Cattle Breeding Separator With Sliding Mounting Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current livestock building separators for cattle are not optimally structured, leading to potential animal injuries or insufficient restraint, and existing flexible separators are not satisfactorily installed due to unsuitable positioning with receiving structures.
Innovation Solution
A separator for livestock buildings, comprising a rigid front part with translational play between securing interfaces, allowing adjustable spacing to fit various receiving structures, and a flexible rear part adaptable to animal movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid front part with fixed securing interfaces is used, then the structure provides stable restraint and good hygiene, but it cannot be adapted to different receiving structures with varying spacing
Solution Approach 1:
The front part incorporates a sliding assembly that enables dynamic adjustment of the spacing between securing interfaces. The first and second metal tubular members can slide relative to each other along the longitudinal axis, allowing the separator to adapt to different receiving structure spacings while maintaining structural integrity through the sliding mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The front part is divided into separate metal tubular members (first and second members) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows each member to be positioned independently to match the spacing requirements of different receiving structures, while the sliding assembly connects them into a functional unit.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the spacing between securing interfaces is fixed, then the manufacturing and installation process is simplified, but the separator cannot accommodate various receiving structures with different spacing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding assembly provides a mechanical mechanism for adjusting the distance between securing interfaces on different metal tubular members. This dynamic adjustment capability is built into the manufacturing, allowing the same separator design to be manufactured with fixed internal spacing that can then be adjusted externally to match various receiving structure requirements.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a flexible rear part is used, then animal movement is accommodated and injury risk is reduced, but the overall separator structure becomes less rigid and may provide insufficient restraint
Solution Approach 1:
The separator applies different structural qualities to different zones: the front part (contacting the animal head) is rigid to provide effective restraint and prevent dominant animals from pushing through, while the rear part is flexible to accommodate natural animal movement and reduce injury risk from sudden movements or kicks.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator is divided into distinct rigid front part and flexible rear part segments. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally - the rigid front provides restraint where needed while the flexible rear absorbs movement without compromising overall system reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a separator (1) for a livestock building, in particular for cattle, intended to be secured to a receiving structure (C), for example a headlock barrier. The separator (1) comprises: - a rigid front part (5), comprising at least one metal tubular member (51), and - a flexible rear part (6). Said at least one metal tubular member (51) comprises at least two securing interfaces (71, 72) which are each intended for securing between said at least one metal tubular member (51) and said receiving structure (C). And said front part (5) is structured to allow translational play between said securing interfaces (71, 72), so as to allow adjustment in spacing between said securing interfaces (71, 72).