Dual-Level Poultry Feeding Device Gravity Feed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feeding devices for poultry animals face challenges with limited space accessibility and continuous soiling of feed.
Innovation Solution
A feeding device with an upper feed provision element and a lower feed provision element, where the upper element is elevated with an access platform allowing poultry to reach it, and the lower element is supplied by gravity from the upper element, reducing soiling and increasing accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If feed is placed in a single-level feeding device, then the device structure is simple, but accessibility for multiple poultry animals is limited and feed is continuously soiled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-level feeding structure to a multi-level system with an upper feed provision element and a lower feed provision element positioned at different heights. This vertical dimensionality allows poultry animals at different locations (some needing access platforms, others accessible from floor) to simultaneously access feed, thereby improving accessibility without requiring a completely complex redesign of the feeding mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The feeding device is divided into separate functional components: an upper feed provision element for feed storage and distribution, a lower feed provision element for additional feed access, and access platforms for elevated positioning. This segmentation allows each component to serve a specific function while collectively solving the accessibility and soiling problems through coordinated operation.
2Ease of operation
If the upper feed provision element is elevated with access platform, then accessibility for poultry animals is improved, but space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of expanding the feeding device horizontally to provide more access points, the patent utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning the upper feed provision element at an elevated height with access platforms. This allows multiple poultry animals to access feed from different vertical levels, effectively increasing accessibility without proportionally increasing the horizontal footprint of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower feed provision element is positioned underneath the upper feed provision element, creating a nested arrangement where the lower element is partially shaded by the upper element. This nesting approach allows both feeding levels to coexist within a compact vertical space, reducing the overall area requirement while maintaining improved accessibility for multiple birds.
3Productivity
If lower feed provision element is supplied from upper element, then continuous feed availability is improved, but feed soiling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (such as a conveyor system, chute, or gravity-fed pathway) between the upper feed provision element and the lower feed provision element. This intermediary allows feed to be transferred from the upper to the lower element in a controlled manner, ensuring continuous availability while minimizing direct exposure to soiling conditions at the lower level.
Solution Approach 2:
Feed is pre-positioned in the upper feed provision element and then systematically transferred to the lower feed provision element before being accessed by poultry animals. This preliminary arrangement of feed in the upper element allows for controlled distribution to the lower element, ensuring that feed is available continuously while reducing the time and exposure opportunities for soiling at the lower level.
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 accessibility for multiple poultry animals and minimizes feed soiling by providing a dual-level feeding system without additional conveyor systems, ensuring continuous and clean feed availability.
Implementation Method 1
the lower feed provision element is supplied with feed provided in the upper feed provision element
Data Source
AI summary
A feeding device for poultry animals having an upper feed provision element with an elongated expansion disposed so that poultry animals can reach the feed in the upper feed provision element from the access platform. The feeding device having at least one lower feed provision element disposed underneath the upper feed provision element during operation, wherein the lower feed provision element is arranged and designed so that during operation poultry animals can reach the feed in the lower feed provision element from a floor, and wherein the lower feed provision element is arranged and designed so that the lower feed provision element is supplied with feed provided in the upper feed provision element.