Automated Feed Bin Gate Design
Proximity Sensor:
A proximity sensor was chosen to monitor feed levels in the bins. This type of sensor does not require contact with the feed it’s monitoring, allowing it to be mounted to the outside of the feed bin. This eliminates the chance of impeding the flow of feed. Additionally, a proximity sensor would not be affected by the presence of dust in and around the bin, like a laser sensor would be for example. The Flow Hammer product that is currently in production by Cumberland Inc. utilizes a proximity sensor to monitor flow of feed through bins in order to detect bridging, sending a signal to the Flow Hammer to agitate the bin. This sensor is adapted to standard feed bins, allowing for easy installation. Incorporating this sensor into the final design reduces the overall manufacturing cost of the product.
Control Logic:
In order to fulfill design objective 2, the sensory system must interface with the existing climate control system currently in place at the farm. Because the exact type of climate control system utilized by each farm may vary, a series of logic statements were generated that provide a methodology to be later programmed into each specific system. At startup of the system as well as after each feed delivery, farmers will be able to select the sequence they want the bins to be emptied in based on the current situation at that particular house. This can vary depending on feed type in each bin, for example. After the sensor reads the last bin as empty, the farmer will be alerted to the need for refilling of the bins and the system will require a new bin order input. Logic statements are provided for both a two bin system and well as the larger three bin system, the may be seen below:
Wiring Schematic:
All electrical components from the design recommendation are hardwired straight into the control unit. Relay cards in the controller link the linear actuator with the proximity sensor, these cards accept an input of 0 - 5 Volts and recognize electrical signals to initiate actuation of the gate. The wiring schematic is displayed below:
