Method and fill level measurement system for determining a fill level of animal feed

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a fill level measurement system for determining a fill level of animal feed. The method comprises the following steps: providing (110) an animal feed silo (10) having an animal feed receiving region (11) for receiving animal feed (18); arranging (120) animal feed (18) in the animal feed receiving region (11) of the animal feed silo (10); capturing (130) first sensor data (S1), which relate to the fill level of animal feed in the animal feed silo (10), by means of a first sensor unit (1) which is connected to the animal feed silo (10) and comprises a first sensor (1a), which is designed as a fill level sensor; capturing (140) second sensor data (S2) by means of a second sensor unit (2) which comprises a second sensor (2a); receiving (150) the first sensor data (S1) and the second sensor data (S2) by a cloud computer device (20); storing (160) the first sensor data (S1) and the second sensor data (S2) as cloud data (C) in the cloud computer device (20); determining (170) a fill level value, which in particular specifies the fill level of the animal feed in the animal feed silo, based on the captured first sensor data (S1) and on the captured second sensor data (S2), and preferably displaying (170a) the determined fill level value by means of a display device (30).

Description

[0001] Method and level measuring system for determining the level of animal feed

[0002] The invention relates to a method and a level measuring system for determining a level of animal feed.

[0003] It is common practice to measure the volume or weight of the load when measuring the level of bulk materials in a silo. A volume measurement is typically performed by measuring the free space in the silo above the filling material. This is possible, for example, by measuring the time of flight of a signal sent from the silo ceiling until it is reflected on the filling material surface and the subsequent incoming reflection signal. A weight measurement is typically performed by measuring the entire silo weight, i.e. the weight of the silo itself including the contained filling material, minus the empty silo weight. However, both volume and weight measurements are subject to inaccuracies. For example, the surface of the filling material is typically not flat, which can result in a noisy reflection signal.Inaccuracies in weight measurement can arise, for example, due to unwanted additional weights, especially if the weight of snow or rain on the silo is also measured.

[0004] Other measurement methods for level measurement are also known that aim to determine the level more accurately. However, despite optimizations, existing measurement methods can exhibit significant inaccuracies. Furthermore, existing measurement methods are generally unsuitable for determining the level of feed, as the use of known measurement methods can lead to inaccurate results, particularly when determining the level of feed, due to specific feed properties.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing an improved solution that addresses the aforementioned problems. In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a solution that enables the most accurate determination of the fill level of animal feed in an animal feed silo.

[0006] According to a first aspect, the object is achieved by a method according to claim 1. Thereafter, a method for determining a fill level of animal feed is provided, which comprises the following steps: providing an animal feed silo with an animal feed receiving area for receiving animal feed; arranging animal feed in the animal feed receiving area of ​​the animal feed silo; capturing first sensor data relating to the fill level of animal feed in the animal feed silo by means of a first sensor unit which is connected to the animal feed silo and which comprises a first sensor designed as a fill level sensor; capturing second sensor data by means of a second sensor unit which comprises a second sensor; receiving the first sensor data and the second sensor data from a cloud computing device; storing the first sensor data and the second sensor data as cloud data in the cloud computing device;Determining a fill level value, which in particular indicates the fill level of the animal feed in the animal feed silo, as a function of the detected first sensor data and the detected second sensor data, and preferably displaying the determined fill level value by means of a display device;

[0007] Accordingly, a method is proposed in which animal feed is placed in an animal feed silo, and in which first sensor data relating to the fill level of the animal feed is acquired by a first sensor unit. Furthermore, second sensor data is acquired by a second sensor unit. The acquired sensor data is stored as cloud data in a cloud computing device, and a fill level value indicating the fill level of the animal feed in the animal feed silo is determined based on the cloud data.

[0008] The invention is based, among other things, on the realization that the measurement of bulk materials other than animal feed cannot be readily transferred to the measurement of animal feed. Preferably, a distinction is made between an elastic compression component and a plastic compression behavior for animal feed. Since animal feed is typically heterogeneous and relatively soft, it experiences a spongy compression behavior, so that the density of the animal feed is lower in the upper area of ​​the animal feed silo than in the lower area.When the animal feed particles are loaded within their elastic limits, which is the case in the upper area of ​​the animal feed silo due to the lower dead weight there, only elastic deformation occurs. When the animal feed particles are loaded above their elastic limits, which is the case in the lower area of ​​the animal feed silo due to the higher dead weight there, plastic deformation also occurs. As the compression pressure increases towards the bottom, the animal feed increasingly crumbles. The density of the animal feed increases. This increased density remains even when the compression pressure is reduced and can make it more difficult to remove the animal feed from the silo. In particular, the crumbling of the animal feed can lead to incorrect fill level information if no further data, apart from that collected by a fill level sensor, is taken into account.

[0009] The invention is also based, among other things, on the finding that this problem particularly occurs when different types of animal feed or different batches of the same animal feed are stored in an animal feed silo and / or when feed deliveries with different moisture levels are stored, since the residual moisture of the animal feed can lead to moisture migration between batches and / or a change in the moisture content of the animal feed can occur over time in the animal feed silo, particularly depending on local climatic conditions. A purely volumetric fill level measurement without considering additional data therefore does not provide satisfactory results for determining the fill level in the animal feed silo and determining the amount of animal feed removed from the animal feed silo.

[0010] A first advantage of such a method is that the fill level of the animal feed silo can be determined relatively accurately. Through such improved determination of the fill level, it is possible to determine the quantity of animal feed present in the animal feed silo and the quantity of animal feed that has been removed from the animal feed silo for animal feeding, particularly over a certain period of time. If the quantity of animal feed that has been fed to the animals is known, the future feed quantity can be adjusted in a particularly advantageous manner so that the animals can then be provided with an optimal amount of feed. This can, among other things, improve animal welfare because an incorrect amount of feed can be avoided. Furthermore, the efficiency of feeding can be optimized, thus reducing the costs of the entire feeding process.

[0011] A further advantage is that by means of a data fusion of the first sensor data and the second sensor data and, if applicable, further sensor data, a significantly improved fill level measurement is made possible, whereby, among other things, a modeling for modeling animal feed data in the animal feed silo is also made possible.

[0012] Preferably, the animal feed receiving area is a part of the animal feed silo in which animal feed can be received. The animal feed receiving area is arranged, in particular, inside the animal feed silo. The animal feed silo preferably has a wall surrounding the animal feed receiving area, which wall can, in particular, be cylindrical in shape.

[0013] The animal feed is preferably animal feed for animals with a live weight of less than 150 kg at the time of slaughter, in particular for pigs and / or poultry. The animal feed is preferably free-flowing. The animal feed is preferably in the form of granules or a granulated multi-component mixture. This advantageously retains the flowability, whereby the measurements are sufficiently precise for the intended use. The animal feed preferably has an animal feed particle dimension, wherein the animal feed particle dimension, which can be understood in particular as the particle diameter, is on average across many particles preferably less than 10 cm, particularly preferably less than 5 cm, in particular less than 3 cm. The animal feed preferably does not contain any roughage. The animal feed is therefore preferably roughage-free. The animal feed preferably contains no grass and / or alfalfa and / or straw.

[0014] Preferably, the animal feed located in the animal feed silo is removed from the animal feed silo, i.e. in particular from below, by means of a removal device arranged in the lower region of the animal feed silo.

[0015] Preferably, the animal feed silo is filled with animal feed by pouring the animal feed through a filling opening located in the upper area of ​​the animal feed silo, i.e., particularly from above. The information dependent on the feed is correlated with the bulk properties of the feed.

[0016] The acquisition of initial sensor data is preferably carried out continuously or pseudo-continuously, whereby, for example, individual measurements can be carried out at short time intervals, e.g. at intervals of a few hours, a few minutes or a few seconds.

[0017] The first sensor unit comprises the first sensor. The first sensor unit can also comprise further sensors. Preferably, the first sensor unit comprises the first sensor and at least one further sensor, which is designed as a sensor redundant with the first sensor. Preferably, the first sensor unit comprises several sensors combined to form a sensor unit. This first sensor unit can, in particular, check the individual sensors in the network and thus form a secondary security system in the sense of mutual functional confirmation. In this way, it can be ensured in a particularly advantageous manner that the data sent to the cloud computing device is correct with a high degree of certainty.

[0018] Preferably, the first sensor is configured to determine the amount of animal feed in the animal feed silo by means of weight measurement and / or to determine a distance by means of time-of-flight measurement, by means of which an animal feed volume can be determined. Alternatively or additionally, the first sensor can also be configured to determine the amount of animal feed in the animal feed silo by means of ultrasonic measurement and / or radar sensor technology.

[0019] The second sensor unit comprises the second sensor. The second sensor unit can also comprise further sensors. Preferably, the second sensor unit comprises the second sensor and at least one further sensor that is designed as a sensor redundant with the second sensor. Preferably, the second sensor unit comprises several sensors that are combined to form a sensor unit. This second sensor unit can, in particular, check the individual sensors in the network and thus form a secondary security system in the sense of mutual functional confirmation. In this way, it can be ensured in a particularly advantageous manner that the data sent to the cloud computing device is correct with a high degree of certainty.

[0020] The level value is preferably determined using the cloud computing device. The display device can be, for example, a computer screen, laptop, tablet, or other mobile device. The display device can also be, for example, a permanently installed screen.

[0021] Preferably, the sequence of process steps is carried out in the order given.

[0022] It is particularly preferred that the method comprises the step of: determining a weight value, which in particular indicates the weight of the animal feed in the animal feed silo, as a function of the detected first sensor data and the detected second sensor data, and preferably displaying the determined weight value by means of a display device.

[0023] The weight value is preferably determined using the cloud computing device.

[0024] The weight value indicates in particular the weight of the animal feed in the animal feed silo.

[0025] Preferably, both the volume and weight of the animal feed stored in the animal feed silo are determined. One advantage of determining the volume and weight of the animal feed is that these two values ​​can provide significantly more information about the available animal feed and the removed animal feed than would be possible with only one of these two values.

[0026] One advantage of determining a weight value in this way is that if data from not just one sensor but several sensors is used in this way, a much more precise determination of the weight value is possible.

[0027] It is particularly preferred that the method comprises the step of: determining a height-dependent density value, which in particular indicates the density of the animal feed as a function of the vertical position of the animal feed in the animal feed silo, depending on the detected first sensor data and on the detected second sensor data, and preferably displaying the determined height-dependent density value by means of a display device.

[0028] The height-dependent density value is preferably determined using the cloud computing device. One advantage of considering the density of the animal feed as a function of the height position, i.e., the position of the animal feed in the vertical direction, is that this information can be used to determine the weight attributable to a specific volume of animal feed located at a specific height.

[0029] In particular, the weight of a specific volume portion of the animal feed can be determined depending on the total height of the animal feed stored in the animal feed silo and / or depending on the height of a specific volume portion of the animal feed stored in the animal feed silo. In particular, the weight of a specific volume portion of animal feed removed from the animal feed silo can be determined. This makes it possible to determine how much weight of animal feed was removed from the animal feed silo during a specific withdrawal of animal feed.

[0030] It is particularly preferred that the method comprises the step of: determining an animal feed removal weight as a function of the determined height-dependent density value and of the first sensor data, in particular of a feed height determined by means of the first sensor data and / or a feed volume determined by means of the first sensor data, wherein the animal feed removal weight indicates a weight of animal feed that was removed from the animal feed silo at a specific time period, and preferably displaying the determined animal feed removal weight by means of a display device.

[0031] The animal feed extraction weight is preferably determined using the cloud computer device.

[0032] The feed height is understood to mean in particular the total height, i.e. from the lower end of the animal feed to the upper end of the animal feed, in the vertical direction of the animal feed arranged in the animal feed silo.

[0033] The animal feed withdrawal weight indicates in particular the weight of animal feed that was removed from the animal feed silo at a specific time and preferably fed to the animals.

[0034] This makes it particularly useful to determine how much animal feed was removed from the animal feed silo at a specific time. This information can be particularly valuable because it allows you to determine how much animal feed, by weight, was fed over a specific period of time. This can then be used to determine, for example, how many calories the animals consumed over a specific period of time. Based on this information, the future feed quantity can then be optimally adjusted so that the animals are fed the optimal amount of feed.

[0035] Preferably, the animal feed withdrawal weight is determined depending on the height range of the animal feed silo in which at least one animal feed batch is located that was removed from the animal feed silo during withdrawal.

[0036] An advantage of taking different animal feed batches into account in this way is that properties of the animal feed batches can also be stored and, in particular, the weight of a certain volume fraction of this animal feed batch can be determined based on a then known height-dependent density of this animal feed batch.

[0037] Preferably, the animal feed extraction weight is determined depending on the height range of the animal feed silo in which different animal feed batches were arranged over time. If the height ranges and time intervals in which the different animal feed batches were arranged over time are tracked, the weight of animal feed of each of the animal feed batches can be determined particularly precisely for each specific volume of animal feed extracted. This allows for an even more precise determination of the

[0038] Animal feed withdrawal weight.

[0039] Particularly preferred is also for determining the

[0040] The total height of the animal feed stored in the animal feed silo over time is taken into account when calculating the animal feed withdrawal weight. This additional information can be used to determine the animal feed withdrawal weight even more precisely in a particularly advantageous manner.

[0041] It is particularly preferred that the second sensor data do not relate to the fill level of animal feed in the animal feed silo.

[0042] It is particularly preferred that the second sensor is not designed as a fill level sensor. It is particularly preferred that the second sensor unit is not connected to the animal feed silo.

[0043] It is particularly preferred that the second sensor unit is spaced from the animal feed silo by at least 50 m, more preferably at least 250 m, in particular at least 1000 m. Preferably, the second sensor is spaced from the animal feed silo by at least 50 m, preferably at least 100 m, more preferably at least 250 m, in particular at least 1000 m.

[0044] The second sensor unit can, in particular, also be located outside the livestock facility. However, it is also conceivable for the second sensor unit to be located inside the livestock facility.

[0045] It is particularly preferred that the first sensor data and the second sensor data, and optionally further sensor data, are linked to one another by means of the cloud computer device and the fill level value and / or the weight value and / or the height-dependent density value and / or the animal feed removal weight is determined as a function of the linked first sensor data and second sensor data, and optionally further sensor data.

[0046] Preferably, the cloud computer device performs data fusion, in which sensor data obtained by means of different sensors are linked together and, in particular, calculated together in an algorithm.

[0047] It is particularly preferred that the method comprises the following steps: recording animal-related data for a plurality of animals, in particular pigs and / or poultry, wherein the animal-related data preferably comprises animal weight data relating to the animal weight of the animals at different points in time and / or relating to the change in animal weight over time; storing the animal-related data as cloud data in the cloud computer device; determining a feed quantity intended for the future as a function of the recorded first sensor data and the recorded second sensor data and the recorded animal-related data, and preferably displaying the intended feed quantity by means of a display device.

[0048] A plurality of animals is preferably understood to mean at least 50, particularly preferably at least 200, and in particular more than 1000 animals. An advantage of considering animal-related data is that, based on the combination of fill level and animal-relevant data, an indication and / or a recommendation for action and / or a measure can be derived, particularly concerning the animal feed supply quantity, animal feed consumption, animal feed composition, animal feed efficiency, animal feed supply, and / or animal feed logistics.

[0049] Animal-relevant data can include, for example, animal weight, animal weight gain, animal water consumption, climatic conditions in the animal area, animal gene pool, animal age, etc.

[0050] It is particularly preferred that the recording of animal-related data is carried out by means of several, preferably at least 10, particularly preferably at least 20, in particular at least 50, further sensor units, wherein at least some of the further sensor units are arranged within a facility for livestock farming in which the animals are kept.

[0051] Preferably, some of the further sensor units are arranged within the livestock facility and some of the further sensors are arranged outside the livestock facility.

[0052] It is particularly preferred if the further sensor units are designed to generate sensor data relating to one or more of the following parameters: the water consumption of the animals, process data recorded at an animal feed manufacturer, bulk density of the animal feed, dryness of the animal feed, flowability of the animal feed, compression behavior of the animal feed, environmental data, weight gain of the animals, climatic conditions in the area of ​​the animals, activity behavior of the animals, gene pool of the animals, etc.

[0053] Preferably, a plurality of additional sensors is provided. Preferably at least 10, particularly preferably at least 20, and especially at least 50 sensors.

[0054] Preferably, the animal-related data relate to at least 800 animals, particularly preferably more than 50,000 animals, in particular more than 1,000,000 animals. Preferably, the recorded sensor data relate to at least 10 livestock facilities, particularly preferably more than 100 livestock facilities, in particular more than 1,000 livestock facilities.

[0055] It is particularly preferred that process data are collected during production of the animal feed and stored as cloud data in the cloud computing device.

[0056] One advantage of taking process data into account during the production of animal feed is that this process data enables an even more precise determination of relevant parameters and, in particular, that an even more precise determination of the animal feed withdrawal weight is possible.

[0057] It is particularly preferred that an animal feed density of the animal feed and / or a dryness of the animal feed and / or a flowability of the animal feed and / or a compression behavior of the animal feed are recorded before filling the animal feed into the animal feed silo, in particular during the production of the animal feed, and are stored as cloud data in the cloud computer device.

[0058] An advantage of taking these animal feed data into account is that they enable an even more precise determination of relevant parameters and, in particular, an even more precise determination of the animal feed extraction weight.

[0059] It is particularly preferred that the first sensor unit is arranged outside the animal feed silo and / or is glued to the animal feed silo, in particular to a wall of the animal feed silo.

[0060] The first sensor unit and / or the first sensor can be glued to a wall of the animal feed silo, particularly from the outside. However, it is also possible to glue the first sensor unit and / or the first sensor to a wall inside the animal feed silo.

[0061] One advantage of arranging the first sensor unit on the animal feed silo in this way is that it allows existing animal feed silo systems to be easily retrofitted by adding such a first sensor unit. This makes it possible to collect the required data without major conversion effort, thus enabling an existing system to determine more precise values ​​for the animal feed in the animal feed silo and / or for the animal feed removed from the animal feed silo.

[0062] It is particularly preferred that the method comprises the following steps: filling animal feed into the animal feed receiving area of ​​the animal feed silo, wherein filling data relating to the data of the filling of animal feed into the animal feed receiving area of ​​the animal feed silo are recorded; storing the filling data as cloud data in the cloud computing device; determining the fill level value and / or the feed quantity planned for the future as a function of the cloud data stored in the cloud computing device.

[0063] Preferably, data relating to the filling process of the animal feed silo with animal feed is recorded and considered for further processing. For example, the quantity, i.e., the volume, of animal feed added during filling can be recorded. This quantity can be stored, in particular, in the form of information for an animal feed batch.

[0064] It is particularly preferred that the method comprises: determining bulk material properties of the animal feed arranged in the animal feed silo depending on the cloud data stored in the cloud computing device.

[0065] It is particularly preferred that the method comprises: determining an animal feed consumption depending on the cloud data stored in the cloud computing device.

[0066] It is particularly preferred that the first sensor data stored in the cloud computer device as cloud data, which preferably relate to a volumetric fill level of animal feed in the animal feed silo, and further sensor data stored in the cloud computer device as cloud data, which relate to a water consumption of animals fed with animal feed from the animal feed silo, and optionally further sensor data stored in the cloud computer device as cloud data, are linked to one another. Depending on these linked sensor data, a weight-based feed consumption is calculated and preferably displayed by means of a display device. Thus, in a particularly advantageous manner, the volumetric fill level in the silo can be correlated with the water consumption of the animals fed with extracted animal feed, and a weight-based statement on animal feed consumption can be determined therefrom.

[0067] It is particularly preferred that the method comprises the following steps: determining an adapted composition of the animal feed to be filled into the animal feed silo in the future, depending on the cloud data stored in the cloud computing device; filling the animal feed receiving area of ​​the animal feed silo with animal feed having the adapted composition; and preferably removing animal feed having the adapted composition and feeding the animals with the animal feed having the adapted composition.

[0068] Preferably, the method comprises: assembling animal feed with a correspondingly adapted composition of the animal feed and filling the animal feed silo with this assembled animal feed; removing this assembled animal feed from the animal feed silo and feeding this assembled animal feed to the animals.

[0069] In a particularly advantageous manner, the sensor data can be used to determine how the composition of the animal feed can be improved, to make such an improvement, and to feed this improved animal feed to the animals.

[0070] It is particularly preferred that the method comprises: calculating a surface shape of the surface of the animal feed arranged in the animal feed silo depending on cloud data stored in the cloud computing device.

[0071] Preferably, the steepness, in particular relative to the horizontal direction, of the surface of the animal feed can be determined. The surface of the animal feed can, in particular, be substantially conical.

[0072] Preferably, sensor data from multiple sensors are linked, with particular emphasis on sensor data relating to time-of-flight measurements and / or 3D measurements. A time-of-flight measurement can be understood, in particular, as a time-of-flight measurement. Using a 3D measurement, the surface shape can be stored in the form of 3D data.

[0073] It is particularly preferred that the first sensor data are linked to sensor data that measure the moisture content of the feed when filling the animal feed silo and / or the change in the moisture content of the feed from the time the animal feed silo is filled.

[0074] One advantage of considering feed moisture is that moisture has a relatively large influence on both the weight of the feed and the calorie content of the feed, as high moisture results in a relatively high weight but not a higher calorie content compared to a drier feed. Therefore, it is particularly advantageous to consider moisture in order to provide and use information on both the weight of the feed and the calorie content of the feed.

[0075] It is particularly preferred that, depending on these linked sensor data, a correlation is established between animal feed volume and animal feed weight, and wherein the feed quantity is preferably dosed depending on this correlation.

[0076] Preferably, the dosage of animal feed, i.e. the amount of animal feed given to the animals for feeding, is determined depending on a correlation between the animal feed volume and the animal feed weight of a certain partial volume of the animal feed.

[0077] It is particularly preferred that each time the animal feed silo is filled with animal feed, filling data comprising the quantity and type of animal feed filled in each case are recorded and stored as cloud data with information on the animal feed batch in the cloud computer device.

[0078] Using such information on the different animal feed batches, an even more precise, and thus particularly advantageous, determination of the relevant values ​​can be achieved.

[0079] The filling data is preferably recorded by means of at least one sensor from at least one sensor unit.

[0080] It is particularly preferred that the cloud computer device determines, depending on the filling data, which animal feed batch, in particular at the current time and / or at a specific time in the future, is arranged in a removal device of the animal feed silo arranged in the lower region of the animal feed silo.

[0081] Preferably, the animal feed is then removed from the animal feed silo by means of the removal device of the animal feed silo depending on the filling data and / or depending on which animal feed batch is currently located in the area of ​​the removal device.

[0082] It is particularly preferred that environmental data and / or climate data and / or animal population data and / or animal husbandry data are linked to the acquired sensor data.

[0083] Environmental data may in particular be temperature data and / or humidity data and / or precipitation data.

[0084] Taking temperature data into account can be particularly advantageous because it allows for even more precise determination of the relevant values. For example, humidity data can be used to estimate the moisture content of animal feed and thus determine the animal feed weight and / or the animal feed extraction weight even more accurately.

[0085] According to a further aspect, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by a fill level measuring system for determining a fill level of animal feed, in particular in an animal feed silo, the fill level measuring system comprising: an animal feed silo with an animal feed receiving area for receiving animal feed, a first sensor unit for detecting first sensor data relating to the fill level of animal feed in the animal feed silo, wherein the first sensor unit is connected to the animal feed silo and comprises a first sensor designed as a fill level sensor, a second sensor unit for detecting second sensor data, wherein the second sensor unit comprises a second sensor, a cloud computer device which is designedto receive the first sensor data acquired by the first sensor unit and the second sensor data acquired by the second sensor unit and to store the received first sensor data and the received second sensor data as cloud data in the cloud computer device, wherein the cloud computer device is designed to determine a fill level value, which in particular indicates the fill level of the animal feed in the animal feed silo, as a function of the acquired first sensor data and the acquired second sensor data, and preferably a display device designed to display the fill level value determined by the cloud computer device.

[0086] It is particularly preferred that the level measuring system comprises: a facility for keeping farm animals, wherein a plurality of farm animals, in particular a plurality of farm animals with a live weight of less than 150 kg, preferably pigs and / or poultry, and the animal feed silo of the level measuring system are arranged within the facility.

[0087] According to a further aspect, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by a computer program product, wherein the computer program product comprises instructions which, when the computer program product is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the steps of the method described here.

[0088] For the advantages, design variants and design details of the various aspects of the solutions described here and their respective possible further developments, reference is also made to the description of the corresponding features, details and advantages of the other aspects and their further developments.

[0089] Preferred embodiments are explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. In the figures, identical or essentially functionally identical or similar elements are designated by the same reference numerals. They show:

[0090] Fig. 1 : a schematic representation of a level measuring system for determining a level of animal feed;

[0091] Fig. 2: a schematic representation of a method for determining a

[0092] Animal feed fill level.

[0093] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a fill level measuring system 50 for determining a fill level of animal feed in an animal feed silo. The fill level measuring system 50 comprises an animal feed silo 10 with an animal feed receiving area 11 for receiving animal feed 18. The fill level measuring system 50 further comprises a first sensor unit 1 for acquiring first sensor data S1 relating to the fill level of animal feed in the animal feed silo, wherein the first sensor unit is connected to the animal feed silo and comprises a first sensor 1a designed as a fill level sensor. The fill level measuring system 50 further comprises a second sensor unit 2 for acquiring second sensor data S2, wherein the second sensor unit 2 comprises a second sensor 2a. The first sensor 1a is designed here to perform a time of flight measurement. Thus, a distance 1d between the first sensor 1a and the surface 19 of the animal feed 18 can be determined by means of the first sensor 1a.Reference numeral 14 designates the area of ​​the animal feed silo in which no animal feed is arranged. Using at least this information and, if necessary, further information, a volume V of the animal feed 18 arranged in the animal feed receiving area 11 of the animal feed silo 10 can then be determined. It is also possible to determine a height H1, H2, H3 of the animal feed 18 using one or more sensors at different positions on the animal feed 18 in order to then be able to make an even more precise statement about the volume V of the animal feed 19. It is also possible to determine the steepness of the conical surface 19 of the animal feed 18. In particular, the angle α, which indicates the gradient of the surface from the outside to the inside relative to the horizontal, can also be determined.

[0094] The animal feed silo is filled along the filling arrow B through a filling opening 12, which is arranged in the upper area of ​​the animal feed silo 10.

[0095] The removal of animal feed from the animal feed silo takes place along the removal arrow E through a removal opening 13a, which is arranged in the lower area of ​​the animal feed silo 10, namely on a removal device 13, which is also arranged in the lower area of ​​the animal feed silo 10.

[0096] The fill level measuring system 50 comprises a cloud computing device 20 configured to receive the first sensor data S1 acquired by the first sensor unit 1 and the second sensor data S2 acquired by the second sensor unit 2, and to store the received first sensor data and the received second sensor data as cloud data C in the cloud computing device 20. The cloud computing device 20 is configured to determine a fill level value that indicates the fill level of the animal feed in the animal feed silo based on the acquired first sensor data S1 and the acquired second sensor data S2. The fill level value determined by the cloud computing device is displayed by a display device 30.

[0097] The first sensor unit 1 has a first sensor 1 a and a second sensor 1 b.

[0098] The second sensor unit 2 has a first sensor 2a and a second sensor 2b. Further sensor units 3, 4, 5, and 6 are also provided. A third sensor unit 3 is configured to acquire third sensor data S3. This third sensor data S3 is also sent to the cloud computing device 20. The first sensor unit 1, the second sensor unit 2, and the third sensor unit 3 are located within the facility 40 for livestock farming, in which the animals 45, here pigs, are kept in an animal holding area 41.

[0099] By means of the sensor units 4, 5, 6, which are arranged in an area 60 outside the livestock facility 40, fourth sensor data S4, process data P acquired during production of the animal feed, and animal-related data T for the plurality of animals 45 are sent to the cloud computing device 20. All of these sensor data and other data are stored in the cloud computing device 20 as cloud data C.

[0100] All values ​​and information determined by the cloud computing device can be displayed by the display device 30. For this purpose, display data A is sent from the cloud computing device 20 to the display device 30.

[0101] Details on how the recorded data are used to determine relevant values, what information can be obtained from it and how, and what measures can then be carried out in which way depending on the information obtained are explained in connection with Fig. 2 as an example and in detail above, so that reference is made here to the explanations there.

[0102] Fig. 2: shows a schematic representation of a method 100 for determining a fill level of animal feed. The method 100 comprises the following steps:

[0103] In a step 110, providing an animal feed silo 10 with an animal feed receiving area 11 for receiving animal feed 18.

[0104] In a step 1 15, filling of animal feed into the animal feed receiving area 1 1 of the animal feed silo 10, wherein filling data relating to the data of filling of animal feed into the animal feed receiving area of ​​the animal feed silo are recorded.

[0105] In a step 120, arranging animal feed 18 in the animal feed receiving area 11 of the animal feed silo 10. In a step 130, detecting first sensor data S1 relating to the fill level of animal feed in the animal feed silo 10 by means of a first sensor unit 1 which is connected to the animal feed silo 10 and which comprises a first sensor 1 a which is designed as a fill level sensor.

[0106] In a step 140, second sensor data S2 is acquired by means of a second sensor unit 2 comprising a second sensor 2a.

[0107] In a step 150, receiving the first sensor data S1 and the second sensor data S2 from a cloud computing device 20.

[0108] In a step 160, storing the first sensor data S1 and the second sensor data S2 as cloud data C in the cloud computing device 20. In a step 161, storing the filling data as cloud data C in the cloud computing device;

[0109] In a step 170, a fill level value is determined, which in particular indicates the fill level of the animal feed in the animal feed silo, depending on the acquired first sensor data S1 and the acquired second sensor data S2. In a step 170a, the determined fill level value is displayed using a display device 30.

[0110] In a step 171, a weight value is determined, which in particular indicates the weight of the animal feed in the animal feed silo, as a function of the acquired first sensor data and the acquired second sensor data. In a step 171a, the determined weight value is displayed 171a by means of a display device 30.

[0111] In a step 172, determining a height-dependent density value, which in particular indicates the density of the animal feed as a function of the vertical position of the animal feed in the animal feed silo, as a function of the recorded first sensor data S1 and the recorded second sensor data S2. In a step 172a, displaying the determined height-dependent density value by means of a display device 30. In a step 173, determining an animal feed removal weight as a function of the determined height-dependent density value and the first sensor data S1, in particular as a feed height H1, H2, H3 determined by means of the first sensor data and / or as a feed volume V determined by means of the first sensor data, wherein the animal feed removal weight indicates a weight of animal feed that was removed from the animal feed silo at a specific time period.In a step 173a, the determined animal feed removal weight is displayed using a display device 30. In a step 180, animal-related data T is recorded for a plurality of animals 45, in particular pigs and / or poultry, wherein the animal-related data T preferably comprises animal weight data relating to the animal weight of the animals 45 at different points in time and / or relating to the change in animal weight over time. In a step 181, the animal-related data T is stored as cloud data C in the cloud computer device 20. In a step 182, a feed quantity intended for the future is determined as a function of the recorded first sensor data S1 and the recorded second sensor data S2 and the recorded animal-related data T. In a step 182a, the intended feed quantity is displayed using a display device 30.

[0112] In a step 190, determining bulk material properties of the animal feed arranged in the animal feed silo 10 based on the cloud data stored in the cloud computing device C. In a step 191, determining animal feed consumption based on the cloud data stored in the cloud computing device.

[0113] In a step 195, an adjusted composition of the animal feed to be filled into the animal feed silo 10 in the future is determined based on the cloud data C stored in the cloud computing device 20. In a step 196, animal feed having the adjusted composition is filled into the animal feed receiving area of ​​the animal feed silo. In a step 197, animal feed having the adjusted composition is removed and the animals are fed with the animal feed having the adjusted composition.

[0114] In a step 198, calculating a surface shape of the surface of the animal feed arranged in the animal feed silo as a function of cloud data stored in the cloud computer device, wherein sensor data from several sensors are linked to one another, wherein in particular sensor data relating to runtime measurements and / or 3D measurements are taken into account. first sensor unit

[0115] 1 a first sensor of the first sensor unit

[0116] 1 b second sensor of the first sensor unit

[0117] 1d Distance between first sensor and deep feed second sensor unit

[0118] 2a first sensor of the second sensor unit

[0119] 2b second sensor of the second sensor unit

[0120] 3, 4, 5, 6 additional sensor units

[0121] 10 animal feed silo

[0122] 11 Animal feed intake area

[0123] 12 Filling opening

[0124] 13 Withdrawal device

[0125] 13a Removal opening

[0126] 14 Area of ​​the animal feed silo in which no animal feed is located

[0127] 18 Animal feed

[0128] 19 Surface of animal feed

[0129] 20 Cloud computer setup

[0130] 30 Display device

[0131] 40 Livestock facility

[0132] 41 Animal rest area

[0133] 45 animals

[0134] 50 Level measuring system

[0135] 60 Area outside the livestock facility

[0136] 100 procedures

[0137] 110-198 Procedural steps

[0138] A Display data

[0139] B Filling direction

[0140] C Cloud data

[0141] E Removal direction

[0142] H1, H2, H3 heights of the animal feed

[0143] P Process data

[0144] S1, S2, S3, S4 sensor data

[0145] T animal-related data

[0146] V Volume of animal feed

Claims

Claims 1. A method (100) for determining a fill level of animal feed, the method comprising: Providing (110) an animal feed silo (10) with an animal feed receiving area (11) for receiving animal feed (18); Arranging (120) animal feed (18) in the animal feed receiving area (11) of the animal feed silo (10); Detecting (130) first sensor data (S1) relating to the fill level of animal feed in the animal feed silo (10) by means of a first sensor unit (1) which is connected to the animal feed silo (10) and which comprises a first sensor (1 a) designed as a fill level sensor; Acquiring (140) second sensor data (S2) by means of a second sensor unit (2) comprising a second sensor (2a); Receiving (150) the first sensor data (S1) and the second sensor data (S2) from a cloud computing device (20); Storing (160) the first sensor data (S1) and the second sensor data (S2) as cloud data (C) in the cloud computer device (20); Determining (170) a fill level value, which in particular indicates the fill level of the animal feed in the animal feed silo, as a function of the detected first sensor data (S1) and the detected second sensor data (S2), and preferably displaying (170a) the determined fill level value by means of a display device (30).

2. Method according to one of the preceding claims, the method comprising: Determining (171) a weight value, which in particular indicates the weight of the animal feed in the animal feed silo, as a function of the detected first sensor data and the detected second sensor data, and preferably displaying (171 a) the determined weight value by means of a display device (30).

3. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising: Determining (172) a height-dependent density value, which in particular indicates the density of the animal feed as a function of the vertical position of the animal feed in the animal feed silo, as a function of the detected first sensor data (S1) and the detected second sensor data (S2), and preferably displaying (172a) of the determined height-dependent density value by means of a display device (30).

4. Method according to the preceding claim, the method comprising: Determining (173) an animal feed removal weight as a function of the determined height-dependent density value and the first sensor data (S1), in particular a feed height (H1, H2, H3) determined by means of the first sensor data and / or a feed volume (V) determined by means of the first sensor data, wherein the animal feed removal weight indicates a weight of animal feed that was removed from the animal feed silo at a specific time period, and preferably displaying (173a) the determined animal feed removal weight by means of a display device (30).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second sensor data (S2) do not relate to the fill level of animal feed in the animal feed silo, and / or wherein the second sensor (2a) is not designed as a fill level sensor, and / or wherein the second sensor unit (2) is not connected to the animal feed silo (10), and / or wherein the second sensor unit (2) is spaced from the animal feed silo (10), preferably at least 50 m, particularly preferably at least 250 m, in particular at least 1000 m.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first sensor data (S1) and the second sensor data (S2), and optionally further sensor data, are linked to one another by means of the cloud computer device (20) and the fill level value and / or the weight value and / or the height-dependent density value and / or the animal feed removal weight is determined as a function of the linked first sensor data (S1) and second sensor data (S2), and optionally further sensor data.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising: Acquiring (180) animal-related data (T) for a plurality of animals (45), in particular pigs and / or poultry, wherein the animal-related data (T) preferably comprise animal weight data relating to the animal weight of the animals (45) at different points in time and / or relating to the change in animal weight over time; Storing (181) the animal-related data (T) as cloud data (C) in the cloud computing device (20); Determining (182) a feed quantity intended for the future as a function of the detected first sensor data (S1) and the detected second sensor data (S2) and the detected animal-related data (T), and preferably displaying (182a) the intended feed quantity by means of a display device (30).

8. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the acquisition (180) of animal-related data is carried out by means of several, preferably at least 10, particularly preferably at least 20, in particular at least 50, further sensor units (3, 4, 5, 6), wherein at least some of the further sensor units (3, 4, 5, 6) are arranged within a facility (40) for livestock farming in which the animals are kept.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein process data (P) are recorded during production of the animal feed and are stored as cloud data (C) in the cloud computer device (20), and / or wherein an animal feed density of the animal feed and / or a dryness of the animal feed and / or a flowability of the animal feed and / or a compression behavior of the animal feed are recorded before filling the animal feed into the animal feed silo, in particular during production of the animal feed, and are stored as cloud data (C) in the cloud computer device (20).

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first sensor unit (1) is arranged outside the animal feed silo (10) and / or is glued to the animal feed silo (10), in particular to a wall of the animal feed silo (10). 11 . Method according to one of the preceding claims, the method comprising: Filling (1 15) animal feed into the animal feed receiving area (11) of the animal feed silo (10), wherein filling data relating to the data of the filling of animal feed into the animal feed receiving area of ​​the animal feed silo are recorded; Storing (161) the filling data as cloud data (C) in the cloud computer device; Determining the fill level value and / or the feed quantity planned for the future depending on the cloud data (C) stored in the cloud computer device (20).

12. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising: Determining (190) bulk material properties of the animal feed arranged in the animal feed silo (10) as a function of the cloud data stored in the cloud computer device (C), and / or determining (191) animal feed consumption as a function of the cloud data stored in the cloud computer device.

13. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first sensor data stored in the cloud computer device (20) as cloud data (C), which preferably relate to a volumetric fill level of animal feed in the animal feed silo (10), and further sensor data stored in the cloud computer device (20) as cloud data (C), which relate to a water consumption of animals fed with animal feed from the animal feed silo, and optionally further sensor data stored in the cloud computer device (20) as cloud data (C), are linked to one another, and wherein a feed consumption based on weight is calculated as a function of these linked sensor data and is preferably displayed by means of a display device (30).

14. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising: Determining (195) an adapted composition of the animal feed to be filled into the animal feed silo (10) in the future, depending on the cloud data (C) stored in the cloud computer device (20); Filling (196) animal feed having the adapted composition into the animal feed receiving area of ​​the animal feed silo; and preferably removing (197) animal feed having the adapted composition and feeding the animals with and preferably removing animal feed having the adapted composition and feeding the animals with the animal feed having the adapted composition.

15. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising: Calculating (198) a surface shape of the surface of the animal feed arranged in the animal feed silo as a function of cloud data stored in the cloud computer device, wherein preferably sensor data from a plurality of sensors are linked to one another, wherein in particular sensor data relating to runtime measurements and / or 3D measurements are taken into account.

16. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first sensor data (S1) are linked to sensor data which measure the moisture content of the feed when filling the animal feed silo and / or the change in the moisture content of the feed from the time the animal feed silo is filled, and wherein a correlation is established between animal feed volume and animal feed weight as a function of these linked sensor data, and wherein the feed quantity is preferably dosed as a function of this correlation.

17. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each time the animal feed silo (10) is filled with animal feed, filling data comprising the quantity and type of the animal feed filled in each case are recorded and stored as cloud data with information on the animal feed batch in the cloud computer device (20), and wherein the cloud computer device (20) determines, depending on the filling data, which animal feed batch, in particular at the current time and / or at a specific time in the future, is arranged in a removal device (13) of the animal feed silo arranged in the lower region of the animal feed silo.

18. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein data from the environment and / or climate data and / or data on the animal population and / or data on animal husbandry regulations are linked to the recorded sensor data.

19. Fill level measuring system (50) for determining a fill level of animal feed, in particular in an animal feed silo, the fill level measuring system comprising: an animal feed silo (10) with an animal feed receiving area (11) for receiving animal feed (18), a first sensor unit (1) for detecting first sensor data (S1) relating to the fill level of animal feed in the animal feed silo, wherein the first Sensor unit is connected to the animal feed silo and comprises a first sensor (1a), which is designed as a fill level sensor, a second sensor unit (2) for detecting second sensor data (S2), wherein the second sensor unit comprises a second sensor (2a), a cloud computer device (20) which is designed to receive the first sensor data (S1) detected by means of the first sensor unit (1) and the second sensor data (S2) detected by means of the second sensor unit (2) and to store the received first sensor data and the received second sensor data as cloud data (C) in the cloud computer device (20), wherein the cloud computer device (20) is designed to determine a fill level value, which in particular indicates the fill level of the animal feed in the animal feed silo, depending on the detected first sensor data and the detected second sensor data, and preferably a display device (30),which is designed to display the fill level value determined by means of the cloud computer device., 20. Level measuring system according to the preceding claim, comprising: a facility (40) for keeping farm animals, wherein a plurality of farm animals, in particular a plurality of farm animals with a live weight of less than 150 kg, preferably pigs and / or poultry, and the animal feed silo (10) of the level measuring system (50) are arranged within the facility (40).

21. A computer program product, wherein the computer program product comprises instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1-18.

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