TWI780998B - Programmable feed-supplying system - Google Patents

Abstract

A Programmable Feed-Supplying System includes a feeder and a scale. The feeder includes a bin, a valve module and a monitoring module. The monitoring module controls the valve module to open an outlet of the bin to allow the feeder to supply feed, measures a vertical inside-bin distance, and outputs a notification when it is determined that an amount of stored feed is less than a threshold based on the distance. The scale supports the supplied feed, senses weight of a load thereon. When it is determined that an amount of the supplied feed has reached a threshold based on the weight, the monitoring module controls the valve module to close the outlet so as to stop the supply of the feed.

Description

Programmable Feeding Feed Management System

The invention relates to a livestock management system, in particular to a programmable feed management system.

The main output of the animal industry is the main protein source of meat, milk, and eggs. As people's requirements for quality of life gradually increase, the demand for animal products will also increase, and the impact will be relatively far-reaching. In the operation of the livestock industry, feed supply is a very important part, and it is the most critical cost that affects the income. However, at present, most small-scale livestock industries still stay in the traditional operation management mode, that is, artificially control feed supply, supply time, and rely on rules of thumb to evaluate feeding conditions, parameter optimization and other related adjustments. Not only is the burden of labor costs high, but also under the impact of aging labor force and declining birthrate, it is gradually unable to maintain a certain output value. It is bound to introduce other more efficient and labor-saving technological management solutions.

Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a system that realizes management automation, facilitates Lihua's programmable feeding feed management system.

Therefore, the programmable feeding feed management system of the present invention includes a feeding unit, at least one weighing unit for information connection with the feeding unit, and a information connection between the feeding unit and the weighing unit for The remote control control unit of the feeding unit and the weighing unit.

The feeding unit includes a feed barrel that defines a storage space with at least one outlet, at least one outlet that is arranged at the at least one outlet and is used to control the output from the at least one outlet. A module, a monitoring module installed on the feed barrel and connected to the at least one discharging module, and a first wireless communication module connected to the monitoring module. The monitoring module has a first microcontroller and an operation interface connected to the first microcontroller.

The at least one weighing unit corresponds to the at least one discharge port. Each weighing unit includes a platform, a weight sensor installed on the platform and used to generate a weight information based on the feed weight on the platform, a second wireless communication module installed on the platform, and an information connection The weight sensor and the second microcontroller of the second wireless communication module, and a control interface connected to the second microcontroller and used for setting or operating the weight information.

The effect of the present invention is that: the feed stored in the feed bucket can be controlled by the monitoring module, and can be supplied automatically and programmatically by using the at least one discharging module, and can The function of automatically sensing the weight of the supplied feed, It can indeed realize the automation of management. In addition, the control and management unit also provides the functions of remote control, operation, query, and setting of the feeding unit and the at least one weighing unit, so that the management convenience can be further achieved.

1: Feeding unit

10: Feed bucket

100: storage space

101: Outlet

11: Discharging module

111: Catheter

112: electric valve

113: side feed pipe

114: Feeding parts

115: Ranging sensor

116: Light sensor

119: manual valve

12:Monitoring module

121: The first microcontroller

122: Operation interface

123: siren

124: Humidity sensor

125: temperature sensor

126: material level detector

13: The first wireless communication module

14: Air nozzle

15: Infrared camera

16: Satellite positioning module

17: Light detector

18:Solar power generation module

2: weighing unit

21: Platform

22: Weight sensor

23: Second wireless communication module

24: Second microcontroller

25: Control interface

26: Alarm

3: Control unit

31:Portable mobile device

32: Server

321:Servo host

322: database

8:Mobile vehicle

Other features and functions of the present invention will be clearly presented in the implementation manner with reference to the drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the programmable feeding feed management system of the present invention; Fig. 2 It is a schematic diagram illustrating a feeding unit of the embodiment; Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a monitoring module of the feeding unit; Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a weighing unit of the embodiment; Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a situation in which a mobile carrier moves to a platform of the weighing unit to prepare to carry feed; and FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the programmable feeding feed management system of the present invention.

Before the present invention is described in detail, it should be noted that in the following description, similar elements are denoted by the same numerals.

Referring to Fig. 1, it is a first embodiment of the programmable feeding feed management system of the present invention. This first embodiment includes a plurality of feeding units 1, and a plurality of weighing units respectively used for information connection with the feeding units 1 2, and an information link between the feeding unit 1 and the weighing unit 2 for remotely controlling the control unit 3 of the feeding unit 1 and the weighing unit 2 . What should be explained first is that in this first embodiment, one of the feeding units 1 cooperates with one of the weighing units 2 for illustration, but in actual implementation, it can According to requirements such as the range of grazing, the amount of feed used, etc., the number of these feeding units 1 is selected, and the same number of these weighing units 2 are selected accordingly. In addition, the way in which the feeding units 1 and the weighing units 2 form an information connection with the control unit 3 is preferably a well-established wireless network, and even a dedicated base station can be configured to ensure the connection. The stability of the line, but other achievable methods can also be selected in accordance with the use environment in actual applications, and are not limited to this.

1 to 3, the feeding unit 1 includes a feed barrel 10 defining a storage space 100 with a discharge port 101, a feed barrel 10 arranged at the discharge port 101 and used to control the discharge port 101. The opening and closing of the discharge module 11, a monitoring module 12 installed on the feed bucket 10 and connected to the discharge module 11, a first wireless communication device connected to the monitoring module 12 and used to send and receive information Module 13, a plurality of air nozzles 14 arranged in the storage space 100 and used to eject gas to the feed barrel 10, an infrared camera 15 arranged in the storage space 100, one installed on the feed barrel 10 and A satellite positioning module 16 for providing position information, and a sun set outside the feed bucket 10 Can generate electricity module 18. The solar power generation module 18 absorbs the electric energy generated by sunlight to supply other components of the feeding unit 1 that require electricity.

Wherein, the discharge module 11 is specifically used to control the output of feed from the feed barrel 10, and has an electric valve 112, a side feed pipe 113 connected to the storage space 100, and a A distance measuring sensor 115 for measuring the distance between the discharge port 101 and the weighing unit 2 , and a manual valve 119 disposed in the side material pipe 113 . The feed in the storage space 100 is mainly opened by controlling the electric valve 112 to be output from the storage space 100 through the discharge port 101 . When the electric valve 112 fails to operate normally due to failure or maintenance, it can be opened and closed directly by the manual valve 119 , and the required feed is output from the side feed pipe 113 . In addition, the distance measuring sensor 115 is preferably a proximity sensor, but as long as the purpose of detecting the distance can be achieved, it is not limited thereto.

The monitoring module 12 is mainly used for automatic full-time monitoring of feed storage and supply, and has a first micro-controller 121 for processing and calculating relevant information, and a first micro-controller 121 connected to the first micro-controller. The operating interface 122 of the device 121, an alarm 123 connected in information with the first microcontroller 121, a humidity sensor configured in the storage space 100 and connected in information with the first microcontroller 121 and the air nozzles 14 A sensor 124, a temperature sensor 125 disposed in the storage space 100 and connected to the first micro-controller 121, and a temperature sensor 125 disposed in the storage space 100 for detecting the temperature of the storage space 100 The material level detector 126 of the storage quantity. In addition to the data In addition to the monitoring module 12 performing monitoring, the infrared camera 15 plays an auxiliary role, and can directly provide real-time images in the storage space 100, so as to facilitate the control of abnormal states that cannot be presented by pure data. In the monitoring module 12 , the first micro-controller 121 is the center of processing, integration, and control, and can mainly perform programmed settings through the operation interface 122 .

The operation interface 122 can be in the form of a dial button, a physical input button, or a touch screen. It can mainly perform operations such as data setting, input and output information, and system reset. 121 After setting specific parameters, the amount of feed storage can be controlled, and when there is a shortage of feed, or when the temperature sensor 125 detects that the temperature of the storage space 100 is too high, etc., the alarm 123 will be issued. alarm. Specifically, the alarm form of the alarm 123 can be a loudspeaker to issue an alarm sound, or a light-emitting element such as an LED to issue an alarm signal, or even an electronic alarm signal to the remote end. In addition, for the feed stored in the storage space 100, a fresh-keeping date can also be set, and a reminder can be set in advance according to the nature of the feed and the progress of feeding. For example, for 14-day expired feed, it can be set to notify 1-2 days before. In addition to sending an alarm through the alarm 123, it can also send a message to the outside through the wireless communication module 13 to achieve a reminder of the preservation date. the goal of.

Wherein, the monitoring module 12 is preferably installed in a modular manner, which can be conveniently completed directly from the top of the feed bucket 10 . As long as the monitoring module 12 is indeed installed, The first micro-controller 121 can be connected with the electric valve 112 and the distance measuring sensor 115 of the discharge module 11, thereby controlling them together, and using the first micro-controller 121 to pre-set parameters and control instructions to automatically control the discharging module 11.

It is worth noting that in addition to controlling the storage and export of feed, the preservation of the feed is also a very important part. When the stored feed adheres to the inner wall of the feed bucket 10, or when the humidity sensor 124 senses that the humidity is too high, the air nozzles 14 can be opened to blow off the attached feed. , in addition to blowing away agglomerates, it can also reduce humidity. In this way, in addition to ensuring the preservation quality of the feed and making the feed output smoother, the feed amount data provided by the material level detector 126 of the monitoring module 12 can be made more accurate.

Referring to Fig. 4 and cooperating with Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the weighing unit 2 includes a platform 21, a weight sensor 22 installed on the platform 21 and used to generate a weight information according to the weight of the feed on the platform 21, an installation The second wireless communication module 23 on the platform 21, a second microcontroller 24 connected to the weight sensor 22 and the second wireless communication module 23, and a second microcontroller 24 connected to the second wireless communication module 23 A control interface 25 for setting or operating the weight information, and a warning device 26 connected with the second micro-controller 24 and used for prompting when the weight information exceeds a set value. During actual implementation, it will mainly make a mobile carrier 8 for carrying feed move to the platform 21 as shown in FIG. The feed port 101 passes through the feed output by the discharge module 11 . The weight sensor The weight information sensed by 22 can be sent out through the second wireless communication module 23, and then returned to the monitoring module 12, or transferred to the control unit 3, thereby controlling the mobile vehicle 8 The amount of feed carried. In addition, the distance measuring sensor 115 that cooperates with the discharge module 11 can not only detect whether the mobile carrier 8 has moved to a fixed point, but also confirm whether the distance between the discharge port 101 and the mobile carrier 8 is consistent. Of course, information other than weight can also be used to detect the amount of feed carried on the weighing unit 2 through the accumulated feed height, thereby providing reference information other than weight information.

It should be noted that the control interface 25 can specifically be an interface with a display and a plurality of operation buttons, which can be used to set control parameters such as the discharge weight, and can also set the weight sensor. 22Perform the desired settings. In more detail, the attached display can also use a touch screen, so as to optimize the connection between the operation method and the displayed information, making it easier to identify and control.

Specifically, the control and management unit 3 uses the first wireless communication module 13 of the feeding unit 1 to communicate with the feeding unit 1, and the second wireless communication module 23 of the weighing unit 2 to communicate with the feeding unit 1. It is connected with the weighing unit 2 for information, and is processed and controlled by the first microcontroller 121 and the second microcontroller 24 . The control unit 3 includes a portable mobile device 31 , preferably a smart phone, and a server 32 . Wherein, the server 32 has a server host 321 and a database 322 connected to the server host 321 . The portable mobile device 31 has the advantages of allowing the user to carry it with him at any time for inspection and remote control, especially after being connected with the feeding unit 1, he can remotely perform settings, The function of viewing and management can also receive the notification sent by the first wireless communication module 13 in real time, and the remote end can perform necessary processing for the unexpected situation that occurs at the moment. For the weighing unit 2, it can also be controlled by the second micro-controller 24 and communicate with the portable mobile device 31 or the server 32 through the second wireless communication module 23. Exchange, and thereby execute the two-way function of remote setting or monitoring. In addition, compared with the portable mobile device 31, although the server 32 cannot be carried around like the portable mobile device 31, it can still perform basically the same functions of setting, controlling, monitoring, and querying .

It is worth noting that at present, in response to large-scale grazing needs, it is possible to configure multiple feeding units 1 in areas such as large pastures, because each feeding unit 1 can be positioned by the satellite positioning module 16 sends location information, so when these feeding units 1 are all connected with the control unit 3, it is possible to generate graphical information showing the storage situation of each feed bucket 10 on the electronic map, representing the corresponding position on the electronic map The icon of each feed bucket 10 can be directly clicked to present the corresponding situation. Not only can the information that needs to be checked multiple times be checked immediately at a glance, but it is also conducive to summarizing the direction of supply and adjustment, so as to cope with the scientific grazing. need.

Taking a complete operation cycle as an example, the feed stored in the feed barrel 10 of this embodiment can be pre-set with the maximum and minimum values through the operation interface 122, and through the material level detector 126 and the infrared ray The camera 15 continuously detects the storage situation. Either when the maximum is exceeded due to excess stock, or below the minimum due to near depletion of feed value, that is, the siren 123 can directly issue a warning, or send a warning message to the control unit 3 through the first wireless communication module 13 . Then, when it is necessary to take feed from the feed bucket 10 , the mobile carrier 8 can be prepared by manually controlling or automatically moving below the specific feed bucket 10 and positioned above the corresponding weighing unit 2 . At this time, conventionally, the amount of feed pre-set through the control interface 25 or the control unit 3 is used. After the weight measuring unit 2 uses the second wireless communication module 23 to achieve an information connection with the feeding unit 1, the distance measuring sensor 115 can confirm whether there is indeed the mobile carrier 8 below, and the electric valve 112 just can be opened and blanking, otherwise this electric valve 112 then can not be opened. During the process of feed output through the electric valve 112, the weight sensor 22 of the weighing unit 2 can be used to continuously measure the weight, so as to confirm with the preset feeding amount and the feed output through the electric valve 112 , until the output of the set feed amount is confirmed, or the mobile carrier 8 actually carries the set feed amount, the electric valve 112 will be closed.

In addition, after the process of outputting feed is completed, in order to accurately control the actual storage volume of the storage space 100, in addition to the actual weight sensed by the weight sensor 22 to confirm the actual output feed volume, it can also be directly used The operator can even use the material level detector 126 and the infrared camera 15 to re-examine the actual storage capacity in the storage space 100 to achieve the purpose of precise control, so that the follow-up feeding The process also works smoothly.

Referring to Fig. 6, it is one of the second implementation of the programmable feeding feed management system of the present invention. Embodiment, the difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the second embodiment includes a feeding unit 1 and two weighing units 2 . That is to say, in the second embodiment, a single feed barrel 10 is used to correspond to the use situation of the two weighing units 2, so the feed barrel 10 is formed with two said discharge ports 101, and the feeding unit 1 includes The two discharge modules 11 respectively correspond to the weighing units 2, and also include a plurality of positions adjacent to the discharge ports 101, and are used to detect the feed storage in the storage space 100 Status photodetector 17 . Each of the discharge modules 11 has a conduit 111 connected to the individual discharge port 101, a feeding member 114 arranged in the conduit 111, a feeder 114 arranged in the conduit 111 and connected to the first micro-controller. The electric valve 112 of the device 121 (see FIG. 3 ), and a light sensor 116 disposed downstream of the electric valve 112 . Wherein, the light sensor 116 can ensure whether the material is discharged after the electric valve 112 is opened. If the light sensor 116 does not detect the material discharge, it means that there may be a material jam or no material. The operation of the feed member 114 will be closed to avoid unnecessary idling.

It should be explained first that each feeding member 114 is a screw conveying member with a shaft in the second embodiment, but in actual implementation, it can also use a shaftless screw conveying member, or other materials that allow the feed to move in a possible winding direction. The transportation mechanism in the catheter 111 configured in a sinuous manner is not limited to the type described in the second embodiment or shown in the drawings.

The second embodiment is mainly in response to the use of one feed barrel 10 to provide feed supply requirements for more than two locations, so a plurality of these weighing units 2 need to be configured correspondingly. These light detectors 17 are mainly to deal with more than two of these discharge ports 101 During design, the information demand of whether there is enough feed in the storage space 100 is detected from the discharge point. Each of the photodetectors 17 preferably can use a mechanism that sends out an optical signal, and the terminal judges whether the optical signal is blocked. Only when the detection judgments of the detectors 17 are consistent, a signal is sent to the first microcontroller 121 to avoid misjudgment in detection.

In fact, the weighing units 2 of the second embodiment can be regarded as being respectively arranged in corresponding feeding areas, directly carrying the feed for livestock animals in the feeding area, and matching the feeding unit 1 with the weighing units 2 And the control of the control unit 3, in addition to achieving the same effect as the first embodiment, even in the use environment where one feed bucket 10 provides more than two positions of feed supply requirements, it can be sure In response to demand.

To sum up, the programmable feeding feed management system of the present invention not only monitors the feed stored in the storage space 100 through the monitoring module 12, but also cooperates with the weighing unit 2 through the at least one discharging module 11 to accurately In addition to outputting feed, it can additionally cooperate with the control unit 3 to perform remote control, effectively improve system management efficiency, and realize management automation and convenience. Therefore, can really reach the purpose of the present invention.

But what is described above is only an embodiment of the present invention, and should not limit the scope of the present invention. All simple equivalent changes and modifications made according to the patent scope of the present invention and the content of the patent specification are still within the scope of the present invention. Within the scope covered by the patent of the present invention.

1: Feeding unit

10: Feed bucket

11: Discharging module

2: weighing unit

21: Platform

22: Weight sensor

23: Second wireless communication module

24: Second microcontroller

25: Control interface

26: Alarm

3: Control unit

31:Portable mobile device

32: Server

321:Servo host

322: database

Claims (14)

A programmable feeding feed management system, comprising: a feeding unit, including a feed barrel defining a storage space with at least one feed outlet, at least one set at the at least one feed outlet and used to control the automatic feeding of feed The discharging module of the at least one discharging port, a monitoring module installed on the feed barrel and connected to the at least one discharging module, and a first wireless communication module connected to the monitoring module group, the monitoring module has a first microcontroller, and an operation interface connected to the first microcontroller, wherein the discharging module has an electric valve whose information is connected to the first microcontroller, A distance measuring sensor connected with the first micro-controller, a side feed pipe connected to the storage space, and a manual valve configured in the side feed pipe; at least one weighing unit for communicating with The feeding unit information is connected, and corresponding to the at least one feed outlet, each of the weighing units includes a platform, a weight sensor installed on the platform and used to generate a weight information according to the weight of the feed on the platform, A second wireless communication module installed on the platform, a second micro-controller connected to the weight sensor and the second wireless communication module, and a second micro-controller connected to the second micro-controller for the A control interface for setting or operating weight information, wherein the distance measuring sensor is used to detect the distance between the discharge port and the platform; and a control unit, information is connected to the feeding unit and the weighing unit , for remote control of the feeding unit and the weighing unit. The programmable feeding feed management system as described in claim 1, wherein, the feeding unit further includes a plurality of A gas jet nozzle that emits gas from the barrel. The programmable feeding feed management system as described in claim 2, wherein, the monitoring module of the feeding unit also has a device configured in the storage space and connected with the first microcontroller and the air nozzles humidity sensor. The programmable feeding feed management system according to claim 1, wherein, the monitoring module of the feeding unit further has a temperature sensor disposed in the storage space and connected to the first microcontroller for information. The programmable feeding feed management system as described in claim 4, wherein, the monitoring module of the feeding unit further has an alarm connected with the first micro-controller. The programmable feeding feed management system according to claim 1, wherein the feeding unit further includes an infrared camera arranged in the storage space. The programmable feeding feed management system as described in claim 1, wherein the feeding unit further includes a satellite positioning module installed on the feed bucket and used to provide location information. The programmable feeding feed management system as described in claim 1, comprising a plurality of weighing units, wherein the feeding unit includes a plurality of said discharging modules respectively corresponding to the corresponding weighing units, and each of the discharging modules The module has a conduit connected to the individual discharge port, a feeding member arranged in the conduit, an electric valve configured on the conduit and connected to the first micro-controller, and an electric valve configured on the electric valve. Light sensor downstream of the valve. The programmable feeding feed management system as described in Claim 1, wherein the feeding unit further includes a plurality of lights disposed adjacent to the at least one feed outlet and used to detect the storage status of the feed in the storage space detector. The programmable feeding feed management system as described in claim 1, wherein, the monitoring module of the feeding unit also has a material level detector set in the storage space and used to detect the storage volume of the storage space detector. The programmable feeding and feed management system as described in Claim 1, wherein the weighing unit further includes an alarm device connected to the second microcontroller and used to issue a prompt when the weight information exceeds a set value . The programmable feeding feed management system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a portable mobile device. The programmable feeding feed management system as described in Claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a server, the server has a server host, and a database connected to the server host. The programmable feeding feed management system according to claim 1, wherein the feeding unit further includes a solar power generation module arranged outside the feed barrel.

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