JP2012244906A - Cow number management method for milking system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure certainty and reliability in reading cow numbers, improve versatility and applicability and reduce the cost of a total management system.SOLUTION: Cow number data Dn of all cows C corresponding to each stall As are preparatorily registered in a management computer 4 as cow number management data Dc, and a part or the total of the cow number management data Dc assigned for milking is received from the management computer 4 by unit controller 3a as assignment management data Dcp and set in the unit controllers 3a. Thereafter, the cow number Nc relating to one cow C in a pair of milking stall Asp and Asq to be milked is inputted to the unit controller 3a by the worker, and the cow number Nc relating to the other cow C is displayed on the display 5a of another unit controller 3a based on the assignment management data Dcp.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cow number management method of a milking system suitable for use when managing a cow number by communicating a unit controller of a milking unit and a management computer.

  Conventionally, in a milking system in which one or two or more milking machines are moved for each stall where a cow is tethered, a management computer separately provided in a unit controller of a milking unit mounted in each milking machine, a management room, etc. As a cow number management method of a milking system that manages cow numbers by communicating with each other, there is known a dairy cow breeding management method disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  The dairy cattle breeding management method disclosed in the same document 1 aims to increase the efficiency and convenience in milking processing and feeding processing, further in these setups, etc., while aiming at effective utilization of data, Specifically, milking is performed by moving a milking machine equipped with a milking machine controller to each stall where a cow is tethered, and a feeding machine equipped with a feeding machine controller is automatically moved for each stall. At the time of milking, at the time of milking, milk amount data corresponding to at least the cow bed number is obtained by the milking machine controller, and at least each milk amount data is obtained by the management controller that can communicate with the milking machine controller and the feeding machine controller On the other hand, during feeding, the presence or absence of a cow is detected by a cow detection sensor, and By reading the cow number from the ID tag attached to the cow by turn reader is obtained so as to identify each cow.

JP 2009-112207 A

  However, the above-described conventional dairy cattle feeding and management method for tethered cattle (the cow number management method for the milking system) has the following problems to be solved.

  First, when milking milk, if cow numbers (ID) are mistakenly managed for milking cows, bad milk such as sick cows mixed with good milk or misfeeding Therefore, by reading the cow number from the ID tag attached to the cow by the cow number reader, it is confirmed by the management controller whether the cow number to be managed matches the cow number to be managed. In this case, the ID tag is attached to the cow body as an ear mark, but the cow body moves, so reading is not easy. For this reason, the cow number reader was attached to the feeder, and the cow number was read using a short distance approached when the dairy cow eats food (feed) in the feeding tank, but there was no appetite, like sick cows. Dairy cows often do not try to eat food in the food tank, and may not be installed depending on the form of the feeding system. From the viewpoint of ensuring the reliability and reliability when reading cow numbers, and increasing versatility. Was not necessarily the best method.

  Secondly, since the ID tag is attached to the dairy cow and the cow number (ID) is read by the cow number reader attached to the feeding machine, a number of ID tags attached to each cow and the cow that reads the cow number from this ID tag. A number leader is required. Therefore, in the case where labor saving in terms of management and work efficiency is not so important as in a small tethered barn, it becomes a cost increase factor that cannot be ignored in the entire management system using a computer.

  This invention aims at provision of the cow number management method of the milking system which solved the subject which exists in such background art.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention moves milking units 2a, 2b ... between a pair of adjacent stalls Asp (As) and Asq (As) ... When milking the cows C ... tethered to Asp ... and Asq, respectively, in order, cows are communicated by the management computer 4 separately provided with the unit controllers 3a, 3b ... mounted on the milking units 2a, 2b. Is a cow number management method of the milking system 1 for managing the number of cows, and previously registers at least the cow number data Dn relating to all the cows C ... corresponding to each stall As ... in the management computer 4 as the cow number management data Dc. At the time of milking work, part of the cow number management data Dc related to the milking interest by the unit controllers 3a, 3b. Are set in the unit controllers 3a, 3b... By receiving them as management data Dcp... From the management computer 4, and thereafter, the cows related to one cow C ... in the pair of stalls Asp and Asq. No. Nc ... is input to the unit controllers 3a, 3b ... by the operator, and the cow unit Nc ... related to the other cow C ... is displayed based on the holding management data Dcp ..., the display unit of the other unit controller 3a, 3b ... The display processing is performed in 5a, 5b...

  In this case, according to a preferred aspect of the invention, the milking units 2a, 3a,... Are preferably applied to a manually conveying milking unit that is moved by an operator. Further, the setting of the acceptance management data Dcp... Can include at least a setting based on the arrangement of the stalls As. Further, the unit controllers 3a, 3b, ... correct the cow number data Dn ... related to the cow number Nc ... by the operator's correction operation when the cow number Nc ... displayed on the display units 5a, 5b ... is incorrect. It is possible to perform a transmission process for performing correction processing and transmitting the corrected cow number data Dn... To the management computer 4. On the other hand, the unit controllers 3a, 3b... Automatically delete the cow number data Dn that has been milked from the holding management data Dcp when the milking of the cows C. In addition to performing the processing, it is possible to perform display processing for automatically displaying the cow number Nc of the cow C to be milked next on the display units 5a, 5b, based on the holding management data Dcp. Further, at the initial milking position, the unit controllers 3a, 3b... Can automatically receive the incoming management data Dcp... From the management computer 4 by supplying power to the taps 6.

  According to the cow number management method of the milking system 1 according to the present invention based on such a technique, the following remarkable effects can be obtained.

  (1) Confirmation of whether or not the cow C to be milked and the cow number Nc to be managed coincide with each other are based on the holding management data Dcp displayed on the display unit 5a ... Since the operator can visually check the cow number Nc ... of the number tag T ... attached to the cow body of C ..., the state (position and posture) of the cow C ... in the stall As ... ), It is possible to reliably prevent a problem that the management of the cow number for the milking cow C ... to be milked is mistaken. Therefore, the reliability and reliability at the time of reading the cow number Nc.

  (2) The number tag T attached to the body of the cow needs only one printed display such as a plastic plate from the past, so a number of ID tags attached to each cow C ... and the cow that reads the cow number from this ID tag A number reader or the like is not required. Therefore, the cost of the entire management system can be reduced, and in particular, it is optimally applied to a small tethered barn or the like where labor saving in terms of management and work efficiency is not an important factor.

  (3) In the pair of stalls Asp and Asq for milking, the cow number Nc related to one cow C ... is inputted by the operator to the unit controller 3a ... and the cow number Nc related to the other cow C ... Is displayed on the display unit 5a of the other unit controller 3a ... based on the acceptance management data Dcp ..., in particular, a single milking unit at a predetermined milking position between a pair of stalls Asp and Asq ... By moving 2a ..., the reliability and efficiency of cow number management (cow number confirmation) when milking two cows C ... in turn can be increased.

  (4) According to a preferred embodiment, if a manual conveyance type milking unit that is moved by an operator is used for the milking unit 2a ..., cows in the case of using the manual conveyance type milking unit 2a ... that requires a relatively large amount of human work. Since the reliability and efficiency of number confirmation are improved, it is possible to contribute to improvement of workability and ease of work.

  (5) According to a preferred embodiment, if the setting of the holding management data Dcp (milking interest) includes at least the setting based on the arrangement of each stall As ..., the arrangement of the stalls As ... already installed is directly Since it can be used, milking interests can be most rationally set from the viewpoint of improving work efficiency and preventing work errors.

  (6) According to a preferred embodiment, when the unit controller 3a... Displays an error in the cow number Nc... Displayed on the display unit 5a ..., the cow number data Dn related to the cow number Nc. Is corrected, and the transmission processing for transmitting the corrected cow number data Dn... To the management computer 4 is performed, the correction of the cow number management data Dc.

  (7) According to a preferred embodiment, when milking of the cows C ... of any cow number Nc ... is completed by the unit controller 3a ..., the cow number data Dn ... after the milking is completed automatically from the holding management data Dcp ... In addition to performing the deletion process to be deleted in step S3, and the display process for automatically displaying the cow number Nc ... of the cow C ... to be milked next on the display unit 5a ... based on the holding management data Dcp ..., the cow As long as there is no discrepancy between the cow numbers Nc due to the replacement of C ..., the operator only needs to confirm visually, and unnecessary operations are unnecessary, which can contribute to improvement in workability and work efficiency.

  (8) According to a preferred embodiment, if the unit controllers 3a ... automatically receive and manage the incoming management data Dcp ... from the management computer 4 by feeding power to the taps 6 ... at the initial milking position, This eliminates the need for an operation for reception by a person, thus contributing to further improvement in workability and work efficiency.

The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the milking work based on the cow number management method which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention, The top view which shows the internal layout structure in a tethering barn provided with the milking system which applied the cow number management method, A schematic plan view showing an outline of a milking system to which the cow number management method is applied, Appearance front view including a partially extracted enlarged view of a milking unit provided in a milking system to which the cow number management method is applied, Side schematic diagram of milking system applying the cow number management method, Block diagram showing the overall structure of the milking management system that can implement the cow number management method,

  Next, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be given and described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, in order to facilitate understanding of the cow number management method according to the present embodiment, the overall configuration of the milking system 1 in the tethered barn H will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 shows an overview of the entire milking system 1 installed in the tethered barn H. The tethered barn H has a milking zone Hs provided with a stall group A1 in which a large number of stalls As are arranged, and a maintenance zone Hc adjacent to the milking zone Hs. In the milking zone Hs, W is a passage through which an operator can pass, and on each side of the passage W, each stall As ... is sequentially arranged along the passage W, and each stall As ... has a cow C ... Will be tethered. The tethered barn H shown in FIG. 2 includes two parallel stall groups A1 and A2. And as shown in FIG. 5, while the milking system 1 along the stall group A1 is installed above the stall group A1 (also on the A2 side), along the stall group A1 in front of the stall group A1 A feeding system 70 is installed. In addition, the maintenance zone Hc includes a home position Po in which milking units 2a to be described later stand by, and includes a maintenance room such as a cleaning device and a management room in which a management computer 4 described later is installed.

  The milking system 1 includes a guide rail portion 51 disposed above the stall groups A1 and A2. The guide rail portion 51 has a main rail 51m arranged along the stall group A1, and a plurality of the main rail 51m branched from the middle position of the main rail 51m in a right angle direction and arranged between the stalls As (Asp) and As (Asq). The branch rails 51s are provided. In addition, 51d ... shows a three-way guide. One branch rail 51s is arranged with respect to the stalls As arranged, that is, two stalls As are placed between the adjacent branch rails 51s and 51s. Further, a milk line 52 and a vacuum line 53 shown in FIG. 5 are disposed in front of the front end of the branch rail 51s in the stall group A1. The milk line 52 and the vacuum line 53 are arranged along the stall group A1, and a tap (milk tap) 6 to which a distributor unit 54 described later is connected is disposed at a position facing each branch rail 51s. The tap 6 is attached with a power tap. The other stall group A2 is configured similarly to the stall group A1 except that the position and direction are different.

  Furthermore, the milking system 1 includes two milking units 2 a and 2 b that move along the guide rail portion 51. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the milking unit 2 a (the milking unit 2 b side) includes a carrier portion 55 loaded on the guide rail portion 51, and a pulsator device and an automatic detachment device suspended from the carrier portion 55. And a distributor unit 54 connected to the carrier unit 55. The distributor unit 54 is attached with a power plug to be attached to and detached from the power tap provided on the tap 6 described above, and is integrally provided with a unit controller 3a and a grip portion 54g described later.

  The milking unit 2a includes four teat cups 61 to be attached to the respective breasts Cb of the cow C and milk claw 62. The teat cups 61 ..., the milk claw 62, and the distributor unit 54 (unit body 60) are connected by a milk tube, and the teat cups 61 ... and the distributor unit 54 (unit body 60) are connected by a vacuum tube. . Further, the detaching wire 63 fed out from the unit main body 60 is connected to the milk claw 62. In FIG. 4, the external view which looked at the milking unit 2a from the front is shown. The illustrated milking unit 2a is a single milking unit by a manual conveyance system that is moved along the guide rail 51 by an operator, and can be milked by moving to any stall As. Thus, if the manual conveyance type milking unit that is moved by the operator is used as the milking unit 2a, the reliability and efficiency of cow number confirmation can be improved, and thus manual conveyance that requires a relatively large amount of human work. It is possible to contribute to the improvement of workability and the ease of work when using the milking units 2a.

  On the other hand, the feeding system 70 includes a guide rail portion 71 disposed on the front upper side of the stall group A1, and a feeding machine 72 that moves along the guide rail portion 71. As shown in FIG. 5, the feeder 72 includes a self-propelled moving portion 73 loaded on the guide rail portion 71 and a feeder main body 74 suspended from the moving portion 73. The feeder main body 74 includes a feed case portion 76 having a feed discharging mechanism 75 with a meter at the bottom. In this case, stop of the moving unit 73 and control of the moving direction are performed by a detection unit (detection sensor) provided in the moving unit 73 detecting a detected unit provided at a predetermined position of the guide rail unit 71. With such a configuration of the feeding system 70, the feeder 72 is automatically moved with respect to each stall As ..., and a predetermined amount of feed B measured in a feed tank provided in front of each stall As ... is supplied. Can do.

  Next, the structure of the control system (electric system) of the milking system 1 which can implement the cow number management method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the unit controller 3a provided integrally with the distributor unit 54 provided in the milking unit 2a (same on the milking unit 2b side) includes a unit controller main body 11 as shown in FIG. Connects the display unit 5 a and the input unit 13, and connects the milk meter 14, the milk sensor 15, and the wireless communication unit 16. Further, the power supply unit 17 is provided, and the primary side of the power supply unit 17 is connected to the power plug attached to the distributor unit 54 described above. The unit controller main body 11 has a computer function, and includes a series of control processing (sequence control processing) based on a processing program stored in a memory, and various data processing such as arithmetic processing, storage processing, communication processing, and input / output processing ( A computing process). Thereby, in relation to the present invention, the unit controller 3a receives a part of the cow number management data Dc related to the milking interest from the management computer 4 in the milking operation as the management data Dcp. Thereafter, the cow number Nc related to one cow C in a pair of stalls Asp and Asq for milking is input to the unit controller 3a by the operator, and the cow number Nc related to the other cow C is received. A function of performing display processing on the display unit 5a of the other unit controller 3a based on the possession management data Dcp is provided.

  In this case, the unit controller 3a incorporates the unit controller main body 11, the milk meter 14, the milk sensor 15, the wireless communication unit 16, and the power supply unit 17, and the front panel 21 of the unit controller 3a has the structure shown in FIG. As shown, a display unit 5a and an input unit (operation unit) 13 are provided. The milk meter 14 has a function of detecting the milk amount at the time of milking, and the milk sensor 15 has a function of inspecting the quality of the milked milk. The milk sensor 15 has the quality (characteristic) of the milk. Various sensors for detecting whether or not normal can be applied. In addition, the display unit 5a uses the digital display shown in FIG. 4 to display various data necessary for milking processing, for example, real-time milk amount, milking time, and the like as numerical values, and before starting the milking processing. In connection with the present invention, for example, a four-digit cow number Nc can be displayed. Furthermore, the input unit 13 is provided with various input keys, switches, and lamps as well as a milking start key. The other milking unit 2b is also provided with a similar unit controller 3b, and 5b represents a display unit on the unit controller 3b side.

  On the other hand, the management computer 4 is installed in, for example, a management room provided in the tethered barn H. The management computer 4 can be configured by a general-purpose computer system 80 as shown in FIG. The general-purpose computer system 80 includes a computer main body 81, a display 82 connected to the computer main body 81, an input / output unit 83, and a wireless communication unit 84. The computer main unit 81 has computer functions including a CPU (processing unit) 81s, a data memory 81d, a program memory 81p, and the like, and includes various management processes based on a processing program stored in the program memory 81p, arithmetic processing, storage processing, Various data processing (computing processing) such as communication processing and input / output processing is executed. Thereby, in relation to the present invention, at least the cow number data Dn... Relating to the whole cows C... Corresponding to each stall As .. can be registered as the cow number management data Dc.

  The display 82 can use a color liquid crystal display or the like, and the input / output unit 83 includes an external media drive, an input unit such as a keyboard and a mouse, and an output unit such as a printer. Thereby, when moving two milking units 2a and 2b with respect to each stall As ... and performing milking, each unit controller 3a, 3b and each via the wireless communication part 84 and each wireless communication part 16 ... The management computer 4 communicates and can perform basic management for cows. The communication method is not particularly limited. For example, various wireless communication methods capable of bidirectional communication such as short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and wireless LAN, and specific power-saving wireless communication. And a wired communication system can be used. Moreover, since the management computer 4 needs to recognize each milking unit 2a, 2b, ID (identification code) is set to each milking unit 2a, 2b. As this ID, a preset ID such as an IP address may be used, or ID data may be included in data during communication.

  Next, operation | movement of the milking system 1 based on the cow number management method which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 1, referring FIGS.

  First, in the data memory 81d of the management computer (management PC) 4, in accordance with the present invention, at least the cow number data Dn ... relating to all the cows C ... corresponding to each stall As ... is previously registered as cow number management data Dc ... (Step R0). In the example, since each stall As ... is included in two stall groups A1, A2 arranged in parallel, information (data) of the stall groups A1, A2 is also included. Moreover, since two milking units 2a and 2b are used in this embodiment, the milking receiving interest of one milking unit 2a is a stall group A1, and the milking receiving interest of the other milking unit 2b is a stall group A2. Assume the case of setting.

  When the above setting (registration) is completed, the milking operation is performed. Until each milking operation starts, each milking unit 2a, 2b is stored at the home position Po. Assume that the start time of milking work is reached. Thereby, an operator moves milking unit 2a from home position Po (step S1). Then, the first milking position, that is, the first branch rail 51s of the stall group A1 is entered. Since this branch rail 51s becomes the first milking position, if it arrives at the predetermined position of the branch rail 51s, the movement is stopped and stopped (step S2).

  On the other hand, the milking unit 2a arriving at the milking position performs tap connection. In the case of illustration, as shown in FIG. 5, a distributor unit 54 on the milking unit 2a side is connected to a tap (milk tap) 6 on the milk line 52 side, and at the same time, for the power supply attached to the tap 6 side. The power plug on the tap and milking unit 2a side is also connected. Thereby, electric power feeding is performed with respect to the milking unit 2a (step S3). In this case, since the milking unit 2a is moved by the manual conveyance method, the tap connection is performed by the operator. Note that power is supplied by tap connection when power is supplied through a power tap and a power plug, and when power is supplied to the milking unit 2a from, for example, a battery mounted in the carrier section 55 using the tap connection as a trigger. Both are included.

  And the unit controller 3a act | operates by the electric power feeding to the milking unit 2a. Thereby, the unit controller 3a sends a part of the cow number management data Dc registered in the management computer 4 from the management computer 4, that is, the cow group data Dn of the stall group A1 which becomes the milking interest of the milking unit 2a. A part of the cow number management data Dc including ... is automatically received as holding management data Dcp (step S4). The receiving management data Dcp is received by sending a data transmission command from the unit controller 3a to the management computer 4, and based on this, the corresponding holding management data Dcp is sent from the management computer 4 to the unit controller 3a. Alternatively, all the management information Dcp... May be transmitted unilaterally from the management computer 4 and the unit management 3a may select and receive the corresponding management data Dcp. In this way, if the unit controllers 3a ... automatically receive the incoming management data Dcp ... from the management computer 4 by power feeding by connection to the taps 6 ... at the initial milking position, the reception by the operator will be performed. Therefore, there is an advantage that it is possible to contribute to further improvement in workability and work efficiency.

  On the other hand, an operator performs milking at the beginning of two cows C ... tethered to a pair of stalls Asp (As) and Asq (As) located on the left and right, for example, one cow C in the stall Asp The cow number Nc is input to the unit controller 3a (step S5). The cow number Nc can be input by the operator directly entering the number using the input unit (operation unit) 13, or the cow number list can be displayed on the display unit 5a so that the worker can select it. Also good. Thereby, the input cow number Nc is displayed on the display part 5a as shown in FIG. 4 (step S6). At this time, if the input cow number Nc is in the corresponding stall Asp in the holding management data Dcp, it is determined as the normal cow number Nc as it is (step S7). However, if the input cow number Nc does not exist in the holding management data Dcp or if the stall As is different, for example, a message to that effect is displayed and the set cow number data Dn is The cow number Nc entered by the operator is automatically corrected (updated), and the corrected cow number Nc (cow number data Dn) is determined as the regular cow number Nc. The corrected cow number data Dn is stored separately.

  Next, the operator prepares milking such as attaching the teat cups 61 to the cow C, and turns on the milking start key when the milking preparation is completed (step S8). Thereby, the milking process with respect to one cow C is performed (step S9). In the milking process, milk quantity is measured and milk quality (characteristic) is inspected simultaneously with milking. When the milking process is finished, the teat cups 61 are automatically detached by the operation of the automatic withdrawal device, and the cow number confirmation process and the milking process for one cow C are finished (step S10). Then, the unit controller 3a transmits milking data Dm including the obtained milk amount and the inspection result to the management computer 4. At this time, when the cow number data Dn is corrected, the unit controller 3a performs data processing for adding the corrected cow number data Dn to the milking data Dm. A transmission process for transmitting the milking data Dm to which the data Dn is added to the management computer 4 is performed (step S11). Thereby, in the management computer 4, while milking data Dm is recorded, the correction process of cow number data Dn is performed. In addition, the data processing which adds the corrected cow number data Dn can be performed based on the operation start timing of an automatic detachment apparatus, for example.

  Next, the process proceeds to the milking operation for the other cow C in the other stall Asq. At this time, if the milking process for one of the cows C described above is completed, the unit controller 3a displays the cow number Nc of the other cow C on the display unit 5a as shown in FIG. That is, in this case, since the holding control data Dcp having the cow number data Dn... Relating to the cow C ... corresponding to each stall As ... is set in the unit controller 3a, when milking the other cow C. Performs display processing for displaying the corresponding cow number Nc based on the holding management data Dcp, and deletes the cow number data Dn of one cow C whose milking has just ended from the holding management data Dcp. A deletion process is performed (step S12). Therefore, in this case, the cow number Nc is automatically displayed without the operator's operation, and the finished cow number Nc is automatically deleted. If such display processing and deletion processing are performed, as will be described below, unless there is a discrepancy between the cow numbers Nc due to replacement of the cows C ... Therefore, there is an advantage that it is possible to contribute to improvement in workability and work efficiency.

  In addition, the worker displays the cow number Nc displayed on the display unit 5a and the cow number Nc displayed on the number tag T attached to the cow body (ear) of the cow C as shown in FIG. Reference is made to confirm whether the cow number Nc matches (step S13). If the cow number Nc does not match, based on the operator's correction operation, the unit controller 3a corrects the cow number data Dn related to the cow number Nc displayed on the display unit 5a to the cow number Nc of the number tag T. Process (steps S14 and S15). At this time, the correction process for the cow number Nc is either a correction process based on a number input using the operator's input unit 13 or a correction process based on a selection from the cow number list displayed on the display unit 5ax by the worker. Either or both. Thereby, the cow number data Dn is corrected (updated) and stored separately.

  When the confirmation process of the cow number Nc is completed, the operator prepares milking such as attaching the teat cup 61 to the cow C, and when the milking preparation is completed, the operator turns on the milking start key (step S16). . Thereby, the milking process with respect to the other cow C is performed (step S17). In the milking process, milk quantity is measured and milk quality (characteristic) is inspected simultaneously with milking. When the milking process is completed, the automatic removal of the teat cups 61 is performed by the operation of the automatic removal device (step S18). Then, the unit controller 3a transmits milking data Dm including the obtained milk amount and the inspection result to the management computer 4. At this time, when the cow number data Dn is corrected, the unit controller 3a performs data processing for adding the corrected cow number data Dn to the milking data Dm, and then the corrected cow number data. The transmission process for transmitting the milking data Dm to which Dn is added to the management computer 4 is performed in the same manner as when milking one of the cows C (step S19). Thus, when the cow number Nc displayed on the display unit 5a is incorrect, the cow number data Dn related to the cow number Nc is corrected by the operator's correction operation, and the corrected cow number data Dn is If transmission processing to be transmitted to the management computer 4 is performed, there is an advantage that the cow number management data Dc can be corrected reliably and easily. Moreover, if the milking process with respect to the other cow C is complete | finished, the unit controller 3a will perform the deletion process which deletes automatically the cow number data Dn which milking complete | finished from the holding management data Dcp (step S20).

  And if the operation | work regarding all the milking processes with respect to the two cows C ... in the first milking position is complete | finished, an operator will cancel the connection of the distributor unit 54 and the tap 6 (step S21). In addition, by releasing the connection between the distributor unit 54 and the tap 6, the connection between the power tap and the power plug is also released, that is, the power supply to the milking unit 2a is also released.

  Next, by moving the milking unit 2a to the next milking position, the cow number confirmation process and the milking process similar to the cow number confirmation process and the milking process described above are performed (steps S22, S1,...). After this, when the milking operation for all the branch rails 51s in the stall group A1 is completed, the operator returns the milking unit 2a to the home position Po, and ends a series of milking operations using the milking unit 2a (step). S22). Although the above milking operation demonstrated the case where milking unit 2a approached stall group A1, and milking unit 2b approached stall group A2 and milked, it also enters stall group A1 mentioned above and milking This is done in the same way as

  Therefore, according to the cow number management method of the milking system 1 according to the present embodiment, whether or not the milk cows C to be milked and the cow numbers Nc to be managed match is indicated by the display unit 5a. The supervisory management data Dcp displayed on the upper side of the cow number Nc on the cow and the cow number Nc on the number tag T attached to the cow body of the cow C can be visually referred to by the operator. Therefore, in any state (position or posture) of the cows C ... in the stalls As ..., it is possible to reliably prevent a problem that the management of the cow number for the cows C ... Therefore, the reliability and reliability at the time of reading the cow number Nc. In addition, the number tag T attached to the cow's body is sufficient with a conventional printed display such as a plastic plate, so a number of ID tags attached to each cow C ... and the cow number that reads the cow number from this ID tag. A reader or the like is not necessary. Therefore, the cost of the entire management system can be reduced, and in particular, it is optimally applied to a small tethered barn or the like where labor saving in terms of management and work efficiency is not an important factor.

  Further, in the cow number management method according to the present embodiment, the operator inputs the cow number Nc related to one cow C ... in the pair of stalls Asp and Asq ... for milking to the unit controller 3a ... Is displayed on the display unit 5a of the other unit controller 3a on the basis of the holding management data Dcp, and in particular, between the pair of stalls Asp and Asq. By moving the single milking unit 2a to a predetermined milking position, it is possible to improve the reliability and efficiency of cow number management (cow number confirmation) when milking the two cows C in order.

  The preferred embodiments have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and the details, methods, configurations, shapes, materials, quantities, etc., do not depart from the spirit of the present invention. It can be changed, added, or deleted arbitrarily.

  For example, although the case where milking is performed by two rows of stall groups A1 and A2 and two milking units 2a and 2b is shown, the number of stall groups A1... And the number of milking units 2a. In this case, the holding management data Dcp is set in units of stall groups A1 and A2. However, ½ of one stall group A1 is set as one holding management data Dcp, or two rows of stall groups A1, The whole of A2 may be set as one acceptance management data Dcp. Also, the 1st to 10th stalls As, 11th to 20th stalls As, etc. may be set in one acceptance management data Dcp. On the other hand, when the cow number Nc ... displayed on the display unit 5a ... is incorrect by the unit controller 3a ..., the data processing for adding the cow number data Dn ... related to the modified cow number Nc ... to the milking data Dm ... The modified cow number data Dn... Is sent to the management computer 4 in a batch and rewritten after all milking is completed. May be. In the embodiment, the case where the milking units 2a are moved by the manual conveyance method is illustrated, but the case where the milking units 2a are moved by the automatic conveyance method (power conveyance method) is not excluded.

  The cow number management method according to the present invention can be used in various milking systems that manage cow numbers by communicating with a unit controller of the milking unit and a management computer.

  1: milking system, 2a (2b ...): milking unit, 3a (3b ...): unit controller, 4: management computer, 5a (5b ...): display unit, 6 ...: tap, C ...: dairy cow, As ...: Stall, Nc ...: Ushiban

Claims (6)

  When a milking unit is moved between a pair of adjacent stalls in a plurality of stalls arranged and milking is sequentially performed on cows tethered to the stalls, a unit controller mounted on the milking unit is provided separately. A cow number management method for a milking system for managing cow numbers by communicating with a management computer, and previously registering cow number data relating to at least each cow corresponding to each stall as cow number management data in the management computer And at the time of milking work, the unit controller receives a part or all of the cow number management data relating to the milking interest from the management computer as receiving management data, and then sets the unit controller. In the pair of stalls The cow of the milking system is characterized in that an operator inputs the cow number to the unit controller and displays the cow number related to the other cow on the display unit of the unit controller based on the cow number management data. Number management method.   The said milking unit is a milking unit of the manual conveyance system moved by an operator, The cow number management method of the milking system of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned.   3. The cow number management method for a milking system according to claim 1, wherein the setting of the acceptance management data includes at least a setting based on an arrangement of each stall.   The unit controller performs a correction process of correcting the cow number data related to the cow number by an operator's correction operation when the cow number displayed on the display unit is incorrect, and manages the corrected cow number data. 4. The cow number management method for a milking system according to claim 1, wherein transmission processing is performed for transmission to a computer.   When the milking of the cow of any cow number is completed, the unit controller performs a deletion process of automatically deleting the cow number data for which milking has been completed from the holding management data, and based on the holding management data. The cow number management method of the milking system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein display processing for automatically displaying a cow number of a cow to be milked next on the display unit is performed.   The milking unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the unit controller automatically receives and processes the holding management data from the management computer by power feeding by connection to a tap at the initial milking position. System cow number management method.

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