Feed hopper and method for determining a fill level in a feed hopper

Abstract

The invention relates to a feed hopper having a base, a wall connected to the base, wherein the base and the wall delimit a receiving space for a feed, a filling opening which opens into the receiving space, a conveying device (13) which is designed and intended for conveying a feed to an outlet opening of the receiving space, wherein the conveying device (13) has a continuously circulating transport unit (10) which is connected to a drive means (14). The feed hopper has a detection unit (15) which is connected to the drive means (14) via signals, wherein the detection unit (15) is designed and intended for indirectly detecting a variable of the drive means (14) during the operation of the conveying device (13). An evaluation unit (16) is provided, which is connected to the detection unit (15) via signals, wherein the evaluation unit (16) is designed and intended to determine a characteristic variable on the basis of the detected variable and to evaluate same in relation to a target variable which corresponds to a fill level of a feed located in the feed hopper. Furthermore, a signal unit (19) is provided, which is connected to the evaluation unit (16) via signals, wherein the signal unit (19) is designed and intended for generating and transmitting a signal if the fill level falls below a predetermined value.

Description

[0001] Feed magazine

[0002] as well as

[0003] Method for determining the fill level in a feed magazine

[0004] The invention relates to a feed magazine and a method for determining a fill level in a feed magazine.

[0005] Particularly in dairy farms, it is known that animal feeding can be fully automated. German patent DE 102011 131 077 A1 discloses a feeding robot that delivers and dispenses feed to the animals. Feed hoppers are provided for filling the feeding robot. A feed hopper has a base and a wall connected to the base. Feed is deposited into the feed hopper through a filling opening. This feed can be, for example, hay, silage, or other types of feed. Such a feed hopper can have a capacity of several cubic meters. Several thousand kilograms of feed can be stored in a single feed hopper.

[0006] The feed is transferred to the feeding robot, for example, via a conveying system. A feed magazine's conveying system has a continuously circulating transport unit connected to a drive mechanism. This continuously circulating transport unit is preferably a so-called scraper floor. The feed magazine may also have separating devices adjacent to a discharge opening, which are used to separate or divide portions of the feed.

[0007] A feeding robot, as known from DE 102021 131 077 A1, has sensor means that detect the amount of feed supplied to the feeding robot. This is done by measuring the weight.

[0008] To ensure a continuous feeding process, the feed hopper, or if there are multiple hoppers, must be sufficiently filled, particularly to provide the desired feed mixture. For example, if the feed is corn silage, an operator visually checks whether there is a sufficient quantity in the hopper. If not, the operator must remove some corn silage from a silo, transport it to the feed hopper, and deposit it there. This process may need to be repeated several times to fill the hopper to the required level. The same applies to other types of feed.It is therefore of great importance that, taking into account the time required to provide a sufficient quantity of feed in the feed storage, a timely replenishment of feed to the feed storage is ensured. If an insufficient quantity of feed is available in a feed storage, it cannot be guaranteed that, in particular, a desired feed mixture will be prepared.

[0009] Based on this, the invention aims to further develop the known feed magazine in such a way that information about the fill level of the feed magazine is provided to an operator. A further aim of the invention is to provide a method for providing information about the fill level of a feed magazine.

[0010] This task is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments of the feed magazine and the process are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0011] The feed magazine according to the invention has a receiving chamber for feed. The receiving chamber is bounded by a base and a wall connected to the base. The feed can be, for example, silage or hay. The feed magazine has a filling opening for introducing the feed into the receiving chamber. The filling opening opens into the receiving chamber.

[0012] A conveying device is provided in the base of the feed magazine. This device transports feed located in the feed magazine's intake area to a discharge opening. The conveying device is designed and intended to convey feed from the intake area to a discharge opening. The conveying device comprises a continuously circulating transport unit, preferably a scraper floor. A scraper floor consists of two spaced-apart endless chains connected to each other by bar-shaped carriers. The carriers are guided by the circulating endless chains toward the discharge opening. The transport unit is connected to a drive mechanism.The drive mechanism propels the transport unit, so that at least part of the feed located in the feed magazine is conveyed towards the discharge opening and discharged from the feed magazine.

[0013] The discharge opening of the feed magazine is preferably designed such that a portion of the feed located on the transport unit can exit the feed magazine through this discharge opening. The discharge opening can be further specified by being formed by a gap in the wall.

[0014] The feed magazine according to the invention is particularly characterized by the inclusion of a detection unit that is connected to the drive element via a signal connection. The detection unit is suitable and designed to detect a parameter of the drive element during its operation. This parameter can be detected directly or indirectly.

[0015] An evaluation unit is provided, which is connected to the detection unit via a signal connection. The evaluation unit is designed and intended to determine a key parameter based on the detected quantity and to evaluate this parameter in relation to a target value that corresponds to the fill level of the feed in the feed magazine.

[0016] The evaluation unit is connected to a signaling unit, the signaling unit being suitable and intended to generate and send a signal when the evaluation results in a filling level that falls below a predetermined filling level.

[0017] The feed hopper is preferably filled with a predetermined quantity of feed. The feed in the hopper acts on the transport unit, and vice versa. To convey the feed to the discharge opening via the transport unit, the transport unit is driven by the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism provides the necessary energy to convey at least a portion of the feed to the discharge opening. A relationship exists between the required energy and the feed in the intake chamber, which is evaluated by the evaluation unit. The detection unit is designed to indirectly detect a parameter of the drive mechanism during its operation. The evaluation unit determines a characteristic value based on the detected parameter. This parameter is then compared by the evaluation unit to a target value.The target size corresponds to the fill level of feed located in the feed magazine.

[0018] Preferably, the evaluation unit records the duration during which the drive mechanism is active. This duration can preferably be predefined. The recording unit preferably includes a sensor unit that is suitable and designed to detect a physical quantity of the drive mechanism. Based on the detected quantity, the evaluation unit advantageously determines a characteristic value. Preferably, data is stored in a memory unit that represents a relationship between the target value and a quantity of feed within a feed magazine. By comparing the characteristic value with the target value, a fill level can be determined. The fill level corresponds to the ratio of the quantity of feed in the feed magazine to a predetermined quantity of feed that the feed magazine can hold. The term "quantity" also includes the mass of the feed.

[0019] The invention has the significant advantage that the behavior of existing components of a feed magazine can be used to predict when the feed magazine should be refilled with feed. For this purpose, a signaling unit is provided to generate and transmit a signal when the fill level falls below a predetermined value.

[0020] A particularly preferred design of the feed magazine is one in which the torque of the drive mechanism is detected. The detection of the torque of a drive mechanism can be achieved using simple means.

[0021] The drive element is preferably a hydraulic motor. The evaluation unit preferably includes a pressure sensor from the hydraulic motor, which serves as the basis for determining, in particular, the weight force acting on the transport unit.

[0022] Electric motors are also used as drive elements in feed magazines. Preferably, the drive element is an electric motor. The electric motor can be equipped with a frequency converter. If the drive element is an electric motor, a current is preferably measured during a period of time in which propulsion takes place and used as the basis for determining the characteristic value. Preferably, the evaluation unit is designed such that it has a timer. The timer is activated for the duration of the drive element's activity, so that an average value can be determined from the time period and the measured values ​​of pressure, torque, or current, which is then used as the basis for determining the characteristic value. This time period can preferably be predefined.

[0023] The transport unit preferably moves at a speed of 0.5 m / sec. This speed has the advantage that changes due to the discharge of feed from the intake area occur relatively slowly, so that an essentially continuous change in the characteristic value can be determined for the duration of the operation of the drive unit.

[0024] According to a further inventive concept, a method for determining the fill level in a feed magazine is proposed. The method for determining the fill level in a feed magazine comprises the following steps:

[0025] Providing information about the properties of a feed located in the feed store;

[0026] Provision of target sizes that correspond to a fill level of feed located in the feed magazine;

[0027] Activation of a drive means of a conveying device which is suitable and intended to convey a feedstuff to an outlet opening, wherein the conveying device has an endlessly circulating transport unit which is connected to the drive means, for a predetermined period of time;

[0028] Measurement of a dimension of the propulsion system;

[0029] Determination of a key figure based on the recorded quantity within the specified time period;

[0030] Evaluation of the characteristic value in relation to a target value; triggering of a signal if a target value is undershot. Information about the properties of a feedstuff indicates which feed group it belongs to. This could be, for example, roughage. The feed group can be further subdivided, in particular into hay, straw, or silage. Additional information can be stored for these feedstuffs, such as an average fiber length. Preferably, information about the density, moisture content, and / or shear strength of the feedstuff is provided.

[0031] In particular, based on historical data and / or trials, target values ​​are provided that correspond to a fill level of the feed located in the feed magazine.

[0032] The table below shows the relationship between the current (in A) of the drive and the mass (in kg) of a feed with specific properties. The feed is corn silage. The feed hopper is a component of the "GEA DairyFeed F4500" system from GEA Farm Technologies AG, as described in the brochure "GEA DAIRYFEED F4500 Feeding Robot"; 9997-2093-000; 03 / 2023.

[0033] Type feed magazine

[0034] Mat.- No. 7180-2000-000

[0035] Scraper floor powder-coated carriers

[0036] Number of carriers: 32

[0037] Arrangement of the drive lugs: 7 normal, then 1 drive lug with rubber lip, etc. Inclination angle: 22.2°

[0038] Filling quantity approx. 5,666.00 kg

[0039] Corn feed mixture

[0040]

[0041] Test results:

[0042] Speed, actual mass flow, current consumption, torque, feed rate (rpm), intake (kg / min), (A) in %, from WebVisu, time, quantity "Torq", feed level (s), (kg), powder coating (kg)

[0043]

[0044] tet)

[0045] 900 330 756.6 137.6 2.1 45% 5,666 900 330 717.9 130.5 2.0 34% 4,910 900 330 690.2 125.5 2.0 35% 4,192 900 330 735.1 133.7 1.9 34% 3,502 900 330 737.2 134.0 1.9 33% 2,767 900 330 762.1 138.6 1.9 29% 2,029 900 330 716.0 130.2 1.9 23% 1,267 900 330 251.1 45.7 1.7 18% 551 900 330 116.6 21.1 1.7 14% 300

[0046]

[0047] Speed ​​is given in revolutions per minute. Dispensing time is given in seconds. Dispensing time refers to the period during which the transport device is active. The actual dispensed quantity in kilograms (kg) indicates the amount of feed removed during the dispensing time. The current draw in amperes (A) indicates the current of the drive. The table above shows that the torque in % – the actual torque relative to the maximum torque of the drive – can be assigned to a respective fill level in kg. A torque of 14% corresponds to a fill level of 9.7%. If this fill level is within a critical range, a signal can be triggered, prompting an operator to refill the feed hopper.

[0048] For feedstuffs with different properties, different target values ​​are preferably assigned. If no target values ​​exist for a feedstuff, they can be estimated using statistical-mathematical methods based on known target values ​​of a feedstuff with comparable properties.

[0049] By activating a drive mechanism of a conveying system, at least some of the feed located in the feed hopper is conveyed to a discharge opening. A time duration or a specific mass is preferably predetermined. If, preferably, the feed is discharged into a feed mixer with a weighing system, the drive mechanism can be deactivated, depending on the data stored in the weighing system, when the predetermined mass of feed has been reached in the feed mixer.

[0050] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The figures show a particularly preferred embodiment of a feed magazine according to the invention, to which, however, the invention is not limited. The figures and the size relationships shown therein are only schematic.

[0051] They show:

[0052] Fig. 1: Feed magazine in a side view,

[0053] Fig. 2: the feed magazine according to Fig. 1 in a top view,

[0054] Fig. 3: the feed magazine according to Fig. 1 in a front view, and

[0055] Fig. 4: schematically a conveying device with a recording unit and an evaluation unit.

[0056] Figure 1 shows a side view of a feed magazine 1. The feed magazine is shown with legs 2 and 3. These legs cause the feed magazine to be inclined relative to a horizontal plane. The angle of inclination is approximately 22°.

[0057] As can be seen in Figure 2, the feed magazine 1 has a base 4. A wall 5 is connected to the base 4. The base 4 and the wall 5 define a receiving chamber 6 into which feed (not shown) can be placed. In the illustrated embodiment, an elevated discharge area 8 has co-rotating rollers 9a and 9b, which are provided with tooth-like elements. Feed located in the discharge area 8 can be conveyed to the discharge opening 7 by means of the rollers 9a and 9b.

[0058] A conveying device is provided in the area of ​​the base 4, which is suitable and intended for conveying feed material to the outlet opening 7 of the receiving chamber 6. The conveying device has a transport unit 10, which is connected to a drive element (not shown). In the present embodiment, the transport unit 10 is formed by a so-called scraper floor. As shown in Fig. 2, the scraper floor has drivers 11, which are arranged parallel to each other. The respective end of each driver 11 is connected to an endlessly circulating chain (not shown).

[0059] In the illustrated embodiment, the wall 5 defines a filling opening 12 through which feed can be introduced into the feed magazine 1. If feed is present in the receiving chamber 6 and the conveying device is activated, the scraper floor with its carriers 11 transports the feed to the discharge area 8. In the discharge area 8, the feed is loosened and / or crushed by the rollers 9a, 9b and their tooth-like elements and conveyed to the discharge opening 7, through which the feed is discharged, for example, into a receiving hopper of a feeding robot or the like.

[0060] Figure 4 schematically shows a conveying device 13. The conveying device 13 has a transport unit 10, which is connected to a drive element 14. Preferably, the drive element 14 comprises an electric motor. The electric motor can be connected to the transport unit 10 via a gearbox, which is not shown. The drive element 14 is connected to a detection unit 15 via a signal transmission system. The detection unit 15 is suitable and designed to indirectly detect a parameter of the drive element 14 during its operation. An evaluation unit 16 is connected to the detection unit 15 via a signal transmission system. The data transmitted from the detection unit 15 to the evaluation unit 16 are processed by the evaluation unit 16 into a characteristic value.This parameter is evaluated by evaluation unit 16 in relation to a target value, which corresponds to the fill level of the feed in the feed magazine. Depending on the result of the evaluation, evaluation unit 16 sends a signal to signal unit 19, which informs an operator if there is not a sufficiently large quantity of feed in the feed magazine.

[0061] The evaluation unit 16 is connected to a memory 17 in which information about the properties of a feed located in the feed magazine is stored.

[0062] Reference numeral 18 designates a further storage unit in which target values ​​are provided that correspond to a fill level of the feed located in the feed magazine. Not shown is a timer that measures the duration of the activity of the conveying device and thus also of the drive mechanism.

[0063] To determine the fill level in a feed hopper, information about the properties of the feed contained in the hopper is provided in memory 18. Furthermore, target values ​​corresponding to a fill level of the feed contained in the hopper are provided in memory 17.

[0064] By activating the drive element 14 of the conveying device, the feed is conveyed to the discharge opening. The duration for which the drive element is active is preferably predetermined. During operation of the drive element, a parameter of the drive element is recorded. If the drive element includes an electric motor, the parameter recorded is the current consumption of the electric motor during operation. Based on the recorded parameter within the predetermined time period, a characteristic value is determined. This characteristic value is compared in the evaluation unit with the provided target values. The fill level of the feed magazine is derived from the comparison between the target value and the characteristic value. Target values ​​are based on historical data. It is also possible for the target values ​​to be determined experimentally.

[0065] It is not mandatory that a duration for which the drive mechanism is active be specified. If there is a relationship between torque as a quantity and a fill level in the feed magazine, as exemplified in the table on page 7 above, then the degree of filling can be indirectly inferred from the torque or the torque as a percentage.

[0066] The feed magazine and the inventive method have numerous advantages. In particular, existing feed magazines can be retrofitted without significant retrofitting effort. Reference list I Feed magazine

[0067] 2, 3 legs

[0068] 4 floors

[0069] 5 wall

[0070] 6 Recording room

[0071] 7 Exit opening

[0072] 8 Exit area

[0073] 9a, 9b rollers

[0074] 10 transport units

[0075] II Driver

[0076] 12 Filling opening

[0077] 13 funding institution

[0078] 14 Propulsion devices

[0079] 15 recording units

[0080] 16 evaluation units

[0081] 17 storage

[0082] 18 storage

[0083] 19 Signal unit

Claims

Claims 1. Feed magazine (1) with a floor (4), a wall (5) connected to the base (4), wherein the base (4) and the wall (5) define a receiving space (6) for a feedstuff, a filling opening that leads into the receiving chamber (6), a conveying device (13) which is suitable and intended to convey a feedstuff to an outlet opening (7) of the receiving chamber (6), wherein the conveying device (13) has an endlessly rotating transport unit (10) which is connected to a drive means (14), a detection unit (15) which is connected to the drive means (14) via a signal system, wherein the detection unit (15) is suitable and intended to detect a parameter of the drive means (14) during the operation of the conveying device (13), an evaluation unit (16) which is connected to the detection unit (15) via a signal connection, wherein the evaluation unit (16) is suitable and intended to determine a characteristic value based on the detected quantity and to evaluate this value in relation to a target value which corresponds to a fill level of a feedstuff located in the feed magazine (1), and with a signaling unit (19) which is connected to the evaluation unit (16) via signaling technology, wherein the signaling unit (19) is suitable and intended to generate and send a signal when the fill level falls below a predetermined value.

2. Feed magazine according to claim 1, wherein a torque of the drive means (14) is detected.

3. Feed magazine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive means (14) comprises a hydraulic motor.

4. Feed magazine according to claim 3, wherein a pressure of the hydraulic motor is detected.

5. Feed magazine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive means (14) comprises an electric motor.

6. Feed magazine according to claim 5, wherein a current of the electric motor is detected.

7. Feed magazine according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the evaluation unit (16) has a timer.

8. A procedure for determining the fill level in a feed magazine comprising the following steps: Providing information about the properties of a feed located in the feed store; Provision of target sizes that correspond to a fill level of the feed located in the feed magazine; Activation of a drive means (14) of a conveying device (13) which is suitable and intended to convey a feedstuff to an outlet opening (7), wherein the conveying device (13) has an endlessly rotating transport unit (10) which is connected to the drive means (14); Measurement of a quantity of the propulsion medium (14) during the activity of the propulsion medium; Determination of a key figure based on the recorded quantity within the specified time period; Evaluation of the key figure in relation to a target value; Triggering a signal when a target value is undershot.

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein one quantity is the current consumption of the driving means.

10. Method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein one quantity is a torque of the driving means.

11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the quantity is a power of the propulsion means.

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