MOTORIZED FEEDING VEHICLE AND A METHOD OF OPERATING AN ANIMAL FARMING SYSTEM

摘要

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.

主权项

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.