WO2001024619A1

WO2001024619A1 - Automatic fodder supplying apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2001024619A1
Application number: PCT/KR2000/001071
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chul Soo Choi
Original assignee: Chul Soo Choi
Priority date: 1999-10-04
Filing date: 2000-09-26
Publication date: 2001-04-12
Also published as: KR20010035870A; AU7688300A; KR100310744B1; KR200173567Y1

Abstract

An automatic fodder supplying apparatus including a fodder supply box having a fodder storing unit formed on the upper portion which has a space for storing the fodder and a discharge hole on the lower end portion, a discharge guide unit formed on the lower portion in order to discharge the fodder to the outside, and movable guide plate formed flatly by being extended from the rear upper end of the discharge guide unit, a fodder conveyance case including a receiving unit placed on the upper surface of the movable guide plate and having a space to receive the fodder therein and to discharge the fodder to the discharge guide unit, an operation member for operating the fodder conveyance case forward and backward, and an operation sensing member for operating the fodder conveyance case repeatedly at a set interval by sensing the operation of the fodder conveyance case.

Description

AUTOMATIC FODDER SUPPLYING-APPARATUS

The present invention relates to an automatic fodder supplying apparatus, in particular to an automatic fodder supplying apparatus which is capable of supplying fodder repeatedly in accordance with a set interval by moving a fodder conveyance case forward and backward automatically by power of a deceleration motor.

Generally, in breeding various animals including pets such as a dog, fodder is manually provided to the pets as occasion demands, however it is troublesome for a breeder to supply manually the fodder to the pet, especially when the breeder goes out for a long time, it is impossible to supply the fodder to the pet. Accordingly, in order to solve the inefficiency, an automatic fodder supplying apparatus for supplying automatically the fodder and water has been developed and used.

In the conventional automatic fodder supplying apparatus, a feed screw is installed on the lower portion of a fodder supply box, and the fodder is automatically discharged into the fodder supply box under the influence of gravity by rotating and reverse-rotating periodically the feed screw by using rotating force of a deceleration motor in accordance with the control of a control unit. However, in supply of the fodder having various shapes, sizes, mass per element such as a powder shape, a granule shape, a cookie shape, a bone shape separately or so as to be mixed, the fodder can be crushed and its shape might have been damaged due to the rotation of the feed screw, when the bone shape fodder is caught between the outer circumference and inner circumference of the screw, it interrupts the rotation of the screw, even more the apparatus might be broken.

TECHNICAL GIST OF THE PESENT INVENTION Accordingly, in order to solve the above- mentioned problems of the present invention, the object of the present invention is to provide an automatic fodder supplying apparatus for supplying fodder and water to various animals at home, a cage, and a laboratory which is capable of supplying consecutively and smoothly a certain amount of fodder according to the kind or condition of the animal in accordance with an interval set with a timer in everyday or long time absence or trip, manufacturing easily, and using conveniently and stably for a long time.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, the automatic fodder supplying apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a fodder storing unit having a certain space for storing the fodder and a discharge hole formed on the lower end portion, an infrared lamp for preventing spoilage of the fodder and sterilizing, a discharge guide unit for discharging the fodder of the fodder storing unit to the outside, a fodder supply box having a movable guide plate formed flatly by being extended from the rear upper end of the discharge guide unit, a fodder conveyance case including a receiving unit placed on the upper surface of the movable guide plate placed between the fodder storing unit of the fodder supply box and the discharge guide unit so as to have a certain space in order to receive the fodder from the fodder storing unit and discharging the fodder to the discharge guide unit while operating forward and backward, an operation means for operating the fodder conveyance case forward and backward, and an operation sensing means for operating the fodder conveyance case repeatedly in accordance with a set interval by sensing the operation of the fodder conveyance case.

In addition, in the automatic fodder supplying apparatus, the fodder conveyance case comprise a movable open/close plate which is hinge-connected to the lower surface of the receiving unit and is opened/closed according to forward and backward of the receiving unit in order to make the fodder inside of the receiving unit drop downwardly, and a fixed open/close plate which is extended-formed from the rear end portion of the receiving unit in order to open/close the discharge hole of the fodder storing unit according to forward and backward of the receiving unit.

In addition, in the automatic fodder supplying apparatus, the operation means comprises a deceleration motor fixedly installed on the fodder supply box, a crank for moving the fodder conveyance case forward and backward by altering the rotation force of the deceleration motor into a linear reciprocation motion, and the operation sensing means comprises a micro switch installed on the rear of the crank and operated in accordance with the motion of the crank.

In addition, in the automatic fodder supplying apparatus, the operation means comprises the deceleration motor fixedly installed on the rear of the fodder conveyance case and moving with the fodder conveyance case, a pinion fixed on a shaft of the deceleration motor, a rack gear engaging to the pinion, and the operation sensing means comprises micro switches separately and fixedly installed on the front and rear of the fodder supply box and operating in accordance with the forward and backward of the fodder conveyance case.

In addition, the automatic fodder supplying apparatus comprises a plurality of wheels fixed on the bottom surface of the fodder conveyance case, a pair of guide rails on a transfer guide plate of the fodder supply box, accordingly the wheels of the fodder conveyance case forward and backward on the guide rails.

In addition, the automatic fodder supplying apparatus comprises a fodder guide member on the lower end portion of the fodder storing unit for preventing jamming and drop-out of the fodder. In addition, the automatic fodder supplying apparatus comprises a water supply means on the side of the fodder supply box in order to provide water automatically.

In addition, in the automatic fodder supplying apparatus, the water

supply means comprises a water supply box combined to the side of the fodder supply box, a water supply case placed inner lower portion of the water supply box, having a water storing unit on the front upper surface, having a water discharge unit on the rear portion, and having a plurality of wheels on the bottom surface so as to be movable inner and outer of the water supply box, a water bottle combining unit installed on the upper surface of the water supply case and having an open upper portion, and a water bottle inserted into the open upward of the water bottle combining unit, having a valve installed on an inlet in order to discharge the water by adhering it closely to the bottom surface of the water discharge unit, and making the discharged water flow into the water storing unit on the front portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG.1 is a perspective view illustrating overall outward of an automatic fodder supplying apparatus in accordance with the present

invention.

FIG.2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an automatic fodder supplying apparatus in accordance with the present invention. FIG.3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a fodder supply unit of an automatic fodder supplying apparatus in accordance with the present

invention. FIG.4 is a perspective partial cross-sectional view illustrating a fodder supply box of an automatic fodder supplying apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG.5a is a cross sectional view illustrating a stop position of a fodder conveyance case in order to describe an automatic fodder discharge operation of an automatic fodder supplying apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG.5b is a cross sectional view illustrating a discharge position of a fodder conveyance case in order to describe an automatic fodder discharge operation of an automatic fodder supplying apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG.6 is a partial sectional view illustrating a water discharge unit of an automatic fodder supplying apparatus in accordance with the present invention. FIG.7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a water discharge unit of an automatic fodder supplying apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG.8 is a perspective view illustrating the other embodiment of an operation means for moving a fodder conveyance case of an automatic fodder supplying apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an automatic fodder supplying apparatus in accordance with the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

FIG.1 ~ FIG.8 illustrate an automatic fodder supplying apparatus in accordance with the present invention. FIG.1 is a perspective view, FIG.2 is a overall cross-sectional view, FIG.3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a fodder supply unit, FIG.4 is a perspective partial cross- sectional view illustrating a fodder supply box, FIG.5a is a cross sectional view illustrating a stop position of a fodder conveyance case in order to describe arv automatic fodder discharge operation, FIG.5b is a cross sectional view illustrating a discharge position of a fodder conveyance case in order to describe an automatic fodder discharge operation.

FIG.6 is a partial sectional view illustrating a water discharge unit,

FIG.7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a water discharge unit, and FIG.8 is a perspective view illustrating the other embodiment of an operation means for moving a fodder conveyance case in accordance with the present invention.

As depicted in FIG.1 ~ FIG.8, a fodder storing unit 2 for storing and supplying the fodder is installed on the inner upper portion pf the fodder supply box 1 , and a fodder conveyance case 5 is installed on the center portion of the fodder supply box 1 so as to be movable forward and backward by an operation means 4 when it is placed on a transfer guide plate 3 so as to perform slide-straight-transferring. Wheels 6 are installed on the both bottom surface of the fodder conveyance case, and the fodder conveyance case performs the slide- straight transferring on a pair of guide rails 7 installed flatly on the upper surface of the transfer guide plate 3. In the operation means 4, a deceleration motor 4a is fixed oh the center portion of a fodder supply box 1 , the rotation force of the deceleration motor 4a is transmitted to the fodder conveyance case 5 by a crank 4h, accordingly the fodder conveyance case 5 can perform a reciprocation motion forward and backward. In the crank 4h, a rotation disk plate 4c is fixed to a shaft 4b of a deceleration motor 4a, the end of a lever 4f is connected to a connection pin 4e eccentrically fixed to the side of the rotation disk plate 4c, at the same time the other end of the lever 4f is connected to a connection shaft 4g fixed to a connection unit 5d of the fodder conveyance case 5. In the fodder conveyance case 5, a movable open/close plate 5b is hinge-combined to the bottom surface of a receiving unit 5a for

containing the fodder, and a fixed open/close plate 5c for opening/closing a lower portion discharge hole 2b of the fodder storing unit 2 is installed on the upper portion of the connection unit 5d. A discharge guide unit 3a for guiding the fodder discharged from the fodder conveyance case 5 is formed on the front portion of the fodder conveyance case 5, a discharge hole 8 for discharging the fodder to a feeder 9 is formed on the front lower portion of the fodder supply box 1 . In addition, the support plate 3b is formed on the rear of the transferring guide plate 3 as a space outer for installing the operation means 4, and a cover 10 having a lever 10a is placed on the upper portion of the fodder supply box 1.

And, it is advisable to install an infrared lamp (not shown) for preventing spoilage and sterilizing the fodder on the side of the cover 10 of the fodder supply box 1.

The operation of the operation means 4 is sensed by a operation sensing means 11 , and the fodder conveyance case 5 is transferred according to an interval set by a timer by a control unit of a control plate (not shown) combined to a certain portion of the fodder supply box 1.

When a micro switch 12 is fixedly installed to the side of the deceleration motor 4a and an operation protrusion 4d is formed on the circumference of the rotation disk plate 4c, the operation sensing means 11 can sense contact of an operation protrusion 4d to the micro switch 12 occurred by rotation of the rotation disk plate 4c by the rotation force of the deceleration motor 4a.

In the fodder storing unit 2, a guide plate 2a is formed on the upper inner side surface of the fodder supply box 1 downwardly so as to be inclined, the discharge hole 2b is formed on the lower end portion of it, and a fodder guide member 14 is installed on the lower side portion of the discharge 2b of the fodder storing unit 2 in order to prevent the fodder hold between the lower side portion of the discharge hole 2b and fodder conveyance case 5 and put the fodder into well. It is advisable to use a natural birth or synthetic resin material brush 14a in the fodder guide member 14, besides a rubber plate etc. can be used. Herein, when the fodder is caught between the lower end portion of the discharge hole 2b and fodder conveyance case 5, in order to prevent friction occurrence between them, the fodder guide member 14 having a brush shape is transferred by the motion of the fodder conveyance case 5, and it brushes the fodder etc. adhered to the upper surface of the fixed open/close plate 5e while the fodder conveyance case 5 forwards and backwards. A constant feed case having different volumes can be combined to the receiving unit 5a of the fodder conveyance case 5, the quantity of the fodder (for example, 8 times automatic reciprocation) can be inputted by adjusting reciprocation motion number of the constant feed case. And, a constant feed case having a plurality of different standards can be combined and used selectively in accordance with the kind and condition of animals. The fodder can be put into the receiving unit 5a of the fodder conveyance case 5, and can be discharged directly without combining the constant feed case to the receiving unit 5a.

When the fodder conveyance case 5 performs the reciprocation transfer one time, the operation protrusion 4d of the operation sensing means 11 senses it by contacting to a contact point of the micro switch 12, when a contact signal of the micro switch 12 is transmitted to the control unit, the control unit stops the deceleration motor 4a, and rotates it again at a certain time. And, when the fodder conveyance case 5 performs the reciprocation transferring one time, in other words, when the fodder contained in the fodder conveyance case 5 is discharged into the feeder 9, a display means for generating sound such as a melody in order to inform it to the animal such as a sound generation means and/or lighting means is comprised, the sound occurrence means and lighting means can be operated by a sense signal of the operation sensing means 1 1.

Meanwhile, the present invention further comprises a water supply means 15 for supplying the water, in the water supply means 15, a water supply box 16 is combined to the fodder supply bow 1 , and a water supply case 17 is combined to the lower portion of the water supply box

16 so as to be movable inner and outer.

In order to insert the water bottle 19 upside down, a water combining unit 18 which is vacant and has an open upper portion is installed on the rear of the water supply case 17, a water discharge unit 17a for containing the water discharged from the water bottle 19 is placed on the upper surface, and a water storing unit 17b for storing the water flowed from the water discharge unit 17a is formed on the front portion. And, a lever 17c is installed on the front surface of the water supply case 17, and a plurality of wheels 21 for moving smoothly are installed on the bottom surface. Herein, the water supply case 17 can move by using rails on the behalf of the wheels 21. As depicted in FIG.7, a valve 20 is installed on the discharge hole of the water bottle 19, when the lower end portion of the valve 20 is contacted to the bottom surface of the water discharge unit 17a of the water supply case 17 and is pressed by that, the valve is opened so as to discharge the water, when the water bottle is taken out 19, the valve 20 is closed, it is advisable to use a general push type valve for the valve 20. Non described reference numeral F in the drawing means the fodder.

The operation of the automatic fodder supply apparatus in accordance with the present invention will now be described.

First, as depicted in FIG.1 ~ FIG.3, when the automatic fodder supply apparatus stops, the fodder is put into the fodder storing unit 2 of the fodder supply box 1 , the timer in the control unit is adjusted in order to set the fodder supply interval, the feeder 9 is placed on the lower portion of the discharge hole 8 of the fodder supply box 1.

And, the constant feed case having the plurality of sizes can be combined to the receiving unit 5a of the fodder conveyance case 5 in accordance with the quantity of the fodder.

After that, at the time set by the timer, the deceleration motor 4a of the operation means 4 operates, the rotation force of the deceleration motor 4a is transmitted to the fodder conveyance case 5 by the rotation disk plate 4c and lever 4f of the crank 4h, accordingly the fodder conveyance case 5 forwards from the FIG.5a position to the FIG.5b

position. When the fodder conveyance case 5 forwards, the automatic open/close plate 5b hinge-connected to the bottom surface of the receiving unit 5a by a hinge unit 5c is opened by dropping and rotation to the inner of the discharge guide unit 3a, at the same time fodder of the receiving unit 5a drops through the discharge guide unit 3a, and is put into the feeder 9 through the discharge hole 8 placed on the lower end portion of the fodder supply box 1 .

When the fodder conveyance case 5 moves, the operation protrusion 4d of the rotation disk plate 4c rotates and moves and separated from the micro switch 12, the contact point is separated from the micro switch, when the fodder conveyance case 5 performs the reciprocation transferring one time to reverse direction by the deceleration motor 4a and crank 4h, the operation protrusion is connected again to the contact point of the micro switch 12, it can sense the reciprocation motion of the fodder conveyance case 5, and the operation of the deceleration motor 4a is controlled by the sense signal.

The deceleration motor 4a is operated according to the sense signal of the micro switch 12, the above-described fodder supply operation performs repeatedly in accordance with the set interval. And, when the fodder discharged into the feeder 9, the sound occurrence means and/or lighting means operates in accordance with the sense signal of the micro switch 12, accordingly the pet etc. can know easily the fodder supply time. Meanwhile, the water supply means 15 supplies the water by inserting the water bottle 19 into the water bottle combining unit 18 of the water supply box 16, when the water bottle 19 is inserted into the water bottle combining unit 18, the water is discharged by pressing the valve combined to the inlet of the water discharge unit 17a by contacting it to the bottom surface of the water discharge unit 17a, and the discharged water flows into the water storing unit 17b.

Accordingly, it is possible to provide automatically the fodder with water in case of needs. FIG.8 is a perspective view illustrating the other embodiment of an operation means for moving a fodder conveyance case, as depicted in

FIG.8, the operation means 4 for operating the fodder conveyance case

5 comprises the deceleration motor 4a fixedly installed on the rear portion of the fodder conveyance case 5 and moving with the fodder conveyance case 5, a pinion 4i fixed to the shaft of the deceleration motor 4a, and the rack gear 4j fixed to the support plate 3b and engaging with the pinion 4i.

For example, the fixed plate 5g is fixed to the rear surface plate 5f of the connection unit 5d of the fodder conveyance case 5, the deceleration motor 4a is fixed to the fixed plate 5g, the rack gear 4j is foxed on the upper portion of the center protrusion unit 3c of the support plate 3b, it can be embodied many ways, the deceleration motor 4a can be embodied to be fixedly installed to the fodder supply box 1 not to movable, and the rack gar 4j can be embodied to move with the fodder conveyance case 5. As depicted in FIG.8, in the operation sensing means 1 1 , the micro switches are separately and fixedly installed to the inner front and rear of the fodder supply box 1 , the operation protrusions 13 are installed on the front and rear end portion of the fodder conveyance case 5 corresponding to them, accordingly the transferring of the fodder conveyance case 5 can be sensed by contacting the each operation protrusion 13 to the pertinent micro switch 12 on the front and end portion.

For example, in the automatic fodder supplying apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the fodder conveyance case 5 can be set so as to supply the fodder F three times per a day, namely, at 7, 12, 19 o'clock, the constant feed case can be custom-manufactured as 3 - 4 sizes such as net contents 20g, 30g, 40g, 50g etc., but it can be embodied freely according to its need. In addition, it is advisable to use the automatic fodder supplying apparatus in accordance with the present invention for the pets and small size animals, but it can be embodied many ways according to the kind of the animal.

INDUSTRIAL APPI. ICABILITY

The automatic fodder supplying apparatus in accordance with the present invention discharges fodder in a fodder conveyance case by rotating the fodder conveyance case with the rotation force of a deceleration motor and an electromotive force of a crank, accordingly it is easy to construct, manufacture, and can use stably for a ling time. In addition, different sizes of the feed conveyance case can be used in case of needs, accordingly the amount of the fodder can be adjusted easily in accordance with the kind of the animal, and because a fodder guide member is combined to the lower end portion of a fodder storing unit in order to brush the fodder contained in a receiving unit of a fodder conveyance case not to be overflowed to the outside, accordingly it is possible to supply the fodder such as a bone smoothly without being caught, and it is possible to supply water automatically with the fodder. In addition, the present invention can inform the fodder supply with a display means such as a sound occurrence means and/or lighting means to the animal, accordingly the supply efficiency can improve.

In addition, in everyday or long-term absence or trip of a breeder, various kinds of the fodder can be provided smoothly in accordance with a interval set with a timer at home, a cage, a laboratory etc., and it is possible to manage large number of animals by one person.

Claims

CLA1MS-

1. An automatic fodder supplying apparatus, comprising : a fodder supply box including a fodder storing unit formed on the upper portion which has a certain space for storing the fodder and a discharge hole on the lower end portion, a discharge guide unit formed on the lower portion in order to discharge the fodder to the outside, and a movable guide plate formed flatly by being extended from the rear upper end of the discharge guide unit ; a fodder conveyance case including a receiving unit on the upper surface of the movable guide plate placed between the fodder storing unit of the fodder supply box and the discharge guide unit so as to have a certain space in order to receive the fodder from the fodder storing unit and discharging the fodder to the discharge guide unit while operating forward and backward ; an operation means for operating the fodder conveyance case forward and backward ; and an operation sensing means for operating the fodder conveyance case repeatedly in accordance with a set interval by sensing the operation of the fodder conveyance case.

2. The automatic fodder supplying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the fodder conveyance case comprises : a movable open/ ose plate which is hinge-connected to the bottom surface of the receiving unit and is opened/closed according to forward and backward of the receiving unit in order to make the fodder inside of the receiving unit drop downwardly ; and a fixed open/close plate which is extended-formed from the rear end portion of the receiving unit in order to open/close the discharge hole of the fodder storing unit according to forward and backward of the receiving unit.

3. The automatic fodder supplying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the operation means comprises a deceleration motor fixedly installed on the fodder supply box, a crank for moving the fodder conveyance case forward and backward by altering the rotation force of the deceleration motor into a linear reciprocation motion, and the operation sensing means comprises a micro switch installed on the rear of the crank and operated in accordance with the motion of the crank.

4. The automatic fodder supplying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the operation means comprises a deceleration motor fixedly installed on the rear of the fodder conveyance case and moving with the fodder conveyance case, a pinion fixed on a shaft of the deceleration motor, a rack gear engaging to the pinion, and the operation sensing means comprises micro switches separately and fixedly installed on the front and rear of the fodder supply box and operating in accordance with the forward and backward of the fodder conveyance case.

5. The automatic fodder supplying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of wheels are installed on the bottom surface of the fodder conveyance case, a pair of guide rails are installed on the movable guide plate of the fodder supply box, and the wheels of the fodder conveyance case forward and backward on the guide rails.

6. The automatic fodder supplying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a fodder guide member is installed on the lower portion of the guide plate of the fodder storing unit in order to prevent the fodder from being jammed in and dropping out to the outside.

7. The automatic fodder supplying apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a water supply means is installed on the side of the fodder supply box in order to provide water automatically.

8. The automatic fodder supplying apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the water supply means comprises : a water supply box combined to the side of the fodder supply box ; a water supply case placed inner lower portion of the water supply box, having a water storing unit on the front upper surface, having a water discharge unit on the rear portion, and having a plurality of wheels on the bottom surface so as to be movable inner and outer of the water supply box ; a water bottle combining unit installed on the upper surface of the water supply case and having an open upper portion ; and a water bottle inserted into the open upward portion of the water bottle combining unit, having a valve installed on an inlet in order to discharge the water by adhering closely to the bottom surface of the water discharge unit, and making the discharged water flow into the water storing unit on the front portion.