Calf Creep Feeder Spring-Assisted Fence Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing calf creep feeders have heavy fence panels that are difficult for manual lifting from a lower feeding position to an upper stowed position, making them cumbersome for transport and conversion to self-feeder use.
Innovation Solution
The integration of elongated coil springs connected to the fence panels allows for easy movement from a lower creep feeder position to an upper transport/self-feeder position, assisted by a wheeled frame and locking devices to maintain panel alignment and prevent livestock access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual lifting is used to raise fence panels from lower feeding position to upper stowed position, then the feeder can be moved between configurations, but the heavy fence panels become difficult to lift and require significant manual effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterweight principle by using coil springs connected to the fence panels to offset their weight. The springs are positioned to provide upward lifting force that counteracts the downward gravitational force on the heavy panels, enabling easy manual lifting from the lower feeding position to the upper stowed position without requiring significant manual effort.
2Strength
If fence panels are made heavy for structural strength, then they can effectively prevent larger cows from entering the feeding area, but they become difficult to move between lower and upper positions
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy fence panels maintain their structural strength for preventing cow access while the coil springs provide a counterweight mechanism that offsets their weight during movement. This allows the panels to be both strong enough for their protective function and easy to move when transitioning between feeding and stowed positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-assisted mechanism enables the fence panels to partially lift themselves using stored elastic energy, reducing the manual effort required. The system serves itself by using the springs to automatically provide lifting force, requiring minimal human intervention to move the heavy panels.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the feeder is designed as portable with movable fences, then it can be reconfigured for transport or self-feeder use, but the heavy fences require significant effort to reposition
Solution Approach 1:
The coil springs provide counterweight assistance that makes repositioning the heavy fence panels easy, enabling the feeder to be readily reconfigured between portable/transport mode and self-feeder mode. The springs offset the weight of the panels during movement, making the adaptable design practically usable without excessive manual effort.
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
Enables effortless transition of fence panels between feeding and transport positions, enhancing portability and usability of the calf creep feeder, while preventing larger animals from accessing the feed.
Implementation Method 1
A pair of elongated coil springs are connected to the first fence to assist in raising the first fence from the lower creep feeder position to the upper transport/self-feeder position
Data Source
AI summary
A calf creep feeder includes a panel fence positioned at each side of a feed enclosure. Each of the panel fences are selectively movable between a lower creep feeder position to an upper stowed position. At least one coil spring is secured to each of the panel fences to assist in raising the panel fence from its lower creep feeder position to its upper stowed position.