Unmanned vehicle for displacing manure

• US 20030020243A1
• Filed: 03/14/2001
• Published: 01/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LELY Enterprises AG A Swiss Limited Liability Company
• Original Assignee: LELY Research Holding AG
• Inventors: Karel, Van den Berg
• Granted Patent: US 7,032,682 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/01 Removal of dung or urine, e.g. from stablesA01K1/015 takes precedence; from poultry houses A01K31/04
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/0128 by means of scrapers or the like moving continuously
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/04 Automatic control of the travelling movement; Automatic obstacle detection

Abstract

An unmanned vehicle for displacing manure in a stable or field which comprises a steering unit for steering the vehicle and a frame. Two wheels and a manure displacing blade which depend from the frame provide the entire support for the vehicle, the vehicle'"'"'s center of gravity being in an axis which falls between the wheels and the blade. A freely turnable circular bumper is also carried by the frame and prevents the vehicle from colliding with obstacles in the area wherein it operates. The vehicle also includes orientation and steering components as well as sensors for controlling the course of travel of the vehicle within the area and,such as the circular bumper, to prevent it from colliding with obstacles in the area.

Claims

1. An unmanned vehicle for displacing manure, comprising a steering unit for steering the vehicle, a frame (1) and a propelling unit (2) for propelling the unmanned vehicle, as well as manure displacing means for displacing manure, characterized in that the manure displacing means are fitted to the unmanned vehicle in such a manner that they are indispensable for supporting and/or propelling the vehicle.

3. An unmanned vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the unmanned vehicle comprises a steering unit which is constituted by the propelling unit (2) which comprises at least one rotatable propelling member (4).

5. An unmanned vehicle as claimed in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the propelling member (4) comprises a wheel and/or a caterpillar track.

6. An unmanned vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the unmanned vehicle is equipped with orientation means for following a path in a space or determining the position of the vehicle in a space, such as a stable or a meadow.

2. An unmanned vehicle for displacing manure, comprising a steering unit for steering the vehicle, a frame (1) and first and second supporting means for supporting the frame on the ground, the first supporting means being rollable relative to the floor and located in one approximately vertical plane whilst being coupled to a propelling unit (2) for propelling the unmanned vehicle, characterized in that the total weight of the vehicle bears on the first and second supporting means, and the second supporting means comprise manure displacing means for displacing manure.

4. An unmanned vehicle as claimed in claim I or 2, characterized in that the unmanned vehicle comprises a steering unit which is constituted by the propelling unit (2) which comprises at least two independently driven propelling members (4).