Elevated Wildlife Feeder Loading System with Telescoping Pneumatic Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevated wildlife feeders are difficult to load due to their elevated design, often requiring ladders and suffering from issues like spillage, dust ejection, slowness, and unsuitability for uneven terrain, and existing feeder loader systems are cumbersome to transport between feeders.
Innovation Solution
A feeder filler system comprising a base, hopper, blower, and telescoping feed pipe with an adjustable airflow damper and diffuser, which allows for efficient and dust-free loading of feed into elevated feeders without the need for ladders, and can be easily transported using a trailer-mounted configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an elevated feeder design is used to protect wildlife feed from ground-level predators and environmental factors, then feed protection and wildlife safety are improved, but user accessibility for loading and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a telescoping pole with a clamp mechanism as an intermediary tool that allows users to access and manipulate the feeder lid from ground level. The pole extends to reach the elevated lid, and the clamp provides a gripping surface, enabling users to open, close, and secure the lid without climbing ladders or approaching the elevated structure directly.
2Reliability
If a rigid feed delivery system is used to maintain structural stability, then system reliability is improved, but adaptability to uneven terrain deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs telescoping poles with adjustable lengths and collapsible sections that allow the structure to adapt to uneven ground. The poles can be extended or retracted to accommodate varying terrain heights, and the collapsible design enables easy transport while maintaining structural integrity when deployed.
3Productivity
If feed is delivered with high force to quickly fill the feeder, then loading speed is improved, but feed spillage and dust ejection worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a blower device that generates a controlled airflow to transport feed into the feeder. The pneumatic system delivers feed at high velocity for quick loading, while the controlled nature of the airflow prevents excessive force that would cause spillage or dust ejection. The blower can be adjusted to optimize both loading speed and feed containment.
4Ease of operation
If a fixed-position feeder loader system is used to simplify operation, then ease of operation is improved, but mobility between feeders deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs modular, collapsible components including telescoping poles and detachable connections that allow the entire feeder loading system to be disassembled and reconfigured. This segmentation enables easy transport between multiple feeder locations while maintaining operational simplicity at each location through standardized components.
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 system enables efficient, dust-free, and ladder-free loading of elevated wildlife feeders, suitable for various terrains, and facilitates easy transportation between feeders, improving user safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a stream of pressurized air from a blower forces the feed through a feed pipe into the elevated feeder
Implementation Method 2
an adjustable airflow damper and diffuser that allows for efficient and dust-free loading of feed
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for easily filling an elevated wildlife feeder. The filler assembly has a hopper and a blower connected to a junction, the hopper, blower, and junction being supported by a base. The junction connects to a fixed feed pipe. A translating feed pipe connects to and slides along the fixed feed pipe. An air diffuser connects to the translating feed pipe, the diffuser being positioned above the feeder. The translating feed pipe is supported by a folding telescoping leg and by a hook that hooks upon the feeder. The feeder has a lifting rotating lid assembly. The lid assembly is useful upon feeders of various sizes. The lid is supported by a framework and is secured by a chain and hooked spring. Alternatively to the base, the filler assembly may be supported by a framework rotatably mounted to a trailer. The filler assembly rotates on the trailer.