Aviary Perch Gap Design for Egg Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Eggs laid on perches or egg collector covers in aviaries often fall and crack due to the lack of a gap between these surfaces, leading to egg loss and contamination.
Innovation Solution
An aviary design featuring a cage tower with an egg collector and a cover positioned over it, where a perch is placed adjacent to the egg collector, creating a gap that prevents eggs from rolling between the perch and the cover, thereby capturing eggs and preventing them from falling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a perch is positioned near the egg collector without a gap, then hens can easily access the perch for roosting, but eggs will roll between the perch and cover and fall to the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary gap space between the perch and the egg collector cover. This gap acts as a mediator that allows hens to access the perch while simultaneously preventing eggs from rolling through to the ground. The gap is positioned to be accessible to hens but too narrow for eggs to pass through, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of access and egg capture reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the gap between perch and cover is made larger to allow hen access, then hens can move freely, but eggs can roll through the gap and be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a gap with specific dimensional characteristics that are suitable for hens but not for eggs. The gap is designed with a width that accommodates hen movement and perching behavior while being too narrow for eggs to roll through. This localized dimensional differentiation allows the system to simultaneously provide hen freedom of movement and prevent egg loss.
3Device complexity
If eggs are allowed to fall to the ground for collection, then the system is simpler, but eggs crack and become contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by preventing eggs from falling to the ground in the first place. The gap between the perch and cover is designed to intercept and retain eggs before they can roll off the perch and fall to the ground. This preliminary prevention mechanism eliminates the need for complex ground-based egg collection systems while also preventing egg cracking and contamination, thus resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and egg integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
An aviary is provided, wherein the aviary includes a cage tower including an outside surface. An egg collector extends from the outside surface of the cage tower. A cover is positioned over the egg collector. A perch is positioned adjacent to the egg collector so that a gap is formed between the perch and the cover. The gap is sized to prevent eggs from rolling between the perch and the cover.