A precise and quantitative automatic feeding station for calves in large-scale breeding

Abstract

The utility model provides a be applied to the cattle calf precision ration automatic feeding station of scale -up breeding relates to the field of livestock breeding equipment, including the feeding fence, ground scale, trough, milk material feeding system, feed feeding system, cleaning system, and control system, the feeding fence divides the platform and separates into the area that has been fed and is fed, the entry of feeding fence sets up in the area that has been fed one side, and the exit of feeding fence sets up in the area that has been fed one side, installs ground scale and trough in the feeding fence, the trough is supported through the support, sets up weighing sensor no.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of livestock breeding equipment, specifically to an automatic feeding station for calves with precise quantitative feeding suitable for large-scale breeding. Background Technology

[0002] In large-scale farming, calf rearing determines the future production and economic benefits of the ranch. During the calf development stage, especially the transition period from birth to weaning, feeding management is extremely precise and scientific: at this stage, the calf's feed gradually transitions from liquid feed (milk replacer or pasteurized milk) to solid feed (calf starter feed). This process not only relates to the calf's nutrient intake and growth rate, but also directly affects the healthy development of its rumen.

[0003] Traditional calf feeding methods, whether relying on manual feeding one by one or using single-function semi-automatic equipment, have drawbacks: First, manual feeding is labor-intensive and inefficient, making it difficult to match the scale of modern large-scale ranches. Manual operation is difficult to achieve precise quantitative control, and fluctuations in the amount of feed, whether too much or too little, can easily cause digestive system disorders in calves. Secondly, existing feeding equipment often cannot dynamically adjust feeding programs based on individual differences such as the calf's age, real-time weight, and feeding history for precise feeding.

[0004] Therefore, the market urgently needs a calf feeding device that can achieve automated and precise quantitative feeding. Utility Model Content

[0005] In order to overcome the problems in the prior art, this utility model provides an automatic feeding station for calves with precise quantitative feeding suitable for large-scale breeding, which solves the problems of low efficiency and inaccurate quantitative feeding in the prior art.

[0006] An automated, precise, quantitative feeding station for calves suitable for large-scale farming includes a feeding pen, weighbridge, feed trough, milk feed system, feed dispensing system, cleaning system, and control system. The feeding bar divides the platform into a waiting area and a fed area. The entrance of the feeding bar is located on the waiting area side, and the exit of the feeding bar is located on the fed area side. A weighbridge and a feed trough are installed inside the feeding bar. The trough is supported by a support, and a weighing sensor is installed between the trough and the support. A waste discharge pipe is connected to the bottom of the trough. The milk feed system, feed feed system, and cleaning system are connected to the feed trough. The weighbridge and weighing sensor are connected to the control system. The control system is connected to the execution end of the milk feed system, feed feed system, and cleaning system.

[0007] Furthermore, the milk feeding system includes a milk tank and a milk conveying pipeline. The milk tank is equipped with a milk forming cylinder and a pump. The pump in the milk tank is connected to the input end of the milk forming cylinder and the milk conveying pipeline. The output end of the milk conveying pipeline is connected to a material trough. A flow meter is installed in the milk conveying pipeline.

[0008] Furthermore, the feed feeding system includes a conveyor frame and a feed hopper. The feed hopper is set above the feed trough via the conveyor frame. An electric slide rail is installed on the conveyor frame. The feed hopper and the slider assembly are slidably installed on the slide rail. A second weighing sensor is set between the feed hopper and the slider assembly. A feeding auger is installed inside the feed hopper.

[0009] Furthermore, the cleaning system includes a disinfection cabinet and a cleaning pipeline. The disinfection cabinet is equipped with a disinfectant tank and a pump. The pump of the disinfection cabinet is connected to the input end of the disinfectant tank and the cleaning pipeline, and the output end of the cleaning pipeline is connected to a material tank.

[0010] Furthermore, the flow meter one and the weighing sensor two are connected to the control system, which is connected to the pump of the milk tank and the cleaning system, as well as the electric slide rail and feeding auger of the feed feeding system.

[0011] Furthermore, the feeding bar is a one-way inlet and outlet structure, and a gate connected to the control system is installed at the outlet of the feeding bar.

[0012] Furthermore, the feeding pens are arranged side by side.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: 1. This utility model can obtain the weight of calves entering the feeding pen in real time by setting up a weighbridge. The control system determines the identity of the calf based on the weight data, and automatically calculates and executes the precise amount of milk and feed in combination with the preset feeding program (such as age and feeding history), so as to realize individualized and precise feeding for each calf and solve the problem of inaccurate quantitative feeding in artificial feeding.

[0014] 2. This utility model uses a flow meter 1 in the milk feeding system 4, a weighing sensor 2 in the feed feeding system, and a weighing sensor 1 at the bottom of the feed trough for verification, to perform multiple metering and monitoring of milk and feed, ensuring the accuracy of feeding amount and avoiding feed waste.

[0015] 3. The feeding pen 1 of this utility model separates the waiting area and the fed area, and is equipped with a one-way gate to guide calves to enter and exit in an orderly manner, realizing the automated management of the feeding process, reducing manual intervention, and improving the overall operating efficiency of the farm. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments are explained.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a top view of the structure of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a side view structural diagram of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a top view of the feeding bin of this utility model; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding and cleaning system of this utility model; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the material trough of this utility model; Figure 7 This is the structural intention of the feed feeding system of this utility model.

[0018] Attached diagram labels: 1-Feeding pen, 1a-Waiting area, 1b-Feeded area, 11-Entrance, 12-Exit, 13-Gate, 2-Floor scale, 3-Feed trough, 31-Waste discharge pipe, 4-Dairy feed system, 41-Dairy cabinet, 42-Dairy conveying pipeline, 5-Feed feeding system, 51-Conveyor frame, 511-Electric slide rail, 52-Feed hopper, 521-Slider assembly, 6-Cleaning system, 61-Disinfection cabinet, 62-Cleaning pipeline. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of this utility model clearer, the preferred embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, so as to facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art.

[0020] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 This utility model provides an automatic feeding station for calves with precise quantitative feeding suitable for large-scale breeding, including multiple feeding pens 1 arranged side by side, a ground scale 2 and a feed trough 3 installed in each feeding pen 1, a milk feed system 4, a feed feed system 5, a cleaning system 6, and a central control system (PLC controller). See Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The feeding pen 1 divides the entire platform area into a waiting area 1a and a fed area 1b through a fence structure. Calves enter the feeding pen 1 from the entrance 11 on the side of the waiting area 1a and leave from the exit 12 on the side of the fed area 1b after eating. The one-way flow design facilitates the orderly management of the herd. See Figure 1 and Figure 2A floor scale 2 is installed in the area where the calves stand inside each feeding pen 1 to accurately measure the weight of the calves entering. The measurement data of the floor scale 2 is sent to the control system in real time. A feed trough 3 is set in front of the floor scale 2. See Figure 6 As shown, the feed trough 3 is supported by a support and a weighing sensor is installed between the feed trough 3 and the support to monitor the real-time weight in the feed trough 3. It can be used as an auxiliary metering for feeding and to determine whether the calf has finished eating. The bottom of the feed trough 3 is connected to a waste discharge pipe 31, and an electrically controlled valve is installed on the waste discharge pipe 31 to drain the remaining feed and cleaning waste liquid. See Figure 5 As shown, the milk feeding system 4 includes a milk tank 41 and a milk conveying pipeline 42. The milk tank 41 is equipped with a milk-making cylinder (used to mix milk substitute powder and warm water in proportion) and a pump. The pump is connected to the input end of the milk-making cylinder and the milk conveying pipeline 42. The milk conveying pipeline 42 is connected to the feed trough 3 of each feeding station through branch pipes. A flow meter is installed on each branch pipe of the milk conveying pipeline 42 for accurately measuring the volume of milk conveyed. The pump and flow meter of the milk tank 41 are both connected to the control system. See Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, the feed feeding system 5 is used to feed solid feed (calves' starter feed), including a gantry or cantilever conveyor frame 51 and a feed hopper 52. The conveyor frame 51 spans above all the feeding pens 1. An electric slide rail 511 is installed on the conveyor frame 51. The feed hopper 52 is slidably installed on the slide rail 511 via a slider assembly 521, and can move along the slide rail 511 to reach directly above each feed trough 3 in sequence. A weighing sensor 2 is set between the feed hopper 52 and the slider assembly 521 to accurately measure the weight of the feed in the feed hopper 52. The control system calculates the actual feeding amount by the weight difference before and after feeding. A feeding auger is also installed in the feed hopper 52. The motor of the feeding auger is connected to the control system to control the feeding of the feed.

[0021] See Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the cleaning system 6 includes a disinfection cabinet 61 and a cleaning pipeline 62. The disinfection cabinet 61 is equipped with a disinfectant tank (clean water tank) and a pump. The pump is connected to the input end of the disinfectant tank and the cleaning pipeline 62. The cleaning pipeline 62 is connected to each material tank 3 through branch pipes for high-pressure rinsing and disinfection of the material tanks. See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4As shown, in this embodiment, the feeding pen 1 is a one-way entry and exit structure, and a gate 13 is installed on its outlet 12. The opening and closing of the gate 13 is controlled by the control system to ensure that the calves do not enter or exit randomly during feeding and trough cleaning. Preferably, the calves wear RFID ear tags, and an RFID reader is installed at the entrance of the feeding pen 1 to obtain the calves' age and other identity information at the same time.

[0022] The control system of this utility model is the central hub of the entire feeding station. The control system is connected to the weighing sensor 1 of the weighbridge 2 and the trough 3, the weighing sensor 2 of the feed hopper 52, the flow meter 1 of the milk feed system 4, and the RFID reader to receive various measurement data. The control system is also connected to the pump of the milk feed system 4, the electric slide rail 511 and feeding auger of the feed feed system 5, the pump of the cleaning system 6, and the gate 13 of the feed bin outlet 12 to control their actions.

[0023] Work process: Calf identification and weighing: A calf enters an empty feeding pen 1 from the waiting area 1a through the entrance 11 and stands on the weighing scale 2 (at this time, the exit gate 13 is closed); the control system obtains the calf's weight data and determines the calf's age and other identity information, or obtains the calf's age and other identity information through the installed RFID reader; Precise feed distribution: Based on the calf's weight, the control system automatically calculates the amount of milk and feed that the calf should be fed in this meal according to the preset feeding program (established by a veterinarian or nutritionist). Milk feeding: The control system starts the pump of the milk feeding system 4. The milk is injected into the feed tank 3 through the milk conveying pipeline 42. The flow meter monitors the flow rate in real time. When the preset amount is reached, the pump stops. Feeding: The control system activates the electric slide rail 511 of the feed feeding system 5, causing the feed hopper 52 to move directly above the current feed trough 3. The control system records the data of the weighing sensor 2 before feeding, and then starts the feeding auger. The feed falls into the feed trough 3. The weighing sensor 2 monitors the weight change in real time (or the weighing sensor 1 of the feed trough 3 monitors the weight gain). When the feeding amount reaches the preset value, the feeding auger stops, and the feed hopper 52 then moves away to serve the next station. Calves feed: Calves feed at feed trough 3. The control system can monitor the feeding situation and feeding speed through the weighing sensor in feed trough 3.

[0024] Feeding Completion and Cleaning: When the control system determines that the calf has finished feeding (the weight in the feed trough remains unchanged for a long time or the calf leaves the feed trough area), the control system opens the gate 13 of exit 12, and the calf is guided into the fed area 1b. After the calf leaves (which can be confirmed by the weight on the weighbridge 2 becoming zero), the gate 13 closes. Automatic cleaning: The control system opens the valve of the waste discharge pipe 31 to drain the residue first, and then starts the cleaning system 6. The pump injects disinfectant (or clean water) into the feed tank 3 through the cleaning pipe 62 for high-pressure rinsing and disinfection. The waste liquid is discharged through the waste discharge pipe 31. After the cleaning cycle is completed, the feeding station is ready to receive the next calf.

[0025] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model, based on the technical solution and the inventive concept of the present utility model, should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An automatic, precise, quantitative feeding station for calves suitable for large-scale farming, characterized in that: It includes a feeding rack (1), a weighing scale (2), a feed trough (3), a milk feeding system (4), a feed feeding system (5), a cleaning system (6), and a control system; The feeding bar (1) divides the platform into a waiting area (1a) and a fed area (1b). The entrance (11) of the feeding bar (1) is located on one side of the waiting area (1a), and the exit (12) of the feeding bar (1) is located on one side of the fed area (1b). A weighing scale (2) and a feed trough (3) are installed inside the feeding bar (1). The trough (3) is supported by a support, and a weighing sensor is installed between the trough (3) and the support. A waste discharge pipe (31) is connected to the bottom of the trough (3). The milk feeding system (4), feed feeding system (5) and cleaning system (6) are connected to the feed trough (3). The weighing scale (2) and the weighing sensor are connected to the control system. The control system is connected to the execution end of the milk feeding system (4), feed feeding system (5) and cleaning system (6).

2. The automatic calf feeding station for large-scale farming as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The milk feeding system (4) includes a milk tank (41) and a milk conveying pipeline (42). The milk tank (41) is equipped with a milk forming cylinder and a pump. The pump of the milk tank (41) is connected to the input end of the milk forming cylinder and the milk conveying pipeline (42). The output end of the milk conveying pipeline (42) is connected to the material trough (3). A flow meter is installed in the milk conveying pipeline (42).

3. The automatic calf feeding station for large-scale farming as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The feed feeding system (5) includes a conveyor frame (51) and a feed hopper (52). The feed hopper (52) is set above the feed trough (3) via the conveyor frame (51). An electric slide rail (511) is installed on the conveyor frame (51). The feed hopper (52) and the slider assembly (521) are slidably installed with the slide rail (511). A second weighing sensor is set between the feed hopper (52) and the slider assembly (521). A feeding auger is installed inside the feed hopper (52).

4. The automatic calf feeding station for large-scale farming as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cleaning system (6) includes a disinfection cabinet (61) and a cleaning pipeline (62). The disinfection cabinet (61) is equipped with a disinfectant cylinder and a pump. The pump of the disinfection cabinet (61) is connected to the input end of the disinfectant cylinder and the cleaning pipeline (62). The output end of the cleaning pipeline (62) is connected to the material tank (3).

5. The automatic calf feeding station for large-scale farming as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The milk feeding system (4) is equipped with a flow meter and a pump. The feed feeding system (5) is equipped with a weighing sensor, an electric slide rail (511) and a feeding auger. The cleaning system (6) is equipped with a pump. The flow meter and the weighing sensor are connected to the control system. The control system is connected to the pump of the milk feeding system (4), the pump of the cleaning system (6), and the electric slide rail (511) and the feeding auger of the feed feeding system (5).

6. The automatic calf feeding station for large-scale farming as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding bar (1) is a one-way inlet and outlet structure, and a gate (13) connected to the control system is installed on the outlet (12) of the feeding bar (1).

7. The automatic calf feeding station for large-scale farming as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding pens (1) are arranged side by side.

Images