Quantitative cup and ingredient line system having the same

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of quantitative cup and the material line system with it, it is related to feed delivery equipment technical field.The quantitative cup includes jar body, material blocking device, folding device, driven part and drive device.Jar body is provided with discharge port below;Material blocking device includes material blocking piece with discharge port sealing cooperation;Folding device includes head and at least part in the interior of jar body folding piece, folding piece has cavity, head is used to seal cavity;Driven part two ends are connected with material blocking piece and head respectively;Drive device includes tow rope, tow rope is by jar body outside and is arranged to the interior of cavity and is connected with head, and pulling tow rope can make driven part drive material blocking piece to rise and open discharge port.Because tow rope is arranged in folding piece, and the cavity of folding piece is sealed by head, gas in the interior of jar body cannot be directly excluded to outside through cavity, thus can improve the sealing property of jar body, improve the accuracy of feed rationing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of feed dispensing equipment technology, and in particular to a metering cup and a feed line system having the same. Background Technology

[0002] To make feed easier for pigs to digest, modern pig farms often use liquid feed. Most pig farms are now automated or semi-automated, using feed lines to efficiently transport liquid feed to metering cups in each pigpen for storage and dispensing. When feeding is needed, the feed outlet is opened, and the feed falls into the pig's trough. The outlet is controlled by a traction rope; pulling the rope opens the outlet. In this technology, the metering effect of the liquid feed in the metering cup is related to the sealing performance of the cup; the better the sealing, the better the dispensing effect. However, because the traction rope passes through the wall of the metering cup, the sealing performance is poor at the point where the rope passes through. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention proposes a metering cup that can improve the sealing effect of the metering cup and improve the accuracy of liquid feed metering.

[0004] The present invention also proposes a feed line system including the above-mentioned metering cup.

[0005] A measuring cup according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises:

[0006] The tank body has a discharge port at the bottom;

[0007] The material blocking device includes a material blocking component that is sealed to the discharge port;

[0008] A folding device includes a head and a folding member located at least partially inside the tank body and having a folding function. The folding member extends in a vertical direction, and its upper end is connected to the upper end of the tank body. The folding member has a cavity communicating with the lower end of the folding member. The head is connected to the lower end of the folding member to seal the lower end of the cavity.

[0009] The driven member has one end connected to the material blocking member and the other end connected to the end cap;

[0010] The driving device includes a traction rope, one end of which is located inside the cavity and connected to the end cap, and the other end of which passes through the upper end of the tank and is located outside the tank. The traction rope can drive the folding member to fold in the vertical direction, so that the driven member drives the material blocking member to rise and open the discharge port.

[0011] The measuring cup according to embodiments of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0012] The discharge port is located at the bottom of the tank, allowing feed to fall automatically under gravity, saving costs. The feed-blocking component seals the discharge port, enabling precise metering of feed inside the tank. Once the preset feed amount is reached, the traction rope pulls the folding component upwards, compressing it and causing the driven component to lift and lower the feed-blocking component, opening the discharge port and feeding the pigs the appropriate amount. Understandably, because the traction rope passes through the folding component and is located inside the cavity, and the lower end of the folding component is sealed, gas inside the tank cannot escape through the cavity to the outside, thus improving the sealing of the metering cup and improving the metering effect.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a portion of the lower end of the folding member protrudes inward to form a sealing ring, and a sealing groove is provided around the end cap, wherein the sealing ring engages with the sealing groove to seal the cavity.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the end cap is provided with a guide slope at one end near the traction rope.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the upper end of the folding member forms a first limiting member, the upper end of the folding member passes through the tank body, the first limiting member is connected to the outer wall surface of the tank body to limit the downward displacement of the first limiting member; the folding device includes a second limiting member, the second limiting member covers the first limiting member and is connected to the tank body, the second limiting member is used to limit the upward displacement of the first limiting member.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the folding element is a corrugated pipe.

[0017] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the measuring cup further includes a guiding device, the guiding device including a guide rod and a sleeve, the sleeve extending in the vertical direction and fixedly connected to the container body, the guide rod being fixedly connected to the material blocking element and slidably connected to the sleeve.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the driving device includes a mounting base and a guide wheel, the mounting base is fixedly connected to the tank body, the guide wheel is connected to the mounting base, and the traction rope is slidably connected to the guide wheel.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the surface of the material blocking component that mates with the discharge port is an arc-shaped surface.

[0020] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the material blocking device includes an annular mounting portion, the mounting portion being fixedly connected to the material blocking member, and one end of the driven member being connected to the mounting portion.

[0021] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a feed line system includes a metering cup according to the first aspect of the present invention, and there are multiple metering cups.

[0022] The feed line system according to embodiments of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0023] The discharge port is located at the bottom of the tank, allowing feed to fall automatically under gravity, saving costs. The feed-blocking component seals the discharge port, enabling precise metering of feed inside the tank. Once the preset amount is reached, the traction rope pulls the folding component upwards, compressing it and causing the driven component to lift and lower the feed-blocking component, opening the discharge port and feeding the pigs the appropriate amount. Understandably, because the traction rope passes through the folding component and is located inside the cavity, and the lower end of the folding component is sealed, gas inside the tank cannot escape through the cavity to the outside, thus improving the sealing of the metering cup and improving the metering effect.

[0024] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a top view of a measuring cup provided in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Cross-sectional view along the AA direction;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the rising of the material blocking component of the metering cup according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Enlarged view of point C in the middle;

[0030] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Cross-sectional view along the BB direction.

[0031] Figure label:

[0032] 1000 measuring cups;

[0033] Tank body 100; discharge port 110; inlet port 120;

[0034] Material blocking device 200; material blocking component 210; mounting part 220;

[0035] Folding device 300; bellows 310; first mounting end 311; first limiting member 3111; second mounting end 312; sealing ring 3121; cavity 313; end cap 320; sealing groove 321; guide slope 322; second limiting member 330;

[0036] Follower 400;

[0037] Drive unit 500; traction rope 510; mounting base 520; guide wheel 530;

[0038] Guide device 600; guide rod 610; sleeve 620;

[0039] Liquid level regulating pipe 700; guide column 710; float 720. Detailed Implementation

[0040] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0041] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0042] In the description of this invention, "several" means one or more, "more than" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. The use of "first" and "second" in the description is merely for distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0043] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "set up," "install," and "connect" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0044] Reference Figures 1 to 5 The image shows a measuring cup 1000 provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The measuring cup 1000 of this embodiment can be used in livestock farming to facilitate animal feeding; the following example focuses on feeding domestic pigs. The measuring cup 1000 can temporarily store feed and provide quantitative feeding.

[0045] It is understandable that pigs digest liquid feed more easily than dry feed, and liquid feed is also easier to transport in farms. Liquid feed also needs to be quantitatively measured before being fed to pigs, for example, a method for quantitatively measuring liquid feed according to an embodiment of the present invention, refer to... Figure 5 As shown, the metering cup 1000 includes a level regulating pipe 700, a guide column 710, and a float 720. The level regulating pipe 700 extends vertically and is partially inserted inside the tank 100, while the other part of the level regulating pipe 700 is located outside the tank 100, allowing the interior of the tank 100 to communicate with the outside air. The lower end of the level regulating pipe 700 is slidably connected to the guide column 710, and the lower end of the guide column 710 is fixedly connected to the float 720. It is understood that as the liquid level of the feed in the tank 100 gradually rises, before the liquid level contacts the float 720, air inside the tank can be discharged through the level regulating pipe 700. When the liquid surface contacts the float 720, it will lift the float 720. Under the guidance of the guide column 710, the float 720 will seal the lower end of the liquid level regulating pipe 700. At this time, the air in the tank cannot be discharged through the liquid level regulating pipe 700, so the tank 100 cannot be fed anymore, thus achieving the effect of quantitative feeding.

[0046] Understandably, when using the above-mentioned quantitative method, good sealing of the tank 100 is required; otherwise, the quantitative effect will be poor. If the traction rope 510 is directly threaded through the upper end of the tank 100, the connection between the upper end of the tank 100 and the traction rope 510 will have poor sealing because the traction rope 510 needs to be moved.

[0047] Based on the idea of ​​improving the sealing performance of the tank body, and referring to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the metering cup 1000 of this embodiment includes a tank 100, a feed blocking device 200, a folding device 300, a driven member 400, and a driving device 500. The tank 100 is provided with a discharge port 110 and a feed inlet 120, with the discharge port 110 located below the tank 100. Feed can enter the tank 100 through the feed inlet 120 and fall into the pig's feeding trough from the discharge port 110. The discharge port 110 being located below the tank 100 allows the feed to fall naturally by gravity, eliminating the need for additional power devices and saving costs. The feed blocking device 200 includes a feed blocking component 210, which can seal against the discharge port 110. Since pig farming currently uses metered feeding, when feed is fed into the tank 100, the feed blocking component 210 must seal the discharge port 110 to facilitate determining the feed quantity.

[0048] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the folding device 300 includes a head 320 and a bellows 310 located at least partially inside the tank 100, extending vertically. The upper end of the bellows 310 is designated as a first mounting end 311, and the lower end is designated as a second mounting end 312. The first mounting end 311 is connected to the upper end of the tank 100. The bellows 310 can be folded vertically and can also be stretched under gravity or the force of other components. The bellows 310 has a cavity 313 that extends to and communicates with the second mounting end 312. The head 320 is disposed at the second mounting end 312 and seals the lower end of the cavity 313; that is, the head 320 is used to seal the cavity 313, preventing the cavity 313 from communicating with the interior of the tank 100.

[0049] The bellows 310 has a first position and a second position along its vertical direction. These positions can be understood as the positions of a point on the bellows 310 at different heights when it is folded or stretched. The second position is higher than the first position. The driven member 400 is connected to a material-blocking member 210 and a sealing head 320 at its two ends. When the bellows 310 moves from the first position to the second position, it drives the driven member 400 to rise, which in turn drives the material-blocking member 210 to rise and open the discharge port 110. The driving device 500 includes a traction rope 510, one end of which is connected to the sealing head 320. When the feed in the tank 100 reaches a preset amount, the traction rope 510 can be pulled by a motor winch or manually. The traction rope 510 drives the bellows 310 from the first position to the second position, folding the bellows 310, which in turn causes the driven member 400 to drive the material-blocking member 210 to rise and open the discharge port 110.

[0050] Understandably, since the traction rope 510 passes through the bellows 310 and is located inside the cavity 313, and the lower end of the bellows 310 is sealed by the end cap 320, the gas inside the tank 100 cannot be discharged to the outside of the tank 100 through the cavity 313. Therefore, the movement of the traction rope 510 will not damage the sealing of the tank 100. This can improve the sealing of the metering cup 1000, thereby improving the metering effect.

[0051] It should be noted that the corrugated pipe 310 is a folding component, which can also be a rubber composite spring, a rubber hose with elastic properties that deforms when pulled, etc. The traction rope 510 can be a steel wire rope, nylon rope, etc. The driven component 400 can be a nylon rope, steel wire rope, plastic rod, etc.

[0052] To further improve the sealing performance of the lower end of the sealing cavity 313 of the end cap 320, continue to refer to... Figure 4As shown, in an embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the structure of the second mounting end 312 protrudes inward to form a sealing ring 3121. The end cap 320 is surrounded by a sealing groove 321 that mates with the sealing ring 3121. The sealing groove 321 can engage with the sealing ring 3121 to improve the sealing performance of the end cap 320 to the lower end of the cavity 313. It should be noted that in other embodiments of the present invention, improving the sealing performance of the end cap 320 to the lower end of the cavity 313 can also be achieved by applying sealant or adding a sealing gasket at the connection between the end cap 320 and the lower end of the cavity 313.

[0053] To facilitate the connection between the end cap 320 and the second mounting end 312, refer to... Figure 4 As shown in the embodiment of the present invention, a guide slope 322 is provided at one end of the end cap 320 near the traction rope 510. The guide slope 322 facilitates the insertion of the end cap 320 into the mounting hole, reducing the installation difficulty. In another embodiment of the present invention, to facilitate the connection between the end cap 320 and the second mounting end 312, lubricating grease can be applied to the end cap 320.

[0054] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, in an embodiment of the present invention, a first mounting end 311 is provided with a first limiting member 3111. The first mounting end 311 passes through the upper end of the tank 100 so that the first limiting member 3111 can abut against the outer wall of the tank 100 to limit the downward displacement of the first mounting end 311. The folding device 300 also includes a second limiting member 330, which may be disc-shaped. The second limiting member 330 covers the first limiting member 3111 and is fixedly connected to the tank 100 to limit the upward displacement of the first mounting end 311. It is understood that during the process of the traction rope 510 pulling the bellows 310, the bellows 310 is subjected to an upward pulling force, and the first mounting end 311 may detach from the tank 100, causing the bellows 310 to loosen. Therefore, the second limiting member 330 is provided to limit the upward displacement of the first limiting member 3111 and improve the stability of the bellows 310 connection. It should be noted that the first limiting member 3111 can be installed by passing through the upper end of the tank 100 during installation in the following ways: the first limiting member 3111 can be compressed by elastic deformation and then passed through the tank 100; or, the first limiting member 3111 and the first mounting end 311 can be separated into two parts, with the first limiting member 3111 and the first mounting end 311 being threadedly connected. During installation, the first mounting end 311 is passed through the tank 100, and then the first limiting member 3111 is threadedly connected to the first mounting end 311, and finally fixed.

[0055] Understandably, after the material blocking component 210 is pulled up, it needs to be accurately reset to reseal the outlet 110. Therefore, to improve the accuracy of the reset, refer to... Figure 2 As shown in the embodiment of the present invention, the metering cup 1000 further includes a guiding device 600, which is located below the material blocking member 210. The guiding device 600 includes a guide rod 610 and a sleeve 620. The sleeve 620 is located at the discharge port 110 and is fixedly connected to the wall of the tank body 100. One end of the guide rod 610 is fixedly connected to the material blocking member 210, and the other end of the guide rod 610 passes through the sleeve 620 and is slidably connected to the sleeve 620. The other end of the guide rod 610 is provided with a limiting protrusion or a limiting nut to prevent the guide rod 610 from disengaging from the sleeve 620. It can be understood that when the material blocking member 210 is pulled up, the sleeve 620 can guide the guide rod 610 and limit the left and right swaying of the material blocking member 210. When the material blocking member 210 descends, the sleeve 620 can make the material blocking member 210 return to its original path and accurately reset. It should also be noted that the guide device 600 can also be set above the material blocking component 210. The appropriate solution can be selected according to the actual situation, and the present invention will not be specifically limited here.

[0056] Reference Figure 4 As shown in the embodiment of the present invention, the driving device 500 further includes a mounting base 520 and a guide wheel 530. The mounting base 520 and the tank body 100 are fixedly connected, and the fixed connection can be achieved by bolt connection, screw connection, welding, snap connection, etc. The guide wheel 530 can be rotatably connected to the mounting base 520 or fixedly connected. The traction rope 510 is slidably connected to the guide wheel 530. When the guide wheel 530 and the mounting base 520 are fixedly connected, the guide wheel 530 guides the traction rope 510; when the guide wheel 530 and the mounting base 520 are rotatably connected, in addition to guiding the traction rope 510, the guide wheel 530 can also reduce the friction between the guide wheel 530 and the traction rope 510, improve the smoothness of the sliding of the traction rope 510, and reduce the risk of jamming.

[0057] Reference Figure 2 As shown in the embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the material blocking component 210 that mates with the discharge port 110 is an arc-shaped surface. It is understood that the arc-shaped surface can be a sphere or a specific arc-shaped surface designed to fit the shape of the discharge port 110, such as a shape similar to a rugby ball. Taking a sphere as an example, the discharge port 110 is circular, and the spherical surface can better fit the shape of the discharge port 110, improving the sealing performance of the discharge port 110 and increasing the accuracy of feed metering.

[0058] Reference Figure 2As shown, in this embodiment of the invention, the material blocking member 210 is hemispherical, and its upper end is recessed inward to form a receiving cavity, which can reduce the weight of the material blocking member 210 and improve the pulling efficiency of the traction rope 510. It should be noted that, to prevent feed from accumulating in the receiving cavity, a cover plate can be provided at the upper end of the material blocking member 210 to seal the receiving cavity. The material blocking device 200 includes a mounting part 220, which can be disposed in the receiving cavity and fixedly connected to the material blocking member 210. The mounting part 220 is annular, and one end of the driven member 400 is connected to the mounting part 220. Alternatively, the mounting part 220 can be disposed on the cover plate and fixedly connected to the cover plate. The appropriate solution can be selected according to the actual situation; the invention is not specifically limited here.

[0059] One embodiment of the present invention also proposes a feed line system, which includes the metering cup 1000 of the above embodiment, a conveying pipe, a storage tank, and a conveying pump. The conveying pipe connects the conveying pump, the storage tank, and the metering cup 1000. The conveying pump is used to convey feed from the storage tank to the metering cup 1000 through the conveying pipe. Multiple metering cups 1000 are provided, each located in a different pigpen. In this embodiment of the present invention, the feed line system uses the metering cup 1000 of the first aspect embodiment. Because the traction rope 510 passes through the corrugated pipe 310 and is located inside the cavity 313, and the lower end of the corrugated pipe 310 is sealed by the end cap 320, gas inside the tank 100 cannot be discharged to the outside of the tank 100 through the cavity 313. Therefore, the movement of the traction rope 510 will not damage the sealing of the tank 100. This improves the sealing of the metering cup 1000, thereby improving the metering effect.

[0060] Since the feed line system adopts all the technical solutions of the metering cup 1000 in the above embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0061] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A measuring cup, characterized in that, include: The tank body has a discharge port at the bottom; The material blocking device includes a material blocking component that is sealed to the discharge port; A folding device includes a head and a folding member located at least partially inside the tank body and having a folding function. The folding member extends in a vertical direction, and its upper end is connected to the upper end of the tank body. The folding member has a cavity communicating with the lower end of the folding member. The head is connected to the lower end of the folding member to seal the lower end of the cavity. The driven member has one end connected to the material blocking member and the other end connected to the end cap; The driving device includes a traction rope, one end of which is located inside the cavity and connected to the end cap, and the other end of which passes through the upper end of the tank and is located outside the tank. The traction rope can drive the folding member to fold in the vertical direction so that the driven member drives the material blocking member to rise and open the discharge port. The metering cup also includes a liquid level regulating tube, a guide column, and a float. The liquid level regulating tube extends vertically and is partially inserted inside the tank body. The other part of the liquid level regulating tube is located outside the tank body. The liquid level regulating tube allows the inside of the tank body to communicate with the outside air. The lower end of the liquid level regulating tube is slidably connected to the guide column, and the lower end of the guide column is fixedly connected to the float. The float can seal the lower end of the liquid level regulating tube under the guidance of the guide column. As the liquid feed level in the tank gradually rises, before the liquid surface contacts the float, the air inside the tank is discharged through the level regulating pipe. When the liquid surface contacts the float, it will lift the float up. Under the guidance of the guide column, the float seals the lower end of the level regulating pipe. At this time, the air inside the tank cannot be discharged through the level regulating pipe, and no more feed can be added to the tank. The lower end of the folding part is sealed by the end cap.

2. The measuring cup according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower part of the folding component protrudes inward to form a sealing ring, and the end cap is surrounded by a sealing groove. The sealing ring engages with the sealing groove to seal the cavity.

3. The measuring cup according to claim 2, characterized in that, The end cap is provided with a guide slope at the end near the traction rope.

4. The measuring cup according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper end of the folding member forms a first limiting member, which passes through the tank body. The first limiting member is connected to the outer wall of the tank body to limit the downward displacement of the first limiting member. The folding device includes a second limiting member, which covers the first limiting member and is connected to the tank body. The second limiting member is used to limit the upward displacement of the first limiting member.

5. The measuring cup according to claim 1, characterized in that, The folding component is a corrugated pipe.

6. The measuring cup according to claim 1, characterized in that, The measuring cup also includes a guiding device, which includes a guide rod and a sleeve. The sleeve extends in the vertical direction and is fixedly connected to the container body. The guide rod is fixedly connected to the material blocking component and slidably connected to the sleeve.

7. The measuring cup according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive device includes a mounting base and a guide wheel. The mounting base is fixedly connected to the tank body, the guide wheel is connected to the mounting base, and the traction rope is slidably connected to the guide wheel.

8. The measuring cup according to claim 1, characterized in that, The surface of the material blocking component that mates with the discharge port is an arc-shaped surface.

9. The measuring cup according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material blocking device includes an annular mounting portion, which is fixedly connected to the material blocking component, and one end of the driven component is connected to the mounting portion.

10. A material production line system, characterized in that, Includes the measuring cup according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images