Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K5/00—Feeding devices for stock or game ; Feeding wagons; Feeding stacks
  • A01K5/02—Automatic devices
  • A01K5/0266—Automatic devices with stable trolleys, e.g. suspended
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K1/00—Housing animals; Equipment therefor
  • A01K1/10—Feed racks
  • A01K1/105—Movable feed barriers

Definitions

• the invention relates to an unmanned autonomous vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.
• Unmanned vehicles are generally known.
• an unmanned vehicle for cleaning a stable floor is described in EP-A-O 943 235.
• Austrian Gebrauchsmuster AT-6016-U discloses a device that is movable along a guide means for displacing feed substantially transverse to the direction of travel.
• the invention aims at providing an unmanned vehicle that is capable, without guide means, of autonomously displacing feed substantially transverse to the direction of travel.
• this object is achieved by means of an unmanned autonomous vehicle for displacing feed lying on a floor substantially sidewardly, which vehicle is provided with two wheels that are separately drivable by separate drive means, a distance determining device for determining the distance from the vehicle to a wall portion, a torque difference adjusting device for adjusting the torque difference between the wheels, a control unit for controlling the vehicle and moving it in a direction of travel, and feed displacing means for displacing feed substantially sidewardly, the control unit being programmed in such a way that during operation the vehicle will maintain a distance determined by the distance determining device to the wall portion, which distance is greater than or equal to a pre-adjusted minimum distance to the wall portion.
• this arrangement and the control unit programmed in this manner ensure that the unmanned autonomous vehicle, when displacing the feed at least substantially sidewardly, is correctly positioned and correctly propelled, despite an (unpredicted) reaction force being exerted on the unmanned vehicle by the feed.
• the torque difference adjusting device is provided with a torque difference determining device for determining the torque difference between the wheels.
• the control unit is programmed in such a way that during operation the drivable wheels of the vehicle will show a torque difference determined by the torque difference determining device, which distance is smaller than or equal to a pre-adjusted maximum torque. Controlling the unmanned vehicle I
• the unmanned vehicle on the basis of the torque difference ensures that the unmanned vehicle will always displace an at least almost equal amount of feed substantially sidewardly, because the torque difference is precisely caused by and is proportional to the force that is needed for displacing an amount of feed.
• An in particular accurate sideward displacement of feed can be achieved if the unmanned vehicle is provided with an orientation determining device for determining the orientation of the centre line of the vehicle relative to the wall portion, the control unit being programmed in such a way that during operation the centre line of the vehicle will maintain an orientation determined by the orientation determining device relative to the wall portion, which orientation is at least almost equal to a pre-adjusted orientation.
• the control unit is programmed in such a way that for controlling the vehicle priority is given to the distance determined by the distance determining means in combination with the pre-adjusted minimum distance.
• the wall portion being a feeding gate where animals, such as cows for example, are present
• a too close approach to the animals might lead to un undesirably great unrest with the animals.
• a too small distance to the wall portion might lead to un undesirable accumulation of the feed.
• the pre-adjustable distance is adjustable during operation.
• the adjustment may, for example, depend on the point of time of the day, the period of time elapsed since the unmanned vehicle was present at the same position, the sort of animals or the individual animals present at the wall portion, for example a feeding gate.
• the pre-adjusted maximum torque difference and/or the pre-adjusted orientation are/is also adjustable during operation.
• the feed displacing means comprise a freely rotatable circular element whose outer circumference constitutes the outer circumference of the vehicle, no separate drive for the feed displacing means is needed, since the freely rotatable circular element is driven by the feed itself (substantially by friction engagement).
• the outer surface of the circular element may be provided with one or more friction increasing layers and/or elements.
• an embodiment of an unmanned vehicle according to the invention is characterized in that the circular element is tilted in such a way that, at least almost in the direction of travel of the vehicle, it is located closest to the floor. If the angle enclosed by the circular element and the floor is adjustable, the unmanned vehicle is capable of being adjusted so as to displace different sorts of feed in a correct manner at least almost substantially transverse to the direction of travel of the vehicle.
• the distance determining device preferably comprises an ultrasonic sensor. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the unmanned vehicle is provided with a device for detecting skid of at least one of the drivable wheels.
• the unmanned vehicle is provided with an open bottom, material, such as feed, is prevented from accumulating in the interior of the vehicle and possibly adversely affecting there the operation of the unmanned vehicle.
• feed can be supplied if the unmanned vehicle is provided with a storage container for containing feed, and with a discharge device for discharging feed to the floor.
• the storage container is preferably provided with a mixing device for mixing feed.
• the control unit controls the operation of the discharge device on the basis of data from the distance determining device and/or the torque difference determining device and/or the speed of the vehicle and/or the weight decrease of the storage container.
• the unmanned vehicle may be provided with a signalling device for supplying a signal (for example for drawing the attention of an owner and/or operator of the unmanned vehicle), the control unit controlling the operation of the signalling device on the basis of data from the distance determining device and/or the torque difference determining device.
• a signalling device for supplying a signal (for example for drawing the attention of an owner and/or operator of the unmanned vehicle)
• the control unit controlling the operation of the signalling device on the basis of data from the distance determining device and/or the torque difference determining device.
• Figure 1 is a schematic side view of the unmanned vehicle according to the invention.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the unmanned vehicle according to the invention to be used for displacing feed to a feeding gate.
• Figures 1 and 2 show an unmanned autonomous vehicle 1 for displacing feed 3 lying on a floor substantially sidewardly to a feeding gate 2.
• the feed 3, that may be solid, liquid or a mixture thereof, has been deposited at the feeding gate 2 in a manner known per se, for example with the aid of a tractor.
• the present invention will also be applicable to other installations for supplying feed to animals, so that the feeding gate shown in Figure 2 is only one of the many examples of a wall portion in the vicinity of which feed can be deposited.
• wall portion all embodiments of partition elements are meant, either or not having an open structure, it being possible for the wall portion to assume many different, curved, rectilinear, angular, etc. shapes.
• the unmanned vehicle 1 comprises two wheels 4', 5' that are separately drivable by separate drive means 4, 5.
• the unmanned vehicle 1 is further provided with a distance determining device 6, in the embodiment shown an ultrasonic sensor, for determining the distance from the vehicle 1 to the feeding gate 2. It will be obvious that all sensors known in the technique, such as for example the sensors mentioned in the patent documents enumerated above, can be used for the purpose of distance determination.
• the unmanned vehicle 1 can be provided with an external, protective covering 7 provided with apertures 8, so that the ultrasonic sensor 6 is enabled to detect the feeding gate 2. In order to prevent material, such as feed and the like, from accumulating in the interior of the unmanned vehicle 1 via the apertures 8, the bottom of the unmanned vehicle 1 is at least partially open.
• the unmanned vehicle 1 further comprises an orientation determining device 9, in the embodiment shown a gyroscope, for determining the orientation of the centre line 14 of the vehicle 1 relative to the feeding gate 2.
• orientation determining device 9 in the embodiment shown a gyroscope, for determining the orientation of the centre line 14 of the vehicle 1 relative to the feeding gate 2.
• the unmanned vehicle 1 is also provided with a torque difference determining device 10 for determining the torque difference between the wheels 4', 5'.
• a torque difference determining device which uses data from the drive means 4, 5, is known per se.
• Such a torque difference determining device can also be used for detecting skid of one of the wheels, after which detection it is possible to perform a correct action (reducing the number of revolutions per minute, alarming an operator).
• the unmanned vehicle 1 is further provided with a control unit 11 for controlling the unmanned vehicle 1 and moving it in a direction of travel, which control unit 11 is connected, via electric wires, or in a wireless manner if desired, with the distance determining device 6, the orientation determining device 9, the torque difference determining device 10, and the drives 4, 5 of the wheels 4', 5', for the purpose of exchanging data.
• the unmanned vehicle 1 For displacing feed 3 substantially transverse to the direction of travel V of the unmanned vehicle, the unmanned vehicle 1 is provided with feed displacing means 12.
• feed displacing means can be constituted by an obliquely disposed slide, or by a conveyor belt.
• these feed displacing means 12 are preferably constituted by a freely rotatable circular element 12, whose outer circumference constitutes the outer circumference of the unmanned vehicle 1.
• the circular element 12 which may be for example a ring or a disc, comes into contact with the feed, said element 12 is rotated automatically, in other words the circular element 12 is feed driven.
• the circular element 12 is tilted through an angle ⁇ in such a way that, at least almost in the direction of travel V of the vehicle 1 , it is located closest to the floor.
• the angle ⁇ enclosed by the circular element 12 and the floor can be adjustable. If desired, the angle ⁇ is adjustable, during operation of the vehicle 1 , by tilting means known per se (not shown in the drawing), such as a cylinder, that are controlled by the control unit 11.
• the control unit 11 is programmed in such a way that during operation the vehicle 1 will maintain a distance determined by the distance determining device 6 to the feeding gate 2, which distance is greater than or equal to a pre-adjusted minimum distance to the feeding gate, and that during operation the centre line 14 of the vehicle will maintain an orientation determined by the orientation determining device 9 relative to the feeding gate 2, which orientation is at least almost equal to a pre-adjusted orientation, and that during operation the drivable wheels 4 1 , 5' of the unmanned vehicle 1 will show a torque difference determined by the torque difference determining device 10, which torque difference is smaller than or equal to a pre-adjusted maximum torque.
• the control unit 11 is programmed in such a way that, for controlling the unmanned vehicle 1 , priority is given to the distance determined by the distance determining means 6 in combination with the pre-adjusted minimum distance.
• the pre- adjustable distance is adjustable during operation.
• the adjustment may, for example, depend on the point of time of the day, the period of time elapsed since the unmanned vehicle was present at the same position, the sort of animals or the individual animals present at the feeding gate.
• the pre-adjusted maximum torque difference and/or the pre- adjusted orientation are/is adjustable during operation.
• the unmanned autonomous vehicle 1 is provided with a (non-shown) energy supply that is chargeable via sidewardly disposed charging strips 13 that are capable of being brought into contact with a charging device.
• Other ways of charging the energy supply, such as inductive means, are mentioned inter alia in the above- mentioned patent documents.
• the unmanned vehicle 1 may additionally be adapted to supply feed.
• the unmanned vehicle 1 may be provided with a storage container for containing feed, and with a discharge device for discharging feed to the floor.
• the storage container is preferably provided with a mixing device for mixing feed.
• the control unit controls the operation of the discharge device on the basis of data from the distance determining device and/or the torque difference determining device and/or the speed of the vehicle and/or the weight decrease of the storage container. This enables inter alia the supply of a uniform amount of feed.
• the unmanned vehicle 1 may be provided with a signalling device (for example a transmitting aerial with a suitable controlling transmission circuit) for supplying a signal (for example for drawing the attention of an owner and/or operator of the unmanned vehicle), the control unit controlling the operation of the signalling device on the basis of data from the distance determining device and/or the torque difference determining device.
• a signalling device for example a transmitting aerial with a suitable controlling transmission circuit
• the control unit controlling the operation of the signalling device on the basis of data from the distance determining device and/or the torque difference determining device.

Landscapes

• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Environmental Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Husbandry (AREA)
• Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
• Zoology (AREA)
• Birds (AREA)
• Control Of Position, Course, Altitude, Or Attitude Of Moving Bodies (AREA)
• Feeding And Watering For Cattle Raising And Animal Husbandry (AREA)
• Platform Screen Doors And Railroad Systems (AREA)

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Related Child Applications (2)

Publications (1)

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Cited By (10)

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Citations (12)

Family Cites Families (28)

• 2006
  • 2006-04-18 NL NL1031605A patent/NL1031605C2/nl not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2007
  • 2007-03-23 WO PCT/NL2007/000083 patent/WO2007120036A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2007-03-23 PL PL07747265T patent/PL2007191T3/pl unknown
  • 2007-03-23 DE DE602007002391T patent/DE602007002391D1/de active Active
  • 2007-03-23 AT AT07747265T patent/ATE442037T1/de active
  • 2007-03-23 EP EP07747265A patent/EP2007191B1/en active Active
  • 2007-03-23 JP JP2009506431A patent/JP5054095B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2007-03-23 ES ES07747265T patent/ES2333180T3/es active Active
  • 2007-03-23 CA CA2645372A patent/CA2645372C/en active Active
  • 2007-03-23 DK DK07747265T patent/DK2007191T3/da active
  • 2007-03-23 US US12/297,686 patent/US8694191B2/en active Active

Patent Citations (12)

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