Elastic Feed Chain Drive Wheel for Long-Line Dry Feeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive wheels for livestock feed chains are inadequate for long feed lines and large feeding systems, as they lack the necessary power and durability to efficiently convey dry feed without causing wear and noise, and are costly to maintain and upgrade.
Innovation Solution
A drive wheel with an elastic sprocket material and toothed elements that deform under load, allowing more baffle plates to engage with toothed elements, increasing drive power transmission and reducing oscillation, made from materials like polyurethane with specific SHORE hardness for improved durability and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a rigid sprocket material is used in the drive wheel, then the structural strength is maintained, but the drive power transmission is insufficient for long feed lines and the operation becomes noisy and wear-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from rigid sprocket materials to elastic sprocket materials with specific Shore hardness values (A=80-120, preferably A=90-110). This material parameter change enables the sprocket to deform elastically under load, allowing multiple baffle plates to engage simultaneously with toothed elements, thereby increasing drive power transmission while reducing operational noise and wear on the feed chain
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by specifying elastic sprocket materials with particular hardness characteristics (Shore A=80-120). These elastic materials combine the necessary structural integrity with deformability, creating a composite property profile that enables both strong power transmission and reduced harmful effects like noise and wear on the feed chain components
2Length of stationary object
If the feed line length is increased to serve larger feeding systems, then the coverage area is expanded, but the existing drive wheel lacks sufficient power and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction through parameter changes in the sprocket material properties. By using elastic materials with Shore hardness A=80-120, the drive wheel can maintain reliable power transmission over extended feed lines (up to 500m or more). The elastic deformation capability ensures consistent engagement with baffle plates throughout the extended feed line, maintaining reliability across larger feeding system configurations
3Power
If more baffle plates engage with toothed elements simultaneously to increase power transmission, then the drive capability is improved, but the sprocket material must be elastic which complicates material selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent manages material selection complexity by establishing specific parameter ranges for elastic sprocket materials (Shore hardness A=80-120, preferably A=90-110). These defined parameters enable multiple baffle plates to engage simultaneously with toothed elements for enhanced power transmission, while the standardized hardness range provides clear material selection criteria, balancing improved power capability with manageable material specification
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 elastic sprocket material enables smoother chain operation, reduces wear and noise, allows longer feed lines to be served, and can be retrofitted into existing systems, enhancing animal welfare and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic sprocket material allows the sprocket, in particular the toothed elements that come into contact with the baffle plates of a feed chain, to be deformed under load
Implementation Method 2
The elastic deformation of the toothed elements preferably also increases as the load increases... This has the effect that, in contrast to toothed rims made of non-elastic or less elastic material... a larger number of baffle disks come into contact with toothed elements at the same time
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a drive wheel for driving a feed chain for the dry feeding of farm animals, a feeding system for the dry feeding of farm animals, a toothed ring for a drive wheel, a method for manufacturing a drive wheel, a method for driving a feed chain for the dry feeding of farm animals, a method for converting a drive wheel for driving a feed chain for the dry feeding of farm animals and the use of a drive wheel in a feeding system for the dry feeding of farm animals.The drive wheel (1) comprises a base wheel (200) with an axial passage (201) for receiving a drive shaft, a gear ring (100) with a toothed outer circumferential surface, wherein the outer circumferential surface has a plurality of tooth elements (110), each tooth element having two tooth tips (111) and a chain recess (112) arranged between the two tooth tips, wherein the gear ring has or consists of an elastic gear ring material.