Automatic calf feeding system

Abstract

FIELD: agriculture; mechanization of animal husbandry.SUBSTANCE: automatic calf feeding system includes a housing (1), a milk container (2) and a container for preparing a nutrient mixture with a mixer, a heater (15) and a temperature sensor (14), a valve (16) for feeding the prepared mixture, connected to a tube (17) for feeding with a nipple (18) at the end, containers for detergents, pumps for feeding detergents, a water supply, a control unit connected to electric motors (8, 13), pumps, a heater and a temperature sensor, an animal identification system, a weighing platform (22) with strain gauges (23). The removable containers for milk, colostrum and a container for dry feed with a screw dispenser driven by an electric motor, located in the upper part of the housing, are installed in a heat-insulated container (6) with partitions; in the lower part of the housing there are containers (20) for detergents, peristaltic pumps (21) for feeding them into a container made with a drain tube (17) for preparing the nutrient mixture (9).EFFECT: efficiency of feeding and the live weight gain of young animals increases.1 cl, 1 dwg

Description

[0001] The invention relates to agriculture, in particular to the mechanization of animal husbandry.

[0002] A device for automatic feeding of calves is known (US Patent No. 9955670, IPC A01K 9 / 00, A01K 29 / 00, A01K 5 / 02, A01K 7 / 02, 2018), comprising a container for mixing liquid feed, a nipple, a connecting line, connecting lines, a controller for controlling a pump.

[0003] The disadvantages of the device are the lack of an animal identification system, the inability to prepare complex diets, and the lack of an equipment cleaning system.

[0004] A mobile device for feeding calves during the lactation period is known (RU Patent No. 2763588 IPC A01K 9 / 00, 2020). The device comprises a reservoir for a total volume of liquid feed, connected via a flexible hose to a tap and a dosing tank with a feed outlet pipe and a float with a lever connected to the tap handle. The lever shuts off the flow of feed into the tank using a kinematic mechanism with a rod with a groove to ensure free movement of the float. A drain hole with a mechanical valve is provided at the bottom of the dosing tank for removing residual liquid feed and cleaning disinfectants.

[0005] The disadvantages of the known device are the impossibility of preparing complex diets, the lack of an animal identification system, and the lack of an automated control system.

[0006] The closest technical solution selected as a prototype is an automatic system for feeding calves with minimal stress during weaning (patent EP No. 2220932, IPC A01K 9 / 00, A01K 19 / 00, 2009), consisting of a feeding station with a nipple for feeding liquid feed, a container for preparing milk mixture, a mixing device, a pump for feeding feed, a nipple, valves for controlling the supply of liquid, an identification system for recognizing the animal, scales, a heater, a heat exchanger, a control unit and a washing machine.

[0007] The disadvantages of the prototype are: the lack of a container for colostrum and dry feed with a dispenser, which makes it impossible to prepare complex multi-component rations, the lack of a heat-insulated container to ensure the stability of the physical and chemical parameters of the stored raw materials, as well as an integrated automatic washing system.

[0008] The technical objective of the proposed invention is to provide calves with water in accordance with their physiological needs and to use complete nutritious feed.

[0009] The technical result consists in increasing the efficiency of feeding calves.

[0010] The technical result is achieved in that the automatic calf feeding system, comprising a housing, containers for milk and for preparing a nutrient mixture with a mixer, a heater and a temperature sensor, a valve for feeding the prepared mixture, connected to a tube for drinking with a nipple at the end, containers for detergents, pumps for feeding detergents, a water supply, a control unit connected to electric motors, pumps, a heater and a temperature sensor, an animal identification system, a weighing platform with strain gauges, according to the invention, is provided with a heat-insulating container with partitions located in the upper part of the housing, in which removable containers for milk, colostrum and a container for dry feed with a screw dispenser driven by an electric motor are placed, in the lower part of the housing there are containers for detergents,peristaltic pumps for feeding them into a container made with a drain tube for preparing the nutrient mixture.

[0011] The invention is explained by a drawing, which shows a basic diagram of a device for feeding calves.

[0012] The automatic calf feeding system consists of a housing 1, the upper portion of which contains removable tanks for milk 2, colostrum 3, and a dry feed dosing tank 4 with an auger dispenser 5. Tanks 2, 3, and 4 are installed in a heat-insulated container 6 with partitions. The heat-insulated container 6 with partitions encloses tanks 2, 3, and 4, reducing heat loss, preventing temperature fluctuations in the stored raw materials, and ensuring the stability of their physical and chemical parameters.

[0013] Tanks 2 and 3 are equipped with valves 7 for feeding milk and colostrum. Tank 4, for dosing dry feed, is connected to electric motor 8, which drives auger dispenser 5.

[0014] In the middle part of the housing 1, there is a tank 9 for preparing a nutrient mixture for feeding young animals, which is connected to the supply tanks of milk 2, colostrum 3, dry feed 4, cold 10 and hot 11 water. Inside the tank 9, there is a paddle mixer 12, driven by an electric motor 13, a temperature sensor 14 and a heater 15. In the lower part of the tank 9, there is a valve 16, to which a drain tube 17 is connected, connected to a nipple 18 located outside the housing 1. To control the mass of the mixture, there are strain gauges 19, located between the base of the tank 9 and the housing 1.

[0015] In the lower part of the housing 1 there are containers 20 for detergents, peristaltic pumps 21 for feeding detergents into the nutrient mixture preparation tank 9, which are removed through the drain pipe 17.

[0016] To determine the weight of a calf, a weighing platform 22 with strain gauges 23 is used. An identification sensor 24 is placed on the animal’s neck.

[0017] The device is controlled by a control unit 25, which is connected to electric motors 8 and 13, a heater 15, pumps 21, a temperature sensor 14, an identification sensor 25, strain gauges 19 and 23, and an identification antenna 26 for reading information from the identification sensor 24.

[0018] Removable containers 2, 3, and 4 allow for the preparation of complex multi-component rations. Auger dispenser 5 facilitates the feeding of dry feed into the nutrient mixture preparation container 9.

[0019] The placement of containers 20 for detergents and peristaltic pumps 21 for feeding into the container for preparing the nutrient mixture 9 in the lower part of the housing 1 allows for compact placement of the equipment.

[0020] The automatic calf feeding system works as follows.

[0021] Before operation, tank 9 for the nutrient mixture is rinsed. Peristaltic pumps 21 supply detergent from tanks 20 for detergents to tank 9, where the detergent is mixed with cold 10 and hot 11 water to produce a cleaning solution, the temperature of which is monitored by temperature sensor 14. If necessary, heater 15 increases the temperature of the cleaning solution. Electric motor 13 rotates paddle mixer 12, increasing the efficiency of rinsing. After five minutes, control unit 25 stops the rinsing process and sends a command to valve 16 to empty the tank of detergents through drain pipe 17, then tank 9 is rinsed with water. The system is ready for operation.

[0022] At the beginning of the day, the containers for milk 2, colostrum 3 and dry formula 4 are replaced with new ones.

[0023] Upon completion of the washing cycle, the calf or other mammal voluntarily enters weighing platform 22. Information about its age and sex and individual number is read from identification sensor 24 and transmitted via identification antenna 26 to control unit 25. Information about its weight is read by strain gauges 23 and transmitted to control unit 25. Control unit 25 analyzes the animal's data, including its age and sex, current weight, weight change dynamics, and the number of times it has accessed the automatic feeding system. Based on these data, a decision is made to admit the calf to feeding or to deny it feed. In the event of deviation from the average values, for example, a decrease in the calf's body weight, a decision is made to provide additional feeding.

[0024] If a decision is made to feed the infant, control unit 25 creates an individual ration and automatically prepares the feeding solution in the feed preparation tank 9. Whole milk replacer can be used as the feedstock. To do this, a portion of dry feed, cold 10, and hot 11 water are added to tank 9 from dry feed dosing tank 4, and paddle mixer 12 is driven by electric motor 13. Milk from tank 2 and colostrum from tank 3 are fed sequentially in varying proportions, and the control modes of valves 7 and electric drive 8 are adjusted based on feedback from strain gauges 19.

[0025] The feeding mixture is ready. The prepared feeding solution from the feeding mixture preparation tank 9 is directed through valve 16 and tube 17 into the calf feeder nipple 18.

[0026] The use of the invention allows for the automation of the process of feeding young animals, increasing the efficiency of feeding and the increase in live weight of young animals.

Claims

An automatic calf feeding system comprising a housing, milk tanks and tanks for preparing a nutrient mixture with a mixer, a heater and a temperature sensor, a valve for feeding the prepared mixture connected to a feeding tube with a nipple at the end, detergent tanks, pumps for feeding detergents, a water supply, a control unit connected to electric motors, pumps, a heater and a temperature sensor, an animal identification system, a weighing platform with strain gauges, characterized in that it is equipped with a heat-insulating container with partitions located in the upper part of the housing, in which removable tanks for milk, colostrum and a tank for dry feed with a screw dispenser driven by an electric motor are placed, in the lower part of the housing there are tanks for detergents, peristaltic pumps for feeding them into a tank made with a discharge tube for preparing a nutrient mixture.

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