Matrix type animal husbandry weight measuring device and weight measuring method

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of livestock breeding monitoring equipment, and particularly relates to a matrix type livestock weighing device, which comprises a DTU, a cloud server and a plurality of weighing modules, the plurality of weighing modules are arranged in an array in a horizontal plane to form a weighing area, and a pollution discharge gap is arranged between two adjacent weighing modules. The width of the pollution discharge gap is smaller than the width of a foot of an animal to be weighed, the weighing module comprises a base, a single-point weighing sensor and a weighing plate which are sequentially arranged from bottom to top, the single-point weighing sensor is electrically connected with a DTU through a digital transmitter, and the DTU is connected with a cloud server through a network; the weighing area is arranged in a free movement area of an animal to be weighed. The matrix type livestock weighing device is formed by combining a plurality of independent weighing modules without movable parts, is very convenient to transport, install, maintain and use, and can frequently acquire animal weight or animal weight and feed intake data for many times under the condition of no stress.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of livestock breeding monitoring equipment, and particularly relates to a matrix livestock weighing device and a weighing method. Background Art

[0002] In animal feeding production, body weight data is an important indicator. Since manual collection and entry of data is a huge task, time-consuming and laborious in operation, it is very difficult to weigh animals frequently. For example, for meat animals such as commercial pigs, meat poultry, beef cattle and sheep, they are often only weighed and priced at the time of slaughter, and are weighed less frequently during the intermediate process. In fact, it is very necessary to weigh all kinds of livestock and poultry during the feeding process. According to the body weight and feeding data during the growth process, the feed efficiency (or feed-to-meat ratio) at the corresponding stage can be obtained, and the feed efficiency often determines the breeding benefit. Therefore, the average individual weight gain is the most important data for evaluating the feed nutrition level. At the same time, body weight data often reflects the health status of animals. In short, stress-free weighing during the production process is very important for livestock and poultry production.

[0003] For livestock and poultry weighing, there are currently two main types of weighing devices: platform scales with multiple weighing feet and electronic scales with single-point sensors.

[0004] The platform scales with multiple weighing feet have the following defects: 1) For example, when weighing live pigs, they are generally driven onto the platform scale or into a pig cage, and then the pig cage is pushed onto the platform scale for weighing. This method causes animals to resist, is time-consuming and laborious, and causes great stress; 2) For large animals such as pigs, cows, and sheep, the platform scale is relatively large, and it is inconvenient to carry, install, and maintain; 3) The platform scale is installed under the transfer passage, and is used to weigh animals when they are transferred or pass through, which is relatively labor-saving. However, due to the relatively large size of the platform scale, there are also problems of being laborious to carry, install, and maintain. At the same time, the weighing interval is too long to monitor the daily weight change; 4) Due to reasons such as thermal expansion and contraction, large platform scales generally require movable devices (usually with ball feet), which are easily eroded by feces and damaged by animals. This is an important issue that cannot be ignored when weighing in the free movement area of livestock breeding; 5) If a small platform scale is directly placed in front of the feeding trough or water trough for daily monitoring of animal body weight, due to its large area, it is easy to accumulate feces and is also easily damaged by multiple animals working together. For example, when used for pigs, the pushing force of the pig group is very large, which is not easy to prevent. At the same time, it also faces problems such as the heaviness of the whole platform scale, being too large to be easily carried into the pen, and the movable parts being easily damaged.

[0005] The advantage of the electronic scale with a single-point sensor is that it has no movable parts and is basically not affected by thermal expansion and contraction. However, its application in livestock weighing has the following defects: 1) Due to the lever force, the electronic scale with a single-point sensor cannot be made into a platform scale with a large area. It is easily damaged and is only suitable for small electronic scales. Generally suitable for weighing small animals such as piglets and poultry, it is difficult to apply to livestock such as cattle and fattening pigs with large volume, large weight, and large strength.

[0006] In livestock farming, feeding test stations are also used, but they have defects such as high cost, troublesome training and feeding, violating animal habits, and not conforming to conventional feeding and feeding methods.

[0007] In summary, the platform scale with multi-point sensors and the electronic scale with single-point sensors both have important advantages and insurmountable defects in livestock applications. For this reason, they cannot be widely used in stress-free daily weight measurement of livestock. If the advantages can be combined and the defects can be avoided, the application demand will be very large. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To solve the above problems existing in livestock weighing in the prior art, the present invention provides a matrix-type livestock weighing device and a weighing method.

[0009] The technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows. A matrix-type livestock weighing device includes a DTU, a cloud server, and multiple weighing modules. The multiple weighing modules are arranged in an array in the horizontal plane to form a weighing area. There is a sewage gap between adjacent two weighing modules, and the width of the sewage gap is smaller than the width of the feet of the animal to be weighed. The weighing module includes a base, a single-point weighing sensor, and a weighing plate, which are arranged in sequence from bottom to top. The single-point weighing sensor is electrically connected to the DTU through a digital transmitter, and the DTU is connected to the cloud server through a network; the weighing area is arranged in the free activity area of the animal to be weighed.

[0010] Preferably, the free activity area of the animal to be weighed is a feeding area, and a feeding trough and / or a water trough are arranged in the weighing area. Under stress-free conditions, animal weight data and / or feed intake data can be obtained frequently and multiple times, and the data is easier to obtain and more accurate.

[0011] Preferably, the free activity area of the animal to be weighed is a transfer passage or a pen. When the animal passes by, the weighing device measures the weight data, which is convenient and fast.

[0012] Further, anti-lying angle irons are arranged on the upper surface of the weighing plate. It can effectively prevent large animals from lying on the weighing plate for a long time and avoid occupying the weighing device for a long time.

[0013] Further, a fence is arranged on the side of the matrix-type livestock weighing device. It can prevent animals from stepping on one or two front feet of the weighing device from the side, or leaning obliquely so that part of the weight falls on the weighing device.

[0014] Further, the weighing device further includes a grille, which is arranged on the ground. A manure ditch is arranged below the grille, and a plurality of the bases are fixedly arranged on the grille. The arrangement of the grille is conducive to the reliable and convenient installation of the weighing module. At the same time, it is more conducive to the excrement of animals to be discharged into the manure ditch under the ground through the sewage gaps and the holes of the grille, improving the cleanliness of the breeding environment and the weighing environment, and greatly improving the accuracy of weighing.

[0015] Further, the area of the weighing plate is larger than the area of one foot of the animal to be weighed and smaller than the area of two feet of the animal to be weighed. It is convenient for the feet of each animal to be weighed to stand on independent weighing modules respectively. After each weighing module weighs separately and performs combined operations, the actual weight of each animal to be weighed can be obtained, and it is conducive to setting a plurality of sewage gaps to improve the sewage discharge effect.

[0016] A weighing method for a matrix livestock weighing device, which uses any one of the above matrix livestock weighing devices;

[0017] The weighing method includes the following steps:

[0018] S1: A number of animals to be weighed enter the weighing area by themselves;

[0019] S2: The single-point weighing sensors upload the weighing data to the cloud server through digital transmitters and DTUs in sequence;

[0020] S3: The cloud server (2) calculates the total weight, total number and average weight of the animals to be weighed in the weighing area.

[0021] The number of animals to be weighed in the weighing area can be calculated according to the ratio of the total weight to the historical average body weight, and the error can be corrected manually during use.

[0022] Further, the area of the weighing plate is larger than the area of one foot of the animal to be weighed and smaller than the area of two feet of the animal to be weighed, and a coordinate system is established in the weighing area. Each weighing plate corresponds to a coordinate point, and the coordinate system is pre-recorded in the cloud server;

[0023] When the weighing area is set in the transfer passage, the weighing method further includes step S4, and the weight indication is transferred orderly in the direction of the animal's walking. The passing speed and real-time dynamics of the animal can be obtained through the indication rule. It is conducive to the automatic detection of the breeding dynamics of animals.

[0024] Further, when a feed trough is provided in the weighing area, in step S3, the total weight of the animal = the total weight obtained in the weighing area - the initial total weight of the feed trough; when the animal leaves the weighing area, the amount of food consumed by the animal in one meal = the initial total weight of the feed trough - the total weight of the feed trough after consumption. The animal weight data and / or the feed intake data can be obtained frequently and multiple times without stress, and the data is easier to obtain and more accurate.

[0025] The matrix-type livestock weighing device of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0026] 1) Convenient for transportation and installation: The single weighing module is small in volume, simple and reliable in structure, and is more convenient for transportation, installation and maintenance compared with the whole livestock weighing scale.

[0027] 2) Low cost: The single weighing module has a small area, so the strength requirement of the single weighing module can be reduced, thereby reducing materials and lowering costs.

[0028] 3) Not affected by thermal expansion and contraction: For the existing large multi-sensor weighing scales, in order to adapt to thermal expansion and contraction, their weighing feet are equipped with ball bearings or other sliding and telescopic structures. However, animals such as pigs will frequently push and move, especially in the case of having moving parts, so they are extremely easy to damage. The single-point sensor of the present application does not need to consider the influence of thermal expansion and contraction of the weighing scale frame, does not have moving parts, is not easy to damage, and has higher weighing accuracy.

[0029] 4) High cleanliness: Compared with the whole weighing scale, the excrement of the animals in the present application is discharged underground through the sewage gap, improving the cleanliness of the breeding environment and the weighing environment, and greatly improving the weighing accuracy.

[0030] 5) Arbitrary area: Not restricted by the site and can be used in a spliced manner.

[0031] 6) Compared with ordinary single-point scales, it is not easy to be damaged due to uneven stress.

[0032] 7) Convenient operation: There is no need to move the animal, and the animal can maintain its daily living state.

[0033] 8) The average weight of the animal can be calculated, and in some cases, the individual weight can be obtained from the group.

[0034] 9) When a feed trough is set, the feed intake can be obtained, and then the feed conversion rate can be obtained in combination with the weight. Description of the Drawings

[0035] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0036] Figure 1 is a schematic three-dimensional structure diagram of the matrix-type livestock weighing device of the present invention, in which only the weighing module, the sewage discharge gap and the feed trough are schematically shown;

[0037] Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the matrix-type livestock weighing device of the present invention, in which the fence is not schematically shown;

[0038] Figure 3 is a schematic principle diagram of the matrix-type livestock weighing device of the present invention;

[0039] In the figure: 1. DTU, 2. Cloud server, 3. Weighing module, 31. Base, 32. Single-point weighing sensor, 33. Weighing plate, 4. Sewage discharge gap, 5. Digital transmitter, 6. Feed trough, 7. Grille, 8. Anti-lying angle iron. Detailed implementation manners

[0040] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, rather than all embodiments. The description of at least one exemplary embodiment is actually only illustrative and in no way restrictive of the present invention and its application or use. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0041] Embodiment

[0042] As Figures 1 to 3 shown, a matrix-type livestock weighing device includes a DTU 1, a cloud server 2 and a plurality of weighing modules 3. The plurality of weighing modules 3 are arranged in an array in a horizontal plane to form a weighing area. There is a sewage discharge gap 4 between adjacent two weighing modules 3. The width of the sewage discharge gap 4 is smaller than the width of the feet of the animals to be weighed. The weighing module 3 includes a base 31, a single-point weighing sensor 32 and a weighing plate 33 which are arranged in sequence from bottom to top. The single-point weighing sensor 32 is electrically connected to the DTU 1 through a digital transmitter 5. The DTU 1 is connected to the cloud server 2 through a network; the weighing area is arranged in the free activity area of the animals to be weighed.

[0043] In this embodiment, each weighing module 3 weighs separately and then performs combined operations. For example, when two pigs stand on the weighing area, their total weight can be measured. Since the weight of a pig has a relatively definite range (this range is very small compared to the weight of a single pig), and the number of pigs can be calculated based on the total weight as two, the average weight of each pig can be further calculated. Specifically, in this embodiment, the area of the weighing plate 33 is larger than the area of one foot of the animal to be weighed and smaller than the area of two feet of the animal to be weighed, facilitating each animal to be weighed to stand on an independent weighing module 3 respectively. After each weighing module 3 weighs separately and performs combined operations, the actual weight of each animal to be weighed can be obtained, and it is beneficial to set multiple sewage gaps 4 to improve the sewage discharge effect.

[0044] In order to ensure that the animals to be weighed enter the weighing area by themselves, in this embodiment, the free activity area of the animals to be weighed is the feeding area, and a feeding trough 6 and / or a water trough are arranged in the weighing area. Under the condition of no stress, the animal weight data and / or the feed intake data can be obtained frequently and multiple times, and the data is easier to obtain and more accurate; or the free activity area of the animals to be weighed is the transfer passage or the pen, that is, the weighing area can be arranged in the transfer passage or in the pen. When the animal passes by, the weighing device measures the weight data, which is convenient and fast.

[0045] In order to prevent large animals from lying on the weighing plate for a long time and avoid occupying the weighing device for a long time, in this embodiment, anti-lying angle irons 8 are arranged on the upper surface of the weighing plate, and the height range of the convex part of the anti-lying angle irons 8 is 2 cm - 10 cm; further, in this embodiment, at least one side of the matrix-type livestock weighing device is provided with a fence (not shown in the figure) to prevent the animal from stepping on one or two front feet of the weighing device from the side or leaning obliquely so that part of the weight falls on the weighing device.

[0046] In order to facilitate the reliable and convenient installation of the weighing module 3, in this embodiment, the weighing device further includes a grille 7, the grille 7 is arranged on the ground, and a manure ditch is arranged below the grille 7. The manure ditch in this embodiment is for scraping manure, or the flushing manure method, or the semi-open type with a slope (these three methods are common in intensive pig and sheep farming industries). A plurality of the bases 31 are fixedly arranged on the grille 7. At the same time, the arrangement of the grille 7 is more conducive to the animal excrement to be discharged into the manure ditch under the ground through the sewage gaps 4 and the holes of the grille 7, improving the cleanliness of the breeding environment and the weighing environment, and greatly improving the weighing accuracy.

[0047] A weighing method for a matrix-type livestock weighing device, which uses the above-mentioned matrix-type livestock weighing device;

[0048] The weighing method includes the following steps:

[0049] S0: Establish a coordinate system in the weighing area. Each weighing plate 33 corresponds to a coordinate point, and the coordinate system is pre-recorded into the cloud server 2.

[0050] S1: A number of animals to be weighed enter the weighing area by themselves.

[0051] S2: The single-point weighing sensors 32 upload the weighing data to the cloud server 2 through the digital transmitter 5 and the DTU 1 in sequence.

[0052] S3: The cloud server 2 calculates the total weight, total quantity, and average weight of the animals to be weighed in the weighing area.

[0053] When the weighing area is set in the transfer passage, this weighing method further includes step S4. The weight indication orderly transfers in the animal walking direction. The passing speed and real-time dynamics of the animals can be obtained through the indication rule, which is beneficial to automatically detecting the feeding dynamics of the animals.

[0054] When a feed trough 6 is provided in the weighing area, in step S3, the total weight of the animals = the total weight obtained in the weighing area - the initial total weight of the feed trough 6; when the animals leave the weighing area, the food intake for one meal of the animals = the initial total weight of the feed trough 6 - the total weight of the feed trough 6 after being eaten.

[0055] The matrix-type livestock weighing device of this embodiment can be used for weighing large animals, such as pigs, cows, sheep, etc.

[0056] The above is only a preferred specific embodiment of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, according to the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, makes equivalent substitutions or changes, and all should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A matrix-type livestock weighing device, characterized in that: It includes a DTU (1), a cloud server (2) and multiple weighing modules (3). The multiple weighing modules (3) are arranged in an array in the horizontal plane to form a weighing area. There is a sewage discharge gap (4) between adjacent two weighing modules (3). The width of the sewage discharge gap (4) is smaller than the width of the foot of the animal to be weighed. The weighing module (3) includes a base (31), a single-point weighing sensor (32) and a weighing plate (33) arranged in sequence from bottom to top. The single-point weighing sensor (32) is electrically connected to the DTU (1) through a digital transmitter (5), and the DTU (1) is connected to the cloud server (2) through a network. The weighing area is set within the free activity area of the animal to be weighed.

2. The matrix livestock weighing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The free activity area of the animal to be weighed is a feeding area, and a feed trough (6) and / or a water trough are / is arranged in the weighing area.

3. The matrix livestock weighing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The free activity area of the animal to be weighed is a transfer passage or a pen.

4. The matrix livestock weighing device according to claim 1, wherein: Anti-lying angle irons (8) are arranged on the upper surface of the weighing plate (33).

5. The matrix livestock weighing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A fence is arranged on the side of the matrix livestock weighing device.

6. The matrix livestock weighing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The weighing device further includes a grille (7). The grille (7) is arranged on the ground, and a manure ditch is arranged below the grille (7). The multiple bases (31) are fixedly arranged on the grille (7).

7. The matrix livestock weighing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The area of the weighing plate (33) is larger than the area of one foot of the animal to be weighed and smaller than the area of two feet of the animal to be weighed.

8. A weighing method for a matrix livestock weighing device, characterized in that: This weighing method uses the matrix livestock weighing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; This weighing method includes the following steps: S1: A number of animals to be weighed enter the weighing area by themselves; S2: The single-point weighing sensor (32) uploads the weighing data to the cloud server (2) through the digital transmitter (5) and the DTU (1) in sequence; S3: The cloud server (2) calculates the total weight, total number and average weight of the animals to be weighed in the weighing area.

9. The weighing method of the matrix livestock weighing device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The area of the weighing plate (33) is larger than the area of one foot of the animal to be weighed and smaller than the area of two feet of the animal to be weighed, and a coordinate system is established in the weighing area. Each weighing plate (33) corresponds to a coordinate point, and the coordinate system is pre-recorded in the cloud server (2); When the weighing area is set in the transfer passage, this weighing method further includes step S4. The weight indication orderly transfers in the animal walking direction, and the passing speed and real-time dynamics of the animal can be obtained through the indication rule.

10. The weighing method of the matrix livestock weighing device according to claim 8, characterized in that: When a feed trough (6) is arranged in the weighing area, in step S3, the total weight of the animals = the total weight obtained in the weighing area - the initial total weight of the feed trough (6); when the animals leave the weighing area, the food intake of the animals for one meal = the initial total weight of the feed trough (6) - the total weight of the feed trough (6) after being eaten.

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