably attached.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a fastener and a connecting portion of the ruminant management apparatus according to the present invention. The fastener 5 includes fixing portions 5a and 5b and a nose girdle 5c. The fixing parts 5a and 5b sandwich the covering pipe 3, substantially fix the fastener 5 to the connecting part 4 side, and the end of the covering pipe 3 arranged from the ear side of the cow toward the nose side is substantially in the lower jaw direction. Bend about 90 degrees. Thereby, the bending sensor 1 can be easily arrange | positioned under the lower jaw part. Further, the fastener 5 can be positioned on the side surface of the head of the cow by passing the nose band thread 5c through the end 6a of the nose band 6.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a connecting portion according to the present invention. The connecting portion 4 includes a female connector 4A provided at the end of the cover pipe 3 and electrically connected to the wiring 9, and a male connector 4B provided at the end of the protective pipe 8 and electrically connected to the bending sensor 1. It is made up of. The bending sensor 1 and the wiring 9 are electrically connected by inserting the two-pole male terminal fitting 31 provided on the male connector 4B into a female terminal (not shown) of the female connector 4A. . Further, by rotating and screwing the male screw portion 33 of the male connector 4B into the female screw portion 32 of the female connector 4A, the female connector 4A and the male connector 4B can be coupled, and the female connector 4A and the male connector 4B are connected. Prevents rain and water from entering when washing cows. The female terminals of the female connector 4A are 4 poles, 10 poles, and the like, and are provided with a second terminal to which a device other than the 2 pole male terminal fitting 31 can be connected.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the ruminant management system according to the present invention. The ruminant management device 10 is output from three sensors, a central processing unit 14, a storage unit 15, and three sensors, which are a bending sensor 1, an acceleration sensor (head inclination detecting unit) 11, and a weather sensor (measuring unit) 12. The transmitter 16 transmits data based on the signal to the outside. The transmission unit 16 transmits data based on a signal output from the bending sensor 1 or the like by radio wave transmission to the outside, and here employs a Zigbee module, but transmits by other methods such as a wireless LAN or a cellular phone network. You may make it do.

  The central processing unit 14 reads out signals from the three sensors of the bending sensor 1, the acceleration sensor 11, and the weather sensor 12 and stores them in the storage unit 15, and a process of sending data based on the signals of each sensor to the transmission unit 16. Do. The transmission unit 16 collects data based on the output values of the bending sensor 1 and the data based on the output values of the acceleration sensor 11 and the weather sensor 12 sent from the central processing unit 14 a predetermined number of times, and manages the ruminant animal via the router 40. Send to center 50.

  The acceleration sensor 11 is provided to detect the tilt of the head of the cow in the front-rear direction, and here, since only the tilt of the head of the cow is detected in the front-rear direction, a single-axis acceleration sensor is used. . As will be described later, the acceleration sensor 11 associates the movement information of the lower jaw obtained by the bending sensor 1 with the inclination information of the head of the cow obtained by the acceleration sensor 11 to determine the action content of the cow in detail. It is provided for.

  The weather sensor 12 is provided to detect the temperature and humidity of the outside air, and can determine whether the grazing environment is appropriate when the cow is grazed on a pasture or a fallow field. As the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor, various sensors such as platinum resistance thermometer, thermistor, thermocouple, polymer sensor, metal oxide sensor and the like can be used. In addition, the weather sensor 12 is used here to measure the grazing environment. However, when cattle are kept in the barn, there is little need to measure the environment in the barn with the ruminant management device 10, so the temperature sensor is used. It is good also as a structure provided with the thermometer which installs near the body surface of a cow and measures the body temperature of a cow.

  The ruminant animal management center (management information processing unit) 50 includes a receiving unit 51 as a receiving unit, a computer 52 as a processing unit, a server 53, and a notification unit 54 as a notifying unit. First, the receiving unit 51 of the ruminant management center 50 receives data based on the signal of each sensor from the router 40 and transmits this data to the computer 52. The computer 52 sequentially stores the received data in the server 53, and analyzes the state and environment of the ruminant based on the data obtained from the ruminant by an administrator's operation and an automatic program. When an abnormality is recognized in the ruminant or the environment is deteriorated (temperature rise or the like), the notification unit 54 notifies the person who manages the ruminant to that effect.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining processing performed by the ruminant management apparatus according to the present invention. First, the central processing unit 14 of the ruminant management apparatus 10 acquires the output value of the bending sensor 1 every 60 ms (step S1). Specifically, the output value of the bending sensor 1 is obtained every 60 ms and stored in the storage unit 15. In addition, the output value of the bending sensor 1 can also be varied.

  Next, the central processing unit 14 determines whether or not the output value of the bending sensor 1 for 40 times has been obtained (step S2). For example, when it is determined that the output values of the bending sensor 1 for 40 times have been obtained, the output values of the acceleration sensor 11 and the weather sensor 12 are acquired and stored in the storage unit 15 (step S3).

  Thereafter, the output value of the bending sensor 1 and the output values of the acceleration sensor 11 and the weather sensor 12 for 40 times are transmitted to the ruminant management center 50 (step S4). Here, data based on the output values of the bending sensor 1 and the output values of the acceleration sensor 11 and the weather sensor 12 for 40 times stored in the storage unit 15 are collectively transmitted from the transmission unit 16 to the router 40. Here, since the output value of the bending sensor 1 is about 2 bytes, if the output value of the bending sensor 1 acquired every 60 ms is transmitted every 60 ms, waste of communication overhead is increased. Sending them together.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining processing performed in the ruminant management center according to the present invention. First, the ruminant management center 50 receives data based on the output values of the bending sensor 1 and the output values of the acceleration sensor 11 and the weather sensor 12 for 40 times by the receiving unit 51 (step S11). Then, the computer 52 of the ruminant management center 50 determines the behavior of the cow and the environment where the cow is placed from the data based on the output value of the bending sensor 1 and the output values of the acceleration sensor 11 and the weather sensor 12 received from the receiving unit 51. Is determined (step S12). Specifically, the output values of the bending sensor 1 and the acceleration sensor 11 are graphed as shown in FIG. Moreover, environmental information is acquired based on the output value of the weather sensor 12, and it is determined whether the environment where a cow is grazed is appropriate for a cow.

  FIG. 9 is a graph showing measurement results obtained by the ruminant management apparatus according to the present invention. Here, the output value of the bending sensor 1 is indicated by a solid line, and the output value of the acceleration sensor 11 is indicated by a broken line. When the cow raises his head, the output value of the acceleration sensor 11 is positioned at the top of the graph, and when the cow has his head lowered, the output value of the acceleration sensor 11 is positioned at the bottom of the graph. Shown in FIG. 9A is a graph seen when a cow is eating. The cow wraps the grass with his tongue, puts it in his mouth, sandwiches it between the lower jaw incisor and the upper gingival sac, and tears the grass by swaying the head from side to side. After performing this operation several times, chew and swallow. In pastures, they slowly move forward with their heads lowered, and select and eat grass to sniff. In the case of a concentrated feed, the tongue is lengthened and scooped up into the mouth. Therefore, the output value of the bending sensor 1 continuously changes according to the movement of the lower jaw when the grass is sandwiched between the lower jaw and the upper jaw with the tongue inserted and removed, and the output value of the acceleration sensor 11 depends on the movement of the head of the cow. In response to the change in small increments, the feeding behavior of the cow can be determined.

  Moreover, FIG.9 (b) is a graph seen when the cow is ruminating. Rumination is seen in a standing or prone position. Once fed, the bolus is made into a bolus from the rumen and vomited back into the mouth, and the lower jaw is moved left and right to chew the bolus with the molars. Then, about 45 times / one bite is rebited and swallowed. Therefore, the output value of the sensor 1 stops moving after the mandible moves about 45 times after the bolus is ejected from the rumen, and the bolus is swallowed, and again moves about 45 times after the bolus is discharged from the rumen. Since it changes regularly according to the movement of stopping and swallowing later, the rumination of the cow can be determined.

  FIG. 9 illustrates a graph of cattle eating behavior based on ruminant mastication data. However, the bending sensor 1 and acceleration of cattle's estrus, parturition, and health status (decreased food intake, digestive disorders, etc.) are also shown. It has a pattern peculiar to the output value of the sensor 11. Therefore, if the output values of the bending sensor 1 and the acceleration sensor 11 are graphed as shown in FIG. 9, it is possible to determine the various behaviors of the cow.

  Next, the computer 52 determines whether or not the behavior of the cow determined in step S12 is abnormal behavior or the environment is determined to be bad (step S13). Here, it is a case where the behavior of the cow determined in step S12 is not general eating, rumination, drinking water, licking salt, resting, etc., for example, estrus, parturition, decreased food intake, digestive organ disease, etc. Or whether the temperature and humidity of the pasture are too high or too low.

  If it is determined that the determined behavior of the cow is abnormal or the environment is bad, the computer 52 notifies the cow manager or the like via the notification section 54 (step S14). As a notification means, there are various methods such as a method of sending an email notifying the manager of cattle abnormalities and environmental information (temperature, etc.), a method of displaying on a monitor connected to the computer 52, a method of notifying abnormalities with lamps, sirens, etc. Can be adopted.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of the ruminant management apparatus according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the reinforcing wire passes through the cover pipe, the protective pipe, and the coupling pipe. Hereinafter, the cover pipe 103 will be described as an example.

  A wiring 109 and a reinforcing wire 160 made of stainless steel are inserted into the cover pipe 103. One end 160a of the reinforcing wire 160 is bent inside the connector portion 102a and fixed to the connector portion 102a, and the other end 160b of the reinforcing wire 160 is bent inside the female connector 104A and fixed to the female connector 104A. . The length between the connector portion 102a of the reinforcing wire 160 and the female connector 104A is set to be shorter than the length between the connector portion 102a of the cover pipe 103 or the wiring 109 and the female connector 104A.

  As a result, even if the cover pipe 103 is caught by a protrusion or the like, the length between the connector portion 102a fixed by the reinforcing wire 160 and the female connector 104A does not change, so the cover pipe 103 extends beyond the initial length. It is possible to prevent the cover pipe 103 and the wiring 109 from being damaged.

  The reinforcing wire 160 may be made of any material as long as it can prevent the cover pipe 103 and the wiring 109 from being damaged. Further, the length of the reinforcing wire 160 between the connector portion 102a and the female connector 104A is only required to prevent the cover pipe 103 from being pulled and damaged. It may be set based on the limit length at which the pipe 103 is damaged. Thereby, in addition to the extension strength of the covering pipe 103, the extension strength of the reinforcing wire 160 is added, and the damage of the covering pipe 103 and the wiring 109 due to the extension can be prevented. Further, although the end portion of the reinforcing wire 160 is bent and fixed to the connector portion 102a and the female connector 104A, it may be fixed to the connector portion 102a and the female connector 104A using a fixing member.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the ruminant management device, the ruminant management system, and the ruminant management method are not limited to the above-described embodiments, but are described in the claims. Various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the present invention.

  Here, the cover pipe 3 is fixed to the main body box 2 only at the connector portion 2a, and the coupling pipe 23 is fixed to the main body box at the second coupling portion 2b. However, the present invention is not limited to this, The covering pipe 3 and the coupling pipe 23 may be fixed to the battery boxes 7A and 7B with a coupling band or a string. As a result, the load due to the weight and distortion of the cover pipe 3 and the coupling pipe 23 is less likely to be applied to the connector portion 2a and the second coupling portion 2b.

  In addition, although the uniaxial acceleration sensor detects the tilt of the head of the cow in the front-rear direction, the present invention is not limited to this, and an angular velocity sensor may be used. Moreover, you may make it detect the attitude | position (a standing position, a prone position, a lying position, etc.) of a cow using a 3-axis acceleration sensor.

  In addition, although the output value of the bending sensor 1 is acquired every 60 ms, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the output value of the bending sensor 1 is acquired more frequently in order to obtain the movement of the lower jaw in real time. Also good. Further, when it is determined that the output values of the bending sensor 1 for 40 times are obtained, the output values of the acceleration sensor 11 and the weather sensor 12 are acquired. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the acceleration sensor 11 and the weather sensor 12 are obtained. May be acquired at a higher frequency, or may be acquired at the same frequency as the output value of the bending sensor 1.

  Moreover, although the output value of the bending sensor 1 for 40 times and the output value of the acceleration sensor 11 and the weather sensor 12 were transmitted to the ruminant management center 50, this invention is not limited to this, For example, more bending sensors One output value may be transmitted collectively, and output values of a plurality of acceleration sensors 11 and weather sensors 12 may be included in the transmission data.

  In addition, the battery boxes 7A and 7B are provided in the neck portion separately from the main body box 2, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a battery may be provided in the main body box.

  Moreover, although it was set as the structure which installs the main body box 2 and battery box 7A * 7B above a neck part, this invention is not limited to this, The main body box 2 is provided in the throat leather behind a head and a head. It is good also as a structure.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bending sensor 2 Main body box 3 Connection pipe 4 Connection part 5 Fastening 6 Nose belt 8 Protection pipe 9 Wiring 10 Ruminant animal management apparatus 50 Ruminant animal management center

Claims (18)

A ruminant management device that manages the behavior of ruminants,
Jaw movement detection means mounted on the periphery of the ruminant's mouth and outputting a signal corresponding to the amount of bending caused by the movement of the ruminant's jaw;
A ruminant management apparatus comprising: transmission means for transmitting data based on a signal output from the jaw movement detection means to the outside.   The ruminant management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the jaw movement detecting means is a bending sensor.   The ruminant management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits data based on a signal output from the jaw movement detection unit by wireless radio wave transmission to the outside.   The ruminant management according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transmission unit collectively transmits data acquired from the jaw movement detection unit after acquiring a predetermined number of signals from the jaw movement detection unit. apparatus. Wiring means for electrically connecting the jaw movement detecting means and the transmitting means;
5. The ruminant management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a covering unit that covers the wiring unit and has flexibility. The wiring means includes a detachable connection at the end,
6. The ruminant management apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the jaw movement detecting means is electrically connected to the wiring means via a connecting portion.   The ruminant management apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the connection unit includes a first terminal connected to the jaw movement detection unit and a second terminal other than the first terminal. Further comprising a coupling means for connecting the transmitting means and the jaw movement detecting means,
The jaw movement detection means is arranged in accordance with the shape of at least a part of the mouth periphery of the ruminant,
The transmitting means is disposed behind the ruminant head;
The wiring means and the covering means are disposed along one side surface of the ruminant head,
8. The ruminant management according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means is disposed on a side surface opposite to a head side surface of the ruminant on which the wiring means and the covering means are disposed. apparatus. A head inclination detecting means for detecting the inclination of the ruminant head;
The ruminant management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits data based on a signal output from the head tilt detection unit to the outside. Measuring means for measuring at least one of ambient temperature, humidity, and body temperature of the ruminant,
The ruminant management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits data based on a signal output from the measurement unit to the outside.   The transmission means outputs a data based on the signal output from the head inclination detection means and / or the measurement means from the jaw movement detection means after obtaining a predetermined number of signals from the jaw movement detection means. The ruminant management apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the ruminant management apparatus transmits the data together with data based on a predetermined number of signals.   The ruminant management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission means is an IEEE 802.15.4 module. The ruminant management device according to claim 1,
A ruminant health management system comprising: a management information processing unit for managing data transmitted from the ruminant management device;
The management information processing unit, receiving means for receiving data transmitted from the ruminant management device,
Processing means for processing data received by the receiving unit;
A ruminant health management system comprising notification means for informing a processing result of the processing means. A ruminant management method for managing the behavior of ruminants,
Obtaining a signal output according to the amount of bending caused by the movement of the ruminant's jaw from a device attached to the ruminant's mouth periphery,
A ruminant management method characterized by transmitting data based on a signal output according to the amount of bending to the outside.   15. The ruminant according to claim 14, wherein after the signal output according to the amount of bending is acquired a predetermined number of times, data based on the signal output according to the amount of bending is collectively transmitted to the outside. Management method. Detecting the amount of tilt of the ruminant head,
The ruminant management method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein data based on the detected tilt amount of the head of the ruminant is transmitted to the outside. Measuring at least one of ambient temperature, humidity, and body temperature of the ruminant,
17. The ruminant management method according to claim 14, wherein data based on the measured ambient temperature, humidity, and body temperature of the ruminant is transmitted to the outside.   After obtaining a signal output in accordance with the amount of bending a predetermined number of times, data based on the amount of tilt of the head and / or data based on the ambient temperature, humidity, and body temperature of the ruminant are obtained for the predetermined number of signals. The ruminant management method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the method is transmitted to the outside together with data based on the method.

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