Livestock Feed Barrier Separator with Oscillating Restraint

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing feed barriers in livestock buildings are not optimal for animal welfare, leading to competition and potential injuries due to limited space and dominant animal behavior during feeding.

Innovation Solution

A feed step separator with a tubular element secured to a feed barrier using removable fastening means, allowing secure attachment to uprights and longitudinal bars, which delimits space for individual animals and includes an oscillating restraint bar for improved animal safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a feed barrier with limited space is used, then feeding efficiency is improved, but animal welfare deteriorates due to competition and injury risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeeding efficiencyVSAvoidcompetition and injury risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The feed barrier is segmented into multiple individual feeding spaces using separators that divide the continuous barrier into discrete sections. Each separator creates an individual compartment for one animal, preventing direct contact and competition between animals while maintaining efficient feeding flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If feed barrier separators are added to delimit space, then animal welfare is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanimal welfareVSAvoidseparator structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The separator is designed as a removable, standalone component that can be extracted and repositioned independently from the main feed barrier structure. This allows the separator to be taken out for cleaning, replacement, or reconfiguration without affecting the entire feeding system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The separator incorporates dynamic elements including an oscillating restraint bar that can move between positions, and removable fastening means that allow the separator to be easily installed and dismantled. This dynamic design reduces complexity compared to fixed, permanent structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If removable fastening means are used for the separator, then ease of installation is improved, but reliability of attachment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidattachment security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The separator uses a tubular element with curved geometry that provides structural strength while accommodating fastening mechanisms. The curved tubular structure distributes mechanical loads evenly, maintaining reliable attachment despite using removable fastening means rather than permanent welding or bolting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP4115730B1Separator for feeding step in a livestock building

Publication Date: 2025.12.03 GRP ELASTOTECK

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a feed step separator in a livestock building, intended to be secured to a feed barrier (C) comprising two longitudinal bars (C1, C2) connected by pairs of uprights (C3, C4). The separator (1) comprises a tubular element (2) having two ends (2a, 2b) and equipped with means for securing it (5) to said feed barrier (C), namely: - first means for securing it (51) adapted to be secured to an upright (C3, C4) of said feed barrier (C), and - second means for securing it (52) adapted to be secured to a longitudinal bar (C1, C2) of said feed barrier (C).