Intelligent batch feeder for aquaculture

Abstract

The utility model relates to an intelligent batch feeder for aquaculture. The intelligent batch feeder comprises a storage bin, an integrated control box, a weighing metering device and a connecting piece used for fixing the storage bin and the integrated control box. The integrated control box comprises a box body, a main control board, a bait control module, an air pressure control module and a display module; the storage bin is mounted above the integrated control box through the connecting piece; the weighing metering device is fixedly mounted below the integrated control box; the main control board is electrically connected with the bait control module, the air pressure control module, the display module and the weighing metering device; the bait control module is communicated with the air pressure control module through a pipe fitting. By improving the discharging channel of the storage bin, the accurate metering device and closed-loop feedback control, accurate feeding is achieved, and material accumulation and material blocking are avoided. A material shortage and blockage detection alarm mechanism is built in, and a positive-pressure dry gas flow regulating valve is arranged for preventing moisture, so that stable operation and long service life of the equipment are guaranteed. An RS-485 interface is integrated to support remote monitoring and data interaction, the automation level and the management efficiency are improved, and the refined feeding requirement is met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aquaculture, and in particular to an intelligent feeding machine for aquaculture. Background Technology

[0002] Feeders, as auxiliary equipment in aquaculture, play a crucial role and are indispensable in the aquaculture process. Large-scale aquaculture requires a large amount of feed per unit time. If the feeder has poor control over the amount of feed dispensed, it not only hinders the aquatic animals' consumption of the feed and affects their healthy growth, but also results in a significant waste of feed. Furthermore, feeders on the market commonly suffer from moisture damage to the feed and wiring during operation, which is detrimental to the normal use of the equipment.

[0003] Effective feed management and precise feeding are crucial for saving aquaculture costs and improving breeding and management efficiency. How to accurately measure and effectively monitor feed dispensers, achieve efficient and automated feed delivery, extend equipment lifespan, and ensure precise feeding are pressing issues that need to be addressed. Utility Model Content

[0004] To solve the above problems, this utility model provides an intelligent feeding machine for aquaculture, the specific solution of which is as follows:

[0005] An intelligent feeding machine for aquaculture includes a feed storage bin, an integrated control box, a weighing and metering device, and a connector for fixing the feed storage bin and the integrated control box. The integrated control box includes a box body, a main control board, a feed control module, a pneumatic control module, and a display module. The feed storage bin is installed above the integrated control box via the connector. The weighing and metering device is fixedly installed below the integrated control box. The main control board is electrically connected to the feed control module, the pneumatic control module, the display module, and the weighing and metering device. The feed control module and the pneumatic control module are connected via pipes.

[0006] Furthermore, the storage silo includes a silo body, which is divided into a top, an upper half, and a lower half; the top of the silo body is provided with a silo cover, the upper half of the silo body is cylindrical, the lower half of the silo body is funnel-shaped, the lower half is provided with a material inlet, and the upper half and the lower half of the silo body are fixedly connected.

[0007] Furthermore, the upper part of the integrated control box is provided with a cutout; the lower half of the storage bin extends from the cutout into the integrated control box through a connector.

[0008] Furthermore, the bait control module includes a manual spray button and a spray outlet pipe mounted on the integrated control box, and a solenoid valve mounted inside the integrated control box; the manual spray button is linearly connected to the main control board; a second air vent is provided on the outlet pipe, the other end of which is connected to the integrated control box and then connected to the air pressure control module via a fitting.

[0009] Furthermore, a pipe fitting is introduced below the inlet to connect to a tee, and the other two ends of the tee are respectively connected to the sprayed material outlet pipe and the solenoid valve; the tee is equipped with a Venturi device.

[0010] Furthermore, the air pressure control module includes a system working air pressure setting module, a positive pressure drying air pressure flow regulation module, and an air source inlet; the system working air pressure setting module includes a pressure regulating device and a pressure gauge, the pressure regulating device includes a pressure regulating knob and a pressure reducing valve; the positive pressure drying air pressure flow regulation module includes a first positive pressure drying air pressure flow regulation knob, a second positive pressure drying air pressure flow regulation knob, and an air pressure flow regulation valve.

[0011] Furthermore, the weighing and measuring device includes an upper support for the measuring instrument, a weight sensor, a lower support for the measuring instrument, and a base plate, which are fixedly connected from top to bottom.

[0012] Furthermore, the main control board is equipped with a DC power input port and an RS-485 communication interface. The RS-485 communication interface is connected to the gateway via a signal line, and the gateway is connected to the external control system via a network cable to realize data interaction between the feeder and the external control system.

[0013] Furthermore, the display module is a status display touch screen, used to set and view information such as spraying rate, single spraying amount, spraying health, communication status, and bin weight; the display module is also equipped with an alarm unit, providing three alarm methods—screen display, buzzer, and voice alarm—when abnormal states such as no feed or feed blockage occur during the feeding process; the display module and the integrated control box are connected by a ventilation channel to allow for gas circulation between them.

[0014] Furthermore, the storage bin and the display module are equipped with a first vent pipe, which can inject gas from the display module into the storage bin.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the feeding machine provided by this utility model has the following advantages and positive effects:

[0016] Firstly, this utility model optimizes the discharge channel of the storage bin in terms of structural design. It rationally sets the overall structure of the feeding machine and the spraying method to effectively prevent materials from accumulating in the bin, avoid material blockage caused by material accumulation, and improve the continuity and stability of equipment operation.

[0017] Secondly, this utility model is equipped with a precise metering device. Combined with the setting of parameters such as spraying rate and single spraying amount, it can perform real-time calculation and feedback control of material spraying amount. It also has a built-in compensation algorithm to automatically adjust the spraying time or airflow parameters. The feeding amount is corrected in a closed-loop feedback control mode to ensure that a quantitative amount of feed is continuously fed to aquatic products within a specified time. This achieves precise adjustment of the spraying amount, improves the uniformity and controllability of feeding operations, and meets the fine feeding needs under different working conditions.

[0018] Furthermore, this utility model also features a material shortage and blockage detection alarm mechanism. When the system detects no material or a blockage in the conveying channel, it can automatically trigger an alarm signal and provide information prompts through the control screen. At the same time, it will activate a buzzer to issue an audible and visual alarm and can be optionally equipped with a voice broadcast function, which significantly improves the efficiency of fault identification and the ease of operation.

[0019] Furthermore, this invention incorporates two independent positive pressure drying gas flow regulating valves, one for the interior of the housing and the other for the conveying pipeline, providing drying protection. By introducing drying gas, external moisture is effectively isolated, preventing the bait from becoming damp and clumping, and preventing short circuits or performance degradation of electronic components inside the housing due to moisture, thereby extending the equipment's service life and ensuring system operational safety.

[0020] Finally, this invention also integrates an RS-RS-485 communication interface into the control system, realizing data interaction and remote monitoring functions with the external control system. This facilitates the transmission of information such as the working status and operating parameters of the feeder to the display terminal in the control hall, enabling centralized management and systematic control. At the same time, the feeder's feeding rate and single feeding quantity can be controlled through the external control system, improving the overall automation level and management efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the following description is provided with accompanying drawings of the relevant technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art. It should be understood that the accompanying drawings described below are only for the purpose of clearly illustrating some embodiments of the technical solutions in this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative effort.

[0022] Appendix Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the front of the intelligent feeding machine for aquaculture of this utility model;

[0023] Appendix Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the back of the present invention;

[0024] Appendix Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the front planar structure of the present invention;

[0025] Appendix Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the plan structure of the storage silo of this utility model.

[0026] The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows:

[0027] 1. Storage bin, 2. Integrated control box, 3. Weighing and metering device, 4. Connector, 5. Box body, 6. Manual spray button, 7. Discharge pipe, 8. Pressure regulating knob, 9. Pressure gauge, 10. Inlet, 11. First positive pressure drying air pressure and flow rate regulating knob, 12. Second positive pressure drying air pressure and flow rate regulating knob, 13. RS-485 communication interface, 14. Touch screen display, 15. First vent pipe, 16. Second vent pipe, 101. Top, 102. Upper half, 103. Lower half, 301. Upper bracket of metering device, 302. Weight sensor, 303. Lower bracket of metering device, 304. Base plate. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of this utility model clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0029] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, this utility model provides an intelligent feeding machine for aquaculture, mainly composed of a storage bin (1), an integrated control box (2), a weighing and metering device (3), and connecting parts for fixing the storage bin (1) and the integrated control box (2). The weighing and metering device (3) is fixedly installed below the integrated control box (2) for real-time monitoring of material weight changes. The connecting parts (4) are used to fix the storage bin (1) and the integrated control box (2) to ensure the stability of the connection between the two and subsequent component replacement, upgrades, and maintenance.

[0030] The storage bin (1) is installed above the integrated control box (2) via a connector (4). The bin is divided into a top (101), an upper half (102), and a lower half (103). The top of the bin (101) is covered. The upper half (102) is cylindrical, and the lower half (103) is funnel-shaped and the two are fixedly connected. The upper part of the integrated control box (2) is provided with a perforated opening. The lower half (103) of the storage bin extends from the perforated opening into the integrated control box via the connector (4). The lower half (103) is provided with an inlet (10). A pipe is introduced below the inlet (10) and connected to a tee. The other two ends of the tee are connected to the spray outlet pipe (7) and a solenoid valve, respectively. A Venturi device is installed inside the tee. This device is constructed based on the Venturi effect principle. When gas or gas-solid mixture flows through this structure, a local negative pressure area is formed at the throat, thereby realizing the function of sucking and conveying bait. The discharge pipe (7) is equipped with a second vent pipe (16), the other end of which is connected to the integrated control box (2) and connected to the air pressure control module through the pipe fittings to maintain the positive pressure environment inside the system.

[0031] The integrated control box (2) includes a box body (5), a main control board, a bait control module, a pneumatic control module, and a display module. The main control board is electrically connected to the bait control module, the pneumatic control module, the display module, and the weighing and metering device; the bait control module and the pneumatic control module are connected through pipe fittings. The main control board is connected to a DC power input port and an RS-485 communication interface (13), which serves as the control core of the entire feeder, responsible for receiving and processing the data transmitted by each module and issuing corresponding control commands. The RS-485 communication interface (13) is connected to the gateway through a signal line, and the gateway is connected to the external control system through a network cable to realize data interaction between the feeder and the external control system. It can realize the stable and accurate transmission of feeding data such as feeding rate and single feeding amount to the display screen in the control hall for real-time display. At the same time, it can also control parameters such as feeding rate and single feeding amount of the feeder through the external control system. Operators can centrally monitor and control the feeding process in the control hall, which improves the automation level and operating efficiency of the system.

[0032] The air pressure control module consists of a system working air pressure setting module, a positive pressure drying air pressure flow regulation module, and an air source inlet. The system working air pressure setting module includes a pressure regulating device and a pressure gauge (9). The pressure regulating device includes a pressure regulating knob (8) and a pressure reducing valve. Users can precisely control the opening degree of the pressure reducing valve by rotating the knob, thereby adjusting the output pressure of the system. The pressure gauge (9) is used to display the working air pressure of the system.

[0033] The positive pressure drying air pressure and flow rate adjustment module includes a first positive pressure drying air pressure and flow rate adjustment knob (11), a second positive pressure drying air pressure and flow rate adjustment knob (12), and an air pressure and flow rate adjustment valve, which are used to coordinately adjust the air pressure and flow rate in the internal cavity of the feeder and the discharge pipeline. Among them, the first positive pressure drying air pressure and flow rate adjustment knob (11) is used to adjust the air pressure and flow rate in the internal cavity of the integrated control box, and the second positive pressure drying air pressure and flow rate adjustment knob (12) is used to adjust the air pressure and flow rate in the discharge pipeline. Through the above structural design, it can be ensured that the air pressure in the feeder cavity and pipeline is always higher than the external atmospheric pressure, forming an effective air curtain sealing effect, preventing external moisture, dust and other pollutants from entering the equipment, and ensuring the drying environment of electronic components and materials.

[0034] The display module is a status display touch screen (14) used to set or view information such as spraying rate, single spraying amount, spraying health, communication status, and bin weight. In addition, the display module is also equipped with an alarm unit, which provides three alarm modes: screen display, buzzer, and voice alarm when there is no feed or a blockage occurs during the feeding process. The display module and the integrated control box (2) are connected by a ventilation channel to enable gas circulation between them. The storage bin and the display module are equipped with a first ventilation pipe (15) to inject gas from the display module into the storage bin (1). When the feeder is working, the integrated control box (2), the display module, and the storage bin (1) form a gas pressure transmission channel to ensure that the feed in the storage bin (1) remains dry.

[0035] The weighing and metering device (3) achieves accurate measurement of the weight of the feeder through the fixed connection of the upper bracket (301), weight sensor (302), lower bracket (303), and base plate (304). The weight sensor (302) transmits the collected weight data to the main control board, which then transmits the data to the display touch screen (14) for display, so that users can understand the weight change of the feeder in real time, thereby mastering the amount of bait to be fed, and combining parameters such as spraying rate and single spraying amount to carry out refined control of feeding.

[0036] The feeder of the present invention has the functions of manual and automatic feeding. In manual feeding mode, the feeder directly controls the feeding action through the manual feeding button (6) located outside the integrated control box (2). The manual feeding button (6) is electrically connected to the main control board. After the operator presses the button, the main control board receives the trigger signal and generates the corresponding control command, which drives the solenoid valve located inside the integrated control box (2) to open, thereby controlling the bait to complete the material feeding action through the feeding outlet pipe (7).

[0037] In automatic spraying mode, the feeder achieves intelligent control of the spraying process through a preset control program and feedback signals from a weight sensor (302). The main control board automatically outputs control signals to the solenoid valve based on the set spraying parameters and real-time collected operating data, thereby achieving precise adjustment of the bait delivery time, quantity, and frequency. When the system enters the automatic spraying stage, the solenoid valve opens and closes periodically according to the instructions of the main control board, so that the bait is delivered quantitatively to the spraying outlet pipe (7) as needed, and then sprayed to the designated area through the pipe, thereby achieving continuous, uniform, and controllable automated spraying operation.

[0038] The feeding compensation method of the feeder in automatic mode is as follows: When the feeder is powered on, compressed air supplied by an external air compressor continuously enters the feeding system through the air source inlet. First, it is adjusted to a suitable pressure value for the feeder's operation by a pressure reducing valve. Then, this air pressure is sent in two directions: one to a solenoid valve for pneumatic drive of the spraying action; the other to a pressure and flow regulating valve for further fine control of the gas flow in the feeding system, ensuring that the air pressure in the cavity and pipeline is always higher than the external atmospheric pressure. The spraying rate, single spraying volume, spraying duration, and spraying time are set, and the feeder sprays material according to the set time. By monitoring the spraying duration and adjusting the airflow in real time, the system calculates the error between the actual spraying amount and the theoretical fixed feeding value within a certain time period, based on preset parameters such as spraying duration, single spraying amount, and airflow. Based on the calculated error value, the system's built-in compensation algorithm module automatically generates corresponding compensation parameters and automatically adjusts the spraying duration or airflow parameters to correct the feeding amount through closed-loop feedback control. This ensures that a fixed amount of feed is continuously fed to aquatic products within a specified time, guaranteeing a sufficient supply of feed. This quantitative feeding function provides an accurate basis for the system to record the growth data of aquatic products, facilitating subsequent analysis and research on the growth of aquatic products.

[0039] Specific implementation methods have been provided above, but this utility model is not limited to the described implementation methods. The basic idea of ​​this utility model lies in the above basic scheme. For those skilled in the art, designing various modified models, formulas, and parameters based on the teachings of this utility model does not require creative effort. Changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations made to the implementation methods without departing from the principles and spirit of this utility model still fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. An intelligent feeding machine for aquaculture, comprising a feed storage bin and an integrated control box, characterized in that: It also includes a weighing and measuring device, and a connector for fixing the storage bin and the integrated control box; the integrated control box includes a box body, a main control board, a bait control module, an air pressure control module, and a display module; the storage bin is installed above the integrated control box via the connector; the weighing and measuring device is fixedly installed below the integrated control box; the main control board is electrically connected to the bait control module, the air pressure control module, the display module, and the weighing and measuring device; the bait control module and the air pressure control module are connected via pipes.

2. The intelligent feeding machine for aquaculture according to claim 1, characterized in that: The storage silo includes a silo body, which is divided into a top, an upper half, and a lower half. The top of the silo body is provided with a silo cover. The upper half of the silo body is cylindrical, and the lower half of the silo body is funnel-shaped. The lower half is provided with a material inlet. The upper half and the lower half of the silo body are fixedly connected.

3. The intelligent feeding machine for aquaculture according to claim 2, characterized in that: The upper part of the integrated control box is provided with a hollow opening; the lower half of the storage bin extends from the hollow opening into the integrated control box through a connector.

4. The intelligent feeding machine for aquaculture according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bait control module includes a manual spray button and a spray outlet pipe mounted on the integrated control box, and a solenoid valve mounted inside the integrated control box; the manual spray button is linearly connected to the main control board; a second air vent is provided on the outlet pipe, the other end of which is connected to the integrated control box and then connected to the air pressure control module via a fitting.

5. The intelligent feeding machine for aquaculture according to claim 4, characterized in that: A pipe fitting is introduced below the inlet and connected to a tee. The other two ends of the tee are respectively connected to the sprayed material outlet pipe and the solenoid valve; a venturi device is provided in the tee.

6. The intelligent feeding machine for aquaculture according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air pressure control module includes a system working air pressure setting module, a positive pressure drying air pressure and flow rate adjustment module, and an air source inlet; the system working air pressure setting module includes a pressure regulating device and a pressure gauge, the pressure regulating device includes a pressure regulating knob and a pressure reducing valve; the positive pressure drying air pressure and flow rate adjustment module includes a first positive pressure drying air pressure and flow rate adjustment knob, a second positive pressure drying air pressure and flow rate adjustment knob, and an air pressure and flow rate adjustment valve.

7. The intelligent feeding machine for aquaculture according to claim 1, characterized in that: The weighing and measuring device includes an upper support for the meter, a weight sensor, a lower support for the meter, and a base plate, which are fixedly connected from top to bottom.

8. The intelligent feeding machine for aquaculture according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main control board is equipped with a DC power input port and an RS-485 communication interface. The RS-485 communication interface is connected to the gateway via a signal line, and the gateway is connected to the external control system via a network cable to realize data interaction between the feeder and the external control system.

9. The intelligent feeding machine for aquaculture according to claim 1, characterized in that: The display module is a status display touch screen; the display module is also equipped with an alarm unit, which provides three alarm methods: screen display, buzzer and voice alarm when there is no feed or feed blockage during the feeding process; the display module and the integrated control box are connected by a ventilation channel to enable gas circulation between them.

10. The intelligent feeding machine for aquaculture according to claim 1, characterized in that: The storage bin and display module are equipped with a first vent pipe for injecting gas from the display module into the storage bin.

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