Meter for feed buckets and bluetooth wireless metering system

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of forage barrel's meter and bluetooth wireless measurement system, forage barrel's meter is used to install on the inner surface of the hopper cover of forage barrel, including feed detection module and built-in MCU and the main control chip of bluetooth chip;Main control chip is connected with antenna, antenna is built-in FPC antenna or has the external antenna of extension feeder line;Bluetooth wireless measurement system includes a host computer and at least two slave machines, host computer is bluetooth wireless monitoring device, slave machine is the meter for forage barrel;Bluetooth wireless monitoring device is respectively and each main control chip wireless communication connection;It is higher in degree of integration, circuit structure design is simple, greatly reduce the manufacturing cost of this product, also can receive or send corresponding signal to bluetooth wireless monitoring device by the mode of bluetooth wireless communication, reduce wiring problem, also realize the detection of the multi-angle feed remaining amount of simultaneously receiving multiple meter for forage barrel, improve practicality and flexibility.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of measuring instruments for feed buckets, and in particular to a measuring instrument for feed buckets and a Bluetooth wireless measuring system. Background Technology

[0002] Feed is a general term for the food of all domesticated animals. In a narrower sense, feed mainly refers to the food of animals raised in agriculture or animal husbandry. Feed includes more than ten kinds of feed ingredients such as soybeans, soybean meal, corn, fish meal, amino acids, miscellaneous meals, additives, whey powder, oils, meat and bone meal, grains, and sweet sorghum.

[0003] Existing feed dispensers have fixed feed amounts and times, making it easy to miss the optimal feeding time and leading to increased feed consumption. They cannot adjust the feeding time and amount according to the type of fish and weather conditions. In other words, the feeding time and amount are fixed for different types of fish and weather conditions, resulting in low feed utilization.

[0004] Later, devices capable of automatically supplying feed emerged, such as the timed and quantitative feeding system authorized in CN207123739U. Although it can adjust the feeding time and amount according to different fish species and weather conditions, the material detection sensor circuit is directly connected to the MCU via wiring, increasing the installation workload. In addition, the existing material detection sensor circuit is a fixed setting and cannot be replaced or repaired.

[0005] Therefore, in this utility model patent application, the applicant has carefully researched a metering device for feed buckets to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0006] In view of this, the present invention addresses the deficiencies of the existing technology, and its main purpose is to provide a metering device and Bluetooth wireless metering system for feed hoppers. It has a high degree of integration, a simple circuit structure design, and greatly reduces the manufacturing cost of the product. It can also receive or send corresponding signals to Bluetooth wireless monitoring devices via Bluetooth wireless communication, reducing wiring problems. Furthermore, it can simultaneously receive multiple meters for feed hoppers and detect the remaining feed from multiple angles, improving practicality and flexibility.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] A meter for a feed hopper, which is installed on the inner surface of the hopper cover of the feed hopper, includes a feed detection module for detecting the amount of feed remaining in the feed hopper and a main control chip with a built-in MCU and Bluetooth chip.

[0009] The feed detection module is connected to the main control chip, and the main control chip is connected to an antenna, which is either a built-in FPC antenna or an external antenna with an extension feed line.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, it also includes a Bluetooth button and an LED indicator, with the main control chip connected to both the Bluetooth button and the LED indicator.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment, the system also includes a tilt detection switch for detecting whether the feed bucket is tilted, the tilt detection switch being connected to the main control chip.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment, the system also includes a power supply for powering the system and a power detection circuit for detecting the power level of the power supply, the power detection circuit being connected to the main control chip.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment, the housing also includes a detachable hopper cover connected to the feed bucket, and the feed detection module and the main control chip are both mounted on the housing.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment, the bottom of the housing is rotatably connected to a mounting portion for detachably connecting a hopper cover to a feed hopper, the mounting portion being detachably connected to the housing.

[0015] A Bluetooth wireless metering system includes a master unit and at least two slave units. The master unit is a Bluetooth wireless monitoring device, and the slave units are metering devices for feed hoppers. The Bluetooth wireless monitoring devices are wirelessly connected to each master control chip.

[0016] This utility model has significant advantages and beneficial effects compared with the prior art, specifically:

[0017] Its main control chip is a built-in MCU and Bluetooth chip. On the one hand, it has a high degree of integration and a simple circuit structure design, which greatly reduces the manufacturing cost of this product. On the other hand, it can receive or send corresponding signals to Bluetooth wireless monitoring devices through Bluetooth wireless communication, reducing wiring problems. Moreover, the Bluetooth wireless monitoring device receives multiple meters for feed buckets that are connected to it via Bluetooth wireless communication, realizing the detection of the remaining feed from multiple angles of meters for feed buckets at the same time, improving practicality and flexibility.

[0018] Secondly, the detachable design of the casing facilitates replacement and maintenance.

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the structural features and effects of this utility model, the following detailed description of this utility model is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a general control principle block diagram of an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the connection between the host and multiple slave devices according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a first partial schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention (mainly showing the main control chip connected to an external antenna with an extended feed line);

[0023] Figure 4 This is a second partial schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention (mainly showing the main control chip connected to the built-in FPC antenna);

[0024] Figure 5 This is a third partial schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention (mainly showing the first 6V to 3.3V voltage regulator circuit);

[0025] Figure 6 This is a fourth partial schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention (mainly showing the second 6V to 3.3V voltage regulator circuit);

[0026] Figure 7 This is a fifth partial schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present utility model (mainly showing the power detection circuit);

[0027] Figure 8 This is a partial schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention (mainly showing red LED indicator and blue LED indicator);

[0028] Figure 9 This is a first partially enlarged structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present utility model (mainly showing the mounting part, the first groove, the first through hole, the slot, the second through hole, the screw, and the nut);

[0029] Figure 10 This is a second partially enlarged structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention (mainly showing the feed bucket and hopper cover).

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0031] 11. Housing 12. Mounting section

[0032] 121. First groove; 122. First through hole

[0033] 123. Card slot

[0034] 21. Main control chip 211, antenna

[0035] 22. Feed detection module; 23. Bluetooth button

[0036] 241. Red LED indicator light; 242. Blue LED indicator light.

[0037] 25. Power detection circuit 26. Tilt detection switch

[0038] 31. Feed bucket 32. Hopper cover

[0039] 321. Second through hole

[0040] 33. Screw 34. Nut

[0041] 41. Master unit 42. Slave unit Detailed Implementation

[0042] Please refer to Figures 1 to 10 As shown, it illustrates the specific structure of an embodiment of the present invention. A meter for a feed bucket is used to be installed on the inner surface of the hopper cover 32 of the feed bucket 31. It includes a housing 11 that is detachably connected to the hopper cover 32 of the feed bucket 31, a feed detection module 22 for detecting the amount of feed remaining in the feed bucket 31, and a main control chip 21 with a built-in MCU and Bluetooth chip.

[0043] In this embodiment, the main control chip 21 is a chip U5 with model number BK3633, which operates in the frequency band of 2400 to 2480 MHz.

[0044] The bottom of the housing 11 is rotatably connected to a mounting portion 12 for detachably connecting a feed hopper cover 32 to a feed hopper 31. In this embodiment, the mounting portion 12 is detachably connected to the housing 11 via a fastener. The inner end face of the mounting portion 12 is recessed outwardly by a first groove 121, and the inner end wall of the first groove 121 is provided with a first through hole 122 penetrating the outer end face of the mounting portion 12. The inner surface of the feed hopper cover 32 of the feed hopper 31 is provided with a second through hole 321 corresponding to the first through hole 122. The fastener includes a screw 33 and a nut 34 adapted to the screw 33. The screw 33 passes through the first through hole 122 and the second through hole 321 and extends out of the feed hopper cover 32 to be adapted to the nut 34 to fix the mounting portion 12 and the housing 11.

[0045] The mounting part 12 is detachably connected to the housing 11. Preferably, the mounting part 12 is recessed with a slot 123, and the housing 11 is protruded with a protrusion, the protrusion fitting into the slot 123.

[0046] The main control chip 21 is mounted on the housing 11. The main control chip 21 is connected to an antenna 211, which is either a built-in FPC antenna or an external antenna with an extended feed line.

[0047] The selection of antenna 211 is based on the different materials of the feed bucket 31 and its hopper cover 32. The feed bucket 31 and its hopper cover 32 are made of either metal or plastic. Metal materials can block Bluetooth signals and affect communication performance; therefore, an external antenna with an extension feeder can be selected for antenna 211. Plastic materials do not affect wireless communication performance; to save costs, a built-in FPC antenna 211 can be used.

[0048] The feed detection module 22 is mounted on the housing 11 and is connected to the main control chip 21. In this embodiment, the feed detection module 22 uses a dTOF-VI5300 sensor, which calculates the distance by measuring the round-trip time of the light pulse between the sensor and the object being measured (feed), thereby achieving the purpose of detecting the remaining amount of feed.

[0049] Preferably, the device also includes a Bluetooth button 23 and an LED indicator, with the main control chip 21 connected to both the Bluetooth button 23 and the LED indicator. When the device is powered on, pressing and holding the Bluetooth button 23 enters the Bluetooth pairing state.

[0050] In this embodiment, the LED indicator includes a red LED indicator 241 and a blue LED indicator 242. During Bluetooth pairing, the red LED indicator 241 and the blue LED indicator 242 flash alternately for 3 seconds. The red LED indicator 241 is mainly used to indicate pairing failure or low battery; it flashes for 3 seconds when pairing fails and remains lit when the battery is low. The blue LED indicator 242 is mainly used to indicate successful pairing; it remains lit for 3 seconds when pairing is successful.

[0051] In this embodiment, a power supply for powering the system and a power detection circuit 25 for detecting the power level of the power supply are also included. The power detection circuit 25 is connected to the main control chip 21.

[0052] In this embodiment, the power supply includes a main power supply, a first 6V to 3.3V voltage regulator circuit, and a second 6V to 3.3V voltage regulator circuit. The main power supply provides a DC 6V voltage and consists of four AA batteries. The main power supply is connected to the power detection circuit 25, the first 6V to 3.3V voltage regulator circuit, and the second 6V to 3.3V voltage regulator circuit. The first 6V to 3.3V voltage regulator circuit supplies power to the main control chip 21. This first 6V to 3.3V voltage regulator circuit is composed of a CT6201A33M chip U2 and its peripheral circuitry.

[0053] The second 6V to 3.3V voltage regulator circuit is used to power the feed detection module 22. The second 6V to 3.3V voltage regulator circuit is composed of a chip U3 with the model number CT6211C33M and its peripheral circuit.

[0054] In this embodiment, as shown in the figure, the power detection circuit 25 includes a resistor R75, a MOSFET Q4, a resistor R14, a resistor R13, and a resistor R76. One end of the resistor R75 is connected to the main power supply, and the other end of the resistor R75 is connected to the drain of the MOSFET Q4. The source of the MOSFET Q4 is connected to the AD port of the main control chip 21. The source of the MOSFET Q4 is also grounded through the resistor R76. The resistors R14 and R13 are connected in series. The series node of the resistors R14 and R13 is connected to the gate of the MOSFET Q4. The non-series node of the resistor R14 is grounded, and the non-series node of the resistor R13 is connected to the IO port PWR_AD_EN of the main control chip 21.

[0055] When it is necessary to detect the main power supply level, the IO port PWR_AD_EN of the main control chip 21 outputs a high level, and the MOSFET Q4 is turned on. It behaves as a very small resistance, which is equivalent to none and can be ignored. The AD port of the main control chip 21 can then detect the main power supply level.

[0056] When it is not necessary to detect the main power supply level, the main control chip 21 outputs a low level at the IO port PWR_AD_EN, and the MOSFET Q4 is not turned on, which acts as a large resistor to minimize the loss of main power supply power.

[0057] In order to monitor in real time whether the feed bucket 31 has tipped over, a tilt detection switch 26 is also included to detect whether the feed bucket 31 is tilted. The tilt detection switch 26 is connected to the main control chip 21.

[0058] A Bluetooth wireless metering system includes a master unit 41 and at least two slave units 42. The master unit 41 is a Bluetooth wireless monitoring device, and the slave units 42 are the metering devices used for the feed bucket 31. The Bluetooth wireless monitoring devices are wirelessly connected to each master control chip 21.

[0059] The key design feature of this invention is that its main control chip has a built-in MCU and Bluetooth chip. On the one hand, it has a high degree of integration and a simple circuit structure design, which greatly reduces the manufacturing cost of the product. On the other hand, it can receive or send corresponding signals to the Bluetooth wireless monitoring device through Bluetooth wireless communication, reducing wiring problems. Moreover, the Bluetooth wireless monitoring device receives signals from multiple meters for feed buckets connected to it via Bluetooth wireless communication, realizing the detection of the remaining feed from multiple meters for feed buckets at multiple angles, improving practicality and flexibility.

[0060] Secondly, the detachable design of the casing facilitates replacement and maintenance.

[0061] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and does not constitute any limitation on the technical scope of the present utility model. Therefore, any minor modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present utility model shall still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A metering device for a feed hopper, for mounting on the inner surface of the hopper lid of the feed hopper, characterized in that: It includes a feed detection module for detecting the amount of feed remaining in the feed bin, and a main control chip with a built-in MCU and Bluetooth chip; The feed detection module is connected to the main control chip, and the main control chip is connected to an antenna, which is either a built-in FPC antenna or an external antenna with an extension feed line.

2. The metering device for feed hoppers according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a Bluetooth button and an LED indicator, with the main control chip connected to both the Bluetooth button and the LED indicator.

3. The metering device for feed hoppers according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a tilt detection switch for detecting whether the feed bucket is tilted, and the tilt detection switch is connected to the main control chip.

4. The metering device for feed hoppers according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a power supply for powering the system and a power detection circuit for detecting the power level of the power supply, the power detection circuit being connected to the main control chip.

5. The metering device for feed hoppers according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a housing with a detachable hopper cover connected to the feed bucket, and the feed detection module and the main control chip are both located on the housing.

6. The metering device for a feed hopper according to claim 5, characterized in that: The bottom of the housing is rotatably connected to a mounting part for detachably connecting a hopper cover to a feed hopper, the mounting part being detachably connected to the housing.

7. A Bluetooth wireless metering system, characterized in that: It includes a master unit and at least two slave units, wherein the master unit is a Bluetooth wireless monitoring device and the slave units are metering devices for feed hoppers as described in any one of claims 1 to 6; the Bluetooth wireless monitoring device is wirelessly connected to each master control chip.

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