Measuring device for feed bin capable of removing foreign substances and measurement system thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a measuring device for a feed bin capable of removing foreign substances. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the measuring device for a feed bin capable of removing foreign substances comprises: a body portion having a light-transmitting cover formed in the surface thereof; a measurement portion which is formed in the body portion and faces the light-transmitting cover; a foreign substance removal portion which removes foreign substances from the light-transmitting cover while swaying a wiper formed on one side of the body portion; and a controller which drives the foreign substance removal portion at preset periods of time.

Description

Measuring device for feed bins capable of handling foreign substances and its measuring system

[0001] The present invention relates to a measuring device for a feed bin capable of handling foreign substances, and more specifically, a technology is disclosed for removing foreign substances during optical measurement to enable accurate measurement.

[0002] Feed bins store livestock feed. Various devices are being developed to monitor the amount of livestock feed within the bin. Recently, a technology has been developed that inserts a measuring device into the bin and uses feed height information to determine the amount of feed. However, in the sealed environment of the bin, dust and other foreign substances generated by the feed can contaminate the sensors and cameras of the measuring device. Therefore, a technology is needed to remove contaminants from the measuring device within the bin.

[0003] Among the existing technologies, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2017-0044887 (published on April 26, 2017) discloses a technology for a blower fan for removing foreign matter from the camera lens of a flying drone using wind. However, this existing technology, which removes foreign matter by blowing wind onto the drone's camera lens while it is exposed to the outside, has limitations, such as its limited effectiveness in enclosed spaces.

[0004] Therefore, a technology that can remove contamination of camera lenses and sensors by fine dust, etc. in enclosed spaces has become necessary.

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a measuring device for a feed bin capable of processing foreign substances that can improve the accuracy of measurement information by removing foreign substances that contaminate the measuring device of the feed bin, and a measuring system thereof.

[0006] In addition, the purpose is to provide a measuring device for a feed bin capable of handling foreign substances and a measuring system thereof, which can analyze measurement information and control the removal of foreign substances when they fall within the error range.

[0007] In addition, the purpose is to provide a measuring device for a feed bin capable of handling foreign substances by detecting whether the cover of the feed bin is open or closed and varying the driving cycle of the foreign substance driving unit, and a measuring system thereof.

[0008] A foreign matter removal device for an optical measurement sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body part having a light-transmitting cover formed on a surface, a measuring part formed inside the body part and facing the light-transmitting cover, a foreign matter removal part that removes foreign matters from the light-transmitting cover while a wiper formed on one side of the body part rotates, and a control part that drives the foreign matter removal part at a preset time cycle.

[0009] In addition, the foreign matter removal unit may include a rotational rod formed longitudinally on one side of the body, a wiper coupled to one or both sides of the rotational rod and in contact with the transparent cover, and a driving motor connected to the rotational rod to rotate the rotational rod so that the wiper removes foreign matters from the transparent cover.

[0010] In addition, the body part may include at least one receiving groove formed to be inclined in a cross-section like '\__ / ', and the foreign substance may be received in the receiving groove as the wire ferrule moves along the receiving groove.

[0011] In addition, the control unit can analyze the measurement information obtained from the measurement unit and operate the foreign substance removal unit if it falls within a preset error range.

[0012] Meanwhile, a feed bin measuring system according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a feed bin measuring device capable of handling foreign substances, including a body part having a light-transmitting cover formed on the surface, a measuring part formed inside the body part and facing the light-transmitting cover, a foreign substance removal part that removes foreign substances from the light-transmitting cover while a wiper formed on one side of the body part rotates, and a control part that drives the foreign substance removal part at a preset time cycle, and a management server that analyzes measurement information from the measuring part to analyze the contamination level of the light-transmitting cover and transmits a driving signal of the foreign substance removal part through the control part.

[0013] Accordingly, the accuracy of measurement information can be improved by removing foreign substances that contaminate the measuring device of the feed bin.

[0014] Additionally, by analyzing the measurement information, it is possible to control the removal of foreign substances if they fall within the error range.

[0015] In addition, the driving cycle of the foreign substance driving unit can be varied by detecting whether the cover of the feed bin is open or closed.

[0016] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of a feed bin measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of a feed bin measuring device capable of handling foreign substances according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Fig. 3 is a detailed configuration diagram of a foreign substance removal unit in a feed bin measuring device capable of foreign substance treatment according to Fig. 2.

[0019] Fig. 4 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a suction unit connected to a receiving groove in a feed bin measuring device capable of handling foreign substances according to Fig. 2.

[0020] Fig. 5 is an exemplary diagram for explaining a method of determining whether there is a foreign substance through measurement information among the measuring devices for feed bins capable of handling foreign substances according to Fig. 2.

[0021] Fig. 6 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the addition of a communication unit to a feed bin measuring device capable of handling foreign substances according to Fig. 2.

[0022] Fig. 7 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the addition of an opening / closing detection unit to a feed bin measuring device capable of handling foreign substances according to Fig. 2.

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The terms used have been selected based on their functions in the embodiments, and their meanings may vary depending on the intent of the user or operator, precedents, etc. Therefore, the meanings of terms used in the embodiments described below shall follow the definitions specifically defined in this specification. In the absence of a specific definition, the meanings shall be interpreted according to the meanings generally recognized by those skilled in the art.

[0024]

[0025] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of a feed bin measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, another embodiment of the present invention includes a feed bin measuring system including a feed bin measuring device (100) and a management server (200).

[0027] The feed bin measuring device (100) is installed inside the feed bin (10). The feed bin measuring device (100) obtains distance information or image information with respect to the feed (20) and transmits it to the management server (200). The feed bin measuring device (100) can also be attached to the inside of the feed bin (10) or the cover (11). The feed bin measuring device (100) removes foreign substances formed on the light-transmitting cover of the body. This is to reduce errors in measurement. The feed bin measuring device (100) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

[0028] The management server (200) analyzes the measurement information of the feed bin measuring device (100) to analyze the contamination level of the transparent cover. If the contamination level of the transparent cover exceeds a preset value, the management server (200) transmits a driving signal to the feed bin measuring device (100) to remove foreign substances. The management server (200) receives measurement information, contamination level information, etc. from the feed bin measuring device (100) at preset time intervals. The feed bin measuring device (100) and the management server (200) can communicate over a network at preset time intervals. The management server (200) can also communicate with a user terminal. The management server (200) can transmit measurement information and contamination information to the user terminal. This is to enable a user using the feed bin (10) to check the measurement information or contamination information of the feed (20) in his or her feed bin (10).

[0029] In addition, the management server (200) can also transmit a warning signal to the user terminal. The warning signal may be a signal that warns the user when the cover (11) of the feed bin (10) is kept open or when the contamination level of the feed bin measuring device (100) exceeds a preset value. The management server (200) can provide the warning signal to the user terminal to promptly handle an abnormality of the feed bin measuring device (100). The management server (200) stores and manages measurement information of the feed bin measuring device (100).

[0030]

[0031] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a feed bin measuring device capable of handling foreign substances according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a detailed configuration diagram of a foreign substance removal unit in the feed bin measuring device capable of handling foreign substances according to FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram for explaining that a suction unit is connected to a receiving groove in the feed bin measuring device capable of handling foreign substances according to FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram for explaining that the presence of foreign substances is determined through measurement information in the feed bin measuring device capable of handling foreign substances according to FIG. 2.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, a feed bin measuring device (100) capable of handling foreign substances according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body (110), a measuring unit (120), a foreign substance removal unit (130), and a control unit (140).

[0033] The body part (110) has an accommodation space formed therein. At least one of the measuring part (120), the foreign matter removal part (130), and the control part (140) described later is accommodated in this accommodation space. The body part (110) can be installed in various positions by being connected to a bracket. For example, the body part (110) can be connected to the bracket at the opening of the feed bin (10) and positioned at one side of the opening of the feed bin (10). A light-transmitting cover (111) is formed on one surface of the body part (110). This light-transmitting cover (111) can be formed of a synthetic resin material such as glass or a transparent material. The light-transmitting cover (111) serves to protect the lens of a camera or sensor for optical measurement in the measuring part (120). The light-transmitting cover (111) is formed in a detachable form with the body part (110) and can be replaced when necessary.

[0034] In addition, a receiving groove (112) may be formed on the surface of the body part (110). The receiving groove (112) is a space in which a foreign substance removal unit (130) described later is received. For example, the receiving groove (112) may be formed to have a cross-section inclined in the shape of '\__ / '. This is to guide the foreign substance removal unit (130) to move along the inclined surface and move to the light-transmitting cover (111). When received in the receiving groove (112), the foreign substance removal unit (130) does not come into contact with the body part (110), but comes into contact with the surface of the body part (110) while moving along the inclined surface. The foreign substance removal unit (130) may be located in the receiving groove (112) while passing the light-transmitting cover (111) and contaminated with foreign substances, and may receive the foreign substances in the receiving groove (112).

[0035] As shown in Fig. 4, a hole (112-1) may be formed in the receiving groove (112), and a suction part (113) may be formed connected to the hole (112-1) to suck in air. The suction part (113) serves to suck in foreign substances collected in the receiving groove (112) and discharge them to the outside, or to collect the foreign substances. The suction part (113) may be implemented using a vacuum motor, but is not necessarily limited thereto. The receiving groove (112) may be formed in at least one or more forms. The depth of the receiving groove (112) may be designed in various ways depending on the height of the foreign substance removal part (130). Accordingly, foreign substances may escape to the outside through the hole (112-1) formed in the receiving groove (112), thereby keeping the foreign substance removal part (130) clean.

[0036] The measuring unit (120) is formed inside the body (110) and is formed to face the light-transmitting cover (111). For example, the measuring unit (120) may include a camera or a lidar sensor, but is not necessarily limited thereto. The camera in the measuring unit (120) may be implemented as a vision camera, a stereo camera, an infrared camera, etc. The lidar sensor is used to detect the distance to an object using a laser signal. For example, the distance to feed (20) contained inside the feed bin (10) can be detected. The lens of the measuring unit (120) faces the light-transmitting cover (111), and the light-transmitting cover (111) can prevent the lens of the measuring unit (120) from being contaminated by foreign substances.

[0037] A foreign substance removal unit (130) is formed on one side of the body (110) and removes foreign substances from the light-emitting cover (111). Specifically, the foreign substance removal unit (130) includes a rotation rod (131), a wiper (132), and a driving motor (133). The rotation rod (131) is connected to the central axis of the driving motor (133) and rotates. When the driving motor (133) is driven, the rotation rod (131) rotates like a propeller. For example, the rotation rod (131) is formed as a straight rod, and the center is connected to the driving motor (133). Wipers are coupled to both sides of the rotation rod (131) in a sliding manner. In this case, the rotation rod (131) and the wiper (132) can be fixed by a bolt connection.

[0038] The wiper (132) of the foreign matter removal unit (130) is formed with at least one or more wipers and is connected to the rotary rod (131). In this case, the wiper (132) can be inserted into the side of the rotary rod (131) in a sliding manner and coupled thereto. The wiper (132) can be formed of a rubber material or a mohair shape. The wiper is exposed to the surface of the body (110) and rotates so that one side comes into contact with the transparent cover (111). In this case, the wiper (132) rotates while coming into contact with the transparent cover (111) to remove foreign matters from the transparent cover (111). Oil can be absorbed into the wiper (132) to minimize friction with the transparent cover (111) while increasing the adsorption capacity of foreign matters.

[0039] The driving motor (133) of the foreign substance removal unit (130) is accommodated in the accommodation space of the body unit (110), and the output side is connected to the rotary rod (131) to rotate it. The driving motor (133) is controlled by the control unit (140). The driving motor (133) can vary the rotation speed, rotation time, and rotation direction of the rotary rod (131). The driving motor (133) is driven by the control unit (140) according to the control signal of the rotary rod (131). The driving motor (133) can be implemented in the form of a DC motor using an internal power source, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0040] The control unit (140) controls the measuring unit (120) and the foreign substance removal unit (130). The control unit (140) is accommodated in a space inside the body unit (110) and can be driven by an internal power source. The control unit (140) drives the foreign substance removal unit (130) at a preset time cycle. The control unit (140) can drive the foreign substance removal unit (130) before the measurement time of the measuring unit (120). The control unit (140) adjusts the driving time of the foreign substance removal unit (130) according to the measurement cycle of the measuring unit (120). The control unit (140) can control the measuring unit (120) to be driven when the foreign substance removal unit (130) has completed driving. This is to increase the accuracy of the measurement of the measuring unit (120) by removing foreign substances from the light-transmitting cover (111).

[0041] In addition, the control unit (140) can vary the operating time of the foreign substance removal unit (130) depending on the environment in which the body part (110) is installed in order to remove foreign substances from the light-emitting cover (111). For example, the control unit (140) can shorten the operating cycle of the foreign substance removal unit (130) when the exposure time of the body part (110) to foreign substances such as dust is higher than a preset value. The control unit (140) can extend the operating cycle of the foreign substance removal unit (130) when the exposure time of the foreign substance is lower than a preset value. This is to remove foreign substances from the light-emitting cover (111) more frequently to reduce the accelerated contamination of the light-emitting cover (111) with foreign substances as the exposure time of the foreign substance is longer.

[0042] In addition, the control unit (140) can also determine the contamination level of the light-emitting cover (111) using the measurement unit (120). In Fig. 5, (a) shows a case where the measurement range falls within the error range, and (b) shows a case where it falls within the normal range.

[0043] The control unit (140) can analyze the measurement information obtained from the measurement unit (120) and, if it falls within a preset error range, operate the foreign substance removal unit (130). For example, if the image quality among the measurement information falls within the error range, the foreign substance removal unit (130) can be operated. This is to prevent the image quality from being lowered due to contamination of the light-transmitting cover (111) by dust inside the feed bin (10).

[0044] In addition, the control unit (140) can operate the foreign substance removal unit (130) even when the distance information from the feed (20) among the measurement information obtained from the measurement unit (120) falls within the error range. This is to remove foreign substances and obtain more accurate distance information when the distance information from the feed (20) falls within the error range due to dust inside the feed bin (10) of the lidar sensor among the measurement unit (120).

[0045]

[0046] Fig. 6 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the addition of a communication unit to a feed bin measuring device capable of handling foreign substances according to Fig. 2.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, a feed bin measuring device (100) capable of handling foreign substances according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a communication unit (150).

[0048] The communication unit (150) communicates with an external management server (200) or user terminal (300). For example, the communication unit (150) may communicate via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE, or LoRA, but is not necessarily limited thereto. The communication unit (150) receives measurement information from the control unit (140) and transmits it to an external management server (200) or user terminal (300). Here, the user terminal (300) refers to a terminal used by an administrator who manages the feed bin (10). When a request for foreign substance removal is received from an external management server (200) or user terminal (300), the communication unit (150) may transmit it to the control unit (140). The communication unit (150) may transmit the operation history of the foreign substance removal unit (130) to the external management server (200) or user terminal (300).

[0049] In this case, the control unit (140) can transmit the measurement information to the external management server (200) or user terminal (300) through the measurement unit (120). If the received measurement information is outside the preset reading range, the external management server (200) can transmit an error signal to the feed bin measuring device (100). Here, the reading range is a range that indicates a state in which the measurement information, such as image information or distance information, can be identified and is a value set in advance. If the control unit (140) receives an error signal from the external management server (200), it operates the foreign matter removal unit (130) to remove the foreign matter and then transmits the measurement information to the external management server (200) or user terminal (300).

[0050] The control unit (140) outputs a replacement signal for the foreign substance removal unit (130) when an error signal is transmitted from the external management server (200) exceeding a preset number of times. This is to prevent the measurement information from becoming inaccurate due to the foreign substance removal unit (130) not being able to remove the foreign substance in the light-emitting cover (111). The control unit (140) transmits the replacement signal for the foreign substance removal unit (130) to the external management server (200) or user terminal (300), and when the replacement signal is received therefrom, it generates measurement information through the measurement unit (120) and transmits it to the external management server (200) or user terminal (300). In this case, the replacement signal can be transmitted to the feed bin measuring device (100) by the manager using the user terminal (300) or the like after removing the foreign substance removal unit (130).

[0051]

[0052] Fig. 7 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the addition of an opening / closing detection unit to a feed bin measuring device capable of handling foreign substances according to Fig. 2.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 7, a feed bin measuring device (100) capable of handling foreign substances according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an opening / closing detection unit (160).

[0054] The open / close detection unit (160) is connected to the cover (11) of the feed bin (10) and is electrically connected to the control unit (140). The open / close detection unit (160) may be formed integrally with the body (110) or may be formed separately. The open / close detection unit (160) detects the movement of the cover (11) and outputs detection information to the control unit (140). For example, the open / close detection unit (160) generates detection information such as acceleration and inclination of the cover (11) and outputs the information to the control unit (140). The open / close detection unit (160) may be connected to one side of the cover (11) by a bracket. The cover (11) may be connected to the feed bin (10) in a hinge structure and may rotate, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0055] The control unit (140) can stop the operation of the measuring unit (120) or the foreign substance removal unit (130) when detection information is input from the open / close detection unit (160). The control unit (140) can determine whether the cover (11) of the feed bin (10) is open or closed based on the detection information. When the cover (11) of the feed bin (10) is closed, the control unit (140) can drive the measuring unit (120) and the foreign substance removal unit (130), respectively. This is to prevent the measurement of the measuring unit (120) from being performed while feed (20) is being injected while the cover (11) of the feed bin (10) is open. The foreign substance removal unit (130) can shorten the driving cycle of the foreign substance removal unit (130) when the cover (11) of the feed bin (10) is opened and then closed. This can be determined by determining that feed (20) has been injected into the feed bin (10) and that the foreign substance has been more contaminated in the light-emitting cover (111), and the foreign substance removal unit (130) can be driven.

[0056] In addition, if the opening angle of the cover (11) of the feed bin (10) exceeds a preset value from the open / close detection unit (160), the control unit (140) can determine that the cover (11) is not closed and output a warning signal. This is to warn that foreign substances may flow into the inside of the feed bin (10) from the outside if the cover (11) is not closed properly. The control unit (140) can transmit a warning signal to an external management server (200) or user terminal (300). The control unit (140) can stop outputting the warning signal if the cover (11) is closed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent foreign substances such as rainwater from flowing into the inside of the feed bin (10) and contaminating the feed (20) by not properly closing the cover (11) of the feed bin (10) while it is open.

[0057]

[0058] While the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments illustrated with reference to the drawings, it is not limited thereto. Therefore, the present invention should be interpreted by the scope of the claims, which are intended to encompass obvious modifications derivable from the described embodiments.

Claims

1. A body part having a light-transmitting cover formed on the surface; A measuring unit formed inside the body and facing the light-transmitting cover; A foreign matter removal unit that removes foreign matters from the light-emitting cover while the wiper formed on one side of the body rotates; and A measuring device for a feed bin capable of handling foreign substances, including a control unit that operates the foreign substance removal unit at a preset time cycle.

2. In paragraph 1, The above foreign substance removal unit is, A rotary rod formed longitudinally on one side of the above body portion; A wiper coupled to one or both sides of the above-mentioned rotary rod and in contact with the above-mentioned light cover; and A measuring device for a feed bin capable of handling foreign substances, including a driving motor connected to the above-mentioned rotary rod to rotate the above-mentioned rotary rod so that the above-mentioned wiper removes foreign substances from the above-mentioned transparent cover.

3. In paragraph 2, The above body part, A measuring device for a feed bin capable of handling foreign substances, which includes at least one receiving groove formed to be inclined in the shape of a cross-section like '\__ / ', and wherein the wire feeder moves along the receiving groove so that the foreign substances are received in the receiving groove.

4. In paragraphs 1 to 3, The above control unit, A feed bin measuring device capable of handling foreign substances by analyzing measurement information obtained from the above measuring unit and operating the foreign substance removal unit when the information falls within a preset error range.

5. A measuring device for a feed bin capable of handling foreign substances, comprising a body part having a light-transmitting cover formed on the surface, a measuring part formed inside the body part and facing the light-transmitting cover, a foreign substance removal part that removes foreign substances from the light-transmitting cover while a wiper formed on one side of the body part rotates, and a control part that drives the foreign substance removal part at a preset time cycle; and A feed bin measuring system capable of handling foreign substances, including a management server that analyzes the contamination level of the light-emitting cover by analyzing the measurement information of the measuring unit and transmits a driving signal of the foreign substance removal unit through the control unit.

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