Calf Chute Rear Gate Trigger Foot Plate Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional calf roping chutes pose safety risks due to the possibility of bovines backing out of the entryway instead of proceeding through the front gate, leading to potential injuries.
Innovation Solution
A chute safety system with a rear gate assembly that automatically closes behind the bovine using a trigger foot plate assembly and rotational force transfer assembly, ensuring the bovine is securely enclosed and protected from the rear gate crossbar.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional calf roping chute is used without a rear gate, then the device complexity is low and ease of operation is high, but safety reliability deteriorates because bovines can back out of the entryway
Solution Approach 1:
The rear gate assembly is positioned and configured in advance to automatically close behind the bovine as it enters the chute. The trigger foot plate assembly is pre-set to activate the gate closure mechanism when the bovine steps on it, preventing backing out before the animal can be properly positioned
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the bovine's own weight as the triggering mechanism. When the bovine steps on the floor portion, its animal weight force automatically activates the trigger foot plate assembly, which then closes the rear gate without requiring external intervention or complex control systems
2Reliability
If a rear gate assembly is added to prevent bovines from backing out, then safety reliability improves, but device complexity increases due to additional mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger foot plate assembly serves as an intermediary mechanism between the bovine and the rear gate assembly. It translates the bovine's weight into a triggering action that activates the gate closure, providing a simple mechanical linkage that avoids complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex automated control mechanisms with simple mechanical components. The rotational force transfer assembly uses basic mechanical elements (rod, spool, counterweight) to convert the triggering force into gate closure motion, avoiding the need for motors, sensors, or electronic controls
3Productivity
If the rear gate crossbar drops quickly to close the gate, then productivity is high and the bovine is quickly enclosed, but the risk of injury to the bovine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to allow the bovine to pass under the rear gate crossbar before it drops to the closed position. The entryway provides sufficient space for the bovine to clear the area where the crossbar will descend, preventing injury while maintaining quick enclosure
Solution Approach 2:
The rear gate crossbar is designed to move dynamically - it rotates down quickly to close the gate, but the mechanism allows for controlled motion. The spool portion and counterweight assembly enable the crossbar to drop rapidly when needed while maintaining the ability to pause or adjust during the closing process
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 system effectively prevents bovines from backing out by automatically closing the rear gate as they enter, enhancing safety by ensuring the bovine is securely enclosed and reducing the risk of injury.
Implementation Method 1
triggering the trigger foot plate assembly by pressing the floor portion of the trigger foot plate assembly with the animal weight force of the bovine on the floor portion
Implementation Method 2
rotating the spool portion around the spool axis
Implementation Method 3
The counterweight assembly comprises a first segment, a second segment and a hinge assembly. Said first segment is configured to rotate relative to said second segment around said hinge assembly around a counterweight axis
Implementation Method 4
dropping the rear gate crossbar down from the open configuration to a closed configuration as the bovine steps on the floor portion
Data Source
AI summary
A chute safety system for selectively enclosing a bovine in a calf shoot by selectively closing a rear gate assembly behind the bovine. The chute safety system comprises an entryway at a rear portion, a first side enclosure, a second side enclosure and a front gate assembly at a front portion, a trigger foot plate assembly and the rear gate assembly. The chute safety system can comprise a bovine enclosure defined by a space between the rear gate assembly, the first side enclosure, the second side enclosure, and the front gate assembly. The rear gate assembly comprises a rear gate crossbar having a crossbar distal end and a crossbar proximate end, a crossbar hinge and a crossbar rotational axis.