Buffer Bottom Mixing Device for Cattle Feed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixing devices for vegetable products and cattle feed are inefficient due to time-consuming filling of the mixing container, which slows down the mixing process, and increasing the container volume leads to higher power requirements for drive means, undoing the energetic advantages of fermentation processes and causing feed quality deterioration.
Innovation Solution
A mixing device with a buffer container having a movable buffer bottom and vertical buffer wall, allowing quick filling of the mixing container while reducing the need for large volume containers and maintaining controlled power usage, enabling unmanned operation and customizable cattle feed compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the volume of the mixing container is increased to enable unmanned loading for a prolonged period, then the operational duration is improved, but the required power of the drive means increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate containers: a buffer container for storing material and a mixing container for active mixing. This segmentation allows the mixing container to remain smaller and require less power while the buffer container handles the bulk storage and feeding functions.
Solution Approach 2:
A buffer container acts as an intermediary between material storage and the mixing container. The buffer container feeds material to the mixing container through a movable buffer bottom, enabling continuous operation without requiring the mixing container to be oversized.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the volume of the mixing container is increased to enable prolonged unmanned operation, then the operational duration is improved, but the cost price increases due to more expensive drive means
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into buffer and mixing containers, the mixing container can be smaller and less expensive to manufacture, while the buffer container handles the bulk of the material storage requirements for prolonged operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer container serves as an intermediary that enables prolonged operation without requiring the mixing container to be oversized, thereby avoiding the need for expensive high-power drive means.
3Ease of operation
If the mixing container is filled from a truck with a moving floor, then the loading process is simplified, but the filling time increases and mixing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Material is pre-loaded into the buffer container before the mixing process begins. The buffer container can be filled in advance and then quickly emptied into the mixing container through the movable buffer bottom, reducing the time the mixing process is interrupted.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer container acts as an intermediary that receives material from the truck and quickly transfers it to the mixing container. This intermediate step allows for faster filling compared to direct loading into the mixing container, thereby improving mixing efficiency.
4Productivity
If the mixing container is filled quickly by opening the buffer bottom, then the filling time is reduced and mixing efficiency is improved, but the buffer container requires additional drive means
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer bottom is designed to be self-actuating through a simple lifting mechanism that uses the weight of the material itself. When the buffer bottom is lifted, the material gravity-fed into the mixing container without requiring complex drive systems, thus achieving fast filling with minimal additional complexity.
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 solution enhances efficiency by allowing rapid filling and reduced power consumption, enabling prolonged unmanned operation and tailored cattle feed compositions, while maintaining feed quality and reducing odour nuisance.
Implementation Method 1
filling the mixing container can take place very quickly by opening the buffer bottom, as a result of which the contents of the buffer container will fall into the mixing container
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a
AI summary
The present invention provides a device for mixing material. The device comprises a mixing container having a bottom and a vertical wall, at least one mixing element provided in the mixing container and drive means for driving said at least one mixing element. The device comprises a buffer container having a movable buffer bottom and a vertical buffer wall, which is disposed above said at least one mixing element, as well as further drive means for moving the buffer bottom between a closed position and an open position. The invention further provides a method for using such a device.