Egg Placement Cassette With Progressive Opening and Gentle Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing egg placement machines in poultry farming are expensive, complex, and prone to mechanical failure due to high energy requirements and structural integrity issues, and often fail to efficiently distribute eggs on the poultry house floor without damaging them.

Innovation Solution

A cassette-based egg placement system that inverts to selectively dispense eggs onto the floor, featuring a navigational and control arrangement with a guide mechanism and cushioning to reduce damage, allowing for efficient and controlled egg placement on the poultry house floor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If vacuum pumps are used to lift and transfer eggs, then eggs can be transferred to the floor, but energy consumption increases and mechanical complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveegg transfer capabilityVSAvoidpower requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of lifting eggs upward using vacuum suction, the invention inverts the approach by allowing eggs to be deposited from above onto the litter floor. The machine tilts to deposit eggs gently rather than sucking them up, eliminating the need for high-power vacuum pumps and reducing energy consumption significantly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the complex vacuum pump mechanical system with a simpler gravity-based deposition system. Eggs are held in containers that tilt and release eggs onto the floor, substituting high-energy vacuum mechanics with low-energy gravitational mechanics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If vacuum suction is used to lift eggs, then eggs can be transferred, but mechanical complexity and reliability decrease due to seal requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveegg transfer capabilityVSAvoidcontrol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the vacuum pump system entirely from the egg transfer mechanism. By eliminating the suction cups and vacuum seals, the complex control systems required to maintain seals and regulate suction are also removed, leaving a simple tilt-and-deposit mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses simple, replaceable egg containers rather than complex, precision-maintained vacuum systems. The containers are basic mechanical elements that can be easily replaced or adjusted, reducing both initial complexity and ongoing maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If a track system with supporting structure is installed, then eggs can be distributed along the shed, but device weight increases and structural integrity challenges arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveegg distribution capabilityVSAvoidinstallation weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the egg distribution system into multiple portable machine units rather than one large fixed track system. Each unit can independently distribute eggs along its path, segmenting the overall function into manageable, lightweight modules that don't require heavy structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses the existing floor surface as an intermediary for egg distribution rather than installing a separate track structure. The machine moves along the floor and deposits eggs directly, using the floor itself as the distribution medium and eliminating the need for additional supporting infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If existing egg placing machines are used, then eggs can be placed on the floor, but eggs may be damaged due to slipping on litter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveegg placement capabilityVSAvoidegg damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention incorporates cushioning elements within the egg containers and at the deposition point to protect eggs during transfer. The tilting mechanism allows eggs to be gently released onto cushioned surfaces or directly onto the litter from a controlled angle, preventing impact damage before eggs even contact the floor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP3915362A1An egg setting device

Publication Date: 2021.12.01 ONFARMHATCHING LTD

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AI summary

An egg placing machine cassette for receiving eggs to be laid upon a surface. The eggs being received in a two-dimensional array and wherein the cassette comprises a base portion, side walls extending from a first end of the base portion and a lid portion that is connected to a second end of the side walls, that second end being distal from the base portion. The cassette is provided with a first opening mechanism, by which a setter tray is able to be placed inside the cassette. The cassette is further provided with a second opening mechanism, in which the lid portion can be partially and/or progressively opened to allow a predetermined number of eggs to be removed therefrom.