Motorized feeding vehicle and a method of operating an animal farming system

Abstract

An animal feeding vehicle includes a movement control system, a GPS receiver for generating a first set of parameters including location information, a proximity sensor for generating a second set of parameters including spatial information, a position sensor for generating a third set of parameters including motion information, a feeding system including a feeding control system for feeding animals based on a fourth set of parameters. A control unit receives the first, second, third, and fourth sets of parameters, and defines a first mode in which the user controls the movement control system and the feeding control system, and in which the control unit records data representing the first, second, third, and fourth sets of parameters; and a second mode in which the control unit controls the movement control system and the feeding system by comparing recorded data with the first, second, third, and fourth sets of parameters.

1 . A motorized feeding vehicle for an animal farming system, said animal farming system comprising a field having a building accommodating a plurality of cages, each cage adapted for accommodating one or more animals, said motorized feeding vehicle comprising:
 a power system operable for driving said motorized feeding vehicle;   a steering system operable for determining a direction of said motorized feeding vehicle;   a user-operated movement control system configured for controlling said power system and said steering system;   a satellite navigation receiver configured for generating a first set of parameters constituting location information from a satellite navigation system;   a proximity sensor configured for generating a second set of parameters constituting spatial information of an area adjacent said motorized feeding vehicle;   an internal position sensor comprising a direction sensor and a velocity sensor, said internal position sensor being configured for generating a third set of parameters constituting motion information;   an animal feeding system, comprising a feed storage tank configured for storing animal feed and a feeding pipe configured for conveying said animal feed from said feed storage tank to said cages individually, said animal feeding system further comprising a feeding control system operable for controlled feeding of said animals via said animal feeding system based on a fourth set of parameters constituting feeding parameters; and   a control unit connected to: (a) said satellite navigation receiver so as to receive said first set of parameters, (b) said proximity sensor so as to receive said second set of parameters, and (c) said internal position sensor so as to receive said third set of parameters;   wherein said control unit is operable in (1) a first mode constituting a learn mode in which said user is controlling said motorized feeding vehicle via said user movement control system and said user feeding control system, wherein said control unit continuously records data representing said first set of parameters, said second set of parameters, said third set of parameters and said fourth set of parameters, and (2) a second mode constituting an autonomous mode in which said control unit is controlling said power system, said steering system and said animal feeding system by comparing said recorded data with said first set of parameters, said second set of parameters, said third set of parameters, and said fourth set of parameters.   
     
     
         2 . The motorized feeding vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein said motorized feeding vehicle comprises an electromagnetic reader configured for reading an identification device operably associated with each cage and/or each animal. 
     
     
         3 . The motorized feeding vehicle according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of said field and said building comprises an additional identification device configured for navigation of said vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . The motorized feeding vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein said motorized feeding vehicle includes a detector configured for determining an amount of feed present in said cages. 
     
     
         5 . The motorized feeding vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein said proximity sensor comprises at least one of an IR sensor, radar, or laser proximity sensor configured for detecting objects at a specific distance from said motorized feeding vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . The motorized feeding vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein said data are exportable from said control unit and/or said data are importable into said control unit. 
     
     
         7 . The motorized feeding vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein said control unit is operable to control said power system and said steering system based on a weighing algorithm using said recorded data, said first set of parameters, said second set of parameters, said third set of parameters, and said fourth set of parameters. 
     
     
         8 . The motorized feeding vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein said first set of parameters is ignored if said satellite navigation system receiver is not receiving navigation information from a sufficient amount of satellites, said second set of parameters is ignored if said proximity sensor cannot detect any nearby objects, and said third set of parameters is ignored if an onboard accelerometer detects loss of traction of said power system of said motorized feeding vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . The motorized feeding vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein said feeding pipe is movable in at least 1 degree of freedom, wherein said degree of freedom is at least one of a rotational degree of freedom and a translational degree of freedom. 
     
     
         10 . The motorized feeding vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein said motorized feeding vehicle comprise a heat sensitive camera configured for determining a health status of said animals individually. 
     
     
         11 . The motorized feeding vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein said motorized feeding vehicle comprises a wireless communication unit configured for communicating any of said first set of parameters, said second set of parameters, said third set of parameters, said fourth set of parameters and said data to at least one of a server, a computer, and a handheld device. 
     
     
         12 . The motorized feeding vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein said internal position sensor comprises at least one of an inertial navigation system, a compass, a sensor monitoring said user operated movement control system, and a sensor measuring an angular rotation of said power system of said motorized feeding vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . A retrofit kit for a motorized feeding vehicle for an animal farming system, said animal farming system comprising a field having a building accommodating a plurality of cages, each cage adapted for accommodating one or more animals, said motorized feeding vehicle comprising:
 a power system operable for driving said motorized feeding vehicle;   a steering system operable for determining a direction of said motorized feeding vehicle;   a user-operated movement control system configured for controlling said power system and said steering system; and   an animal feeding system comprising a feed storage tank configured for storing animal feed and a feeding pipe configured for conveying said animal feed from said feed storage tank to said cages individually;   said retrofit kit comprising:   a satellite navigation receiver configured for generating a first set of parameters constituting location information from a satellite navigation system;   a proximity sensor configured for generating a second set of parameters constituting spatial information of an area adjacent said motorized feeding vehicle;   an internal position sensor comprising a direction sensor and a velocity sensor, said internal position sensor being configured for generating a third set of parameters constituting motion information;   a feeding control system configured for controlled feeding of said animals via said animal feeding system and for establishing a fourth set of parameters constituting feeding parameters; and   a control unit connected to: (a) said satellite navigation receiver so as to receive said first set of parameters, (b) said proximity sensor so as to receive said second set of parameters, and (c) said internal position sensor so as to receive said third set of parameters;   wherein said control unit is operable in (1) a first mode constituting a learn mode in which said user is controlling said motorized feeding vehicle via said user movement control system and said user feeding control system, and wherein said control unit is continuously recording data representing said first set of parameters, said second set of parameters, said third set of parameters, and said fourth set of parameters, and (2) a second mode constituting an autonomous mode in which said control unit is controlling said power system, said steering system and said animal feeding system by comparing said recorded data with said first set of parameters, said second set of parameters, said third set of parameters, and said fourth set of parameters.   
     
     
         14 . A method of operating an animal farming system, said animal farming system comprising a field having a building accommodating a plurality of cages, each cage adapted for accommodating one or more animals, said method comprising:
 (a) providing a motorized feeding vehicle, said motorized feeding vehicle comprising:   (1) a power system operable for driving said motorized feeding vehicle;   (2) a steering system operable for determining a direction of said motorized feeding vehicle;   (3) a user-operated movement control system operable for controlling said power system and said steering system;   (4) a satellite navigation receiver configured for generating a first set of parameters constituting location information from a satellite navigation system;   (5) a proximity sensor configured for generating a second set of parameters constituting spatial information of an area adjacent said motorized feeding vehicle;   (6) an internal position sensor comprising a direction sensor and a velocity sensor, said internal position sensor being configured for generating a third set of position parameters constituting motion information;   (7) an animal feeding system comprising a feed storage tank configured for storing animal feed and a feeding pipe configured for conveying said animal feed from said feed storage tank to said cages individually, said animal feeding system further comprising a feeding control system operable for controlled feeding of said animals via said animal feeding system based on a fourth set of parameters constituting feeding parameters; and   (8) a control unit connected to: (a) said satellite navigation receiver so as to receive said first set of parameters, (b) said proximity sensor so as to receive said second set of parameters, and (c) said internal position sensor so as to receive said third set of parameters;   said method further comprising the steps of:   (b) moving said motorized feeding vehicle in a first mode constituting a learn mode, in which said user is controlling said motorized feeding vehicle via said user movement control system and said user feeding control system, and wherein said control unit is continuously recording a data representing said first set of parameters, said second set of parameters, said third set of parameters, and said fourth set of parameters; and   (c) moving said motorized feeding vehicle in a second mode constituting an autonomous mode in which said control unit is controlling said power system, said steering system, and said animal feeding system by comparing said recorded data with said first set of parameters, said second set of parameters, said third set of parameters, and said fourth set of parameters.   
     
     
         15 . A motorized feeding vehicle for an animal farming system, said animal farming system comprising a field having a building accommodating a plurality of cages, each cage adapted for accommodating one or more animals, said motorized feeding vehicle comprising:
 a power system operable for driving said motorized feeding vehicle;   a steering system operable for determining a direction of said motorized feeding vehicle;   an animal feeding system comprising a feed storage tank configured for storing animal feed and a feeding pipe configured for conveying said animal feed from said feed storage tank to said cages individually, said animal feeding system further comprising a feeding control system operable for controlled feeding of said animals via said animal feeding system, said animal feeding system comprising a vertical telescopic cylinder connected to said motorized feeding vehicle, a horizontal telescopic cylinder rotationally connected to said vertical telescopic cylinder, and a feed dispensing device connected to said horizontal telescopic cylinder and said feeding pipe; and   a safety mechanism interconnecting said vertical telescopic cylinder and said horizontal telescopic cylinder, said safety mechanism comprising a lower part connected to said vertical telescopic cylinder and an upper part connected to said horizontal telescopic cylinder, said lower part and said upper part being interconnected by a locking mechanism operable to prevent said upper part from rotating relative to said lower part unless a horizontal force is applied to said horizontal telescopic cylinder.   
     
     
         16 . The motorized feeding vehicle of  claim 15 , wherein said locking mechanism comprises a spring-loaded ball seatable within a groove. 
     
     
         17 . A motorized feeding vehicle for an animal farming system, said animal farming system comprising a field having a building accommodating a plurality of cages, each cage adapted for accommodating one or more animals, said motorized feeding vehicle comprising:
 a power system operable for driving said motorized feeding vehicle;   a steering system operable for determining a direction of said motorized feeding vehicle;   an animal feeding system comprising a feed storage tank configured for storing animal feed and a feeding pipe configured for conveying said animal feed from said feed storage tank to said cages individually, said animal feeding system further comprising a feeding control system operable for controlled feeding of said animals via said animal feeding system, said animal feeding system comprising a feed dispensing device that, in turn, comprises a portioning device rotationally accommodated within a cover, said portioning device being connected to said feeding pipe, said portioning device defining a first aperture and said cover defining a second aperture, said feed dispensing device defining a dispensing state when said first aperture and said second aperture are at least partially overlapping, and a non-dispensing state when said first aperture and said second aperture are non-overlapping.   
     
     
         18 . The motorized feeding vehicle of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of said portioning device and said cover includes a plurality of apertures of different configurations so as to allow a variation in the feed flow.