Blower-Based Feed Extraction Device for Reducing Floor Clumps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for removing feed from feed stores struggle to collect fodder that accumulates on the ground due to crumbling losses, making it difficult to maintain a clean floor and increasing feed losses, especially with jagged cutting surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a self-propelled transport container with a blower that can move independently, equipped with a cutter for separating feed and a flexible hose to convey separated material into the container, which also sucks up fallen fodder, reducing losses and keeping the floor clean.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If a conventional conveying device is used to transport feed from the cutting surface, then feed can be conveyed to the transport container, but feed clumps that accumulate on the floor in front of the cutting surface cannot be reached and picked up

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeed lossesVSAvoidcleaning of floor surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a conveying device that pushes or lifts feed forward from the cutting surface, the invention uses a blower that creates a suction effect, pulling feed material including floor clumps into the transport container. This reverse approach allows the intake opening to reach feed clumps on the floor that conventional conveying devices cannot access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs a blower creating an air stream to convey feed material. The air stream generated by the blower picks up feed clumps from the floor and transports them through the hose to the container, replacing mechanical conveying systems and enabling access to previously unreachable feed material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Device complexity

If the transport container is fixed relative to the separating device, then conveying distance can be maintained, but the device complexity increases to accommodate different conveying distances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveying system complexityVSAvoidconveying distance adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention makes the transport container movable relative to the separating device, allowing dynamic adjustment of the container's position. This enables the system to adapt to different conveying distances without requiring complex adjustable conveying mechanisms, as the container itself can be repositioned to maintain optimal receiving conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible hose acts as an intermediary element between the blower's intake opening and the transport container's discharge opening. This flexible connection accommodates movements and position changes of both the separating device and transport container, simplifying the overall system by eliminating the need for complex rigid adjusting mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device effectively reduces feed losses and maintains a clean storage area by aerating and transporting feed in an air flow, enhancing digestibility and allowing for autonomous operation with reduced noise and emissions.

Implementation Method 1

the conveying device is designed as a blower... separated feed material can be conveyed from a feed area... to a discharge area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir stream conveyance: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 2

the separating device comprises a separating tool designed as a milling cutter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical cutting: Fracture Mechanics

Data Source

PatentEP3566571B1Device for extracting food
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 WASSERBAUER
  • EP3566571B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3566571B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3566571B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Device for extracting feed from a feed storage facility (1), comprising a separating device for separating feed from the feed storage facility (1), and a conveying device (8) for conveying separated feed material (7) from a feed area of ​​the conveying device (8) arranged on the separating device to a discharge area of ​​the conveying device (8) and for filling a transport container (5) arranged in a filling position in the discharge area of ​​the conveying device (8) with separated feed material (7). It is proposed that the separating device comprises a separating tool designed as a milling cutter (3), and the conveying device (8) is designed as a blower, wherein the feed area is designed as an intake opening (17) of the blower arranged in the area of ​​the milling cutter (3), and the discharge area is designed as a discharge opening (18) of the blower arranged above the transport container (5) in its filling position.