JP7399486B2 - Livestock guidance number control device and reverse invasion control device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a guide number regulating device that limits the number of livestock entering a guideway to one animal at a time, and a reverse entry regulating device that restricts livestock from entering the exit of the guideway.

Work such as weight measurement, body length measurement, health observation (inspection), injections, etc. performed on livestock such as pigs, cows, horses, and sheep kept in the farm must be carried out one by one in a narrow guideway. It is carried out in a state where movement is restricted to some extent.

FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view showing an automatic sorting system in a pig farm, that is, a pigsty, as an example of livestock. The pigpen 200 includes a resting area 201 where a large number of pigs P can rest and is provided with a water source, and a resting area 201 that is separated by a partition wall 205 so that free movement between the resting area and the resting area is restricted. a one-way gate 206 provided in the bulkhead 205 that allows movement in only one direction from the feeding area 210 to the resting area 201; A taxiway 220 having a width that allows each pig to enter and pass through the taxiway, a weight measuring device 230 consisting of a load cell installed in the taxiway, and a pig judged to have reached a specified weight by the weight measuring device. and a sorter 250 that sorts pigs that have reached the specified weight to the shipping area 240 while returning pigs determined to have not reached the specified weight to the feeding area 210 from the exit of the taxiway; Equipped with
The width of the guideway 220 is set wide enough to allow one pig that has reached a specified weight to enter and pass through. Therefore, it is possible for two pigs, especially two pigs under the specified weight, to enter the guideway at the same time or one after another while overlapping each other.
The sorter 250 consists of a rotary gate 251 driven by a computer-controlled motor and a sorting wall 255. During weight measurement, the concave portion 252 of the gate faces the exit of the guideway 220 and simultaneously blocks the passage to the feeding area 210 and shipping area 240, while immediately after weight measurement, the rotation angle of the gate 251 is adjusted based on the measurement results. By controlling the position, the direction of the concave portion 252 is switched toward the feeding area or toward the shipping area, and the concave portion 252 is guided in either direction.

FIGS. 20(a) and 20(b) are explanatory diagrams of a conventional automatic door provided at the entrance of a taxiway.
As shown in FIG. 20(a), an automatic door 225 that moves up and down to open and close the entrance is provided at the entrance 220a of the taxiway 220. When the automatic door 225 is in the open state, the entrance is opened from the head. When a sensor detects that a proper part of the torso, such as the buttocks, of one pig that has entered has reached the inside of the entrance, the automatic door is lowered to close the entrance 220a, thereby preventing the entry of subsequent pigs.

By the way, since the automatic door 225 has a shape in which a plurality of pipes are arranged within a square frame, the lower part of the automatic door 225 is attached to the back of a pig that has entered the entrance 220a in advance, as shown in FIG. 20(a). The inlet 220a is not completely blocked only by the lowering of the lower part 225a and contact. That is, a gap G is formed between the preceding pig and the side of the entrance, and the following pig can enter through this gap.
Therefore, as shown in Fig. 20(b), if two pigs try to enter the entrance in succession, or if two pigs are side by side and try to enter head first at almost the same time, two pigs will be inside the taxiway. They may get stuck in the taxiway or become unable to advance or retreat within the taxiway, making it impossible to accurately perform tasks such as measuring the weight of each animal.

Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose walking animal separation devices that guide cattle one by one into a guideway.
Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a separation device for preventing two walking animals from passing through a pair of hinged double door gates provided in a taxiway at the same time or one after the other. However, the structure of the gate opening/closing mechanism is complicated, leading to high costs. In addition, since this is a separation device that assumes that animals have already been sorted one by one on the taxiway before the gate, this device is installed at the entrance of the taxiway facing a large space where many animals are mixed. When a gate is provided, it is impossible to prevent two or more walking animals from entering the entrance by sticking their heads into the entrance at the same time.

In addition, among livestock, pigs have the habit of sleeping with their backs against the fences or walls at the entrance or exit of the taxiway, so their lying bodies block the entrance or exit, causing them to try to move to the feeding area. Many pigs are often prevented from entering the taxiway, or are prevented from moving from the taxiway via the exit to a feeding area, etc.
Additionally, when a pig is in the taxiway, the entrance and exit doors are closed, but if a power outage or computer freeze occurs at this point, both doors will not open. If pigs are not aware of power outages due to the absence of zookeepers, accidents can occur where pigs are trapped in the taxiway for long periods of time and die.
Such a problem also occurs in double-folding gates.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 06-225658 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-107840

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is a simple method to prevent two animals from entering the entrance of a taxiway at the same time or one after the other, when guiding them one by one from among a large number of livestock to a taxiway. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for regulating the number of domestic animals guided by a structure that can prevent the number of livestock.
In addition, if an electric opening/closing unit (door) is installed at the entrance of the taxiway, even if the opening/closing unit is closed due to a power outage, etc., livestock in the taxiway will retreat and press the opening/closing unit. This allows the pilot to escape from the taxiway.
Another object of the present invention is to prevent livestock from blocking the entrance by lying down at the entrance to the guideway, and to prevent other livestock from blocking the entrance if one route to the entrance is blocked. It is possible to enter the taxiway using another route to the entrance.
Furthermore, the present invention provides a reverse entry control device that restricts livestock from entering from the exit of a guideway.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a livestock guidance number regulating device that restricts the number of livestock entering a guideway from an entrance to one animal at a time, and which opens the entrance to prevent livestock from entering. an opening/closing unit that is movable back and forth between an open position and a closed position that closes at least a portion of the entrance and prevents livestock from entering; a drive mechanism that operates the opening/closing unit; and a drive mechanism for operating the guideway. a detection means for detecting the position of a domestic animal in the interior of the farm; and a control means for the drive mechanism, the control means maintaining the opening/closing unit in an open position by the drive mechanism in an initial state in which entry of the livestock is allowed. At the same time, when the detection means detects that the livestock that has entered through the entrance has reached a predetermined position, the drive mechanism moves the opening/closing unit that was in the open position in a closing direction toward the closed position. The opening/closing unit is configured to move forward and backward along a predetermined trajectory in the vertical direction, and has a movable base extending along the width direction of the guideway, and a movable base that partially controls the entry of livestock. a plurality of opening/closing openings that are rotatably supported within a predetermined angular range in a direction parallel to the direction, have other parts extending toward the entrance, and are arranged along the width direction of the guideway; A part of each opening/closing piece contacts the livestock during and after the movement of the movable base from the open position to the closed position and allows the livestock to move forward. On the other hand, the other opening/closing piece is located in a gap between the livestock and the guideway to prevent other livestock from entering through the gap .

According to the present invention, when guiding livestock one by one to a guideway, it is possible to prevent two livestock from entering the entrance of the guideway at the same time or one after the other, overlapping each other, with a simple configuration.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an automatic sorting device equipped with a livestock guidance number regulating device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration and regulation procedure of a device for regulating the number of livestock guided according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing the structure of the same regulation device, and a regulation procedure. It is a perspective view showing the structure of the same regulation device, and a regulation procedure. It is a perspective view showing the structure of the same regulation device, and a regulation procedure. It is a side view which shows the structure of the same regulation device, and a regulation procedure. It is a side view which shows the structure of the same regulation device, and a regulation procedure. It is a side view which shows the structure of the same regulation device, and a regulation procedure. (a) and (b) are a perspective view and a plan view showing a state in which the opening/closing unit prevents subsequent livestock from entering. (a) to (f) are a partially exploded perspective view and a sectional view of essential parts showing a specific configuration of the opening/closing unit. It is a front view which shows the structure of the modification of an opening-and-closing unit. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the present guiding head number regulating device. It is a flowchart which shows the regulation procedure by this head number regulation device. (a) to (d) are diagrams illustrating the configuration and operation of a livestock guiding head number regulating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and (e) is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a joint part. be. (a) to (d) are diagrams illustrating the configuration and regulating operation of a livestock guidance number regulating device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the state of livestock at the entrance. (a), (b), and (c) are perspective views from the exit side showing the configuration of an example of a reverse entry restriction device disposed at the exit portion of the guideway. 7 is a flowchart showing a sorting operation accompanied by reverse entry restriction by the reverse entry restriction device. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an automatic sorting system in a conventional pigsty. (a) and (b) are explanatory views of a conventional automatic door provided at the entrance of a taxiway.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.
<Summary of the present invention>
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an automatic sorting device equipped with a pig guiding number regulating device as an example of livestock, and FIGS. 2 to 5 are diagrams illustrating a pig guiding number regulating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing the configuration and regulation procedure, and FIGS. 6 to 8 are side views showing the configuration and regulation procedure of the guiding head number regulation device. FIGS. 9A and 9B are a perspective view and a plan view showing a state in which the opening/closing unit prevents subsequent pigs from entering. 10(a) to (f) are a partially exploded perspective view and a sectional view of essential parts showing the specific structure of the opening/closing unit, and FIG. 11 is a front view showing the structure of a modified example of the opening/closing unit. FIG. 12 is a control block diagram of the present guiding head number regulating device, and FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the regulation procedure by the present head number regulating device.
In this example, a case will be described in which the guiding pig number regulating device is applied to the pigpen shown in FIG. 19 as an example. Therefore, each component in FIG. 19 will be described using the same reference numerals.

The basic configuration (schematic configuration) of the pig guidance number regulating device (hereinafter referred to as the guidance number regulating device) 1 is as follows.
As shown in FIG. 1, a guiding herd number regulating device (approaching herd regulating device) 1 is disposed within the entrance 12 of the taxiway or near the entrance, and controls the number of pigs entering the taxiway 10 (the number of guided herds). ) is a means of restricting and regulating individual animals.
The guideway 10 is a means for receiving the pigs P one by one from the entrance section 12 and guiding them in a desired direction. One walking path 16 having a width W that allows one pig P with a specified weight (for example, 115 kg) to advance and retreat with a margin, and erected along both left and right edges of the walking path. The pigs are provided with left and right side regulating members 18 consisting of fences, walls, etc., for preventing the pigs from changing direction on the walking path and preventing them from deviating from the walking path.
Reference numeral 205a indicates a fence that constitutes the partition wall 205 in FIG.
The walking path 16 is composed of an internal walking path 16a that extends from the entrance section 12 into the guideway 10, and an external walking path 16b that extends from the entrance section to the outside. By erecting struts 20 at appropriate locations, the entrance route to the entrance is divided into three routes: a front route R1, a left route R2, and a right route R3. Therefore, even if one or two routes are blocked by other pigs when a certain pig is about to enter the entrance, it is possible to enter from the remaining routes.

Further, on the road surfaces of the internal walking path 16a and the external walking path 16b, obstacle protrusions 25 made of Λ-shaped rails are formed over the entire length to prevent pigs from sleeping or sitting. The shape, number, and location of the obstructing protrusions are not limited to those shown in the drawings, and may be any configuration that does not allow pigs to remain comfortably.
Furthermore, handrails 22 are provided horizontally from the tops of the two pillars 20 toward the entrance portion 12, respectively. This handrail 22 is a means to prevent the administrator from stumbling on an obstructive protrusion and falling when cleaning or the like.
The guidance number control device 1 has two positions: an open position (FIGS. 3 and 6) in which the entrance portion 12 is opened to allow pigs to enter, and a closed position in which at least a portion of the entrance portion is closed to prevent pigs from entering. An opening/closing unit 50 that can move forward and backward between the positions (FIGS. 2 and 8), a drive mechanism 80 that operates the opening/closing unit, and an entry position in the guideway (walking space) 10 of the pig P entering from the entrance section 12. It includes a detection means 90 (FIG. 1) that detects (approach distance) and a control means 100 for the drive mechanism 80.
If necessary, a detection means may also be arranged at the exit portion 14 of the guideway to detect that the pig has left the guideway.

The control means 100 maintains the opening/closing unit 50 in the open position by the drive mechanism 80 in an initial state where the pig is waiting for the entrance of the pig from the entrance section 12, and also prevents the pig entering the guideway from the entrance section 12 from walking. When the detection means 90 detects that the vehicle has reached a predetermined forward position on the road, the drive mechanism 80 is activated to move the opening/closing unit 50 to the closing position (in the closing direction).
The opening/closing unit 50 allows the livestock to move forward during and after moving from the open position to the closed position, while preventing other livestock from entering through the gap between the livestock and the guideway. It is a means. That is, the opening/closing unit 50 includes a horizontally long movable base 54 that can move forward and backward along predetermined trajectories such as vertical, horizontal, diagonal, etc., in this example, along the vertical trajectories, and each part along the longitudinal direction of the movable base. A plurality of opening/closing pieces 60 are supported and hang down like blinds. A portion of each opening/closing piece comes into contact with the pig's body (head, neck, trunk, buttocks, etc.) during and after the movable base 54 moves from the open position to the closed position. While allowing the pig to move forward while moving relative to the pig's body, the remaining opening/closing pieces close the gap between the pig and the side restriction member 18 (in this example, the left side restriction member). It is constructed and arranged so as to be positioned (protrude) within gap G to prevent subsequent pigs from entering through gap G.

All the opening/closing pieces 60 are assembled to the movable base 54 with the same opening/closing structure, but depending on the size of the passing pig and the difference in the widthwise position of the pig, they may come into contact with the pig or enter the gap G. Divide roles to stand out.
When the leading pig's rump completely passes through the opening/closing piece and the opening/closing piece that had been in contact with the pig no longer makes contact, the opening/closing unit falls under its own weight to the final closed position shown in Figures 5 and 8. The inlet is completely closed by all opening/closing pieces. This makes it completely impossible for subsequent pigs to enter the entrance.
After the preceding pig completes predetermined treatment such as weight measurement and moves forward, or at the timing when it completely leaves the exit part, the opening/closing unit is moved to the open position again to allow the next pig to enter.
In this example, the opening/closing unit 50 is configured to move forward and backward in the vertical direction, but this is only an example, and may be configured to move forward and backward in the left-right direction or diagonal direction.
As the detection means 90, a photo interrupter consisting of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, a limit switch, etc. can be used, but in this example, image information obtained from a camera 92 for estimating the weight of pigs placed above the taxiway is used. An example of using a detection means using (details will be described later) is shown below.

<First embodiment>
Next, the pig guidance number regulating device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described.
Fig. 2 shows a state in which the opening/closing unit 50 constituting the guiding head number control device 1 is in the lowest position and closes the entrance portion 12 (admission prohibited state), and Fig. 3 shows a state in which the opening/closing unit 50 is in the highest position. This shows a state in which the entrance portion is open (an entry-permitted state).

At the entrance portion 12 of the guideway 10, an opening/closing unit 50 is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction by a pair of columnar elevation guide members (guide shafts) 30. It is driven up and down by.
Various configurations can be selected in which the elevating guide member 30 supports the opening/closing unit 50 in a vertically movable manner, but as an example, as shown in the partially exploded perspective view of the opening/closing unit in FIG. One example is a configuration in which a cylindrical slider 57 is provided at both ends to fit on the outer periphery of the elevation guide member 30 and slide in the axial direction.
The base main body 55 is provided with small-diameter bearing portions 55a and large-diameter portions 55b alternately at a predetermined axial pitch, and each bearing portion 55a has a center of a sleeve 61 provided at the base end of each opening/closing piece 60. The hole is rotatably supported. The axial movement of the sleeves 61 is restricted by the large diameter portions 55b located on both sides of the bearing portion 55a in the axial direction, and as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. ) A locking protrusion 62 protruding from the outer surface in the axial direction is configured to be lockable to a stopper 63 provided on the large diameter portion 55b. That is, the angle at which the opening/closing piece rotates in the closing direction about the bearing portion 55a is regulated by the engagement of the locked protrusion 62 with the stopper 63.

For example, the movable base 54 may be constructed by sequentially and alternately inserting the large diameter portion 55b and the sleeve 61 into the outer periphery of a long bar-shaped bearing portion 55a that passes through the center thereof in the axial direction, and then inserting only each large diameter portion into the bearing portion. It can be assembled by fixing it at a predetermined location.
The movable base 54 is driven up and down by an air cylinder 82 arranged above the inlet section 12. The air cylinder 82 is composed of a cylinder tube 83 and a piston rod 84 supported by the cylinder tube so as to be freely protrusive and retractable, and a movable base connected to the piston rod is driven up and down.
Note that the drive mechanism may have any configuration, for example, it may be configured by a drive transmission mechanism consisting of a motor, a pulley, and a belt.

As described above, the opening/closing unit 50 according to the present embodiment includes a movable base 54 that can move forward and backward (up and down) in a predetermined opening and closing direction, in this example, in the up and down direction along the elevation guide member 30, and a movable base (base main body 55). A part (base end part) is rotatably supported within a predetermined angular range in a direction parallel to the direction of pig movement (longitudinal direction of the guideway), and the other part extends toward the entrance part 12. A plurality of opening/closing pieces 60 are provided. Some of the opening/closing pieces are connected to the body (head, neck, trunk, buttocks) of the preceding pig P1 during the process in which the movable base 54 moves from the open position to the closed position, and after moving. While allowing the pig to move forward while sliding in contact with the pig, the remaining opening/closing pieces that do not make sufficient contact with the pig are positioned (protrude) within the gap G between the pig and the side regulating member 18 to allow the pig to move forward. The pig P2 is prevented from entering through the gap. Note that "parallel" does not necessarily mean "parallel" in the strict sense, but in this example, it means a direction along the moving direction of the pig.

As shown in FIG. 10(a), each opening/closing piece 60 has a sleeve 61 provided at its base end and is rotatably supported by a bearing 55a provided on the base body 55. Rotate individually. In addition, as shown in the cross-sectional view of the main part of the movable base in FIG. 10(b), when the opening and closing piece is in the initial position shown by the solid line in the same figure, the sleeve of the opening and closing piece moves against the stopper 63 provided on the base body. The initial posture (the limit position of rotation in the closing direction) of the opening/closing piece is determined by the engagement of the locked protrusion 62 provided on the opening/closing piece 61 .
Therefore, due to the latching action between the latched protrusion 62 and the stopper 63, each opening/closing piece is set at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction as shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 10(b) when no external force is applied. It maintains a tilted posture (initial posture) that tilts outward from the inlet by θ, and continues to maintain this tilted posture even in the process of the closing unit descending from the open position to the closed position, and the pig By contacting and being pressed, it rotates smoothly in the opening direction. When the opening/closing unit finishes descending to the most closed position, the pressing force from the pig in the opening direction is released, and each opening/closing piece returns to its initial position by its own weight.
In this example, the opening/closing piece 60 is a plurality of opening/closing pieces 60 that are rotatably supported at one end at a predetermined pitch (or any arbitrary arrangement) along the longitudinal direction (width direction of the guideway) of the base main body 55. It has a so-called blind-like structure composed of long and thin members such as rod-shaped or narrow strip-shaped plates. The number of opening/closing pieces is not limited to the four illustrated. The opening/closing piece is made of a metal material or a high-strength resin material so as to be able to withstand the impact when a pig collides with it.

When the opening/closing unit 50 is in the open position (highest position) with the entrance section 12 shown in FIG. Alternatively, the detection means 90 detects this when up to 2/3 of the portion reaches the entrance portion (the ascending and descending path of the opening/closing unit). The control means 100 operates the drive mechanism 80 based on this detection signal to lower the opening/closing unit to the closed position shown in FIG. 2. Specifically, the control means eliminates the pulling and holding force by the air cylinder 82 and lowers the opening/closing unit 50 by its own weight.
Due to the downward movement of the opening/closing unit, only the tip of the opening/closing piece located within the width dimension of the pig, among the opening/closing pieces, comes into contact with the torso of the passing pig. The opening/closing piece 60A located outside the width dimension of the pig enters the gap G between the pig and the side regulating member and closes this gap.
The rotation direction of each opening/closing piece 60 is along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the guideway 10, that is, a direction perpendicular to (crosses) the width direction of the guideway. The rotatable range of each opening/closing piece that rotates around the movable base 54 is limited, and the opening and closing pieces protrude (incline) toward the outside of the inlet portion 12 by a required angle θ relative to the vertical direction hanging from the movable base. It is configured so that it cannot be rotated beyond its initial posture to the innermost side of the guideway (toward the inner side of the entrance). Therefore, even if the pig pushes the outer surface of the opening/closing piece in its initial position, it will not be able to penetrate any further inside.

On the other hand, the opening/closing piece in the initial position is configured to be able to rotate in a sufficiently wide angular range with respect to the outside direction (opening direction) of the entrance portion. With this configuration, after the tip of the opening/closing piece comes into contact with the pig's body, there is no significant physical or psychological burden on the pig during the process of the pig moving towards the inner part of the guideway. The opening/closing piece can be rotated in the opening direction along the pig's body and retracted without giving any pressure, and the pig's forward movement is not obstructed.

In this example, the tip of each opening/closing piece is curved and folded back to prevent the tip from injuring the body of the pig that comes into contact with it.
In addition to curving the tip of each opening/closing piece, a rotating body such as a rotatable roller or a sphere, a cushion member with low frictional resistance, or the like may be arranged at the tip.
When a rotating body is provided at the tip of the opening/closing piece, it is not necessarily necessary to tilt the angle of the opening/closing piece in the initial position toward the opening direction rather than the vertical position. In other words, even if the initial posture of each opening/closing piece is set to a vertical posture, the pig can move forward smoothly due to the rotation of the rotating body, while the opening/closing piece 60A on the side that does not come into contact with the pig is vertical within the gap G. Since it is possible to maintain a stable posture, it is possible to prevent subsequent pigs from entering.

The width dimension of the taxiway 10 including the entrance section 12 is set wider than the maximum width of the trunk of a pig that has grown enough to be shipped. When the pig is in the pig's trunk, a gap G is formed between the side regulating member (side wall) 18 of the guideway and the trunk of the pig, which is large enough to allow other pigs to enter from the tip of the pig's snout. In the present invention, when the opening/closing unit is lowered, the tips of all the opening/closing pieces 60 are not configured to come into contact with the pig's body and be pushed up. In other words, the opening/closing piece on either the left or right side or the opening/closing piece 60A on both the left and right ends enters into the gap G and fills the gap without coming into contact with the pig, or even if it does, without being pushed up. Operate. Therefore, the opening/closing piece 60A that has entered the gap G between the pig and the side regulating member becomes an obstacle when the following pig enters through the gap. This is because the opening/closing piece cannot rotate beyond its initial position toward the inside of the guideway.
In the above embodiment, the entire opening/closing piece is linear, and the entire length of the opening/closing piece extending from the movable base is inclined in the opening direction. Only the long part (for example, 1/3 or 1/2 part of the total length from the tip) is bent or curved in the opening direction, and the part above that part extends in the perpendicular direction from the movable base. It may be configured.

Further, in the above embodiment, the basic shape of each opening/closing piece is linear, but there is no need to limit it to this. It may also have a multi-stage bent shape. In this case, the bending direction and the bending direction are set so that the tip of each opening/closing piece is warped or bent in the opening direction.
In the illustrated embodiment, the length of each opening/closing piece is the same, but as shown in FIG. However, by increasing the length of the two outer opening/closing pieces, the line connecting the tips of the opening/closing pieces may be formed into an inverted concave shape. With this configuration, the opening/closing pieces that come into contact with the pigs are short, so the contact resistance with the preceding pigs is reduced, making it easier for the pigs to pass, while the long opening/closing pieces on both the left and right sides fit into the gaps on both sides. It is possible to penetrate deeply into the gap and reliably block entry through the gap.

If the three opening/closing pieces in the center are made short as in the opening/closing unit shown in Fig. 11, when the opening/closing unit reaches the lowest position, there will be a slight gap between the three short opening/closing pieces in the center and the surface of the walking path 16. There is also a concern that a gap may be formed, but even if a pig pushes the short opening/closing piece in, it will not rotate inward, making it impossible for the pig to enter.
Further, in the above embodiment, the opening/closing pieces are arranged linearly along the width direction of the taxiway when viewed from the plane, but the opening/closing pieces at the center in the width direction are positioned inside the taxiway. , the opening/closing pieces at both ends may be arranged outside the inlet. Alternatively, on the contrary, the opening/closing piece at the center in the width direction may be located outside the guideway, and the opening/closing pieces at both ends may be located inside the entrance.
These modified configuration examples can be applied to the opening/closing units of all the embodiments described below.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, a side plate 36 is arranged along the left side regulating member 18 as a closing member to prevent the pig from deviating from the guideway.
When the side regulating member 18 is configured as a fence made of metal pipes, etc., even if the opening/closing unit is in the closed position as shown in FIG. There is no possibility that subsequent pigs may enter through the opening G1. Therefore, in this example, a closing member 36 as a side plate that closes the opening G1 is disposed along one or both side regulating members. In addition, by making the front end 36a of the closing member protrude further forward than the entrance portion, in addition to the entry prevention function of the opening/closing piece protruding into the gap G, the following pigs are effectively prevented from entering through the gap. be able to.
The closing member 36 may be provided on both left and right sides of the side regulating member.

Next, the procedure and operation for regulating the number of pigs entering the entrance will be explained based on the control block diagrams of FIGS. 1 to 10, FIG. 12, and the flowchart of FIG. 13.
When starting the work of controlling the number of approaching animals using the guidance control device 1, the control means 100 moves the opening/closing unit 50 from the closed position shown in FIG. 2 to the open position shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. The drive mechanism 80 is operated to move the opening/closing unit to the open position and maintain that state (step S1). As shown in FIG. 2, when the drive mechanism 80 drops (lowers) the opening/closing unit 50 to the lowest position and closes the entrance portion 12, pigs cannot enter the guideway 10. On the other hand, when the opening/closing unit moves to the highest position to fully open the entrance as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the hungry pigs in the resting area 201 move from the entrance through the guideway. Trying to head to the feeding area.

Since the entrance section 12 is opened, the pig can enter the guideway 10, so the detection means 90 on the entrance section monitors the entrance of the pig (step S2), and detects the pig entering from the entrance section. When detected by the means (step S2, YES), the drive mechanism releases the holding of the opening/closing unit and causes it to move (naturally fall) in the closing direction (step S3).
During the falling process, the opening/closing unit 50 stops falling or decelerates when the tip of each opening/closing piece 60 comes into contact with the torso of the leading pig (FIGS. 4 and 7). Since the weight of the opening/closing unit is set appropriately, from this point on, the pig continues to move forward while pushing up the opening/closing piece.
That is, before the opening/closing unit 50 reaches the closed position, the tip of one of the opening/closing pieces comes into contact with the appropriate place on the body of the preceding pig, and then the opening/closing piece 60 is pushed up in the opening direction by the advancing pig P. The pig moves forward smoothly. The opening/closing piece 60A at the end that does not come into contact with the pig, or does not get pushed up by the pig even if it does come into contact with it, and falls into the gap G formed on the side of the pig, dissuades subsequent pigs from entering through the gap. I can do it. That is, when the leading pig passes through the entrance, the opening/closing piece 60A on the left end continues to close the gap, making it impossible for the following pigs to use the gap to enter the entrance from their snouts, and the leading pig passes through the entrance. This makes it possible to guide only those vehicles into the taxiway with priority (FIGS. 5, 8, and 9).

When the leading pig has completely passed through the opening/closing unit and is not in contact with any opening/closing piece, the opening/closing unit is lowered by its own weight to the completely closed position shown in FIGS. 5 and 8.
At a predetermined timing after the pig P1 leading in the guideway is subjected to the intended treatment such as weight measurement, the control means opens the opening/closing unit again and puts it in the standby state shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. That is, in this example, when the detection means 95 on the exit side detects that only the leading pig P1 enters the guideway, undergoes weight measurement, and exits from the exit section (step S4, YES), The control means moves to step S5, moves the opening/closing unit 50 to the open position to allow entry of subsequent pigs, and repeats the operations from step S2 to step S5 until the sorting operation is completed (step S6).
When the series of sorting operations are completed in step S6, the opening/closing unit is lowered to the most closed position and the flow ends (step S7).

In this example, as a gate provided at the exit of the taxiway 10, a rotary gate 251 is installed to divide the feed area into the feeding area 210 and the shipping area 240 according to the results of weight measurement, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 19. A partition wall 255 is used, but this is just an example, and a conventional blind-type or lifting-type gate is used that allows exiting from the exit but prohibits returning from the outside. You can also use it as
In addition, even when the opening/closing unit is in the most closed position, each opening/closing piece is free to rotate in the opening direction, so if the exit gate closes due to a power outage, etc., it becomes trapped in the taxiway and cannot move forward. By retreating, a pig that has fallen into a trap can push the opening/closing piece apart and return to the outside through the entrance.

In the conventional simple lift gate shown in Fig. 20, in which the opening/closing pieces do not have a structure in which each opening/closing piece opens and closes in a blind-like manner along the direction in which the pigs move, two pigs are placed one after the other at the entrance. It is difficult to set the timing for lowering the gate when a pig enters the pig, and no matter how the timing is adjusted, a gap G is formed and it is not possible to prevent subsequent pigs from entering through this gap.
On the other hand, with the blind-type opening/closing unit of the present invention, if the opening/closing unit is lowered when 1/3 or 1/2 of the body length of the preceding pig enters the entrance, the gap G can be reduced. Since it is quickly closed by the opening/closing piece, it is possible to reliably prevent subsequent pigs from entering.

<Second embodiment>
FIGS. 14(a) to 14(d) are diagrams illustrating the configuration and operation of a pig guidance number regulating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 14 (a) shows a state in which the opening/closing unit constituting the guiding pig number control device is in the raised open position and the inlet is open, and (b) and (c) show that the opening/closing unit is in the middle of its descent when the opening/closing piece is inserted into the pig. It shows a state in which the pig is allowed to pass while sliding while contacting the back, and (d) shows a state in which the pig has completed passing through the entrance.
Note that the same parts as in FIGS. 2 to 8 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions of the duplicated configurations and operations will be omitted.

The pig guidance number regulating device 1 according to the present embodiment has an opening/closing piece 60 having a configuration in which a plurality of opening/closing pieces 110 are rotatably connected via a joint part 120, and a movable base 54 and an uppermost opening/closing piece. 110 is also rotatably connected via a joint 120.
That is, this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that each opening/closing piece 60 has a multi-joint configuration. Note that instead of making all the opening/closing pieces multi-jointed, only some of the opening/closing pieces may be made multi-jointed.

Although the drive mechanism is not shown in FIG. 14, it actually includes a drive mechanism such as an air cylinder for raising and lowering the opening/closing unit. Further, illustrations of a guideway, a detection means, a sorter, etc. are also omitted.
The multi-joint opening/closing piece 60 of this example has a structure in which the ends of a short cylindrical opening/closing piece 110 are rotatably connected by a joint part 120. When no external force is applied in the raised position shown in FIG. 14(a), each opening/closing piece 110 is closed beyond the initial position (limit position of rotation in the closing direction) shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. It cannot be rotated in any direction.
That is, the opening/closing piece 110a located at the top is prevented from rotating in the closing direction beyond the initial position shown in the figure by the movable base 54, and the opening/closing piece 110b located directly below the top opening/closing piece 110a is prevented from rotating in the closing direction beyond the illustrated initial position. The joint portion 120a provided at the bottom of the opening/closing piece 110a similarly prohibits rotation in the closing direction beyond the initial position. Sequentially, the rotation direction of the lower opening/closing piece is similarly regulated by a joint provided at the lower part of the opening/closing piece immediately above.
However, since each joint portion 120 allows the opening/closing piece connected directly below it to rotate in the opening direction, the opening/closing piece according to this embodiment is different from the opening/closing piece of the first embodiment. Since the joint part can be rotated in the opening direction in multiple stages, the resistance that occurs when it comes into contact with the back of a pig that continues to move as shown in FIGS. 14(b) and 14(c) can be significantly reduced.

When the opening/closing unit is completely lowered to the closed position after the pig has passed, as shown in FIG. 14(d), each opening/closing piece 60 is blocking the entrance portion 12, and the following pig may forcefully push the opening/closing piece away. Even if the opening/closing piece does not rotate in the closing direction, it cannot be entered.
FIG. 14(e) is an example of the structure of a joint part, and can be applied to a joint part between the movable base 54 and the uppermost opening/closing piece 110a, and a joint part between opening/closing pieces.
In this configuration example, the ends of two opening/closing pieces are rotatably connected by a rotation shaft 121 as a joint, and a stopper 122 provided on one opening/closing piece is brought into contact with the end of the other opening/closing piece. By bringing them into contact, rotation in the closing direction is restricted.
In this example as well, the position of the lower end of each opening/closing piece may be constant (horizontal) by making the total length of each opening/closing piece constant, or the central part may be the shortest as shown in the configuration example of FIG. The length may be gradually increased toward both sides.

In the above embodiment, the movable base 54 and the uppermost opening/closing piece 110a are rotatably connected by the joint, but the movable base and the uppermost opening/closing piece are fixed in advance at a predetermined angle, and the uppermost opening/closing piece 110a is Only the upper joint piece and the lower opening/closing pieces may be rotatably connected in sequence by the joint portion.
The regulation procedure and regulation method in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, so a duplicate explanation will be omitted.
Also in this example, when the opening/closing unit is in the closed position, each opening/closing piece is free to rotate in the opening direction, so if the exit gate closes due to a power outage, etc., it will be trapped in the taxiway and move forward. A pig that becomes unable to move back can push the opening and closing pieces apart and return to the outside through the entrance.

<Third embodiment>
FIGS. 15(a) to 15(d) are diagrams illustrating the configuration and regulating operation of the pig guidance number regulating device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 15(a) shows a state in which the opening/closing unit 50 constituting the guiding head number control device 1 is in the raised open position and the inlet is open, and (b) and (c) show that the opening/closing piece is opened while the opening/closing unit is on the way down. It shows a state in which the leading pig is allowed to pass while contacting the pig's back, and (d) shows a state in which the leading pig has completed passing through the entrance.
Note that the same parts as in FIGS. 2 to 8 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions of the duplicated configurations and operations will be omitted.

Although the drive mechanism 80 is not shown in FIG. 15, it actually includes a drive mechanism such as an air cylinder for raising and lowering the opening/closing unit. Further, illustrations of a guideway, a detection means, a sorter, etc. are also omitted.
The pig guidance number regulating device 1 according to the present embodiment is characterized by a structure in which each opening/closing piece 60 is individually supported by a movable base 54 so as to be linearly retractable in the vertical direction (axial direction).
That is, in this example as well, the opening/closing unit 50 is supported by a pair of columnar elevation guide members 30 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The opening/closing piece 60 constituting the opening/closing unit is a rectangular prism-shaped rod (or plate-shaped body) extending linearly, and is attached to a fixed guide member 130 fixed between the elevation guide members 30 at a predetermined lateral pitch. It is supported in each provided through hole 132 so as to be able to move up and down. Each opening/closing piece 60 is in a state of being lowered by its own weight into each through hole 132 when no external force is applied in the upward direction. Further, a movable base 54 is arranged above the fixed guide member 130 in a position parallel to the fixed guide member, and both ends of the movable base are supported by the elevating guide member 30 so as to be movable up and down along a predetermined trajectory. Furthermore, a through hole 135 is formed in the movable base 54 at a position that vertically corresponds to the through hole 132 of the fixed guide member 130, and each through hole has an opening/closing piece 60 in a corresponding positional relationship. They are inserted one by one so that they can move relative to each other. A stopper 140 is formed at the upper end of each opening/closing piece to prevent it from falling out from the through hole 135, and a roller or the like 142 is rotatably arranged at the tip of each opening/closing piece for smooth sliding contact with the pig. has been done.
In other words, each opening/closing piece 60 has each through hole 132 provided in the fixed guide member 130 fixed between the elevating guide members 30, and each through hole 132 provided in the movable base 54 that moves up and down in a parallel position above the fixed guide member. It is inserted and supported through the hole 135 so as to be relatively movable up and down. Then, when the opening/closing unit 50 that was in the open position moves in the direction of closing the entrance portion 12 and descends onto the pig's body, the opening/closing piece that came into contact with the pig and was prevented from descending remains in contact with the pig's body. The opening/closing piece moves up and down while making contact with the pig, and the opening/closing piece located at a position away from the pig projects into the gap G formed on the side of the pig to prevent the following pig from entering.

Since the regulation procedure and regulation method in this embodiment are almost the same as those in the first embodiment, duplicate explanations will be omitted.
Although not shown, each opening/closing piece may be constructed of a plurality of short cylindrical bodies having successively different diameters, and these small pieces may be telescopically telescopic in a multistage nested manner.

<Weight estimation system and detection means>
The automatic sorting system shown in Figure 19 measures the weight of pigs on a weighing device placed on the guideway (walkway) inside the entrance, and determines whether they have reached the appropriate weight. Then, a rotary gate 251 is operated by a sorter 250 to sort the fish to the feeding area 210 or the shipping area 240.
However, there is a problem in that errors occur due to the size of the weight measuring device and the movement of the livestock during measurement. Additionally, if two pigs enter the taxiway and get on the weighing machine at the same time, it will not be possible to accurately measure them, and both pigs will be determined to meet the specified weight and will be distributed to the shipping area. It turns out.
In order to solve this problem, the present applicant proposed a system for estimating the weight of a pig from captured images in Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-171256. According to this, an image is taken by a camera (camera 92 in Figure 1) at the moment a pig walking on a taxiway enters a measurement position, and data for calculating the pig's weight is obtained from the image. be able to. This system uses a combination of multi-slit light and random dots to obtain the three-dimensional shape of a pig from a single image, making it possible to measure images of a moving living body that is not affected by ambient light. With this method, a three-dimensional shape can be restored from a single image, so it is useful for biological measurements where it is difficult to keep the object still.
Further, the image obtained from the camera 92 can also be used as a means for detecting the timing at which the drive mechanism 80 is operated and the opening/closing unit 50 is operated. In other words, the camera 92 constitutes the detection means 90.
However, even with a camera-based pig weight estimation system, accurate weight estimation becomes impossible if parts of the head or front legs of the following pig are added to the image of the preceding pig. .

By applying the guiding head number regulating device according to the present invention to the present estimation system, it becomes possible to perform measurements with each horse always positioned within the imaging range. Furthermore, since the photographing time required for weight measurement is usually about 1 second, work efficiency can be improved.
Note that since it may be necessary to take a plurality of images while the pig moves forward within the guideway, it is preferable to provide some margin in the length of the guideway that corresponds to the photographing area of the camera.
In addition, as a modified example, a switch (not shown) that is activated when a pig steps on a suitable place on the walking path and adds weight to the walking path is provided, and the opening/closing unit is activated when the switch is activated (intrusion detection). may be configured.

<Countermeasures against lying pigs>
If pigs are left alone, they will lie down for a long time anywhere, such as in the resting area 201, feeding area 210, taxiway 220, shipping area 240, etc., but especially in the taxiway, in close contact with the entrance section 12 and exit section 14. If the pig sleeps in this position, it will block the entrance and passageway, creating an obstacle for other pigs to get in and out. This restricts hungry pigs from going to the feeding area, which affects the number of feedings and has a negative impact on the growth of the pigs.
Therefore, as a conventional measure to prevent pigs from sleeping inside the taxiway, as shown in FIG. 25 was formed over the entire length. However, conventionally, the external walking path 16b has not been provided with the obstructing protrusion 25, so no measures have been taken against pigs sleeping on the external walking path 16b. In the present invention, since the obstacle protrusion 25 is also arranged on the external walking path 16b, it is possible to eliminate pigs that become an obstacle at the entrance.

By the way, as explained in the first embodiment, in the guiding head number regulating device 1, the approach route to the entrance part is controlled by vertically erecting the columns 20 at the two corners of the external walking path 16b. It is divided into three routes: a front route R1, a left route R2, and a right route R3. Therefore, as shown in the state diagram of pigs at the entrance in FIG. 16, when a certain pig P3 is about to enter the entrance from route R3, one or two routes R1 and R2 are connected to other pigs P4 and P5. Even if the route is blocked, it is possible to enter from the remaining route R3.
Even if all the routes are blocked by pigs, there is a space between each route and the entrance (the space above the external walking path 16b), so the entrance cannot be directly blocked by pigs. That doesn't mean it is. Therefore, it is possible to enter the entrance by climbing over the pig lying blocking the path.

<Reverse entry control device at the exit of the taxiway>
FIGS. 17(a), 17(b), and 17(c) are perspective views from the exit side showing the configuration of an example of a reverse entry restriction device disposed at the exit portion of the guideway.
The reverse entry control device 150 (150A, 150B) according to the present embodiment sorts pigs that have approached the exit section 14 from within the guideway 10 to either the feeding area 210 or the shipping area 240 and causes them to exit from the guideway. The sorter 152 is equipped.
The sorter 152 includes a feeding area side opening/closing mechanism 154A that allows pigs that have entered the guideway from the entrance section 12 and approached the exit section 14 to exit to the feeding area side, and a feeding area side opening/closing mechanism 154A that allows the pigs to exit to the shipping area side. It is equipped with a shipping area side opening/closing mechanism 154B that enables this, a detection means 95 (FIG. 12) that detects the position of the pig at the exit, and a control means 100 that controls these.

Each opening/closing mechanism 154A, 154B is provided with an opening 155A, 155B that communicates with the outlet 14, respectively, and by selectively opening one of the openings, the pig is allowed to exit through the opening on the open side. That is, for pigs that are determined to have not reached the specified weight by the weight estimation system (or weight measuring device) installed in the guideway, the opening/closing mechanism 154A is operated to open the opening 155A and the pigs exit to the feeding area. The pigs determined to have reached the specified weight operate the opening/closing mechanism 154B to open the opening 155B and exit to the shipping area.
Note that since both opening/closing mechanisms 154A and 154B have the same configuration, the configuration and operation of the bait field side opening/closing mechanism 154A will be mainly described here.
The opening/closing mechanism 154A is provided in the opening 155A and does not always prevent the pigs in the guideway from exiting the exit section 14, but prevents the pigs from entering the exit section from outside (the feeding area). A plurality of opening/closing pieces 160 are rotatably supported within a predetermined angular range, and each opening/closing piece protrudes into the space between the opening/closing pieces to close the internal pig so that it cannot exit from the opening 155A. It includes an advancing/retracting piece 170 that moves back and forth between a retreating position and a retreating position that allows the pig to exit from the opening 155B by retreating from between the opening/closing pieces.
An opening serving as an exit portion 14 is formed on the exit side of the walking path 16 and the two side regulating members 18 that constitute the guideway 10 . An opening 155A is formed on the outside of the outlet, and a fixed base 156 is provided at the upper part of this opening, extending horizontally. It is supported so that it can rotate only in the opening direction. In this example, the two opening/closing pieces 160 are arranged at a predetermined pitch along the longitudinal direction of the fixed base 156, and the two opening/closing pieces 160 are arranged at a predetermined pitch from the closed position shown in FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b) to the outside shown in FIG. It is configured so that it can be rotated in this direction, but cannot be rotated inward. The structure in which the opening/closing piece is supported so as to be rotatable outwardly from the initial position but not rotatably inwardly is similar to the structure shown in FIG. 10(b).

On the other hand, through-holes passing vertically are formed in the portions of the fixed base 156 corresponding to between the opening and closing pieces, and one retractable piece 170 is inserted into each through-hole so as to be vertically movable. The upper part of each reciprocating piece 170 is fixed to and integrated with a movable base 175. The movable base 175 is supported so as to be movable up and down by guide members 180 that are arranged to protrude upward from both sides of the opening 155A. The movable base 175 and the retractable piece 170 constitute a comb-shaped fence.
The movable base 175 and the reciprocating piece 170 are driven up and down by a drive mechanism such as an air cylinder (not shown). Further, a detection means 95 (not shown) is arranged at a suitable position inside the exit section to detect the presence or absence of a pig coming towards the exit section.
The control means 100 raises the movable base 175 and the reciprocating piece 170 by operating the opening/closing mechanism 154A when the pig whose weight has been measured and is determined to have not reached the specified weight reaches the outlet. Only the opening/closing piece 160 hangs down inside the opening 155A. Therefore, the pigs in the guideway can push aside the opening/closing piece 160 and move to the feeding area.

In addition, when a pig that has been weighed and determined to have reached a specified weight reaches the outlet section, the opening/closing mechanism 154B on the shipping area side is activated, thereby providing a movable base 175 provided on the shipping area side; The reciprocating piece 170 is raised so that only the opening/closing piece 160 hangs down inside the opening 155B. Therefore, the pig can push aside the opening/closing piece 160 on the shipping area side and move to the shipping area.
In this way, in the present sorter 152, the combination of the blind-shaped opening/closing pieces 160 hanging from above in the openings 155A and 155B and the comb-shaped fence (the movable base 175 and the advancing/retracting piece 170) that moves up and down between the opening/closing pieces , while selectively allowing the pig to exit from either of the openings 155A, 155B, always preventing the pig from entering the opening from the outside.
The conventional rotary sorter shown in FIG. 1 has been required to be improved because it is heavy, large-sized, and expensive. (The movable base 175 and the moving/retracting piece 170), the opening/closing piece and the comb-shaped fence are arranged alternately and almost in a line along the longitudinal direction of the movable base. Therefore, it is possible to make the sorter more compact (thinner), lighter, and lower in cost. Note that the opening/closing piece and the comb-shaped fence may be arranged in a front-back positional relationship along the moving direction of the pig.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 18, a description will be given of a sorting operation that involves the restriction of reverse intrusion from the outside into the exit portion by the reverse intrusion restriction device 150 (150A, 150B) constituting the sorter 152.
The comb-shaped fences constituting each opening/closing mechanism 154A, 154B continue to be set at the closed position until it is detected that the pigs to be sorted that have entered from the entrance section 12 have reached the exit section. In other words, the comb-shaped fence made up of each movable base 175 and the retractable piece 170 is in the lowest position (step S20).
In step S21, when the exit section side detection means 95 detects that the pig has reached the exit section, the control means controls the comb-shaped fence constituting either one of the opening/closing mechanisms 154A, 154B based on the determination result by the weight estimation system. Open to allow pigs to exit to either the feeding area or the shipping area. That is, if the pig has reached the specified weight in step S22, the opening/closing mechanism 154B on the shipping area side is operated to enable exit to the shipping area. Further, in the same step, if the weight has not reached the specified weight, the opening/closing mechanism 154A on the feeding area side is operated to enable exit to the feeding area side.
Note that, if necessary, it may be configured to detect that the pig has completed exiting from each opening 155A, 155B.
In addition, in order to prevent pigs from sleeping on the floor etc. outside of each opening 155A, 155B and becoming an obstacle for other pigs to leave, a Λ-shaped rail or the like is installed in the place where it is desired to prevent pigs from sleeping. The obstacle protrusion 25 is installed.

<Summary of the structure, action, and effects of the present invention>
The livestock guidance number regulating device 1 according to the present invention includes a blind-shaped opening/closing unit (movable base 54, opening/closing piece 60) 50, a drive mechanism 80, and a detection means 90 for detecting the position (approach distance) of livestock. A drive mechanism control means 100 is provided.
Regardless of the purpose, the guided herd number regulating device can be applied to all cases where livestock guided within a guiding path are sorted into one animal.
When the density of livestock in a livestock farm is high, two or more livestock may try to head toward the narrow entrance of the taxiway at a time in order to go to feeding grounds, watering holes, etc. In this case, the number of animals allowed can be limited to one at a time.
Since the structure is simple and lightweight, the opening/closing operation speed can be increased, and even if the operation speed is increased, the performance of controlling the number of animals is not affected, and the processing speed can be increased.
When livestock in the guideway retreats toward the entrance, the opening/closing piece that can freely rotate in the opening direction does not prevent the livestock from exiting the entrance.
Even in the process of moving the opening/closing unit in the closing direction at a predetermined timing after the preceding livestock enters the entrance, the preceding livestock moves forward smoothly without being hindered by the rotation of the opening/closing piece in the opening direction. On the other hand, the following livestock is prevented from entering through the gap G between the livestock and the side wall of the guideway due to the restricting action of the other opening/closing piece.
The direction in which the opening/closing unit opens and closes the entrance portion by moving back and forth is not limited to the vertical direction, but can be set in various directions, such as the left-right direction, diagonal direction, etc.
The type of livestock is not limited to pigs, but can be applied to all walking animals such as cows, horses, sheep, and chickens.

In the guiding head number regulating device 1 according to the present invention, each opening/closing piece 60 is supported by the movable base 54 so as to be rotatable in a direction parallel to the direction in which livestock enter.
The role of each opening/closing piece is to contact passing livestock and rotate in the opening direction so as not to obstruct entry, and to enter the gap between the livestock and the guideway to fill the gap for subsequent livestock to enter. divided into two. The opening/closing piece protruding into the gap does not rotate in a direction that would allow a subsequent pig positioned outside the opening/closing piece to enter the entrance, making it impossible for the pig to enter through the gap.

In the guiding head number regulating device 1 according to the present invention, in the open position where no new external force is applied, each opening/closing piece 60 is in a posture parallel to the entrance surface (a posture perpendicular to the moving direction of the livestock), or in a position that is not parallel to the parallel posture. It also maintains an inclined posture tilting outward (in the opening direction) of the entrance part at a predetermined angle, and continues to maintain each posture even in the process of moving to the closed position, and when it comes into contact with livestock and is pressed. Rotate in the opening direction.
The initial posture of the opening/closing piece when the opening/closing unit descends toward the livestock may be any angle or posture that does not obstruct passage of the livestock, and may be parallel to the opening surface of the entrance (vertical posture, etc.). However, the posture may be inclined toward the opening direction. If the contact resistance with livestock can be reduced by providing a rotary body at the tip of the opening/closing piece, there is no necessity for an inclined position.

In the guiding head number regulating device 1 according to the present invention, each opening/closing piece cannot rotate inward of the entrance portion beyond a posture parallel to the entrance of the guideway or an inclined posture.
When the opening/closing unit is in the closed position, each opening/closing piece is configured to freely move forward and backward (open and close) between an entry restriction posture that prevents livestock from entering the entrance and an entry permission posture that allows livestock to enter the entrance. has been done. This approach restriction posture prevents livestock from entering.

In the guiding head number regulating device 1 according to the present invention, the opening/closing piece has a structure in which a plurality of opening/closing pieces 110 are rotatably connected via joints.
The movable base 54 and the opening/closing piece located at the end may be rotatably connected via a joint, or may be integrated.

In the guiding head number regulating device 1 according to the present invention, the opening/closing unit 50 includes a movable base 54 that can move forward and backward, and a plurality of opening and closing pieces 60 that are individually and linearly supported by the movable base so that they can move forward and backward. Be prepared.
The opening/closing unit may be of a type that opens and closes the entrance section by rotating with a movable base, or may be of a type that moves back and forth in parallel along the entrance section without rotating. It may also be a type that moves forward and backward while rotating, appearing and appearing.

In the guided herd number regulating device 1 according to the present invention, the road surfaces of the internal walking path 16a and the external walking path 16b are provided with obstacle protrusions 25 that prevent livestock from lying down.
Since the obstacle protrusion 25 that prevents livestock from lying down is also arranged on the external walking path 16b, it is possible to eliminate livestock that becomes an obstacle at the entrance.

The livestock reverse entry control device 150 according to the present invention allows livestock to exit from the exit portion 14 at all times, while at the same time preventing livestock from entering the exit portion. An opening/closing piece 160, a closed position in which the livestock in the guideway are prevented from exiting from the exit by protruding between the opening/closing pieces, and a closed position in which livestock can exit from the exit by retracting from between the opening/closing pieces. A retractable piece 170 that moves back and forth between the retracted position and the retracted position is provided.
The combination of the blind-shaped opening/closing piece 160 that hangs and rotates under its own weight and the comb-shaped fence (movable base 175 and advancing/retracting piece 170) that moves up and down between the opening/closing pieces prevents pigs from leaving the openings 155A and 155B. While selectively permitting, reverse entry into the opening from the outside is always prevented.
According to this device configuration of this double structure, it is possible to make the sorter more compact (thinner), lighter, and lower in cost.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Guidance number control device, 10... Taxiway, 12... Entrance part, 14... Exit part, 16... Walking path, 16a... Internal walking path, 16b... External walking path, 18... Side regulating member, 18a... Vertical pipe , 20... Pillar, 22... Handrail, 25... Obstacle protrusion, 30... Lifting guide member, 36 Closing member, 36a... Front end, 50... Opening/closing unit, 54... Movable base, 55... Base main body, 55a... Bearing part, 55b ...Large diameter part, 57...Slider, 60...Opening/closing piece, 61...Sleeve, 62...Locked projection, 63...Stopper, 80...Drive mechanism, 82...Air cylinder, 83...Cylinder tube, 84...Piston rod, 90 ...Detection means, 92...Camera, 95...Detection means, 100...Control means, 110, 110a, 110b...Opening/closing piece, 120...Joint part, 120a...Joint part, 121...Rotation shaft, 122...Stopper, 130...Fixation Guide member, 132...Through hole, 135...Through hole, 140...Stopper, 142...Roller etc., 150...Reverse intrusion prevention device, 152...Selector, 154A, 154B...Opening/closing mechanism, 155A, 155B...Opening part, 156... Fixed base, 160...Opening/closing piece, 170...Advancing/retracting piece, 175...Movable base, 180...Guide member, 200...Pig pen, 201...Rest area, 206...One-way gate, 210...Feeding area, 220...Guidance path, 220a... Entrance, 225... automatic door, 225a... lower bar, 230... weight measuring device, 240... shipping area, 250... sorter, 251... gate, 252... recessed part, 255... wall.

Claims (8)

A livestock guidance number regulating device that regulates the number of livestock entering a taxiway from an entrance to one animal at a time,
an opening/closing unit capable of moving back and forth between an open position in which the entrance portion is opened to allow livestock to enter and a closed position in which at least a portion of the entrance portion is closed to prevent livestock from entering; comprising a drive mechanism for operating the unit, a detection means for detecting the position of livestock within the guideway, and a control means for the drive mechanism,
The control means holds the opening/closing unit in an open position by the drive mechanism in an initial state in which entry of livestock is allowed, and the detection means detects when the livestock entering from the entrance has reached a predetermined position. moving the opening/closing unit that was in the open position by the drive mechanism in a closing direction toward the closed position when detected by the driving mechanism;
The opening/closing unit is configured to move forward and backward along a predetermined vertical trajectory, and has a movable base extending along the width direction of the guideway, and a movable base that partially extends parallel to the direction in which livestock enters. a plurality of opening/closing pieces supported rotatably within a predetermined angular range in a direction, other parts extending toward the entrance part, and arranged along the width direction of the guideway; Some of the opening/closing pieces contact the livestock during and after the movement of the movable base from the open position to the closed position, and allow the livestock to move forward, while others A device for regulating the number of livestock guided and guided, wherein the opening/closing piece is located in a gap between the livestock and the guideway to prevent other livestock from entering through the gap . 2. The livestock guidance number regulating device according to claim 1, wherein each of the opening/closing pieces is rotatably supported by the movable base in a direction parallel to the direction in which the livestock enter. In the open position, each of the opening/closing pieces maintains an attitude parallel to the entrance part or an inclined attitude inclined outward from the entrance part by a predetermined angle than the parallel attitude , and moves to the closed position. The livestock guidance number regulating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device continues to maintain each of the postures during the process, and rotates in the opening direction by contacting and being pressed by the livestock. A livestock guidance number regulating device that regulates the number of livestock entering a taxiway from an entrance to one animal at a time,
an opening/closing unit capable of moving back and forth between an open position in which the entrance portion is opened to allow livestock to enter and a closed position in which at least a portion of the entrance portion is closed to prevent livestock from entering; comprising a drive mechanism for operating the unit, a detection means for detecting the position of livestock within the guideway, and a control means for the drive mechanism,
The control means holds the opening/closing unit in an open position by the drive mechanism in an initial state in which entry of livestock is allowed, and the detection means detects when the livestock entering from the entrance has reached a predetermined position. moving the opening/closing unit that was in the open position by the drive mechanism in a closing direction toward the closed position when detected by the driving mechanism;
The opening/closing unit includes a movable base that can move forward and backward along a predetermined trajectory, a part of which is rotatably supported by the movable base within a predetermined angular range in a direction parallel to the direction in which livestock enters, and the other part of the opening/closing unit. a plurality of opening/closing pieces extending toward the entrance portion, and a part of each opening/closing piece is configured to operate during and after the movement of the movable base from the open position to the closed position. While contacting the livestock and allowing the livestock to advance, the other opening/closing piece is located within the gap between the livestock and the guideway to prevent other livestock from entering through the gap. ,
Each of the opening/closing pieces is characterized in that it cannot rotate inward of the entrance portion beyond a posture parallel to the entrance portion or an inclined posture inclined outward from the entrance portion at a predetermined angle from the parallel posture. A device to control the number of livestock.
The livestock guidance number regulating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the opening/closing piece has a structure in which a plurality of opening/closing pieces are rotatably connected via joints. . A livestock guidance number regulating device that regulates the number of livestock entering a taxiway from an entrance to one animal at a time,
an opening/closing unit capable of moving back and forth between an open position in which the entrance portion is opened to allow livestock to enter and a closed position in which at least a portion of the entrance portion is closed to prevent livestock from entering; comprising a drive mechanism for operating the unit, a detection means for detecting the position of livestock within the guideway, and a control means for the drive mechanism,
The control means holds the opening/closing unit in an open position by the drive mechanism in an initial state in which entry of livestock is allowed, and the detection means detects when the livestock entering from the entrance has reached a predetermined position. moving the opening/closing unit that was in the open position by the drive mechanism in a closing direction toward the closed position when detected by the driving mechanism;
The opening and closing unit includes a movable base that can move forward and backward, and a plurality of opening and closing pieces that are individually and linearly supported by the movable base so that they can move forward and backward, and some of the opening and closing pieces include: During and after the movement of the movable base from the open position to the closed position, the other opening/closing piece is positioned within a gap between the livestock and the guideway while allowing the livestock to move forward. A device for controlling the number of domestic livestock to guide and control the number of domestic livestock. The guiding path is a walking path through which the livestock that has entered the entrance can move forward and backward, and is arranged along both left and right edges of the walking path to prevent the livestock from changing direction on the walking path. formed by left and right side regulating members,
The walking path includes an internal walking path located inside the entrance part, and an external walking path located outside the entrance part,
The guide for livestock according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that the road surfaces of the internal walking path and the external walking path are provided with obstacle protrusions that prevent the livestock from lying down. Number control device. In a guideway having an exit portion for livestock to exit, a reverse entry regulating device for restricting livestock from entering the guideway from the exit portion, comprising:
a plurality of opening/closing pieces rotatably supported to allow livestock to exit from the exit portion at all times while preventing livestock from entering the exit portion from the outside;
A closed position in which livestock in the guideway cannot be exited from the exit by protruding between the respective opening/closing pieces, and a closed position in which livestock can exit from the exit by retracting from between the opening/closing pieces. An advancing/retracting piece that advances and retreats between the retracted position;
A livestock reverse intrusion regulating device characterized by comprising:

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