Animal welfare-type delivery cage

Abstract

An animal welfare-type delivery cage according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first support means positioned on the front side; a second support means positioned on the rear side and provided in parallel to the first support means; a space-adjusting member which includes a first area connected to the first support means and a second area connected to the second support means and rotates laterally to be opened or closed; a power transmission member installed in one area of the space-adjusting member and transmitting a rotational force generated in the first area to the second area; and an opening / closing module box including a driving part fastened to the power transmission member to provide power for opening and closing the space-adjustment member.

Description

Animal welfare-type farrowing crate

[0001] The present invention relates to an animal welfare-type farrowing crate whose structure can be changed according to the farrowing situation of livestock.

[0002] Significant changes are occurring in the animal husbandry sector. First, the introduction of animal welfare concepts, and second, the smartening of products.

[0003] The concept of animal welfare dictates that even livestock in captivity should be provided with a minimum level of welfare. This is particularly problematic in livestock birthing environments. Previously, most products minimized mother movement due to concerns about the high risk of crushing calves that were not yet fully mobile due to confined birthing spaces or feeding periods.

[0004] In countries such as the UK that have recently standardized the concept of animal welfare, it is mandatory to provide a structure that provides a minimum amount of space for mothers and calves to move freely after moving calves from the birthing and lactation environments of livestock to a safe space so that the mothers can also move sufficiently.

[0005] Due to the densely packed layout of farrowing crates within livestock buildings, workers often need to enter the crates to adjust the space. This can cause significant stress in mother cows, leading to stillbirths and crushing of calves. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop methods to facilitate space adjustment within farrowing crates, even in densely packed environments.

[0006] Smart farming aims to address labor shortages in livestock farms, improve animal production efficiency based on various environmental variables, and systematically manage disease prevention based on scientific data. Labor shortages in livestock farms have become a global phenomenon. Furthermore, livestock farms often suffer significant losses from infectious diseases, leading to a trend toward minimizing the influx of personnel. For these reasons, the expansion of smart farm technology into the animal husbandry sector is now essential.

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an animal welfare-type farrowing crate in which the shape or size of the space can be adjusted according to the farrowing situation of livestock.

[0008] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a structure that can easily control the space within a farrowing crate even in an environment where farrowing crates are densely packed within a livestock barn.

[0009] The tasks of the present invention are not limited to the tasks mentioned above, and other tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0010] An animal welfare-type farrowing frame according to one embodiment of the present invention may include: a first support means positioned at the front; a second support means positioned at the rear and parallel to the first support means; a space adjusting member including a first region connected to the first support means and a second region connected to the second support means, the space adjusting member being opened and closed by rotating laterally; a power transmission member installed in one region of the space adjusting member to transmit rotational force generated in the first region to the second region; and an opening / closing module box including a driving unit connected to the power transmission member to provide power to open and close the space adjusting member. Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

[0011] An animal welfare-type delivery frame of one embodiment of the present invention has one or more of the following effects.

[0012] The animal welfare-type farrowing crate according to the embodiment can provide a product with improved convenience of operation, safety, and economy by allowing the space inside the farrowing crate to be adjusted through simple operation from the front of the farrowing crate.

[0013] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an animal welfare-type delivery frame according to one embodiment;

[0015] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a space adjustment area of ​​an animal welfare-type delivery frame according to one embodiment;

[0016] Figure 3 is a front view of a space control area of ​​an animal welfare-type delivery frame according to one embodiment;

[0017] Figure 4 is a side view of a space adjustment member of an animal welfare-type delivery frame according to one embodiment;

[0018] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a space adjustment member of an animal welfare-type delivery frame according to one embodiment;

[0019] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the opening / closing module box of an animal welfare-type delivery frame according to one embodiment;

[0020] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the opening / closing module box of an animal welfare-type delivery frame according to one embodiment;

[0021] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a mounting module of an animal welfare-type delivery frame according to one embodiment;

[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a first support means having a mounting module of an animal welfare-type delivery frame installed according to one embodiment.

[0023] The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and embodiments. Specific embodiments are illustrated and described in detail in the drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0024] While terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first component may be referred to as a "second component," and similarly, a second component may also be referred to as a "first component." The term "and / or" includes any combination of multiple related items described herein or any item among multiple related items described herein.

[0025] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components in between. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0026] The terminology used in this application is only used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, it should be understood that the terms "comprise" or "have" indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0028] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail. In order to facilitate an overall understanding in describing the present invention, identical reference numerals will be used for identical components in the drawings, and redundant descriptions of identical components will be omitted.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an animal welfare-type delivery frame according to one embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a space adjustment area of ​​an animal welfare-type delivery frame according to one embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a front view of a space adjustment area of ​​an animal welfare-type delivery frame according to one embodiment.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an animal welfare-type delivery frame according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first support means (100) positioned at the front, a second support means (101) positioned at the rear and parallel to the first support means (100), a first region (211-1) adjacent to the first support means (100) and a second region (211-2) adjacent to the second support means (101), and an opening / closing module box (500) including a space adjusting member (200) that moves laterally to open / close, a power transmission member (212) installed in one region of the space adjusting member (200) to transmit rotational force generated in the first region (211-1) to the second region (211-2), and a driving unit (213) connected to the power transmission member (212) to provide power to open / close the space adjusting member (200).

[0031] An animal welfare-type farrowing crate may include multiple zones. The space control zone may be a concept encompassing a first space control zone (A) and a second space control zone (B). The animal welfare-type farrowing crate may include a first space control zone (A) and a second space control zone (B) that control space on the left and right sides of a mother zone (C) where the mother is located. The first space control zone (A) and the second space control zone (B) may be formed to be symmetrical on the left and right, but are not limited thereto, and the degree of space control, structure, and operating method may be different.

[0032] The mother area (C) may include walls positioned at the front and rear to confine the mother pig. The wall may be provided with a door for the mother pig to enter and exit, but is not limited thereto. In addition, at least one of a feeding trough, a buttock support device, and a piglet passageway securing support may be installed.

[0033] The animal welfare farrowing crate can adjust the space in the first space control zone (A) and the second space control zone (B) based on the conditions within the barn, such as the mother's farrowing status, the calf's position, the elapsed time since farrowing, and the temperature and humidity within the barn. Additionally, the animal welfare farrowing crate can adjust the space according to the calf's growth before and after farrowing or during the lactation period.

[0034] In one embodiment, the animal welfare-type farrowing crate can adjust the space of the first space adjustment zone (A) and the second space adjustment zone (B) based on various situations such as pre- and post-farming vaccination, pup care, and farrowing pen management. In one embodiment, the animal welfare-type farrowing crate can adjust the size of the mother area (C) by moving the space adjustment member.

[0035] The first support means (100) may be positioned in front of the delivery frame. The first support means (100) may have a rectangular shape with two square beams arranged perpendicular to the floor, but is not limited to that shape. The opening / closing module box (500) may be slidably connected to the first support means (100) in an up-and-down direction. The first support means (100) may be positioned in front of the first section (A).

[0036] The second support means (101) may be located at the rear of the birthing frame. The second support means (101) may be located at the rear of the first section (A). The second support means (101) may be parallel to the first support means (100). In the drawing, the first support means (100) may be located at the front and the second support means (101) may be located at the rear, but since they are structurally the same, they may be installed regardless of the location.

[0037] The space adjustment member (200) may be arranged between the first support means (100) and the second support means (101). The space adjustment member (200) may include a first region (211-1) adjacent to the first support means (100) and a second region (211-2) adjacent to the second support means (101).

[0038] The space adjustment member (200) can be connected to an opening / closing module box (500) that is fastened to the first support means (100). The space adjustment member (200) can be connected to an opening / closing module box that is fastened to the second support means (101), but is not limited thereto, and other means capable of supporting the space adjustment member (200) can be fastened to the second support means (101).

[0039] A space adjustment member (200) is installed in the first zone (A) and the second zone (B) to adjust the space within the delivery frame. The space adjustment member (200) can move left and right depending on the operation of the opening / closing module box (500).

[0040] The power transmission member (212) may be installed in one area of ​​the space adjustment member (200). For example, the power transmission member (212) may be located within a single bar forming the space adjustment member (200). The power transmission member (212) may be a metal beam with a rectangular cross-section, but may have various shapes capable of transmitting power.

[0041] The power transmission member (212) can transmit power generated in the first region (211-1) of the space control member (200) to the second region (211-2). For example, the power transmission member (212) can receive a force from the outside to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise and rotate simultaneously in the first region (211-1) and the second region (211-2).

[0042] The opening / closing module box (500) can be connected to a power transmission member (212). The opening / closing module box (500) can include a driving unit (213) that provides power to the power transmission member (212) to open / close the space adjustment member (200).

[0043] The driving unit (213) may have a wheel shape with a central opening, but is not limited thereto. The power transmission member (212) may be fitted into the penetrating portion of the driving unit (213). For example, the driving unit (213) may be fastened to the power transmission member (212) with a cross-section of the central penetrating portion having a square shape, but the shape of the cross-section may be formed to match the shape of the cross-section of the power transmission member (212), and is not limited to one shape.

[0044] The driving part (213) may be shaped like a wheel with a sunken center portion. The power transmission member (212) may be fitted into the sunken portion of the driving part (213). The motor (900) may be inserted and fastened into the inner side of the protruding portion where the power transmission member (212) is fitted into the driving part.

[0045] The animal welfare-type delivery frame may further include a roller portion (300) connected to a space adjustment member (200). The roller portion (300) may be supported by a first support means (100) and a second support means (101). The roller portion (300) includes a rotating roller, and the roller may be guided by a guide region (110) formed in the first support means (100) and the second support means (101). The roller portion (300) may rotate in the guide region (110) to support the space adjustment member (200) and move it left and right. The roller portion (300) may include two rollers installed at the same height.

[0046] The guide area (110) may be formed in the mounting module. The first support means (100) and the second support means (101) may include the mounting module. The mounting module may be a structure that slides and connects the opening / closing module box (500).

[0047] The mounting module may include a plurality of openings. The guide region (110) may be an opening formed at the top of the mounting module. The mounting module may have an upper opening (120) formed therein so that a power transmission member may pass therethrough and be connected to the driving member (213) of the opening / closing module box. A lower opening (130) may be formed at the bottom of the mounting module to support a guide member (222). The upper opening (120) and the lower opening (130) of the mounting module may be matched with the first opening and the second opening formed in the opening / closing module box.

[0048] The animal welfare-type birthing frame may further include a brake member (400) that is fastened to a power transmission member (212) in the first region (211-1) to limit rotational movement. The brake member (400) includes a recessed portion that matches the shape of the cross-section of the power transmission member (212), and can limit rotational movement when fastened to the power transmission member (212).

[0049] FIG. 4 is a side view of a space adjustment member (200) of an animal welfare-type delivery frame according to one embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a space adjustment member (200) of an animal welfare-type delivery frame according to one embodiment.

[0050] The space adjustment member (200) may include a first member positioned in an area adjacent to the first support member and a second member positioned in an area adjacent to the second support member. The space adjustment member (200) may include a plurality of connecting members connecting the first member and the second member. Two connecting members (210, 220) positioned in the middle of the connecting members connecting the first member and the second member may have a power transmission member and a guide member inserted therein. For example, a power transmission member may be inserted into the upper connecting member (210), and a guide member may be inserted into the lower connecting member (220).

[0051] However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and an embodiment may exist in which a power transmission member is inserted into a lower connecting member (220) and a guide member is inserted into an upper connecting member (210). In an embodiment in which a power transmission member is inserted into a lower connecting member (220), power generated on the first support member side may be transmitted to the second support member side through a power transmission member installed in the lower connecting member (220).

[0052] A protrusion (300) on which a roller part is installed may be formed at the top of the space control member (200). In the embodiment of Fig. 4, there are two protrusions, a first protrusion (310) and a second protrusion (320), but the number is not limited.

[0053] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an opening / closing module box (500) of an animal welfare-type delivery frame according to one embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an opening / closing module box (500) of an animal welfare-type delivery frame according to one embodiment.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the opening / closing module box (500) may include a first opening (520) and a second opening (530) located at the bottom of the first opening (520). The first opening (520) and the second opening (530) may match with the upper opening and the lower opening formed in the mounting module.

[0055] The first opening (520) can support the driving unit (512). The first opening can form a rail on which the wheel-shaped driving unit can rotate and move left and right, but the shape thereof is not limited thereto. The second opening (530) can support a guide member (522) to be connected to one side of the space adjustment member. The guide member (522) can be a pipe with a circular cross-section, but the structure thereof is not limited thereto. The second opening (530) can form a rail on which the guide member (522) can rotate and move left and right, but the shape thereof is not limited thereto.

[0056] The opening / closing module box (500) may include a first pulley (561) installed on the left side of the first opening (520), a second pulley (562) installed on the right side of the first opening (520), a third pulley (563) installed on the left side of the second opening (530), and a fourth pulley (564) installed on the right side of the second opening (530).

[0057] The first pulley (561), the second pulley (562), the third pulley (563), and the fourth pulley (564) can guide wires (581, 582) that connect the driving unit (512) and the guide member (522) to each other.

[0058] The wire may include a first wire (581) and a second wire (582). The first wire (581) may be guided by a first pulley (561) and a third pulley (563). The second wire (582) may be guided by a second pulley (562) and a fourth pulley (564). The wire may be wound or unwound around the driving unit by the rotation of the driving unit.

[0059] The driving unit (512) and the guide member (522) can move in the same direction when the space adjustment member is opened and closed. The first wire (581) and the second wire (582) can cause the guide member (522) to move in the same direction as the driving unit (512) when the driving unit (512) rotates and moves to the left or right.

[0060] The driving unit (512) may be a wheel shape with a centrally perforated shape, but is not limited to that structure, and the driving unit (512) may be a wheel shape with one side of the center sunken in. If the driving unit (512) has a structure in which the power transmission member passes through, the driving unit may be fastened in a form fitted into the perforated portion. If the driving unit (512) has a structure in which the power transmission member has a centrally sunken shape, the power transmission member may be fastened to the sunken portion.

[0061] The driving unit (512) can rotate simultaneously with the guide member (522). When the driving unit (512) rotates, the winding (or unwinding) of the left wire (581) and the unwinding (or winding) of the right wire (582) can occur simultaneously. The operations of the left wire (581) and the right wire (582) can transmit a force, a moving distance, and a rotational speed equivalent to those of the driving unit to the lower guide member, thereby enabling horizontal movement of the space adjusting member (200). The left wire (581) and the right wire (582) can fix the movement of the space adjusting member.

[0062] In the drawing, the opening / closing module box (500) is in a form in which all sides are blocked with plate material, but it can exist only as an internal structure for performing a function, so it is not limited to its packaging form.

[0063] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a mounting module of an animal welfare-type birthing frame according to one embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a first support means on which a mounting module of an animal welfare-type birthing frame according to one embodiment is installed.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the mounting module can be divided into an upper unit (140) and a lower unit (160) centered on a central opening (150). However, the structure is not limited thereto, and the upper unit (140) and the lower unit (160) can be completely separated into two separate units. The mounting module can include a guide area (110) that guides a roller portion. The roller portion can function to support the weight of the space adjustment member. The mounting module can include an upper opening (120) that matches a first opening of the opening / closing module box and a lower opening (130) that matches a second opening of the opening / closing module box.

[0065] The first support means (100) may be in the form of two square bars arranged on the left and right, each connected by a mounting module. An opening / closing module box may be vertically attached / detached to the space formed by the two square bars and the mounting module.

[0066] In addition, although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or prospect of the present invention.

Claims

1. A first support means located at the front; A second support means located at the rear and parallel to the first support means; A space adjusting member including a first region adjacent to the first support means and a second region adjacent to the second support means, and which is opened and closed by rotating laterally; A power transmission member installed in one area of ​​the space control member to transmit the rotational force generated in the first area to the second area; and An animal welfare-type farrowing frame comprising an opening / closing module box, which includes a driving unit that is connected to the power transmission member and provides power to open / close the space control member.

2. In paragraph 1, It further includes a roller part that supports the above space adjustment member and moves it left and right; An animal welfare-type delivery frame, wherein the first support means and the second support means include a guide area that guides the roller part.

3. In paragraph 2, An animal welfare-type farrowing frame comprising two rollers installed at the same height.

4. In paragraph 1, The above opening module box includes a first opening and a second opening located at the bottom of the first opening, The above first opening supports the driving unit, An animal welfare-type delivery frame in which the second opening supports a guide member connected to one side of the space control member.

5. In paragraph 4, The above opening / closing module box includes a first pulley installed on the left side of the first opening, a second pulley installed on the right side of the first opening, a third pulley installed on the left side of the second opening, and a fourth pulley installed on the right side of the second opening. The first pulley, the second pulley, the third pulley and the fourth pulley are animal welfare-type delivery frames that guide wires connecting the driving unit and the guide member to each other.

6. In paragraph 5 The above wire includes a first wire and a second wire, The first wire is guided by the first pulley and the third pulley, The above second wire is an animal welfare type delivery frame guided by the above second and fourth pulleys.

7. In paragraph 5 The above wire includes a first wire and a second wire, The first wire is guided by the first pulley and the fourth pulley, The above second wire is an animal welfare type delivery frame guided by the above second and third pulleys.

8. In paragraph 4 An animal welfare-type delivery frame in which the above driving unit and the above guide member move in the same direction when the space control member is opened and closed.

9. In paragraph 1 An animal welfare-type birthing frame further comprising a brake member that is connected to the power transmission member in the first region and limits rotational movement.

10. In paragraph 1, An animal welfare-type birthing frame wherein the first support means is divided into upper and lower parts centered on an opening in the center and further includes a mounting module that forms a space for mounting the opening / closing module box.

11. In paragraph 1, The above driving part is a wheel shape with a central hole, The above power transmission member is an animal welfare type delivery frame fitted into a penetrating portion of the above driving unit.

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