JPH0433742Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a position detection device for an automatic feeding system that can be used, for example, in a stanchion barn dairy farm facility.

[Prior art and its problems]

In a dairy farm using the stanchion barn method,
There is no known automatic feeding system in which a self-propelled moving feeder is placed on a guide rail installed above the bait tank in each stall, and each feed tank is fed by the moving feeder that moves on the guide rail. There is.

In this type of system, a mobile feeder moves by itself to a predetermined feed tank, stops above the feed tank, and feeds a predetermined amount of feed. When feeding to this bait tank is completed, the animal moves to the next bait tank and feeds in the same manner. In this case, the position control of the moving feeder utilizes a position detection device consisting of a detection switch provided on the moving feeder side and a detected dock provided at each predetermined control position on the guide rail side to operate the detection switch. I was going.

However, because conventional position detection devices have a single detection switch, if the detection switch is operated abnormally, for example by a pigeon or the like, it may malfunction.
There were problems such as feeding livestock with too much feed or, conversely, causing a shortage of feed.

Furthermore, the absolute position must be detected by counting the number of detected docks from the home position, and as mentioned above, there are problems with poor reliability, such as a tendency to cause malfunctions due to disturbances.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention aims to provide a position detection device for an automatic feeding system that solves the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art, and is achieved by a position detection device 1 shown below.

That is, the position detection device 1 for an automatic feeding system according to the present invention is used in an automatic feeding system S equipped with a moving feeder 4 that moves on a guide rail 2 and feeds feed to a predetermined feed tank 3. One or more detection dots 5 are provided at each control position on the rail 2, and a plurality of detection switches 6a, 6b, which are operated in whole or in part simultaneously by the detection dots 5 are provided on the movable feeder 4. 6c is provided. In addition, depending on the optimal embodiment, the length of the detection dot 5 varies depending on the control position, and the detection switch 6 is operated at the same time.
The numbers of a... are made to be different.

[Effect]

Next, the operation of the present invention will be explained.

The position detection device 1 according to the present invention includes a guide rail 2
Position detection is performed only when all the detection switches 6a, which are determined by the length of the detection target dock 5 installed at the position, are operated simultaneously. For this reason,
Even if, for example, only one switch among the detection switches 6a is operated abnormally, no position detection is performed. Furthermore, by varying the length of the detection target 5 at different control positions, it is possible to vary the number of detection switches 6a that are operated simultaneously, and by determining a specific length for each important point. Thus, the absolute control position can be at least partially detected. As a result, even if a miscount occurs due to an erroneous operation, such as a collision with a pigeon, the detected dot 5
An incorrect relative position can be corrected by detecting the absolute position.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, the configuration of an automatic feeding system S including a position detection device 1 according to the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

The automatic feeding system S is installed, for example, in a stanchion barn type feeding facility in which cow beds are arranged on both sides of an aisle. Bait tank 3 in each stall...(4th
A guide rail 2 having a U-shape in plan view as shown in FIG. 2 is installed above the guide rail 2 shown in FIG. Furthermore, a movable feeder 4 shown in FIG. 3 is disposed in a suspended manner on the guide rail 2. The movable feeder 4 is configured to be self-propelled so that it can move forward and backward on the guide rail 2 at a predetermined speed by a traveling unit 12 using a motor 11. and,
The guide rail 2 and the movable feeder 4 are provided with a position detection device 1 shown in FIG.

In the position detection device 1, first, a detection target dot 5 is provided at each predetermined control position of the guide rail 2, and the detection dot 5 projects horizontally in one direction (inward). On the other hand, three (generally a plurality of) detection switches 6a, 6b, and 6c are installed in the upper part of the movable feeder 4 in a line perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 2, respectively.
It is connected to a control section 21 which will be described later.

As a result, when the movable feeder 4 reaches the predetermined detection target dock 5, the detection switches 6a, 6b, 6
c is operated on the detection target dock 5, and the movement of the moving feeder 4 is restricted. For this reason, the detection target dock 5 is installed corresponding to the stop position or passing position of the movable feeder 4.

Furthermore, the length of the detection target dot 5 is made to vary depending on the difference in control position or the degree of importance. Three types are selected and installed: a dock 5M and a tall dock 5L that operates three detection switches 6a, 6b, and 6c. For example, the facility of this embodiment is divided into blocks A to D as shown in FIG. 2, and each block includes twelve stalls. For this reason, the tall dog 5L
is the retreat end dot 5 that demarcates the home position.
a, a fixed position feeding dock 5b, a block start dock 5c corresponding to blocks A to D, and a block end dock 5d..., respectively, and the content dock 5M corresponds to a total of 12 stalls in each block. Used for stall dock 5e... Further, the short dog 5S is used as the feeding process end dog 5f.

On the other hand, the movable feeder 4 is equipped with a feed storage section 13 having a V-shaped cross section with an opening at the top end, and a feed discharge section 14 and a measuring section 15 provided at the bottom of the feed storage section 13 discharge a required amount of feed into the feed tank 3... . It also includes a control unit 21 equipped with a computer, and controls the entire mobile feeder 4, such as feeding time control, movement control, feed release amount control, feed supply control, etc., using a sequence program of the computer. In addition,
25a, 25b, and 25c are installed on the guide rail 2 side and respectively indicate a replenishment stop switch, a replenishment start switch, and a reset switch, which mainly control the replenishment device side during replenishment. In addition, 25s is installed on the movable feeder 4, and each of the above switches 25
A, 25b, 25c are operated by control docks, and 26... indicates a feed detection sensor for detecting the upper limit amount of feed.

In addition, at a predetermined replenishment position, a replenishment device 28 replenishes feed from a replenishment tank (silo) (not shown) to the movable feeder 4 via a screw auger 27.
(Figure 4).

Next, the operation of the entire automatic feeding system S including the function of the position detection device 1 will be explained.

At the time of installation or restart after suspension, the program is initialized and executed using process control variable 1. First, the mobile feeder 4 waits at a home position until a predetermined feeding time, and at the feeding time, moves to a predetermined replenishment position and replenishes feed. As the movable feeder 4 moves forward, the feed start switch 25b is operated, and the feed device 28 starts feeding. When the supply progresses and the feed reaches the upper limit amount of the movable feeder 4, the feed detection sensor 26 detects this and the movable feeder 4 starts moving forward. As the movable feeder 4 moves forward, the supply stop switch 25a is operated, and the supply device 28 stops supplying.

On the other hand, the moving feeder 4 that has moved forward feeds the A and B blocks according to the program.

This A-block feeding method is carried out as shown in FIG. First, the moving feeder 4 enters the A block and moves forward to the stall dock 5e at the minimum stall n (steps 30, 31). As a result, the detection switches 6a and 6b are operated simultaneously by the same dot 5e, the movable feeder 4 stops at this control position, and feed is fed to the feed tank 3 of the stall n (steps 32 to 36). In this case, the amount of feed released at each stall is set in advance, and when the predetermined amount of feed is reached, the process control variables are changed, and the movable feeder 4 moves forward to the next stall n+1 and then to the next stall 5e. Therefore, detection switches 6a and 6b are operated simultaneously and stopped (steps 37, 38). Then, the same operation as the stall n is repeated. When all the stalls in A block have been fed, the process advances to the next B block (step 39). At this time, as the movable feeder 4 moves forward, the three detection switches 6a, 6b and 6c are simultaneously operated by the block end dot 5d of A block and the block start dot 5c of B block to detect the end and start of the block, respectively. do. If the length of the detection point 5 is set so that one detection point can be detected simultaneously by multiple detection switches 6a..., in the unlikely event that a pigeon or the like hits any detection switch, Even if an abnormal operation other than detection is performed, position detection will not be performed. Furthermore, in order to set the number of detection switches 6a .
Not only relative positions but also absolute positions can be detected easily and reliably. For example, while detecting an arbitrary stall,
Even if a plurality of detection switches are erroneously operated at the same time, the error can be corrected by counting the number of stalls and comparing it with the number of stalls at a pre-stored absolute position. Note that the B, C and D blocks are also performed in the same way as the A block.

Next, when feeding is carried out up to block B, the movable feeder 4 retreats for the second replenishment, returns to the replenishment position, and replenishes the movable feeder 4 with feed. Then, when the supply is finished, it moves forward again to feed the remaining C and D blocks. When all stalls of blocks have been fed, the movable feeder 4 returns to the home position, rewrites the process control variables to the control variables of the next process, and waits until the next feeding time. Thereafter, similar cycle operations are repeated.

Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.
For example, although a stanchion burn type feeding facility has been illustrated, the present invention can also be applied to similar automatic feeding systems in other types such as a free burn type. Moreover, although the detection switches 6a to 6c are configured with three pieces, they can be configured with any number. Further, these switches 6a to 6c may be mechanically operated switches as in the embodiment, or sensor-type switches operated non-contact by magnetic or optical means. Note that in terms of switch operation timing, "simultaneously" is a concept that means "at the same time." Others, configuration, shape, quantity. Arbitrary changes can be made in the arrangement etc. without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Effect of idea]

As described above, the position detection device for an automatic feeding system according to the present invention has one or more detection dots provided at the control position on the guide rail, and the movable feeder is completely or partially covered by the detection dots. Since a plurality of detection switches are provided that are operated simultaneously, the following effects can be obtained.

Position detection is performed only when multiple detection switches are operated at the same time, so even if the switch is operated abnormally, such as when a pigeon hits the switch, it will not function.
Does not cause malfunction. Therefore, harmful effects such as overfeeding or insufficient feed can be prevented.

In an optimal embodiment, by varying the length of the detected dots at the control position,
By varying the number of operated switches, the numbers serve as addresses to detect absolute positions, and even if a plurality of detection switches for detecting relative positions are erroneously operated, it can be easily corrected.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1: A plan view showing the main parts of the position detection device according to the present invention, Fig. 2: A plan view of a guide rail showing the detected dock of the position detection device, Fig. 3: Including the position detection device. A perspective view of the vicinity of the home position of the automatic feeding system, Fig. 4: A side view of the vicinity of the home position of the automatic feeding system, Fig. 5: A plan view of the movable feeder of the system, Fig. 6
Figure: Side view of the same moving feeder. Figure 7: Float chart showing details of the operation of A block in the same system. In the drawings, 1... position detection device, 2... guide rail, 3... bait tank, 4... moving feeder, 5...
...Dock to be detected, 6a, 6b, 6c...Detection switch.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] [1] In an automatic feeding system comprising a movable feeder that moves on a guide rail and feeds feed to a predetermined feed tank, one or more feeders are provided at each control position of the guide rail. 1. A position detecting device for an automatic feeding system, characterized in that a movable feeder is provided with a plurality of detection switches that are operated in whole or in part simultaneously by the detection dock. [2] A position detecting device for an automatic feeding system, characterized in that the length of the detected dots varies depending on the control position, and the number of detecting switches operated at the same time varies.