Pig ear-shaped skeleton and non-invasive pig ear temperature measuring device

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of intelligent breeding, and discloses a pig ear profiling frame and a non-invasive pig ear temperature measuring device, including a profiling frame that can be worn on the auricle of a pig ear and a non-invasive pig ear temperature measuring device made based on the profiling frame. The present invention monitors the body temperature of a live pig through a profiling frame worn on the auricle of a pig ear and a temperature measuring component installed on the profiling frame. The whole device is stable and reliable to install and wear, has high temperature measurement accuracy, and avoids the problem that a traditional ear tag type temperature measuring device may damage the pig ear.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of intelligent breeding, and in particular to a pig ear profiling skeleton and a non-invasive pig ear temperature measuring device. Background Art

[0002] In the process of large-scale development of animal husbandry, the health of livestock is particularly important, which is directly related to whether the farm can develop normally. The health of livestock is closely related to body temperature. For example, when a pig is sick, its body temperature changes significantly. Therefore, monitoring body temperature can isolate and treat sick pigs in time to reduce mortality. For example, the body temperature of sows has obvious characteristics before and after ovulation. By continuously detecting the body temperature of pigs and accurately finding the ovulation time, it is possible to better check the estrus and breed, and the number of piglets can also be increased. Therefore, tracking and detecting the body temperature of livestock is an important means of monitoring the health of livestock.

[0003] At present, the traditional way to measure the body temperature of livestock is to insert a thermometer into the anus of the livestock. Since the measurement process must be performed manually, the staff will usually measure the temperature when the pigs' feed intake decreases or their behavior is abnormal. This can easily lead to missing the best time to treat and isolate the source of infection.

[0004] For example, CN109916535A discloses a livestock tympanic temperature measuring device, which is characterized in that it includes an earplug and a temperature sensor, the temperature sensor includes a sensor body and a probe, the sensor body is detachably connected to the probe, the earplug is a hollow structure, the probe is sleeved in the earplug and the front end of the probe extends from one end of the earplug, the temperature sensor is detachably connected to the earplug, the earplug is adapted to the external auditory canals of different livestock ears by deformation, and when the earplug is fixed on the external auditory canal, the probe of the temperature sensor is located exactly at the end of the external auditory canal and does not contact the inner wall of the external auditory canal.

[0005] The above patent sets an earplug-type structure fixed in the ear canal of livestock, and the probe of the temperature sensor is suspended in the air, which can realize continuous monitoring of the eardrum temperature of pigs, cattle and sheep. However, the device has the following disadvantages:

[0006] 1. The earplugs are fixed by steel needles or sharp plastic pins through the ear tags of pig ears, which cause large wounds, are prone to infection, and are time-consuming and laborious to install;

[0007] 2. When the pigs are moving, the shaking of their ears will cause the temperature sensor on the earplug to shake, which will damage the pigs' ear canals and easily irritate the pigs, causing a decrease in appetite and ear canal infections;

[0008] 3. The body temperature data collected from live pigs are usually mixed with environmental noise (such as ambient temperature, body surface dirt, etc.). Since the probe of the temperature sensor of the device is in a suspended state, it is greatly affected by the external temperature. The measured temperature will carry a large amount of ambient temperature noise. Therefore, it is impossible to accurately measure the temperature of live pigs, and thus it is impossible to track and detect the body temperature of livestock. Summary of the invention

[0009] Based on the above technical problems, the present invention provides a pig ear shaping frame and a non-invasive pig ear temperature measuring device, which monitors the body temperature of live pigs by means of a shaping frame worn on the auricle of the pig and a temperature measuring component installed on the shaping frame. The entire device is stable and reliable to install and wear, with high temperature measurement accuracy, and avoids the problem of traditional ear tag-type temperature measuring devices damaging the pig's ears.

[0010] In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0011] A pig ear profiling frame comprises a profiling frame which can be worn on an auricle of a pig ear. The profiling frame is composed of an upper buckling part, a lower buckling part, an inner connecting part and an outer connecting part and is in a hollow structure. The upper buckling part and the lower buckling part can fit with the outer shape of the auricle of the pig ear and play a supporting role in wearing. The inner connecting part and the outer connecting part are used to support and connect the upper buckling part and the lower buckling part.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment, the inner connecting portion is an elastic movable structure.

[0013] As a preferred manner, the contoured skeleton is formed by bending a metal wire. After the metal wire is bent and formed, the ends of both ends of the metal wire are movable and closed to form an elastically movable inner connecting portion.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment, the cross section of the metal wire is circular.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment, all bends of the contoured frame are rounded.

[0016] As a preferred embodiment, the external connection portion is an arc-shaped structure that fits the shape of the auricle of the pig ear and can provide support when worn.

[0017] A non-invasive pig ear temperature measuring device comprises any one of the above-mentioned pig ear profiling frames, a protective shell is installed on the profiling frame; a power supply and a PCBA board are installed in the protective shell, a temperature sensing probe extending into the external auditory canal is installed at one end of the lower buckle part close to the external auditory canal, the temperature sensing probe is electrically connected to the PCBA board in the protective shell through a wire, and a control module and a wireless communication module are integrated on the PCBA board.

[0018] As a preferred manner, a first clamping portion is provided on the protective shell, and the first clamping portion is movably connected to the inner connecting portion through a pin, so that the protective shell can slide along the inner connecting portion.

[0019] As a preferred embodiment, a second clamping portion is provided on the temperature sensing probe, and the second clamping portion is fixedly connected to an end of the lower buckling portion close to the inner auditory canal through a pin.

[0020] As a preferred embodiment, the protective shell includes a shell and a cover plate, and the shell and the cover plate are integrated by ultrasonic welding.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0022] (1) The present invention monitors the body temperature of pigs by means of a contoured frame that is worn tightly with the auricle structure of the pig and a temperature sensing probe that penetrates into the external auditory canal. The installation is stable and reliable, and the installation of the entire temperature measuring device can be completed under non-invasive conditions, thus avoiding the problem of ear tearing and wound infection in pigs that is easily caused when wearing traditional ear tag-type temperature measuring devices.

[0023] (2) Since the temperature sensing probe of the present invention is installed in the external auditory canal of the pig ear through a contoured frame, compared with the traditional ear tag type temperature measuring device, the traditional ear tag type temperature measuring device is fixed on the ear through an ear tag structure. When the pig's ear flaps, the ear tag structure will drive the temperature sensing probe to move, causing damage to the pig's external auditory canal, and it is also easy to stimulate the pig, causing a decrease in appetite and ear canal infection. The contoured frame is worn on the auricle structure, and the flapping of the ear will not affect the operation of the contoured frame and the temperature sensing probe, which can minimize the impact of the temperature measuring device on the pig. Under this condition, the temperature measuring probe can be fixed in the external auditory canal, and the measured pig body temperature can also be less easily affected by the external ambient temperature, which significantly improves the accuracy of pig body temperature measurement.

[0024] (3) The contoured skeleton in the present invention is a hollow structure. The hollow structure can, firstly, minimize the contact area between the temperature measuring device and the auricle of the pig while ensuring stable wearing, thereby reducing the impact of the temperature measuring device on the pig and making it more comfortable to wear; secondly, the hollow structure has better ventilation and air permeability, making the pig more comfortable during wearing.

[0025] (4) The inner connecting part of the contoured frame of the present invention is an elastic movable structure, so that the contoured frame can change its size structure to a certain extent, so that it can adapt to the auricles of pig ears of different sizes. The elastic structure can also provide a certain elastic supporting force after wearing, so that the upper buckle part and the lower buckle part are more firmly worn. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the non-invasive pig ear temperature measurement device.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a front view of the structure of the non-invasive pig ear temperature measurement device.

[0028] Figure 3Schematic diagram of the contour skeleton structure.

[0029] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the installation of the contoured skeleton structure and the pig ear auricle.

[0030] Among them, 1 is a contoured frame, 101 is an upper buckling part, 102 is an external connection part, 103 is a lower buckling part, 104 is an internal connection part, 2 is a cover plate, 3 is a shell, 4 is a second clamping part, 5 is a temperature sensing probe, 6 is a wire, and 7 is a first clamping part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure clearer, the technical solution of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of the embodiments. Based on the described embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0032] Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used in the present disclosure should be understood by people with ordinary skills in the field to which the present disclosure belongs. The "first", "second" and similar words used in the present disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. "Include" or "comprise" and similar words mean that the elements or objects appearing before the word cover the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. "Connect" or "connected" and similar words are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. "Up", "down", "left", "right" and the like are only used to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0033] Embodiment 1:

[0034] See also Figures 1 to 4 A pig ear profiling skeleton comprises a profiling skeleton 1 which can be worn on the auricle of a pig ear. The profiling skeleton 1 is composed of an upper buckling portion 101, a lower buckling portion 103, an inner connecting portion 104 and an outer connecting portion 102 and is a hollow structure. The upper buckling portion 101 and the lower buckling portion 103 can fit the shape of the auricle of the pig ear and play a supporting role in wearing. The inner connecting portion 104 and the outer connecting portion 102 are used to support and connect the upper buckling portion 101 and the lower buckling portion 103.

[0035] In this embodiment, the role of the profiling skeleton 1 is mainly to serve as a loading body for electronic components, so that the electronic components are worn on the auricle of the pig's ear to work by relying on the profiling skeleton 1. Among them, the profiling skeleton 1 is mainly composed of four parts: an upper buckle part 101, a lower buckle part 103, an inner connecting part 104 and an outer connecting part 102. The upper buckle part 101 and the lower buckle part 103 are used to fit with the pig's auricle shape and play a wearing support role, and the inner connecting part 104 and the outer connecting part 102 are used to connect the upper buckle part 101 and the lower buckle part 103, and make the upper buckle part 101 and the lower buckle part 103 support so that it can be firmly installed on the auricle of the pig's ear. The above whole profiling skeleton 1 has a simple and stable structure, and the wearing and installation of the whole profiling skeleton 1 can be completed under non-invasive conditions. Moreover, the profiling skeleton 1 is worn on the auricle structure, and the flapping of the ear will not affect the work of the profiling skeleton 1, and the profiling skeleton 1 can reduce the impact on the pig as much as possible, and improve the comfort of the pig wearing.

[0036] In addition, the contoured skeleton 1 is a hollow structure. The advantages of the hollow structure are that, firstly, it can minimize the contact area between the temperature measuring component and the pig's auricle while ensuring stable wearing, thereby reducing the impact of the contoured skeleton 1 on the pig and making it more comfortable to wear; secondly, the hollow structure has better ventilation and air permeability, making the pig more comfortable during wearing.

[0037] Furthermore, the outer connecting part 102 can be supported to form an arc structure that fits the shape of the auricle of the pig ear and can play a supporting role in wearing, so that the outer connecting part 102 can cooperate with the upper buckling part 101 and the lower buckling part 103 to play a supporting role, thereby further improving the wearing firmness of the contouring skeleton 1.

[0038] Furthermore, in order to improve the applicability of the profiling frame 1 and further improve the wearing firmness of the profiling frame 1, the inner connecting portion 104 can be made into a movable elastic structure. At this time, when the auricle of the pig ear is small, the operator can pinch the upper buckle portion 101 and the lower buckle portion 103 to compress the inner connecting portion 104, so that the overall height of the profiling frame 1 is reduced and it is worn into the auricle of the pig ear. After the profiling frame 1 is worn, the inner connecting portion 104 of the elastic structure rebounds, thereby providing an additional elastic supporting force to the upper buckle portion 101 and the lower buckle portion 103, strengthening the supporting force between the upper buckle portion 101 and the lower buckle portion 103 and the auricle of the pig ear, making the wearing of the profiling frame 1 more stable.

[0039] Furthermore, the shaping and manufacturing of the profiling skeleton 1 can be formed by bending the metal wire. After the metal wire is bent and formed, the ends of the metal wire are movably closed to form an inner connecting portion 104 that can be elastically movable. The production process is simple, the raw material cost is low, and the production efficiency is high by bending and forming the profiling skeleton 1. After the profiling skeleton 1 is bent and formed, the ends of the metal wire are movably closed. At this time, due to the physical properties of the structural shape of the profiling skeleton 1 and the metal wire, the inner connecting portion 104 will be an elastic movable structure, so that the shape of the profiling skeleton 1 can be adjusted. This elastic structure formed by utilizing material properties and shape does not need to be additionally increased with elastic parts, and has good effect and low cost. And the inner connecting portion 104 is located at the auricle cavity of the pig ear, and will not contact with the auricle, and the movable inner connecting portion 104 will not rub and damage the pig ear. Preferably, in order to increase the elastic force of the inner connecting portion 104, elastic parts such as springs can also be used as connectors at the closed part of the skeleton.

[0040] In order to improve the wearing comfort of the profiling frame 1, preferably, a metal wire with a circular cross section should be used, and the contact surface between the circular metal wire and the auricle of the pig ear is small and smooth, and it is not easy to damage the pig ear skin. In addition, each bending part of the profiling frame 1 is rounded, so that each bending part of the entire profiling frame 1 has no edges and corners, further enhancing the wearing comfort of the profiling frame 1.

[0041] Embodiment 2:

[0042] This embodiment is a specific application device of Embodiment 1.

[0043] See also Figures 1 to 4 A non-invasive pig ear temperature measuring device comprises any one of the above-mentioned pig ear profiling skeletons 1, on which a protective shell is installed; a power supply and a PCBA board are installed in the protective shell, and a temperature sensing probe 5 extending into the external auditory canal is installed at one end of the lower buckle portion 103 near the external auditory canal, and the temperature sensing probe 5 is electrically connected to the PCBA board in the protective shell through a wire 6, and a control module and a wireless communication module are integrated on the PCBA board.

[0044] In this embodiment, the pig ear temperature measuring device composed of electronic components installed on the above-mentioned profiling frame 1 is compared with the traditional ear tag type temperature measuring device. The traditional ear tag type temperature measuring device is fixed on the ear through the ear tag structure. When the pig's ear flutters, the ear tag structure will drive the temperature sensing probe 5 to move, causing damage to the pig's external auditory canal, and it is also easy to stimulate the pig, causing a decrease in appetite and ear canal infection. The profiling frame 1 is worn on the auricle structure, and the flapping of the ear will not affect the work of the profiling frame 1 and the temperature sensing probe 5, which can minimize the impact of the temperature measuring device on the pig. Under this condition, the temperature measuring probe can be fixed in the external auditory canal, and the measured pig body temperature can also be less easily affected by the external environment temperature, which significantly improves the accuracy of pig body temperature measurement.

[0045] The temperature sensing probe 5 is a temperature measuring structure composed of temperature sensors such as thermocouples, thermistors, platinum resistors (RTDs), and temperature ICs. The temperature sensing probe 5 can transmit the measured temperature to the control module on the PCBA board in the protective shell in the form of an analog signal through the wire 6, and then the control module converts the analog signal into a digital signal, and outputs it to the corresponding mobile access device or cloud server through the wireless transmission communication module on the PCBA board, thereby completing the body temperature monitoring of live pigs. The technical solutions of temperature detection and detecting temperature and transmitting the detection data through the control module are both existing technologies and will not be repeated here.

[0046] Preferably, a button battery can be used as a power source to power the control module and the wireless communication module on the PCBA board.

[0047] Furthermore, the protective shell is provided with a first clamping portion 7, which is movably connected to the inner connecting portion 104 through a pin, so that the protective shell can slide along the inner connecting portion 104. The movably connected protective shell can slide when the inner connecting portion 104 moves, so that the position of the protective shell can be adjusted according to the movement of the inner connecting portion 104, avoiding interference with the elastic deformation of the contour frame 1. The protective shell can be conveniently installed on the contour frame 1 through the first clamping portion 7 and the pin, and the installation structure is simple, and the detachable structure can also facilitate the subsequent maintenance of the electronic components in the protective shell.

[0048] Furthermore, the temperature sensing probe 5 is provided with a second clamping portion 4, which is fixedly connected to one end of the second buckling portion near the inner auditory canal through a pin. The temperature sensing probe 5 can be conveniently installed on the contour frame 1 through the second clamping portion 4 and the pin, and the installation structure is simple, and the detachable structure can also facilitate the subsequent maintenance of the temperature sensing probe 5.

[0049] Furthermore, in order to ensure the sealing of the protective shell, the protective shell includes a shell 3 and a cover plate 2, and the shell 3 and the cover plate 2 are integrated by ultrasonic welding. Ultrasonic welding uses high-frequency vibration waves to transmit to the surfaces of two objects to be welded, and under pressure, the two surfaces of the objects rub against each other to form a fusion between the molecular layers. In this way, the shell 3 and the cover plate 2 are tightly connected, preventing the protective shell from being damaged by water in the special environment of the pigpen, which may cause damage to the internal electronic components.

[0050] The other parts of this embodiment are the same as those of Embodiment 1 and will not be described again here.

[0051] The above is an embodiment of the present invention. The above embodiments and the specific parameters in the embodiments are only for the purpose of clearly describing the verification process of the invention, and are not intended to limit the patent protection scope of the present invention. The patent protection scope of the present invention shall still be subject to its claims, and any equivalent structural changes made by using the contents of the description and drawings of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pig ear-shaped skeleton, Features: The invention comprises a prosthetic frame (1) which can be worn on the auricle of a pig's ear. The prosthetic frame (1) is composed of an upper buckle part (101), a lower buckle part (103), an inner connecting part (104) and an outer connecting part (102) and is in a hollow structure. The upper buckle part (101) and the lower buckle part (103) can fit the outer shape of the auricle of the pig's ear and play a supporting role when worn. The inner connecting part (104) and the outer connecting part (102) are used to support and connect the upper buckle part (101) and the lower buckle part (103). Wherein, the inner connecting portion (104) is an elastic movable structure; The contoured skeleton (1) is formed by bending a metal wire. After the metal wire is bent, the ends of both ends of the metal wire are movably closed to form an elastically movable inner connecting portion (104); The external connection part (102) is an arc-shaped structure that fits the shape of the auricle of a pig's ear and can play a supporting role when worn; After the contoured skeleton (1) is worn, the inner connecting portion (104) of the elastic structure rebounds, thereby providing an additional elastic supporting force to the upper buckle portion (101) and the lower buckle portion (103), thereby enhancing the supporting force between the upper buckle portion (101) and the lower buckle portion (103) and the auricle of the pig's ear, making the contoured skeleton (1) more stable when worn.

2. A pig ear profiling skeleton according to claim 1, Features: The cross section of the metal wire is circular.

3. A pig ear profiling skeleton according to claim 1 or 2, Features: Each bending position of the contoured frame (1) is rounded.

4. A non-invasive pig ear temperature measurement device, Features: The invention comprises a pig ear profiling frame (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a protective shell is installed on the profiling frame (1); a power supply and a PCBA board are installed in the protective shell; a temperature sensing probe (5) extending into the external auditory canal is installed at one end of the lower buckle portion (103) close to the external auditory canal; the temperature sensing probe (5) is electrically connected to the PCBA board in the protective shell through a wire (6); and a control module and a wireless communication module are integrated on the PCBA board; Wherein, the protective shell is provided with a first clamping portion (7), and the first clamping portion (7) is movably connected to the inner connecting portion (104) through a pin, so that the protective shell can slide along the inner connecting portion (104); The temperature sensing probe (5) is provided with a second clamping portion (4), and the second clamping portion (4) is fixedly connected to an end of the lower buckling portion (103) close to the inner auditory canal via a pin.

5. A non-invasive pig ear temperature measuring device according to claim 4, Features: The protective shell comprises a shell (3) and a cover plate (2), and the shell (3) and the cover plate (2) are integrated together by ultrasonic welding.

Images