JP2016136930A - Residual animal feed amount measurement device and livestock barn management system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a residual animal feed amount measurement device capable of accurately measuring a residual animal feed amount in a feed tank, facilitating installation of a measurement device, and reducing the installation costs, and a livestock barn management system capable of efficiently performing feeding amount management in a livestock barn using the same.SOLUTION: The residual animal feed amount measurement device includes intra-tank distance measurement means 12 provided in a space part in a feed tank 10 for measuring a distance in the feed tank 10, and space part size calculation means 18 for calculating the size of the space part on the basis of distance data measured by the intra-tank distance measurement means 12. A weight conversion ratio K is calculated beforehand, and is stored in the space part size calculation means 18. On the basis of a measurement value acquired by the intra-tank distance measurement means 12, a difference between the size of the empty tank A and the size of the space part B' is multiplied by the weight conversion ratio K, and the remaining animal feed amount is measured. The livestock barn management system includes the residual animal feed amount measurement device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a feed remaining amount measuring apparatus and a barn management system for measuring the remaining amount of feed in a feed tank for storing feed.

  In the livestock industry, feed is given to animals using a feed tank, and feed is managed by measuring the amount of feed supplied and the remaining amount of feed in the feed tank. As an apparatus for measuring the weight of a substance in a tank, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus in which the weight of roughage in a hopper is detected by a weight sensor. Further, Patent Document 2 describes an apparatus for measuring the weight of a substance in a mixing tank using a load cell provided in the mixing tank.

JP-A-6-14672 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-75711

  Some feed tanks are close to 5m in height, and it is dangerous to visually measure the remaining amount of feed visually from the feed tank inlet. Although the rough volume can be seen visually, the specific volume and weight are Inaccurate without knowing. Further, the hopper described in Patent Document 1 is suspended through a weight sensor in order to detect the weight. In the conventional weight measuring device used for measuring the feed tank, it is necessary to suspend the feed tank or to lift the feed tank in order to provide a load cell, which increases the work and costs. . In addition, when a small load cell is installed in the feed transport path from the feed tank, the feed is transported after measuring a certain amount of feed, and the amount of feed decrease in the feed tank is calculated indirectly. The measurement mechanism becomes complicated.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to accurately measure the remaining amount of feed in the feed tank, to make it easy to install the measuring device and to keep the installation cost low. An object of the present invention is to provide a feed remaining amount measuring device that can be used, and a barn management system that can efficiently manage the feed amount of the barn using this device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the feed remaining amount measuring apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, the present invention is a feed remaining amount measuring device for measuring a remaining amount of feed in a feed tank for storing feed, and is installed in a space portion in the feed tank, and an inner wall surface in the feed tank or A tank internal distance measuring means for measuring the distance to the feed surface, and a space part size calculating means for calculating the size of the space part based on the distance data measured by the tank distance measuring means, By dividing the weight of the feed by the difference between the size A of the empty tank when the feed tank is empty and the size B of the space after the feed tank is filled with a certain amount of feed. The weight conversion ratio K to be obtained is calculated in advance and stored in the space part size calculating means, and in the feed tank, based on the measurement value obtained by the tank distance measuring means, the space portion By using the measured value B ′ of the size of the space portion calculated by the size calculating means, the difference between the size A ′ of the empty tank and the size B ′ of the space portion is multiplied by the weight conversion ratio K to actually The feed weight G is calculated and the remaining amount of feed is measured. According to this configuration, the distance is accurately measured by the in-tank distance measuring means in the feed tank, and using this measured value, the distance data is converted into the feed weight to accurately determine the remaining amount of feed in the feed tank. Can be measured. Further, it is only necessary to provide an in-tank distance measuring means in the feed tank, so that a large-scale modification is unnecessary and the measuring device can be easily installed, and the installation cost can be kept low.

  In the present invention, the tank distance measuring means is a distance sensor, and the distance sensor is disposed at an upper portion in the feed tank and is attached to an inner wall surface of the feed tank or provided in the feed tank. May be attached by a mounting base. According to this, the upper part in the feed tank is a place that is not easily affected by the distance sensor due to the input of feed, and the feed remaining amount can be accurately measured. In addition, when feeding the feed tank, it does not get in the way and is a place where it is easy to do so.

  In the present invention, the distance sensor may be fixed to the feed tank and measure the distance by scanning the irradiated light in a predetermined direction in the feed tank. According to this, even if it measures a distance sensor in a fixed position, feed residual quantity can be measured correctly.

  In the present invention, the distance sensor is attached to the feed tank by a mounting base, and the distance is measured by scanning irradiation light into the feed tank at a position where the distance sensor or the mounting base is rotated by 0 ° or 90 °. May be. According to this, the space portion of the feed tank can be measured in two directions by changing the angle, and the remaining amount of feed can be measured more accurately.

  In the present invention, the distance sensor is attached to the feed tank by an attachment base, and the feed tank is scanned with irradiation light at each rotation position obtained by rotating the distance sensor or the attachment base by an equal angle from the origin position. Then, the distance may be measured. According to this, the space portion of the feed tank can be measured in a plurality of directions, the size of the space portion of the feed tank can be more accurately measured, and the remaining amount of feed can be measured.

  Further, in the present invention, the tank inner distance measuring means includes an inner wall surface or a feed surface of the feed tank defined by a decomposition angle θ determined by equally dividing an angle of a measurement range in a vertical section of the feed tank. The distances L1 and L2 of the two points are measured within the measurement range at predetermined positions, and the space portion size calculating means is configured to measure the distances L1 and L2 of the two points measured by the tank internal distance measuring means and the decomposition angle. By adding the small area specified by θ, the cross-sectional area of the space portion is calculated, and the weight conversion ratio K is calculated based on the cross-sectional area of the space portion calculated when there is feed in the feed tank. And the actual feed weight G in the feed tank may be calculated. According to this, the weight of the feed can be accurately measured from the value of the cross-sectional area, and the intake of the feed of the domestic animal can be grasped. In addition, waste can be eliminated by managing feed inventory.

  In the present invention, the space portion size calculating means calculates the density d based on the volume of the space portion calculated when the feed in the feed tank is present based on the distance data measured by the tank distance measuring means. It may be calculated and stored, and the actual feed weight G may be calculated. According to this, the weight of the feed can be accurately measured by obtaining the volume by the space part size calculating means and multiplying the volume by the density for converting the volume into the weight.

  In the present invention, the in-tank distance measuring means is a range sensor capable of acquiring three-dimensional distance data. The range sensor is assembled in the feed tank, and the irradiation light is scanned in the feed tank. Three-dimensional distance data may be measured. By irradiating the feed tank in three dimensions, the volume of the space in the feed tank can be calculated, and the weight of the feed can be accurately measured.

  In order to achieve the above object, the barn management system of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, the feed remaining amount measuring device includes a transmission / reception unit, and is connected to a barn management terminal through a network. The barn management terminal transmits livestock information for breeding livestock that is raised in each barn, non-breeding livestock. In addition to the livestock management information for each individual including information, the remaining amount of feed in the feed tank by the feed remaining amount measuring device is transmitted as a part of the barn information including the breeding environment where the corresponding livestock is raised, and is centrally managed It is characterized by doing. According to this configuration, the feed remaining amount data measured by the feed remaining amount measuring device is transmitted through the network and can be managed at any time in the barn management terminal. Moreover, the process of a barn management terminal can be simplified.

  In order to achieve the above object, the barn management system of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, the in-tank distance measuring means installed in the feed tank includes a transmission / reception unit and is connected to a barn management terminal through a network, and the barn management terminal includes the space part size calculation unit, and the barn In addition to livestock management information for each animal including livestock information for breeding and non-breeding livestock information for livestock kept in each barn, the management terminal contains livestock information including the breeding environment in which the livestock is raised. The data included is input and output, and the measurement data measured from the tank distance measurement means as part of the barn information is transmitted to the barn management terminal through the network, and the space portion size calculation means feeds the feed in the feed tank. The remaining amount is calculated and displayed. According to this configuration, the distance data measured by the in-tank distance measuring means is transmitted through the network, and the feed remaining amount in the feed tank can be accurately calculated at the barn management terminal and measured at any time. Therefore, the structure of the measuring means installed in the feed tank can be reduced.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while being able to measure the feed remaining amount of a feed tank correctly, it is easy to install a measuring apparatus and can keep installation cost low, and the feed amount management of a livestock barn using this An efficient barn management system can be provided.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the feed tank, and is a schematic view of an installation position of the tank distance measuring means in the feed tank. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a plan view when the feed tank shown in FIG. 1A is viewed from above, which is a feed inlet of the feed tank and a tank internal distance measuring unit. It is the result of having measured the empty feed tank using the feed residual amount measuring apparatus of this embodiment. (A) is a measurement result, (b) is an external view of a measurement feed tank. It is the result of measuring the feed tank in which feed was contained using the feed residual amount measuring apparatus of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the barn management system of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows another example of the barn management system of this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a feed remaining amount measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment and a barn management system using the same will be described in detail. FIG. 1 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the feed tank 10 and shows a schematic view of the installation position in the feed tank 10 of the tank distance measuring means 12 used in the feed remaining amount measuring apparatus and the barn management system of this embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the feed inlet of the feed tank 10 and the tank internal distance measuring means 12, and the plan view when the feed tank 10 is viewed from above at the installation position of the tank internal distance measuring means 12 shown in FIG. The schematic diagram of a figure is shown. 1 and 2 show the case of an empty tank, and the path of the irradiation light 14 when light is emitted from the sensor is shown by a straight line as an example.

  The feed remaining amount measuring device of the present embodiment measures the remaining amount of feed in the feed tank 10 that stores the feed, and includes an in-tank distance measuring means 12 installed in the feed tank 10. In addition, the distance sensor 12 which detects a distance can be used as an example of the distance measurement means 12 in a tank of the feed remaining amount measuring apparatus of this embodiment, and the distance measurement means 12 in a tank is hereafter called the distance sensor 12. Sometimes. The place where the distance sensor 12 is installed is a space portion that is not filled with feed, and the installation place is not particularly limited, but is preferably above the feed tank 10. For example, the distance sensor 12 may be provided in the center of the feed inlet of the feed tank 10, or may be attached to the edge of the feed inlet or the inner wall surface of the feed tank 10, and is hung from the inlet of the feed tank 10. And may be provided in the space portion. Moreover, although the shape of the feed tank 10 is not limited, the shape with a circular cross section is preferable, and the cylindrical shape with a circular cross section, a truncated cone, a cone, and the shape which combined these are preferable.

  The distance sensor 12 of the feed remaining amount measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment reads the reflected light from the installation position of the distance sensor 12 by irradiating ultrasonic waves or laser light, and measures the distance to the irradiated place. The distance measured by the distance sensor 12 is from the distance sensor 12 to the inner wall surface of the feed tank 10. That is, up to the wall surface in the feed tank 10 and the feed outlet at the bottom of the feed tank 10, and to the partition that prevents discharge of feed provided at the feed outlet. Further, the distance of the feed-containing tank where there is no feed, that is, the space is measured, and the distance to the feed when the feed put into the feed tank 10 sinks, that is, the distance to the feed surface is measured.

  The feed remaining amount measuring device of the present embodiment has a space partial size calculating means 18. As an example of the space portion size calculating means 18 of the feed remaining amount measuring apparatus of the present embodiment, a calculation processing computer 18 for calculating the size of the space portion can be used. Thereafter, the space portion size calculating means 18 is used. May be referred to as an arithmetic processing computer 18. The computer 18 for calculation processing is processed by a predetermined calculation method based on the distance data that is the distance to the wall surface, bottom, and feed surface measured by the distance sensor 12, and calculates the size of the space portion from the distance data. . Finally, the space portion size calculation means 18 is not limited to the calculation processing computer, and may be a calculation section provided to the computer for performing calculation processing.

  The arithmetic processing computer 18 has means for receiving distance data as a result of the distance sensor 12, and obtains the size of the space portion based on the received distance data. And the computer 18 for arithmetic processing is based on the distance data which is the distance to the wall surface or the bottom measured by the distance sensor 12, and is processed by a predetermined calculation method and the empty tank when the feed tank 10 is empty. The size A is obtained. After a certain amount of feed is put into the feed tank 10, the computer 18 for calculation processing is processed by a predetermined calculation method based on the distance data calculated by the distance sensor 12 and the feed surface, and enters the feed. The size B of the tank space is obtained. The size A of the empty tank and the size B of the space calculated by the computer 18 for calculation processing are necessary for measuring the remaining amount of feed. For example, the cross-sectional area of the empty tank, the volume of the empty tank, the cross-sectional area of the tank with feed in the space portion not filled with feed, and the volume of the tank with feed in the space portion not filled with feed.

  A computer for calculation processing by calculating in advance a weight conversion ratio K obtained by dividing the weight of the feed by the difference between the size A of the empty tank and the size B of the space after the feed is introduced. 18 is stored. The weight conversion ratio K is a value for converting the size of the tank, that is, the value of the cross-sectional area and the value of the volume into weight. In order to measure the actual feed remaining amount, the measured value B ′ of the size of the space portion calculated by the computing computer 18 is used in the feed tank 10 based on the measured value obtained by the distance sensor 12. . The difference between the size A of the empty tank and the size B ′ of the space is the size of the feed that is actually present in the feed tank 10, and the actual feed weight is multiplied by the weight conversion ratio K. G can be calculated and the remaining amount of feed can be measured.

  Various sensors can be used for the distance sensor 12 of the feed remaining amount measuring apparatus of the present embodiment. Moreover, what irradiates should just be electromagnetic waves, a sound wave, and light, and what can irradiate the feed tank 10 inner wall and feed, and can measure distance is used. The distance sensor 12 of the present embodiment can use a two-dimensional range sensor or a three-dimensional range sensor. The two-dimensional range sensor irradiates light while changing the angle within the measurable range from the installation position, and the light advances in the same plane to reach the inner wall surface of the feed tank 10 and can measure two-dimensional data. Thereby, the distance and shape of the object can be measured. Further, when there is feed in the feed tank 10, the irradiation light 14 reaches the feed. If the feed tank 10 is almost filled with feed and even if the space portion is small, if the verification range of the two-dimensional range sensor is 160 ° to 200 °, the space portion of the feed tank 10 is irradiated and the distance data Can be covered.

  The installation location of the distance sensor 12 may be disposed at an upper portion in the feed tank 10 and may be attached to the inner wall surface of the feed tank 10 or may be attached by an attachment base 16 provided in the feed tank 10. An example of the installation location is shown in FIG. 1, (a) in addition to the center of the feed inlet that is the opening of the feed tank 10, (b) the edge of the feed inlet of the feed tank 10, and (c) the feed tank 10 wall surface. You may affix and you may suspend in the feed tank 10 (d). At this time, the distance sensor 12 is fixed via the mounting base 16. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1E and 1F, a plurality of distance sensors 12 may be provided.

  Further, the distance may be measured by scanning the irradiation light 14 irradiated with the distance sensor 12 fixed to the feed tank 10 in a predetermined direction in the feed tank 10. When a three-dimensional range sensor capable of acquiring three-dimensional distance data is used, the range sensor is fixed to the feed tank 10 and the irradiation light 14 is scanned in all directions to measure the distance in the feed tank 10. can do. Based on the measured three-dimensional distance data of the feed tank 10, the remaining amount of feed in the feed tank 10 can be accurately measured. When a two-dimensional range sensor is used, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the irradiation angle of the irradiation light 14 is changed within the vertical section, and the distance is determined by scanning in the predetermined direction in the feed tank 10. You may measure. FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram when the feed tank 10 is viewed from above, and irradiation by the distance sensor 12 is scanned in the same in-plane direction.

  The distance sensor 12 is attached to the feed tank 10 by an attachment base 16 and measures the distance by scanning the irradiation light 14 into the feed tank 10 at a position where the distance sensor 12 or the attachment base 16 is rotated by 0 ° or 90 °. May be. FIG. 2B shows that the distance sensor 12 is attached to the feed tank 10 by the attachment base 16, and the distance sensor 12 or the attachment base 16 is rotated within the feed tank 10 by 0 ° (solid line) or 90 ° (dotted line). The distance is measured by scanning the irradiation light 14. In addition, the same measurement can be performed by rotating the distance sensor 12 itself by 0 ° or 90 °. Two-dimensional two-dimensional data can be measured by scanning at two points of 0 ° and 90 °. The data on these two sides may be converted directly into feed weight as two cross-sectional area data, or converted into the feed weight after converting into the volume of the empty tank, the volume of the feed-containing tank in the space where the feed is not filled. May be.

  The distance sensor 12 is attached to the feed tank 10 by an attachment base 16, and the irradiation light 14 is scanned in the feed tank 10 at each rotation position obtained by rotating the distance sensor 12 or the attachment base 16 by an equal angle from the origin position. The distance may be measured. (C) measures the distance with a smaller rotation angle than (b). In order to rotate, the entire mounting base 16 may be rotated, or a rotation driving unit such as a motor that rotates to rotate the distance sensor 12 itself may be provided. By rotating the distance sensor 12 or the mounting base 16 and increasing the number of points and surfaces to be measured, even if there is a bias or depression in the feed surface due to a decrease due to feed input or feed discharge, the feed can be more accurately The surface can be measured and the weight can also be measured.

(Cross sectional area)
A case where the size calculated by the distance sensor 12 is a cross-sectional area, and the calculation processing computer 18 determines the weight of the feed based on the data of these cross-sectional areas will be described. In this case, it is the ratio between the weight and the cross-sectional area, and it is necessary to obtain in advance a weight conversion ratio (weight conversion data) for converting the cross-sectional area to the weight, and store it in the computer 18 for calculation processing. It is necessary to measure the weight of the product or ask the purchaser for the purchase weight.

The cross-sectional area is obtained as the sum of the areas S of the triangles obtained from the length of the two sides and the angle between the two sides. The length of the two sides and the angle between the two sides are measured by the distance sensor 12, and the feed tank defined by the decomposition angle θ determined by equally dividing the angle of the measurement range in the vertical section of the feed tank 10 Measure up to 10 inner walls or feed surface. Of the irradiation light 14 shown in FIG. 1, the distance between two points determined by the distance sensor 12, the length of the irradiation light 14a is L1, the length of the irradiation light 14b is L2, and the angle formed by the irradiation light 14a and 14b is as follows. θ is measured within the measurement range. The area S of the triangle in the shaded area is
S = (L1 × L2 × sin θ) / 2
Is required. At this time, by reducing θ, the distance between the two irradiation light 14a and 14b irradiation destinations is shortened, and the measurement can be performed substantially along the wall surface in the tank. And the sum total is calculated | required by adding the micro area S divided | segmented by making (theta) small, and a cross-sectional area can be calculated | required along the shape of the space part of the feed tank 10. FIG.

The calculation method of the weight conversion data K of the computer 18 for arithmetic processing is to calculate the cross-sectional area of the space part by adding a small area, and from the data of the cross-sectional area of the space part calculated when the feed in the feed tank 10 is present. Ask. That is, the cross-sectional area data of the feed tank 10 after the feed whose weight has been grasped in advance is introduced from the cross-sectional area data of the empty tank. It is assumed that SA is the cross-sectional area of the empty tank, N is the weight of the feed charged into the feed tank 10, and SB is the cross-sectional area of the space portion of the feed tank 10 after the feed is charged. At this time, the feed size, that is, the cross-sectional area of the feed portion is obtained by (SA-SB). And the weight conversion data K is
K = N / (SA-SB)
The weight conversion ratio K is calculated and stored in the arithmetic processing computer 18. Then, the actual feed weight G in the feed tank 10 can be obtained by multiplying the cross-sectional area data (feed size data) of the feed portion by the weight conversion data K.

(For volume)
A case where the size calculated by the distance sensor 12 is a volume and the weight of the feed is obtained based on the data of these volumes will be described. In this case, the weight conversion ratio for converting the volume of the feed into the weight, that is, the density needs to be obtained in advance and stored in the computer 18 for calculation. It is necessary to ask the purchase weight.

  There are multiple methods for obtaining the volume, and there are a method for calculating the volume by rotating a minute triangle obtained in the same manner as for obtaining the cross-sectional area, and a method for calculating the volume by obtaining the volume of minute cylinders and stacking them. . In addition, there is a method of calculating the feed weight by using the cross-sectional area as it is and multiplying the cross-sectional area obtained in advance by volume conversion data for converting into volume.

Based on the distance data measured by the distance sensor 12, the arithmetic processing computer 18 subtracts the volume data of the space portion when there is feed from the volume data of the space portion when there is no feed in the feed tank 10. Thus, the volume data of the feed portion can be obtained. In the calculation method of the density data d, the volume of the empty tank is VA, the weight of the feed fed into the feed tank 10 is N, and the volume of the space portion of the feed tank 10 after the feed is fed is VB. At this time, the feed size, that is, the volume of the feed portion is obtained by (VA-VB). And the density data d is
d = N / (VA−VB)
It is represented by This density d is stored, and the weight in the feed tank 10 can be obtained by multiplying the volume data of the feed portion by the specific gravity.

  In either case of obtaining the cross-sectional area or obtaining the volume, θ is reduced, and the measurement range is divided into small steps in fine steps. For this reason, even when the feed is reduced, even if the border between the feed portion and the space portion in the feed tank 10 is not parallel to the horizontal plane and is biased to one side or the center portion is depressed, Can be measured together.

  In FIG. 3, the result of having measured the empty feed tank 10 using the feed residual amount measuring apparatus of this embodiment is shown, (a) is a measurement result, (b) is an external view of a measurement feed tank. In FIG. 4, the result of having measured the feed tank 10 containing feed using the feed residual amount measuring apparatus of this embodiment is shown. In this measurement, a two-dimensional range sensor is used, the measurement range is 180 °, 720 steps, and the measurement is performed at a resolution angle θ = 0.25 °. The two-dimensional range sensor remained fixed and measured one vertical section. Further, based on the obtained distance data, the cross-sectional area and volume were obtained. In the empty feed tank 10 shown in FIG. 3, the distance sensor 12 measures each distance along the inner wall surface of the longitudinal section of the feed tank 10, and uses this distance and the decomposition angle θ to obtain the cross-sectional area and volume. did it. If the measured value is different from the actual value, fix the irradiation position and direction of the sensor to correct the measured value by multiplying the correction value, and use the correction value even for the tank containing the feed. It can be corrected. Moreover, in the tank containing the feed of FIG. 4, each distance could be measured along the feed surface.

  5 and 6 are explanatory diagrams of the barn management system of this embodiment. The barn management system of this embodiment manages the feed remaining amount in the feed tank 10 by communicating between the distance sensor 12 installed in the feed tank 10 and the barn management terminal 20 connected through a network such as the Internet. A feed residual quantity measurement system is provided. The feed remaining amount measurement system according to the present embodiment is one of systems in a livestock / shed management system that handles livestock information related to livestock managed by identifiers, and livestock information related to livestock including breeding environments where the corresponding livestock is raised. Can be handled.

  FIG. 5 shows a case where the feed remaining amount measuring apparatus is connected to the barn management terminal 20 through the network, and the distance sensor 12 and the space portion size calculating means 18 are connected to each other. In this case, the feed remaining amount measuring device includes a transmission / reception unit, and based on the distance data measured by the distance sensor 12, the feed remaining amount, which is a calculation result obtained by the space partial size calculating means 18, is expressed through the network. It transmits to the management terminal 20. At this time, the barn management terminal 20 manages livestock management information for each individual including livestock information for breeding and non-breeding livestock information of livestock raised in each barn. In addition, the barn management terminal 20 manages barn information including the breeding environment in which the corresponding livestock is raised, and as a part thereof, the feed remaining amount of the feed tank 10 by the feed remaining amount measuring device is transmitted and centrally managed. . As shown in FIG. 5, while measuring the distance in the feed tank 10, the feed remaining amount data which calculated the feed remaining amount based on the received distance data can be transmitted to the barn management terminal 20 through a network. The feed tank 10 managed by the barn management system of this embodiment may be single or plural. Moreover, what is necessary is just to provide the distance sensor 12 for every feed tank 10 in the case of multiple.

  FIG. 6 shows a case where the space part size calculating means 18 is provided in the barn management terminal 20. In this case, the distance sensor 12 installed in the feed tank 10 includes a transmission / reception unit, and is connected to the barn management terminal 20 through a network, and the barn management terminal 20 includes a space portion size calculation means 18. In the barn management terminal 20, in addition to livestock management information for each individual including livestock information for breeding and non-breeding livestock information of the livestock raised in each barn, the livestock barn includes a breeding environment in which the corresponding livestock is raised. Data including information is input / output. And the measurement data measured from the feed tank 10 distance measuring means 12 as a part of the livestock information is transmitted to the livestock management terminal 20 through the network, and the remaining portion of the feed in the feed tank 10 is calculated and displayed by the space part size calculating means 18. Is done. As shown in FIG. 6, when the space part size calculating means 18 is provided in the barn management terminal 20, the barn management terminal 20 controls the distance sensor 12 through the network and measures the distance in the feed tank 10. At the same time, the remaining amount of feed can be calculated based on the distance data received through the network. Also in this case, the number of feed tanks 10 is not limited.

  In the barn management system of this embodiment, the barn management terminal 20 may include a database for reading and storing data, and the feed remaining amount data may be stored in the database and read. . As a result, the amount of feed decrease in units of several hours or one day can be compared with past feed remaining amount information, and if the amount of feed decrease is small, it can be understood that the health condition of the livestock is poor, Predicting the occurrence of the disease makes it possible to prevent or treat it by medication. Further, the remaining amount of feed in the feed tank 10 a few days ahead can be predicted, the date of ordering and receiving feed can be predicted, and efficient ordering can be performed. In this barn management system, a server barn management terminal 20 may be provided. The server barn management terminal 20 includes a database for reading and storing data, and various types of information including feed remaining amount information are stored in the database. And is readable. Further, the server barn management terminal 20 may use a Web application having a database.

  The barn management system of this embodiment is provided with a server barn management terminal 20 in which a plurality of barn management terminals 20 are managed through a network, and collects a plurality of feed tanks 10 to be managed as in each barn building or farm. Multiple units of data may be managed as one unit. By doing so, it is possible to centrally manage the data by organizing the management building or the data of the entire farm. Moreover, it is good also considering the thing divided according to the kind of livestock as a unit.

  The feed remaining amount information obtained by the barn management system of the present embodiment can be handled together with other livestock information and barn information stored in the database, and each data of the livestock information, the data of the barn information, and the feed remaining amount Data can be linked and stored in the database and reflected. The barn information includes data related to the barn facilities and breeding environment, and includes air conditioning data including temperature and humidity, power usage data, water usage data, gas usage data, and the like. As an example, it is possible to calculate the necessary amount of feed remaining by storing the growth of livestock. In addition, the temperature and humidity in the barn can be optimally managed by linking the air conditioning in the barn and the amount of feed reduction. In addition, more detailed cost management is possible.

  The feed tank 10 is installed outdoors, and the temperature in the feed tank 10 may be below freezing point or may be close to 50 ° C. However, the feed tank 10 is covered except when the feed is introduced, and there is almost no water evaporation during storage. For this reason, specific gravity and weight conversion data of feed can be treated as having almost no change. However, feed specific gravity and weight conversion data may be periodically collected and calibrated.

10 Feed tank 12 Tank distance measurement means (distance sensor)
14, 14a, 14b Irradiation light 16 Mounting base 18 Space partial size calculation means (computer for calculation processing)
20 Barn management terminal S Triangular area θ Decomposition angle

In order to achieve the above object, the feed remaining amount measuring apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, the present invention is a feed remaining amount measuring device for measuring a remaining amount of feed in a feed tank for storing feed, and is installed in a space portion in the feed tank, and an inner wall surface in the feed tank or The distance to the feed surface is measured using a distance sensor that transmits and receives laser light, and the size of the space portion is calculated based on the distance data measured by the distance measurement means in the tank. A space portion size calculating means, wherein the tank distance measuring means includes an inner portion of the feed tank defined by a decomposition angle θ determined by equally dividing an angle of a measurement range in a vertical section of the feed tank. Distances L1 and L2 at two points to the wall surface or feed surface are measured within the measurement range at predetermined positions, respectively, and the space portion size calculation means is measured by the tank distance measurement means. By adding a very small cross-sectional area that is specified by the distance L1, L2 of the constant is two points degradation angle theta, to calculate the cross-sectional area of the space portion, the cross-sectional area of the empty tank when the feed tank is empty and S a, the difference between the cross-sectional area S B of the space part after a certain amount of feed in the feed tank is turned on, in advance calculated in terms of weight ratio K obtained by dividing the weight of the feed , Stored in the space portion size calculating means, and in the feed tank, based on the measurement value obtained by the tank distance measuring means, the sectional area of the space portion calculated by the space portion size calculating means Using the measured value S B ′, the actual feed weight G is calculated by multiplying the difference between the cross- sectional area S A of the empty tank and the cross-sectional area S B ′ of the space by the weight conversion ratio K, and the remaining amount of feed Is measured. According to this configuration, the distance is accurately measured by the in-tank distance measuring means in the feed tank, and using this measured value, the distance data is converted into the feed weight to accurately determine the remaining amount of feed in the feed tank. Can be measured. Further, it is only necessary to provide an in-tank distance measuring means in the feed tank, so that a large-scale modification is unnecessary and the measuring device can be easily installed, and the installation cost can be kept low. Further, the weight of the feed can be accurately measured from the value of the cross-sectional area, and the amount of feed intake of the domestic animals can be grasped. In addition, waste can be eliminated by managing feed inventory.

In order to achieve the above object, the feed remaining amount measuring apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, the present invention is a feed remaining amount measuring device for measuring a remaining amount of feed in a feed tank for storing feed, and is installed in a space portion in the feed tank, and an inner wall surface in the feed tank or The distance to the feed surface is measured using a distance sensor that transmits and receives laser light, and the size of the space portion is calculated based on the distance data measured by the distance measurement means in the tank. A space portion size calculating means, wherein the tank distance measuring means includes an inner portion of the feed tank defined by a decomposition angle θ determined by equally dividing an angle of a measurement range in a vertical section of the feed tank. Distances L1 and L2 at two points to the wall surface or feed surface are measured within the measurement range at predetermined positions, respectively, and the space portion size calculation means is measured by the tank distance measurement means. The volume of the empty tank when the feed tank is empty is calculated after calculating the volume of the space portion after calculating the minute cross-sectional area specified by the determined distances L1, L2 and the decomposition angle θ, and A density d obtained by dividing the weight of the feed by the difference from the volume VB of the space portion after a certain amount of feed is put into the feed tank is calculated in advance, and the space portion size calculating means In the feed tank, based on the measurement value obtained by the tank distance measurement unit, the volume value VB ′ of the volume of the space portion calculated by the space portion size calculation unit is used to empty the feed tank. The actual feed weight G is calculated by multiplying the density d by the difference between the volume VA of the tank and the volume VB ′ of the space, and the remaining amount of feed is measured. According to this configuration, the weight of the feed can be accurately measured by obtaining the volume by the space part size calculating means and multiplying the volume by the density for converting the volume into the weight.

In the present invention, the distance sensor may be disposed at an upper portion in the feed tank and attached to an inner wall surface of the feed tank or attached by an attachment base provided in the feed tank. According to this, the upper part in the feed tank is a place that is not easily affected by the distance sensor due to the input of feed, and the feed remaining amount can be accurately measured. In addition, when feeding the feed tank, it does not get in the way and is a place where it is easy to do so.

In the present invention, the distance sensor may be fixed to the feed tank and measure the distance by scanning the irradiated light in a predetermined direction in the feed tank. According to this, even if it measures a distance sensor in a fixed position, feed residual quantity can be measured correctly.

Further, in the present invention, the distance sensor is attached to the feed tank by an attachment base, and the distance is measured by scanning irradiation light into the feed tank at a position where the distance sensor or the attachment base is rotated by 0 ° or 90 °. You may measure. According to this, the space portion of the feed tank can be measured in two directions by changing the angle, and the remaining amount of feed can be measured more accurately.

In the present invention, the distance sensor is attached to the feed tank by an attachment base, and the feed tank is scanned with irradiation light at each rotation position obtained by rotating the distance sensor or the attachment base by an equal angle from the origin position. Then, the distance may be measured. According to this, the space portion of the feed tank can be measured in a plurality of directions, the size of the space portion of the feed tank can be more accurately measured, and the remaining amount of feed can be measured.

Claims (10)

A feed remaining amount measuring device for measuring a remaining amount of feed in a feed tank for storing feed,
Tank internal distance measuring means installed in a space portion in the feed tank and measuring the distance from the installation position to the inner wall surface or the feed surface in the feed tank;
On the basis of the distance data measured by the tank distance measuring means, the space portion size calculating means for calculating the size of the space portion,
Dividing the weight of the feed by the difference between the size A of the empty tank when the feed tank is empty and the size B of the space after a certain amount of feed is put into the feed tank Is calculated in advance and stored in the space portion size calculating means,
In the feed tank, based on the measurement value obtained by the tank distance measurement means, the size of the empty tank is obtained using the measurement value B ′ of the size of the space portion calculated by the space portion size calculation means. A feed remaining amount measuring apparatus that calculates the actual feed weight G by multiplying the difference between A and the size B ′ of the space portion by a weight conversion ratio K to measure the remaining amount of feed.   The in-tank distance measuring means is a distance sensor, and the distance sensor is disposed at an upper portion in the feed tank and is attached to an inner wall surface of the feed tank or attached by a mounting base provided in the feed tank. The feed remaining amount measuring apparatus according to claim 1.   The feed distance measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the distance sensor is fixed to the feed tank and measures the distance by scanning the irradiated light in a predetermined direction in the feed tank.   The distance sensor is attached to the feed tank by an attachment base, and measures the distance by scanning irradiation light into the feed tank at a position obtained by rotating the distance sensor or the attachment base by 0 ° or 90 °. The feed remaining amount measuring apparatus according to claim 2.   The distance sensor is attached to the feed tank by a mounting base, and measures the distance by scanning irradiation light into the feed tank at each rotation position obtained by rotating the distance sensor or the mounting base by an equal angle from the origin position. The feed remaining amount measuring apparatus according to claim 2. The in-tank distance measuring means is a distance between two points to the inner wall surface or the feed surface of the feed tank defined by a decomposition angle θ determined by equally dividing the angle of the measurement range in the vertical section of the feed tank. L1 and L2 are measured at predetermined positions within the measurement range,
The space portion size calculating means calculates the cross-sectional area of the space portion by adding the two areas L1 and L2 measured by the in-tank distance measuring means and the minute area specified by the decomposition angle θ, A weight conversion ratio K is calculated and stored on the basis of the cross-sectional area of the space portion calculated when there is feed in the feed tank, and the actual feed weight G in the feed tank is calculated. The feed residual quantity measuring apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-5.   The space portion size calculating means calculates and stores the density d based on the volume of the space portion calculated when the feed in the feed tank is present based on the distance data measured by the tank distance measuring means, The actual feed weight G is calculated, The feed remaining amount measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an actual feed weight G is calculated.   The in-tank distance measuring means is a range sensor capable of acquiring 3D distance data. The range sensor is assembled to the feed tank, and irradiation light is scanned in the feed tank to measure 3D distance data. The feed remaining amount measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the feed remaining amount measuring device is performed. The feed remaining amount measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 includes a transmission / reception unit, and is connected to a barn management terminal through a network.
In addition to livestock management information for each animal including livestock information for breeding and non-breeding livestock information for the livestock housed in each livestock house, the livestock management terminal includes livestock information including the breeding environment in which the livestock is raised. A livestock barn management system in which the remaining amount of feed in the feed tank by the feed remaining amount measuring device is transmitted as a part of and managed centrally. The said tank distance measuring means installed in the feed tank as described in any one of Claims 1-8 comprises a transmission / reception part, is connected with a livestock management terminal through a network, and this livestock management terminal is said space. Each has a partial size calculation means,
In addition to livestock management information for each individual including livestock information for breeding of livestock and non-breeding livestock information, the livestock management terminal includes a livestock environment where the corresponding livestock is raised. Data including information is input / output, and measurement data measured from the tank distance measuring means as a part of the barn information is transmitted to the barn management terminal through the network, and the feed tank is calculated by the space part size calculating unit. A livestock barn management system in which the remaining amount of feed is calculated and displayed.

Images