An automated calf feeder

Abstract

This utility model belongs to the field of feeder technology, and in particular to an automated calf feeder, comprising: a feeding unit for storing milk replacer powder; a water supply unit for providing constant temperature water for dissolving milk replacer powder; a stirring unit for mixing milk replacer powder and water to form normal milk; a feeder for storing the mixed normal milk; a first identification unit for identifying the individual information of calves and, based on the identification result and a preset feeding strategy, precisely controlling the feeding amount of the corresponding calf; a gate control unit for controlling the number of calves entering the feeding station to prevent multiple calves from entering at the same time and causing chaos; a second identification unit for identifying the individual information of calves before they enter the feeding station; a first driving unit for driving away calves that do not meet the conditions for entering the feeding station; and a control system for controlling the operation of the first driving unit according to the identification result of the second identification unit to drive away calves that do not meet the conditions for entering the feeding station and make them leave the gate control unit area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of feeder technology, specifically relating to an automated calf feeder. Background Technology

[0002] In calf farming, scientific and reasonable feeding is crucial for the healthy growth of calves. Traditional artificial feeding methods have many drawbacks. On the one hand, it is difficult to accurately control the amount of feed for each calf, which cannot meet the individual nutritional needs of calves at different growth stages. This can easily lead to some calves being overfed or underfed, affecting their growth, development, and health. On the other hand, artificial feeding is inefficient, requiring a lot of manpower and time, which increases the cost of raising calves.

[0003] With the development of the livestock industry and the advancement of automation technology, calf feeding equipment has emerged on the market. Calf feeders are automated devices used to feed calves, enabling timed, quantitative, temperature-controlled, and quality-controlled feeding, improving feeding efficiency, ensuring calf health, and reducing labor costs. Calf feeders mainly include feed storage and conveying devices, mixing devices, feeding identification devices, and cleaning devices. However, the lack of effective control measures during the calf entry process at the feeding station can easily lead to multiple calves entering the station simultaneously, resulting in the following problems:

[0004] Identification Confusion: Automated feeders typically rely on technologies such as electronic ear tags, collars, and facial recognition to identify calves. When multiple calves enter simultaneously, the identification equipment may not be able to accurately capture information for each calf, leading to identification errors and some calves not receiving the correct amount of feed.

[0005] Uneven feeding distribution: The feeder may not be able to accurately distribute feed to multiple calves at the same time, resulting in some calves receiving too much feed and others receiving too little, which affects the growth and development of the calves.

[0006] Disorder: Calves may push and shove each other, which can easily damage equipment, injure calves, and increase the risk of disease transmission. This can lead to problems such as equipment identification confusion, uneven feeding distribution, and disorder, which in turn affect the health of calves and feeding efficiency.

[0007] Furthermore, there is no effective mechanism to drive the calves away after they finish eating, causing them to occupy the feeder for a long time and reducing feeding efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0008] To address the above problems, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an automated calf feeder that solves the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0009] This utility model provides an automated calf feeder, comprising: a feeding unit for storing milk replacer powder and precisely delivering the appropriate amount of milk replacer powder to the mixing unit based on the individual nutritional needs of the calf at its growth stage; a water supply unit for providing a constant-temperature water source for dissolving the milk replacer powder; a mixing unit connected to the feeding and water supply units for thoroughly mixing the milk replacer powder and water to form a uniformly textured milk; a feeder connected to the outlet of the mixing unit for storing the mixed milk for the calf to consume freely; and a first identification unit for identifying the individual information of the calf and precisely controlling the feeding process based on the identification results and a preset feeding strategy. The system includes: a gate control unit, located at the entrance to the feeder, for controlling the number of calves entering the feeding station to prevent multiple calves from entering simultaneously and causing chaos; a second identification unit, installed at the entrance of the gate control unit, for identifying the individual information of calves before they enter the feeding station; a first driving unit, installed on the gate control unit, for driving away calves that do not meet the conditions for entering the feeding station; and a control system, electrically connected to the second identification unit, for controlling the operation of the first driving unit based on the identification result of the second identification unit to drive away calves that do not meet the conditions for entering the feeding station and make them leave the area of ​​the gate control unit.

[0010] Preferably, the gate control unit includes: a base for mounting the gate gate; and the gate gate mounted on the base via a pin, one end of which is equipped with a first motor, which can be opened and closed according to instructions from the control system.

[0011] Preferably, the gate control unit further includes: a pressure sensor installed on the output shaft of the first motor, used to detect the pressure on the gate in real time and transmit the detected pressure signal to the control system; and an alarm device electrically connected to the control system, used to trigger an alarm when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor exceeds a preset threshold to alert staff.

[0012] Preferably, the first driving unit includes: a rubber rod for driving away calves that do not meet the conditions for entering the feeding station; a second motor whose output shaft is connected to the mounting end of the rubber rod for driving the rubber rod to reciprocate; and a lifting mechanism located at the bottom of the second motor for adjusting the height of the second motor and the rubber rod to prevent calves from damaging the rubber rod when not in use.

[0013] Preferably, a second driving unit is installed above the feeder to drive the calf out of the feeding station after it has finished feeding. The second driving unit includes: a rubber rod for driving the calf after it has finished feeding; a third motor whose output shaft is connected to the mounting end of the rubber rod for driving the rubber rod to reciprocate; a lifting mechanism located at the bottom of the third motor for adjusting the height of the third motor and the rubber rod to prevent the rubber rod from affecting the calf's feeding when not in use; and a weighing sensor installed at the bottom of the feeder for real-time detection of the weight of the milk in the feeder and transmitting the detected weight signal to the control system to determine the calf's feed intake. When the weight signal is lower than a preset threshold, the control system controls the third motor and the lifting mechanism to operate.

[0014] Preferably, the first identification unit is located on the side of the base near the feeder, and is used to identify calves that have finished eating and are ready to leave the feeding station. The control system controls the gate to open based on the signals detected by the weighing sensor and the first identification unit.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: The gate control unit is located at the entrance to the feeder. A second identification unit identifies the individual information of calves before they enter the feeding station. Based on the identification results, the control system controls the first driving unit to drive away calves that do not meet the conditions for entering the feeding station, causing them to leave the gate control unit area. This effectively controls the number of calves entering the feeding station, preventing multiple calves from entering simultaneously and causing chaos, ensuring the smooth progress of the feeding process, and improving feeding efficiency and quality.

[0016] This automated calf feeder's feeding unit accurately delivers the appropriate amount of milk replacer to the mixing unit based on the individual calf's nutritional needs. Combined with a constant-temperature water supply from the water unit, the mixing unit thoroughly mixes the milk replacer and water to form a uniform, high-quality milk. After identifying the individual calf's information, the first identification unit precisely controls the feeding amount according to a preset feeding strategy, ensuring that each calf receives the nutrition required for its growth, promoting healthy growth, and improving farming efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention from a first-person perspective;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention from a second perspective;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a first cross-sectional view of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention from a third-person perspective;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a second cross-sectional view of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a third cross-sectional view of the present invention.

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Feeding unit; 2. Water supply unit; 3. Mixing unit; 4. Feeder; 5. First identification unit; 6. Gate control unit; 7. Second identification unit; 8. First driving unit; 9. Control system; 10. Base; 11. Gate; 12. First motor; 13. Pressure sensor; 14. Rubber rod; 15. Second motor; 16. Third motor; 17. Lifting mechanism; 18. Weighing sensor; 19. Warning light; 20. Second driving unit. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of this utility model, the present utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description in this part is only exemplary and explanatory, and should not be used to limit the scope of protection of this utility model in any way.

[0025] refer to Figures 1-6This utility model describes an existing automated calf feeder, which mainly includes components such as a feeding unit 1, a water supply unit 2, a mixing unit 3, a feeder 4, and an identification unit. The feeding equipment stores milk replacer powder, such as a feeding bin, and delivers the appropriate amount of milk replacer powder to the mixing equipment according to the calf's needs. Precise control of the feeding amount is crucial, which is usually achieved by precise metering devices (such as a screw feeder with a stepper motor) to ensure that each calf receives the amount of milk replacer powder that meets its growth stage and nutritional needs. The water supply equipment provides a constant-temperature water source for dissolving the milk replacer powder. Temperature control is key; a suitable water temperature (such as 38-40℃) helps the milk replacer powder dissolve fully and is also beneficial for the calf's digestion and absorption. Water supply equipment is generally equipped with heating and temperature control devices to ensure stable water temperature. The mixing equipment is used to thoroughly mix milk replacer powder and water to form uniform milk. The mixing effect directly affects the quality of the milk. Mixing equipment typically includes a mixing tank: used to hold milk replacer powder and water, made of food-grade stainless steel with good corrosion resistance and sealing properties; a mixing device: using a mixing paddle or blade, driven by a motor to achieve high-speed rotation, ensuring thorough and uniform mixing of milk replacer powder and water; and a mixing time control device: presets the mixing time according to the type and concentration of milk replacer powder, ensuring stable quality of the mixed milk. Efficient mixing blades and appropriate mixing speed ensure thorough mixing of milk replacer powder and water, avoiding clumping or uneven mixing. The feeder 4 mainly connects to the discharge port of the mixing equipment, storing the mixed milk for calves to consume. The feeder 4 includes a feeding trough, and some also have nipples installed on the trough for calves to suckle. Simultaneously, the feeder 4 should be easy to clean and disinfect to prevent bacterial growth. The primary function of the identification device is to identify the individual information of calves and control the amount of feed. Common identification methods include collar identification and radio frequency identification (RFID). By identifying the individual information of calves, the system can accurately control the amount of feed for each calf according to a preset feeding plan, achieving personalized feeding. The above is an introduction to existing automated calf feeders.

[0026] As mentioned above, existing automated calf feeders have the following drawbacks: They lack effective control measures during calf entry into the feeding station, leading to situations where multiple calves enter simultaneously, causing problems such as: Identification confusion: Automated feeders typically rely on electronic ear tags, collars, and facial recognition technologies to identify calves. With multiple calves entering at the same time, the identification device may not accurately capture information for each calf, resulting in identification errors and some calves not receiving the correct amount of feed. Uneven feed distribution: The feeder may not be able to accurately distribute feed to multiple calves simultaneously, potentially resulting in some calves receiving too much feed and others too little, affecting calf growth and development. Disorderly order: Calves may push and shove each other, easily damaging the equipment and potentially causing calf injuries, increasing the risk of disease transmission. This can lead to identification confusion, uneven feed distribution, and disorderly order, ultimately affecting calf health and feeding efficiency. Based on these problems, this utility model adopts the following improvement methods to solve them.

[0027] like Figure 1-6As shown, an automated calf feeder, based on existing technology, adds a gate control unit 6, which is located at the entrance to the feeder 4. This control unit controls the number of calves entering the feeding station, preventing multiple calves from entering simultaneously and causing chaos. It also forms an independent passage for each calf, preventing other calves from entering from the side. The gate control unit 6 mainly includes a base 10 for mounting the gate gate 11. The base 10 consists of two symmetrically arranged sub-bases 10. The gate gate 11 is mounted on the two sub-bases 10 via pins. A first motor 12 is mounted at one end of each pin, which can be controlled by the control system 9. The system controls the opening and closing of the gate. Additionally, a second identification unit 7, similar to the first identification unit 5 (e.g., a combination of RFID reader / writer module and image recognition device, collar identification device and image recognition device, or facial recognition), is installed at the entrance of the gate control unit 6. This unit identifies the individual information of the calf before it enters the feeding station. Once the second identification unit 7 has identified the information of the first arriving calf, the control system 9 controls the first motor 12 to operate, driving the gate 11 to open. Simultaneously, the control system 9 controls the feeding unit 1 and water supply unit 2 to deliver the appropriate amount of milk replacer and water to the mixing unit 3, and mixes the mixture. At a set time, when a calf reaches feeder 4, the mixed milk is delivered to feeder 4 through the discharge port at the bottom of the mixing tank for the calf to eat. Before the calf finishes eating, other calves cannot enter the feeding station through the gate control unit 6. Specifically, a first driving unit 8 is installed on the gate control unit 6 to drive away calves that do not meet the conditions for entering the feeding station. A second identification unit 7 is electrically connected to the control system 9. Based on the identification result of the second identification unit 7, the control system 9 controls the first driving unit 8 to operate, driving away calves that do not meet the conditions for entering the feeding station and causing them to leave the area of ​​the gate control unit 6. The first driving unit 8 includes a rubber rod 14 for driving calves that do not meet the conditions for entering the feeding station, a second motor 15 whose output shaft is connected to the mounting end of the rubber rod 14 and is used to drive the rubber rod 14 to reciprocate, and a lifting mechanism 17 located at the bottom of the second motor 15. The lifting mechanism 17 can be an electric push rod or an electric telescopic rod, used to adjust the height of the second motor 15 and the rubber rod 14 according to a preset program. When in use, it can lower the vertical height of the rubber rod 14 so that it can touch the calf, and when not in use, it can raise the height of the rubber rod 14 to prevent the calf from damaging the rubber rod 14.

[0028] Furthermore, such as Figure 1-6As shown, to ensure smooth feeding, the gate control unit 6 also includes a pressure sensor 13 (e.g., a MEMS silicon piezoresistive sensor or a strain gauge force sensor), which is installed on the output shaft of the first motor 12. This sensor detects the pressure on the gate 11 in real time and transmits the detected pressure signal to the control system 9. When a calf enters the feeding station through the gate 11, subsequent calves may follow closely behind. When the gate 11 closes, it may trap the following calf. Therefore, when the pressure sensor 13 detects that the force on the output shaft of the first motor 12 exceeds a preset threshold, it indicates that the gate 11 has trapped a foreign object. At this time, the control system 9 activates an alarm (audible and visual alarm signal) to alert the operator. Personnel check the status of gate 11 or investigate abnormal calf behavior and manually open gate 11 to ensure that calves can be safely evacuated in an emergency. To avoid the alarm scaring the calves, the alarm can be installed outside the feeding station, such as at the staff's service station. In addition, the first identification unit 5 can also monitor the number of calves at the entrance of gate 11. When the first identification unit 5 has identified the information of the first calf that has arrived and detected that multiple calves are at the entrance of gate 11, in order to prevent multiple calves from crowding into the feeding station at the same time, it promptly feeds back to the control system 9, controls the gate 11 to remain closed, and alerts the staff to handle the situation through the alarm device. If the first driving unit 8 is activated at this time, it may drive away the calves that are eligible to enter the feeding station.

[0029] Furthermore, such as Figure 1-6 As shown, to further ensure smooth feeding, a second driving unit 20 is installed above the feeder 4 to drive the calves out of the feeding station after they have finished eating. The second driving unit 20 includes a rubber rod 14 for driving the calves after they have finished eating; a second motor 15, whose output shaft is connected to the mounting end of the rubber rod 14 for driving the rubber rod 14 to reciprocate; a lifting mechanism 17, located at the bottom of the third motor 16, for adjusting the height of the second motor 15 and the rubber rod 14 to prevent the rubber rod 14 from affecting the calves' eating when not in use; and a weighing sensor 18, installed at the bottom of the feeder 4, for real-time monitoring. The weight of the milk in feeder 4 is measured, and the detected weight signal is transmitted to control system 9 to determine the calf's feed intake. When the weight signal is below a preset threshold, it indicates that the calf is feeding well. At this time, control system 9 controls the third motor 16 and lifting mechanism 17 to operate. Lifting mechanism 17 (electric push rod or hydraulic cylinder) moves downward, and the third motor 16 rotates 180 degrees clockwise and counterclockwise, driving rubber rod 14 to move downward while swinging left and right to drive the calf. At the same time, after the calf finishes feeding, water supply unit 2 introduces water into the mixing equipment to rinse the mixing tank, and the water is discharged through the outlet to feeder 4 to rinse feeder 4 simultaneously. Figure 6As shown, a warning light 19 is also installed above the feeder 4. According to a preset program, the warning light 19 is turned on when the calf is eating, and the control system 9 turns off the warning light 19 when the calf finishes eating, assisting the second driving unit 20 in driving the calf after it has finished eating. When the calf walks towards the gate 11 after finishing eating, the first identification unit 5 located on the side of the base 10 near the feeder 4 can re-identify the calf that has entered the feeding station, indicating that the calf has finished eating and is ready to leave the feeding station. The control system 9 controls the gate 11 to open according to the signals detected by the weighing sensor 18 and the first identification unit 5, so as to prevent other calves from entering the feeding station in advance and causing congestion.

[0030] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms “comprising,” “including,” or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0031] This article uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this utility model. The above examples are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this utility model. The above description is only a preferred embodiment of this utility model. It should be noted that due to the limitations of textual expression, there are objectively infinite specific structures. For those skilled in the art, several improvements, modifications, or changes can be made without departing from the principles of this utility model, and the above technical features can also be combined in an appropriate manner. These improvements, modifications, changes, or combinations, or the direct application of the inventive concept and technical solution to other situations without modification, should all be considered within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. An automated calf feeder, comprising: Feeding unit (1): Used to store milk replacer powder and accurately deliver the appropriate amount of milk replacer powder to the mixing unit (3) according to the individual nutritional needs of the calf. Water supply unit (2): used to provide a constant temperature water source required for dissolving milk substitute powder; Stirring unit (3): connected to feeding unit (1) and water supply unit (2), used to fully mix milk substitute powder with water to form a uniform milk; Feeder (4): Connected to the outlet of the mixing unit (3), used to store the mixed milk for calves to eat freely; First identification unit (5): used to identify the individual information of calves and, based on the identification results and the preset feeding strategy, to precisely control the feeding amount of the corresponding calves; Its characteristic is that it further includes: Gate control unit (6): Located at the entrance to the feeder (4), it is used to control the number of calves entering the feeding station and prevent multiple calves from entering at the same time and causing chaos. Second identification unit (7): installed at the entrance of the gate control unit (6) to identify individual information of calves before they enter the feeding station; First driving unit (8): Installed on the gate control unit (6), used to drive away calves that do not meet the conditions for entering the feeding station; The control system (9) is electrically connected to the second identification unit (7) and is used to control the first driving unit (8) to drive away calves that do not meet the conditions for entering the feeding station, so that they leave the area of ​​the gate control unit (6) according to the identification result of the second identification unit (7).

2. The automated calf feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gate control unit (6) includes: The base (10) is used to install the gate (11); Gate (11): It is mounted on the base (10) by a pin, and a first motor (12) is installed at one end of the pin. It can be opened and closed according to the instructions of the control system (9).

3. An automatic calf feeder according to claim 2, characterized in that: The gate control unit (6) also includes: A pressure sensor (13) is installed on the output shaft of the first motor (12) to detect the pressure on the gate (11) in real time and transmit the detected pressure signal to the control system (9); An alarm device, electrically connected to the control system (9), is used to trigger an alarm when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor (13) exceeds a preset threshold, in order to alert the staff.

4. The automated calf feeder of claim 1, wherein: The first driving unit (8) includes: Rubber rods (14) are used to drive away calves that do not meet the conditions for entering the feeding station; The second motor (15) has its output shaft connected to the mounting end of the rubber rod (14) and is used to drive the rubber rod (14) to reciprocate. The lifting mechanism (17) is located at the bottom of the second motor (15) and is used to adjust the height of the second motor (15) and the rubber rod (14) to prevent the calf from damaging the rubber rod (14) when it is not in use.

5. The automated calf feeder of claim 1, wherein: A second driving unit (20) is installed above the feeder (4) for driving the calf out of the feeding station after the calf has finished eating. The second driving unit (20) includes: Rubber sticks (14) are used to drive calves away after they have finished eating; The third motor (16) has its output shaft connected to the mounting end of the rubber rod (14) and is used to drive the rubber rod (14) to reciprocate. The lifting mechanism (17) is located at the bottom of the third motor (16) and is used to adjust the height of the third motor (16) and the rubber rod (14) to prevent the rubber rod (14) from affecting the calf's feeding when not in use. A weighing sensor (18) is installed at the bottom of the feeder (4) to detect the weight of the milk in the feeder (4) in real time and transmit the detected weight signal to the control system (9) to determine the amount of feed consumed by the calf. When the weight signal is lower than the preset threshold, the control system (9) controls the third motor (16) and the lifting mechanism (17) to operate.

6. An automated feeder for calves as claimed in claim 2, wherein: The first identification unit (5) is located on the side of the base (10) near the feeder (4) and is used to identify calves that have finished eating and are ready to leave the feeding station. The control system (9) controls the gate (11) to open based on the signals detected by the weighing sensor (18) and the first identification unit (5).

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