Cattle Brush Kinematic Means for Stable Oscillation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cattle brushing equipment has unstable brush movement due to uncontrolled oscillation and rotation, leading to ineffective cleaning and discomfort for the animals, as the brush tends to slip away during use.

Innovation Solution

The equipment features a brush with axial-symmetrical shape and a motor-driven axis rotation, connected to a support arm with kinematic means allowing oscillation in a vertical plane and limited rotation on a vertical axis, ensuring the brush remains stable and adaptable to the animal's movement, with a predefined angle of rotation to prevent slipping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the kinematic means allow oscillation in two orthogonal planes (vertical plane and horizontal rotation), then the brush movement freedom is increased, but the brush position stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrush movement freedomVSAvoidbrush position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The kinematic means are segmented into two independent functional components: hinge means for vertical plane oscillation and sleeve means for horizontal axis rotation. This segmentation allows each component to control one degree of freedom independently, providing movement freedom while maintaining stability through controlled, separate motions rather than coupled complex movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamic kinematic means that allow the brush to move freely within defined limits (vertical oscillation and horizontal rotation), adapting to the animal's movements. The hinge means and sleeve means work together to provide dynamic adjustment capability, enabling the brush to follow the animal's body contours while maintaining stable contact through the controlled degrees of freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the brush is allowed to rotate freely on the horizontal axis, then the adaptability to animal position is improved, but the cleaning effectiveness deteriorates due to brush slippage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to animal positionVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rotational freedom is segmented and controlled by the sleeve means, which allows rotation only on a vertical axis rather than free rotation in multiple directions. This controlled rotation capability provides adaptability to animal positioning while preventing the uncontrolled slippage that would compromise cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sleeve means acts as an intermediary mechanism between the brush and the support arm, mediating the rotational motion. It allows controlled rotation to adapt to animal position while constraining the motion to prevent slippage, thus serving as a mediator that balances adaptability with cleaning reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If the support arm rotates on a horizontal axis near the load-bearing wall, then the brush coverage area is increased, but the animal movement space is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrush coverage areaVSAvoidanimal movement space
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of rotating the entire support arm on a horizontal axis near the wall (which would occupy space), the invention inverts the approach by allowing the brush to rotate on a vertical axis at the free end of the support arm. This maintains brush coverage area while preserving animal movement space, as the rotation occurs at the brush level rather than requiring wall-proximity mechanical structures.

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

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

This design provides maximum cleaning efficiency and comfort by allowing the animal to control the brush's movement, ensuring effective cleaning and preventing the brush from slipping, thus enhancing the overall cleaning experience.

Implementation Method 1

a motor apparatus, provided with a circuit board for controlling the rotation of said brush on its own axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

said kinematic means of connection comprise a connecting rod with a first end connected to said brush and a second end connected to said axis... said first end of said connecting rod comprises hinge means arranged for supporting said brush allowing the oscillation thereof in a vertical plane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical oscillation: Hinge

Implementation Method 3

said second end of said connecting rod comprises sleeve means, arranged for engaging with said axis and to rotate on it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical rotation: Axle

Implementation Method 4

a brush provided with an axial-symmetrical shape and arranged for rotating on its own axis... This type of equipment is generally designed to clean the cattle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2604108B8Equipment for brushing cattle
Publication Date: 2017.06.28 LC SRL

AI summary

The present invention relates to the livestock equipment sector. More specifically, the invention refers to equipment (1) for brushing cattle, comprising: - a brush (2) provided with an axial-symmetrical shape and arranged for rotating on its own axis (x); - a motor apparatus (3), provided with a circuit board for controlling the rotation of said brush (2) on its own axis (x); - a support arm (4) for said brush (2); - kinematic means of connection between said brush (2) and said arm (4), arranged for allowing the oscillation of said brush (2) in a vertical plane (p), wherein said kinematic means of connection also allow the rotation of said vertical plane (p) on an axis (y), and said axis (y) is vertical.