System and method for managing a feed bin for monitoring condensation, feed caking and ratholing conditions

Abstract

The present invention relates to a feed bin management system and method that estimates the possibility of condensation based on temperature distribution and humidity information inside a feed bin, which is a feed storage facility for livestock, detects feed caking and ratholing phenomena using a Time of Flight (ToF) sensor, and comprehensively monitors and manages the internal state of the feed bin by fusion analysis of these information. More specifically, the system is characterized by comprising: a temperature sensing unit that acquires temperature information inside the feed bin; a distribution sensing unit that acquires distribution information regarding the surface shape and spatial distribution of feed loaded inside the feed bin; and an analysis unit that estimates the possibility of condensation on the inner wall of the feed bin based on the temperature information acquired from the temperature sensing unit, determines feed caking or ratholing phenomena based on the distribution information acquired from the distribution sensing unit, and evaluates the internal state of the feed bin by mutually linking the result of the estimation possibility and the result of the determination of feed caking or ratholing.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a feed bin management system and method that estimates the possibility of condensation based on temperature distribution and humidity information inside a feed bin, which is a feed storage facility for livestock, detects feed caking and ratholing phenomena using a Time of Flight (ToF) sensor, and comprehensively monitors and manages the internal condition of the feed bin by fusion analysis of this information. Background Technology

[0003] Feed bins used in livestock farms are generally metal storage containers installed exposed to the external environment, and a difference occurs between the temperature of the outer wall and the internal air temperature due to seasonal changes and daily temperature fluctuations.

[0004] Such temperature differences can cause condensation on the inner walls of the feed bin, and if the moisture content of the feed increases locally due to condensation, the feed may adhere to and caking the inner walls.

[0005] If feed adheres to the inner walls, a ratholing phenomenon occurs where the feed does not fall smoothly and only the feed in the center is discharged downwards. This results in a problem where actual discharge does not take place despite a significant amount of feed remaining inside the bin; consequently, it has become customary in the field to strike the bin from the outside to induce the fall.

[0006] In addition, if the stagnation persists for a long period, it may lead to feed spoilage and mold growth, potentially causing a decline in livestock health and worsening performance.

[0007] Meanwhile, conventional feed bin management technology has evolved around weight measurement methods using load cells, sensors detecting changes in feed height or volume, consumption pattern analysis based on remaining quantity data, and technologies for calculating feed order timing.

[0008] While these technologies can contribute to determining the total amount of feed and establishing inventory management or supply plans, they have limitations in directly detecting condensation, caking, and the resulting reduced flow or lath-holing phenomena occurring inside the feed bin, or in analyzing their causes.

[0009] In addition, some technologies have been proposed to observe the shape inside the feed bin using LiDAR or 3D sensors and to visually provide abnormal feed distribution conditions; however, these technologies also fail to adequately provide technologies for continuously monitoring the frequency of condensation caused by changes in internal temperature and external environmental conditions, or for preventively managing the correlation between condensation and feed sticking by analyzing it over the long term.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need for a new technology that enables preventive management by comprehensively analyzing the conditions of condensation inside the feed bin as well as feed sticking and lath-holing phenomena, and estimating their progression patterns in a time-series manner. Prior art literature

[0012] Republic of Korea Registered Patent No. 10-2845504 The problem to be solved

[0013] Accordingly, the present invention is devised to solve the aforementioned problems and aims to provide a feed bin management system and method capable of quantitatively estimating the possibility of condensation occurrence using temperature distribution and humidity changes inside the feed bin, spatially detecting feed caking and ratholing phenomena, and effectively monitoring the internal condition of the feed bin by fusing and analyzing this information. means of solving the problem

[0015] As a means to solve the aforementioned problems, the feed bin management system for monitoring condensation, feed adhesion, and lath-holing conditions according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the "system of the present invention") comprises: a temperature sensing unit for acquiring temperature information inside the feed bin; and a distribution sensing unit for acquiring distribution information regarding the surface shape and spatial distribution of feed loaded inside the feed bin; The apparatus includes an analysis unit that estimates the possibility of condensation occurring on the inner wall of the feed bin based on temperature information obtained from the temperature sensing unit, determines the phenomenon of feed sticking or ratholing based on distribution information obtained from the distribution sensing unit, and evaluates the internal state of the feed bin by mutually linking the result of estimating the possibility of condensation and the result of determining feed sticking or ratholing; wherein the temperature sensing unit includes an infrared (IR) array sensor in which a plurality of sensing cells are arranged in a grid shape and installed to face from the upper to the lower direction inside the feed bin to measure the temperature distribution of the internal space of the feed bin, and is characterized by setting the temperature of the central region among a plurality of regions divided by the grid arrangement of the infrared array sensor as a value representing the air temperature inside the feed bin and setting the temperature of the outer region as a value representing the surface temperature of the inner wall of the feed bin.

[0016] delete

[0017] As an example, the temperature sensing unit further includes a humidity sensor for measuring the relative humidity inside the feed bin, and the analysis unit is characterized by being configured to calculate the dew point temperature inside the feed bin using the air temperature inside the feed bin obtained from the infrared array sensor and the relative humidity information obtained from the humidity sensor, and to compare the dew point temperature with the surface temperature of the inner wall of the feed bin obtained through the infrared array sensor, and to estimate that there is a possibility of condensation occurring on the inner wall of the feed bin if the temperature of the inner wall of the feed bin is lower than the dew point temperature.

[0018] As an example, the temperature sensing unit further includes a temperature sensor for measuring the air temperature inside the feed bin, and the temperature sensor is characterized by measuring the air temperature inside the feed bin and providing it as air temperature information that replaces the temperature in the center area of ​​the infrared array sensor when the temperature measured in the center area of ​​the infrared array sensor reflects the feed surface temperature instead of the air temperature inside the feed bin.

[0019] As an example, the distribution sensing unit includes a Time of Flight (ToF) array sensor in which a plurality of sensing cells are arranged in a grid shape and installed to face from the upper to the lower direction inside the feed bin to measure the feed distribution state within the feed bin's internal space, and is characterized by being configured to acquire distance information for a plurality of regions divided by the grid arrangement of the ToF array sensor.

[0020] As an example, the analysis unit is characterized by being configured to calculate the distance difference between the central area and the outer area of ​​the feed bin by comparing distance information for multiple regions obtained from the ToF array sensor, and to determine the phenomenon of feed sticking or lath-holing based on the distance difference.

[0021] As an example, the analysis unit is characterized by being configured to accumulate and store temperature information obtained from the temperature sensing unit and distribution information obtained from the distribution sensing unit along a time axis, and to analyze the occurrence trend of feed sticking or lath-holing phenomena based on the accumulated data.

[0022] As an example, the analysis unit is characterized by being configured to derive the growth distribution or progression trend of feed fixation or lath-holing phenomena by applying statistical analysis techniques or artificial intelligence-based analysis techniques based on accumulated data.

[0023] As an example, it further includes a vibration device mounted on the outer wall of the feed bin to generate vibration; and the analysis unit is characterized by being configured to preventively manage the feed sticking or lath-holing phenomenon by controlling the vibration device to operate when the progression state of the derived feed sticking or lath-holing phenomenon exceeds a set threshold value.

[0024] Meanwhile, the feed bin management method for monitoring condensation, feed sticking, and ratholing conditions according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the "method of the present invention") is characterized by comprising the following steps in a method for managing the internal state of a feed bin using the system of the present invention described above: a step of obtaining temperature information inside the feed bin (S10); a step of obtaining distribution information regarding the surface shape and spatial distribution of feed loaded inside the feed bin (S20); a step of estimating the possibility of condensation occurring on the inner wall of the feed bin based on the temperature information (S30); a step of determining the phenomenon of feed sticking or ratholing based on the distribution information (S40); and a step of evaluating the internal state of the feed bin by mutually linking the result of estimating the possibility of condensation and the result of determining feed sticking or ratholing (S50).

[0025] As an example, the above step S30 is characterized by including: a step of calculating the dew point temperature inside the feed bin using information on the air temperature and relative humidity inside the feed bin; and a step of comparing the dew point temperature with the surface temperature of the inner wall of the feed bin and estimating that there is a possibility of condensation occurring on the inner wall of the feed bin if the temperature of the inner wall of the feed bin is lower than the dew point temperature.

[0026] As an example, the above step S40 is characterized by including: a step of dividing the internal space of the feed bin into a plurality of regions and measuring distance information for each region; and a step of comparing the distance information of the plurality of regions to calculate the distance difference between the central region of the feed bin and the outer region, and determining the phenomenon of feed sticking or lath-holing based on the distance difference.

[0027] As an example, the above step S50 is characterized by including a step of accumulating and storing the condensation occurrence possibility information and feed distribution information along a time axis, and analyzing the progression trend of feed sticking or lathholing phenomena based on the accumulated data.

[0028] As an example, the above S50 step is characterized by including a step of deriving the growth distribution or progression trend of feed fixation or lath-holing phenomena by applying statistical analysis techniques or artificial intelligence-based analysis techniques based on accumulated data.

[0029] As an example, the above step S50 is characterized by including a step of preventing feed sticking or lath-holing by operating a vibration device that generates vibration on the outer wall of the feed bin when the progression state of feed sticking or lath-holing reaches a set threshold. Effects of the invention

[0031] As such, according to the present invention, by analyzing the air temperature inside the feed bin and the surface temperature of the inner wall of the feed bin through an infrared (IR) array sensor, it is possible to quantitatively estimate whether the dew point has been reached due to changes in the external environment, thereby enabling early detection of the risk of condensation occurring inside the feed bin.

[0032] In addition, by using a ToF array sensor to divide and measure the feed distribution inside the feed bin into multiple regions, feed sticking and ratholing phenomena can be detected in real time, which has the effect of identifying feed discharge defects at an early stage.

[0033] Furthermore, by integrating and analyzing condensation occurrence information and feed distribution information, the progression of feed sticking and environmental influencing factors can be systematically identified, which has the effect of improving the efficiency and stability of feed bin management. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a system in one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2a and 2b are schematic diagrams showing the installation structure and array structure of an infrared (IR) array sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the concept of estimating the possibility of condensation occurrence according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 4a and 4b are schematic diagrams illustrating feed distribution measurement and lath-holing phenomena using a ToF array sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration for preventing feed sticking using a vibration device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the control flow of a method according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0036] In describing the present invention, terms and words used in this specification and claims must be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms to best describe his invention.

[0037] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 1, the system of the present invention may be configured to include a temperature sensing unit (10) for acquiring temperature information inside a feed bin (1), a distribution sensing unit (20) for acquiring distribution information regarding the surface shape and spatial distribution of feed loaded inside the feed bin (1), and an analysis unit (30) for collecting and analyzing information acquired from the temperature sensing unit (10) and the distribution sensing unit (20) to evaluate and monitor the current state of the condition inside the feed bin (1), such as caking or ratholing of the feed, as well as to determine the future progress.

[0039] First, the above feed bin (1) is a livestock feed storage chamber equipped with an internal storage space for storing and accommodating feed, and can be configured such that feed is typically fed through an upper inlet and discharged to the outside through a lower outlet.

[0040] This feed bin (1) can be installed in an upright position on the ground by means of a separate support structure made of metal or synthetic resin material, and has a structure in which the feed stored inside moves downward by gravity and is discharged.

[0041] The temperature sensing unit (10) may be configured to include a sensor module for measuring the temperature distribution inside the feed bin (1) in a non-contact manner.

[0042] For example, the temperature sensing unit (10) may include an infrared (IR) array sensor (100) in which a plurality of sensing cells are arranged in a grid shape.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2a, the infrared array sensor (100) may be installed in the upper internal area of ​​the feed bin (1) and positioned to face downward. At this time, it is preferable that the infrared array sensor (100) be installed in the center of the upper internal area of ​​the feed bin (1), so that the detection range of the infrared array sensor (100) can be formed evenly over the entire internal space of the feed bin (1), and the phenomenon of the measurement area being biased in a specific direction can be prevented.

[0044] Accordingly, the infrared array sensor (100) can divide the internal space of the feed bin (1) into multiple regions to obtain temperature information for each region more uniformly, and thereby can more accurately determine the temperature distribution of the air inside the feed bin (1) and the area around the inner wall.

[0045] Infrared array sensor (100) installed so as to face from the top to the bottom of the feed bin (1) can divide the internal space of the feed bin (1) into multiple regions and obtain temperature information for each region, thereby spatially determining the temperature distribution of the air inside the feed bin (1) and the area around the inner wall of the feed bin (1).

[0046] Also, as shown in FIG. 2b, the sensing cells of the infrared array sensor (100) are arranged in a grid shape to form a plurality of regions.

[0047] Here, the central region located in the center of the plurality of regions is a region measured toward the central space inside the feed bin (1), and the temperature measured in that region can be set as a value representing the air temperature inside the feed bin (1). And the outer region located at the outer edge of the grid array is a region measured toward the inner wall of the feed bin (1), and the temperature measured in that region can be set as a value representing the surface temperature of the inner wall of the feed bin.

[0048] Accordingly, in the system of the present invention, the internal air temperature of the feed bin (1) and the surface temperature of the inner wall of the feed bin (1) can be simultaneously determined using a single infrared array sensor (100), and this temperature information can be used as basic data to estimate the possibility of condensation occurring inside the feed bin (1).

[0049] In particular, based on the difference between the air temperature inside the feed bin (1) and the surface temperature of the inner wall of the feed bin (1), it becomes possible to analyze the possibility of condensation occurring inside the feed bin (1) more effectively.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in order to more accurately estimate the possibility of condensation occurring inside the feed bin (1), the temperature sensing unit (10) may further include a humidity sensor (110) for measuring the relative humidity inside the feed bin (1). The humidity sensor (110) may be configured to measure the relative humidity of the air inside the feed bin and transmit the information to the analysis unit (30).

[0051] The temperature sensing unit (10) can measure the air temperature inside the feed bin (1) and the surface temperature of the inner wall of the feed bin (1) through the infrared array sensor (100), and the humidity sensor (110) can measure the relative humidity of the air inside the feed bin (1).

[0052] And the air temperature inside the feed bin obtained from the infrared array sensor (100) and the relative humidity information obtained from the humidity sensor (110) can be transmitted to the analysis unit (30).

[0053] The analysis unit (30) can calculate the dew point temperature inside the feed bin (1) using the transmitted air temperature and relative humidity information inside the feed bin (1). At this time, the analysis unit (30) can calculate the dew point temperature inside the feed bin using a known Magnus equation, etc.

[0054] For example, the analysis unit (30) above determines the dew point temperature ' by the following [Equation 1] and [Equation 2]. can produce '

[0055]

[0056]

[0057] Here, T is the internal temperature of the feed bin, RH is the relative humidity, and a and b are constants.

[0058] The above [Equation 1] and [Equation 2] are dew point calculation formulas using the Magnus formula, where a and b are empirically determined constants of the Magnus-Tetens dew point approximation formula, and for example, a can be 17.625 and b can be 243.04.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 3, the surface temperature of the inner wall of the feed bin (1) measured through the infrared array sensor (100) can also be transmitted to the analysis unit (30), and the analysis unit (30) can estimate the possibility of condensation occurring on the inner wall of the feed bin (1) by comparing the calculated dew point temperature with the surface temperature of the inner wall of the feed bin (1). For example, the analysis unit (30) may determine that there is a possibility of condensation occurring on the inner wall of the feed bin (1) if the surface temperature of the inner wall of the feed bin (1) is lower than the dew point temperature.

[0060] The results of the estimation of the possibility of such condensation can be used as basic information to analyze the conditions under which feed sticking or lath-holing may occur in the internal environment of the feed bin (1).

[0061] Meanwhile, depending on the loading height of the feed contained inside the feed bin (1), there may be cases where the temperature measured in the central area of ​​the infrared array sensor (100) does not accurately reflect the air temperature inside the feed bin.

[0062] For example, if a large amount of feed is loaded inside the feed bin (1) and forms above a certain height, the temperature measured in the central area of ​​the infrared array sensor (100) may reflect the feed surface temperature instead of the air temperature inside the feed bin (1), and in this case, the feed surface temperature may be different from the air temperature inside.

[0063] Accordingly, the temperature sensing unit (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a separate temperature sensor to more accurately measure the air temperature inside the feed bin (1), although it is not shown in the drawing.

[0064] The above temperature sensor is installed at the top inside the feed bin (1) to directly measure the temperature of the air inside the feed bin (1) and can be configured to transmit the measured information to the analysis unit (30).

[0065] If the analysis unit (30) determines that the temperature measured in the central area of ​​the infrared array sensor (100) does not accurately reflect the air temperature inside the feed bin, it may use the air temperature information obtained from the temperature sensor as a value representing the air temperature inside the feed bin (1).

[0066] That is, the above temperature sensor provides air temperature information that replaces the temperature measured in the central area of ​​the infrared array sensor (100), thereby enabling more accurate determination of the air temperature inside the feed bin (1). In this way, even if the measurement result of the infrared array sensor (100) is affected by the feed surface temperature, the air temperature inside the feed bin (1) can be accurately secured, thereby preventing a decrease in the reliability of the dew point temperature calculation and the analysis of the possibility of condensation occurrence.

[0067] Meanwhile, the above distribution detection unit (20) may be configured to include a sensor module for measuring the surface shape and spatial distribution state of the feed loaded inside the feed bin (1).

[0068] For example, the distribution sensing unit (20) may include a Time of Flight (ToF) array sensor (200) in which a plurality of sensing cells are arranged in a grid shape.

[0069] The above ToF array sensor (200) can be installed in the upper internal area of ​​the feed bin (1) as shown in FIG. 4a and positioned to face downward, thereby enabling the distance to the surface of the feed loaded inside the feed bin to be measured simultaneously in multiple directions.

[0070] At this time, it is preferable that the ToF array sensor (200) is also installed at the upper center position inside the feed bin (1), just like the infrared array sensor (100). Accordingly, the detection range of the ToF array sensor (200) can be formed evenly over the entire internal space of the feed bin (1), and the phenomenon of the measurement area being biased in a specific direction can be prevented.

[0071] The above ToF array sensor (200) can divide the internal space of the feed bin (1) into multiple regions and obtain distance information for each region. That is, the sensing cells of the above ToF array sensor (200) are arranged in a grid shape as shown in FIG. 4b to form multiple regions, and the distance information corresponding to each region can represent the distance to the surface of the feed loaded inside the feed bin (1).

[0072] These area-specific distance information can be used as basic data to determine the spatial distribution of feed loaded inside the feed bin. For example, if the feed is uniformly distributed inside the feed bin (1), the distance information measured in each area may show relatively uniform values, whereas if the feed is concentrated in a specific location or adheres near the inner wall, there may be differences in the area-specific distance values.

[0073] In particular, if feed adheres to and becomes fixed to the inner wall due to condensation or the like inside the feed bin (1), a ratholing phenomenon may occur in which only the feed in the center of the feed bin (1) is discharged and the feed near the inner wall remains, and in this case, a difference in distance information occurs between the central area and the outer area of ​​the feed bin (1).

[0074] The above distribution detection unit (20) can provide information for determining the phenomenon of feed sticking or lath-holing occurring inside the feed bin (1) by measuring the change in such distance distribution.

[0075] The above analysis unit (30) can analyze the distribution state of feed loaded inside the feed bin (1) using distance information for multiple regions obtained from the ToF array sensor (200).

[0076] Specifically, the analysis unit (30) can calculate the distance difference between the central area and the outer area of ​​the feed bin (1) by comparing distance information obtained from multiple areas divided by the grid array of the ToF array sensor (200).

[0077] At this time, the central area corresponds to an area measured toward the center of the feed bin (1), and the outer area may correspond to an area measured toward the inner wall of the feed bin.

[0078] Generally, when the feed is uniformly distributed inside the feed bin (1), the distance values ​​measured in the central area and the outer area may be at a similar level. However, if the feed adheres to the inner wall due to condensation or the like inside the feed bin (1), only the feed in the center is discharged, and the feed near the inner wall remains.

[0079] FIG. 4b illustrates an example of such a state, showing a state (rath-holing phenomenon) where feed near the inner wall of the feed bin (1) is stuck and remains, and only feed in the center is discharged. In such a case, the distance value measured in the central area of ​​the ToF array sensor (200) appears relatively large, and the distance value measured in the outer area appears relatively small, so a difference may occur between these distance values.

[0080] The analysis unit (30) can determine whether feed sticking or ratholing is occurring inside the feed bin (1) based on the difference in distance between such areas.

[0081] For example, if the distance value measured in the central area is relatively larger than the distance value measured in the outer area, this may mean that the feed in the center of the feed bin (1) is discharged first and the feed near the inner wall remains, and through this, it can be determined that the feed has become stuck or has a lath-holing phenomenon.

[0082] In addition, the analysis unit (30) can determine the remaining amount of feed stored inside the feed bin (1) by calculating the total height or average distance value of the feed loaded inside the feed bin (1) using the distance information obtained from the ToF array sensor (200). That is, since the ToF array sensor (200) can simultaneously provide information on the distribution state of the feed as well as the remaining amount of feed, the internal state of the feed bin can be monitored more comprehensively.

[0083] Here, the system of the present invention may further include a manager terminal (2) connected to the analysis unit (30) via a communication network as shown in FIG. 1.

[0084] The above administrator terminal (2) can be configured to enable data communication with the analysis unit (30) via a wired or wireless communication network, and can be implemented in the form of, for example, a computer, tablet, smartphone, or dedicated monitoring device.

[0085] The analysis unit (30) can analyze the internal state of the feed bin (1) based on information obtained from the temperature sensing unit (10) and the distribution sensing unit (20), and transmit the analysis result to the manager terminal (2).

[0086] For example, the analysis unit (30) can provide the following information to the administrator terminal (2): the result of estimating the possibility of condensation occurring on the inner wall of the feed bin (1), the result of judging the phenomenon of feed sticking or ratholing, the distribution state of the feed, and the remaining amount information.

[0087] The above-mentioned manager terminal (2) processes the information transmitted from the above-mentioned analysis unit (30) into monitoring data and displays it, thereby enabling the manager to check and monitor the internal condition of the feed bin (1) in real time. Accordingly, the manager can detect early on when feed sticking or lath-holing occurs or is likely to occur, and take appropriate countermeasures.

[0088] Meanwhile, the analysis unit (30) can accumulate and store temperature information obtained from the temperature sensing unit (10) and feed distribution information obtained from the distribution sensing unit (20) along the time axis.

[0089] Specifically, the analysis unit (30) can continuously accumulate and store information on the possibility of condensation occurring inside the feed bin (1) estimated through the infrared array sensor (100) and humidity sensor (110), and feed distribution information obtained through the ToF array sensor (200).

[0090] And the analysis unit (30) can analyze the trend of change in the internal environment of the feed bin (1) based on this accumulated data. For example, in an environment where the difference between the internal air temperature of the feed bin (1) and the surface temperature of the inner wall of the feed bin is kept small, the possibility of condensation occurring may be low, and in this case, the possibility of feed sticking may also be relatively low.

[0091] On the other hand, if there is a large difference between the air temperature inside the feed bin (1) and the temperature of the inner wall due to external environmental changes or seasonal factors, the frequency of condensation may increase, and consequently, the phenomenon of feed adhering to and sticking to the inner wall may gradually increase.

[0092] The above analysis unit (30) can identify the possibility and tendency of feed sticking or lath-holing phenomena occurring by comparing and analyzing the accumulated condensation occurrence information and feed distribution information along the time axis.

[0093] In addition, the analysis unit (30) can derive the growth distribution or progression trend of feed fixation or lath-holing phenomena by applying statistical analysis techniques or artificial intelligence-based analysis techniques based on accumulated data.

[0094] For example, the analysis unit (30) can predict the growth trend of feed sticking by analyzing the correlation between the frequency of condensation occurring inside the feed bin and the pattern of change in feed distribution, and thereby can predict in advance when feed sticking or lath-holing occurs or intensifies.

[0095] In this case, the aforementioned statistical analysis technique or artificial intelligence-based analysis technique may apply known data analysis technologies, such as time series data analysis, regression analysis, pattern analysis, or machine learning-based prediction models. Since these analysis techniques are widely known in the relevant technical field, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0096] In addition, the analysis unit (30) can derive a growth model of feed sticking or lath-holing phenomena occurring inside the feed bin by analyzing the condensation occurrence possibility information and feed distribution information in a time series. This growth model may be influenced by the daily temperature range according to the season, feed bin operating conditions, or feed bin management methods.

[0097] The analysis unit (30) can establish a periodic management process for the feed bin or establish a feed bin management strategy based on the derived growth model, thereby enabling preventive management before the phenomenon of feed sticking or lathholing intensifies.

[0098] It is obvious that the analysis results derived by the analysis unit (30) above, such as the tendency of feed sticking or lath-holing phenomena, the estimation result of the possibility of condensation occurrence, the feed distribution state, and the growth trend of feed sticking or lath-holing phenomena, can be displayed and provided to the manager through the manager terminal (2) described above.

[0099] Meanwhile, the system of the present invention may further include a vibration device (40) as a means to preventively manage the phenomenon of feed sticking or lath-holing.

[0100] The above vibration device (40) is mounted on the outer wall of the feed bin (1) as shown in FIG. 5 and can be configured to generate vibration and transmit vibration to the feed bin (1).

[0101] For example, the above vibration device (40) may be configured to generate physical vibrations on the outer wall of the feed bin, including an electric motor or a vibration generating device, and such vibrations may cause feed attached to the inner wall of the feed bin (1) to fall off or facilitate the flow of feed.

[0102] As previously described, the analysis unit (30) can analyze the progress status of feed adhesion or lath-holing phenomena based on information obtained from the temperature sensing unit (10) and the distribution sensing unit (20), and can control the vibration device (40) to operate when it is determined that the progress status of feed adhesion or lath-holing phenomena has reached a preset threshold level or higher based on the analysis results.

[0103] Accordingly, feed attached to the inner wall of the feed bin (1) may be dislodged by vibration or the flow of feed may be improved, and the sticking or lath-holing phenomenon of feed may be preventively suppressed.

[0104] Here, the threshold value may be selectively set by the manager according to the operating environment of the feed bin (1), the type of feed, or the manager's management policy. The setting or change of the threshold value may be performed through the manager terminal (2) described above, and the manager may set or adjust the threshold value that serves as the operating standard for the vibration device (40) through the user interface of the manager terminal (2).

[0105] In addition, the operation status or operation status of the vibration device (40) can be provided to the manager through the manager terminal (2) described above by the analysis unit (30), and the manager can monitor the management status of the feed bin (1) based on this or perform additional management measures if necessary.

[0106] The method of the present invention will be explained below with reference to FIG. 6.

[0107] First, the step (S10) of obtaining temperature information inside the feed bin is performed.

[0108] In the above step (S10), temperature-related information including the air temperature inside the feed bin (1), the surface temperature of the inner wall of the feed bin (1), and relative humidity information can be obtained through the temperature sensor (10) installed inside the feed bin (1).

[0109] Next, a step (S20) is performed to obtain distribution information regarding the surface shape and spatial distribution of the feed loaded inside the feed bin. In the above step (S20), information regarding the distribution state of the feed can be obtained by using a ToF array sensor (200) installed on the upper part inside the feed bin (1) to divide the internal space of the feed bin (1) into multiple regions and measuring distance information for each region.

[0110] Subsequently, a step (S30) of estimating the possibility of condensation occurring on the inner wall of the feed bin based on the above temperature information is performed. In the above step (S30), the dew point temperature inside the feed bin (1) is calculated using the air temperature and relative humidity information inside the feed bin (1), and the dew point temperature is compared with the surface temperature of the inner wall of the feed bin (1). If the temperature of the inner wall of the feed bin (1) is lower than the dew point temperature, it can be estimated that there is a possibility of condensation occurring on the inner wall of the feed bin.

[0111] Next, a step (S40) is performed to determine whether the feed is stuck or ratholing based on the distribution information. In the step (S40), the distance difference between the central area and the outer area of ​​the feed bin (1) is calculated by dividing the internal space of the feed bin (1) into multiple areas and comparing the obtained distance information, and it can be determined whether the feed is stuck or ratholing is occurring based on the distance difference.

[0112] Next, a step (S50) is performed to evaluate the internal condition of the feed bin by mutually linking the estimation result of the possibility of condensation occurrence and the judgment result of feed sticking or lath-holing. In the above step (S50), information on the possibility of condensation occurrence and feed distribution information are accumulated and stored along a time axis, and the progression trend of feed sticking or lath-holing phenomena can be analyzed based on the accumulated data.

[0113] In addition, in the above step (S50), a statistical analysis technique or an artificial intelligence-based analysis technique can be applied based on accumulated data to derive the growth distribution or progression trend of feed fixation or lath-holing phenomena. Here, the statistical analysis technique or the artificial intelligence-based analysis technique may utilize known data analysis technologies, and a specific description thereof is omitted.

[0114] Furthermore, in the above step (S50), if it is determined that the progress of the feed sticking or lath-holing phenomenon has reached a set threshold, the vibration device (40) mounted on the outer wall of the feed bin (1) is operated to apply physical vibration to the feed bin (1), thereby allowing for preventive management of the feed sticking or lath-holing phenomenon.

[0115] Meanwhile, each step of the method of the present invention may be repeated at regular intervals to continuously monitor the internal state of the feed bin (1), and the analysis results performed in each step may be provided to the manager through the manager terminal (2) to enable monitoring of the internal state of the feed bin.

[0117] From the above description, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Accordingly, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification, but should be determined by the claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0119] 1 : Feed Bin 2 : Administrator Terminal 10: Temperature sensing unit 20: Distribution sensing unit 30 : Analysis unit 40 : Vibration device 100: Infrared array sensor 110: Humidity sensor 200: ToF array sensor

Claims

Claim 1 A feed bin management system for monitoring condensation, feed adhesion, and ratholing conditions, comprising: a temperature sensing unit for acquiring temperature information inside a feed bin; a distribution sensing unit for acquiring distribution information regarding the surface shape and spatial distribution of feed loaded inside the feed bin; and an analysis unit for estimating the possibility of condensation occurring on the inner wall of the feed bin based on the temperature information acquired from the temperature sensing unit, determining the phenomenon of feed adhesion or ratholing based on the distribution information acquired from the distribution sensing unit, and evaluating the internal state of the feed bin by mutually linking the result of estimating the possibility of condensation and the result of determining feed adhesion or ratholing. The temperature sensing unit includes an infrared (IR) array sensor in which a plurality of sensing cells are arranged in a grid shape and installed to face from the upper to the lower direction inside the feed bin to measure the temperature distribution of the internal space of the feed bin, and is characterized by setting the temperature of the central region among a plurality of regions divided by the grid arrangement of the infrared array sensor as a value representing the air temperature inside the feed bin and setting the temperature of the outer region as a value representing the surface temperature of the inner wall of the feed bin. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 A feed bin management system for monitoring condensation, feed adhesion, and lath-holing conditions, characterized in that, in claim 1, the temperature sensing unit further includes a humidity sensor for measuring the relative humidity inside the feed bin, and the analysis unit calculates the dew point temperature inside the feed bin using the air temperature inside the feed bin obtained from the infrared array sensor and the relative humidity information obtained from the humidity sensor, and compares the dew point temperature with the surface temperature of the inner wall of the feed bin obtained through the infrared array sensor, and estimates that there is a possibility of condensation occurring on the inner wall of the feed bin if the temperature of the inner wall of the feed bin is lower than the dew point temperature. Claim 4 A feed bin management system for monitoring condensation, feed sticking, and lath-holing conditions, wherein, in claim 1, the temperature sensing unit further includes a temperature sensor for measuring the air temperature inside the feed bin, and the temperature sensor measures the air temperature inside the feed bin and provides it as air temperature information replacing the temperature in the center area of ​​the infrared array sensor when the temperature measured in the center area of ​​the infrared array sensor reflects the feed surface temperature instead of the air temperature inside the feed bin. Claim 5 A feed bin management system for monitoring condensation, feed adhesion, and lath-holding conditions, characterized in that, in claim 1, the distribution sensing unit includes a Time of Flight (ToF) array sensor in which a plurality of sensing cells are arranged in a grid shape and installed to face from the upper to the lower direction inside the feed bin to measure the feed distribution state of the internal space of the feed bin, and is configured to acquire distance information for a plurality of regions divided by the grid arrangement of the ToF array sensor. Claim 6 A feed bin management system for monitoring condensation, feed adhesion, and lath-holing conditions, characterized in that, in claim 5, the analysis unit is configured to calculate the distance difference between the center area and the outer area of ​​the feed bin by comparing distance information for multiple areas obtained from the ToF array sensor, and to determine the phenomenon of feed adhesion or lath-holing based on the distance difference. Claim 7 A feed bin management system for monitoring condensation, feed adhesion, and lath-holing conditions, characterized in that, in claim 6, the analysis unit is configured to accumulate and store temperature information obtained from the temperature sensing unit and distribution information obtained from the distribution sensing unit along a time axis, and to analyze the occurrence trend of feed adhesion or lath-holing phenomena based on the accumulated data. Claim 8 A feed bin management system for monitoring condensation, feed adhesion, and lath-holing conditions, characterized in that, in claim 7, the analysis unit is configured to derive the growth distribution or progression trend of feed adhesion or lath-holing phenomena by applying statistical analysis techniques or artificial intelligence-based analysis techniques based on accumulated data. Claim 9 A feed bin management system for monitoring condensation, feed adhesion, and lath-holing conditions, characterized in that, in claim 8, it further includes a vibration device mounted on the outer wall of the feed bin to generate vibration, and the analysis unit is configured to preventively manage the feed adhesion or lath-holing phenomenon by controlling the vibration device to operate when the progression state of the derived feed adhesion or lath-holing phenomenon is above a set threshold. Claim 10 A method for managing the internal state of a feed bin using a feed bin management system according to any one of claims 1, 3 to 9, comprising: a step of obtaining temperature information inside the feed bin (S10); a step of obtaining distribution information regarding the surface shape and spatial distribution of feed loaded inside the feed bin (S20); a step of estimating the possibility of condensation occurring on the inner wall of the feed bin based on the temperature information (S30); a step of determining the phenomenon of feed sticking or ratholing based on the distribution information (S40); and a step of evaluating the internal state of the feed bin by mutually linking the result of estimating the possibility of condensation and the result of determining feed sticking or ratholing (S50). Claim 11 A feed bin management method for monitoring condensation, feed adhesion, and lath-holing conditions, characterized in that, in claim 10, the above-mentioned step S30 comprises: a step of calculating the dew point temperature inside the feed bin using information on the air temperature and relative humidity inside the feed bin; and a step of comparing the dew point temperature with the surface temperature of the inner wall of the feed bin and estimating that there is a possibility of condensation occurring on the inner wall of the feed bin if the temperature of the inner wall of the feed bin is lower than the dew point temperature. Claim 12 A feed bin management method according to claim 10, wherein the above-mentioned step S40 comprises: a step of dividing the internal space of the feed bin into a plurality of regions and measuring distance information for each region; and a step of comparing the distance information of the plurality of regions to calculate the distance difference between the central region of the feed bin and the outer region, and determining the phenomenon of feed sticking or lath-holing based on the distance difference. Claim 13 A feed bin management method for monitoring condensation, feed adhesion, and lath-holing conditions, characterized in that, in claim 10, the above-mentioned step S50 includes the step of accumulating and storing information on the possibility of condensation occurrence and feed distribution information along a time axis, and analyzing the progression trend of feed adhesion or lath-holing phenomena based on the accumulated data. Claim 14 A feed bin management method for monitoring condensation, feed adhesion, and lath-holing conditions, characterized in that, in claim 13, the above-mentioned step S50 includes a step of deriving the growth distribution or progression trend of feed adhesion or lath-holing phenomena by applying a statistical analysis technique or an artificial intelligence-based analysis technique based on accumulated data. Claim 15 A feed bin management method for monitoring condensation, feed adhesion, and lath-holing conditions, characterized in that, in claim 14, the above-mentioned step S50 includes the step of operating a vibration device that generates vibration on the outer wall of the feed bin when the progression state of feed adhesion or lath-holing reaches a set threshold, thereby preventingly managing the feed adhesion or lath-holing phenomenon.

Images