Feed Bin Boot Slide Operator with Pivoting Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual operation of feed bin boot slides requires individuals to crawl underneath the bin, which is cumbersome and inefficient, especially when switching between different types of feed in chicken houses.
Innovation Solution
A remote operator system with a lever-actuated arm that pivots to open and close the feed bin boot slide door, allowing for remote operation without the need for manual access, featuring an adjustable arm and leg structure to accommodate different setups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation of boot slide is used, then direct control is achieved, but operator must crawl underneath bin causing inconvenience and inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
A remote operator mechanism serves as an intermediary between the operator and the boot slide door. The operator uses a handle connected to an arm that pivots to move the boot slide door remotely, eliminating the need to crawl underneath the bin while maintaining direct control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The operator mechanism extends the control capability to a different spatial dimension by positioning the handle and arm assembly above or beside the bin rather than requiring access underneath. This dimensional change allows remote operation from a convenient position.
2Ease of operation
If remote operator mechanism is added, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operator mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a handle for manual input, an arm for force transmission, and a connection point on the boot slide door. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in design while collectively providing the remote operation function.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the boot slide door itself complex with motors or automated systems, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the door simple and adding a separate, simple manual operator mechanism. The complexity is minimized by using basic mechanical elements rather than complex automation.
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
Enables convenient and efficient opening and closing of feed bin boot slides from a safe distance, reducing manual labor and improving feed management in chicken houses, suitable for single or dual bin configurations.
Implementation Method 1
an operator is provided in the preferred embodiment having an arm which preferably operatably couples to the feed bin boot slide door whereby movement of the arm can be effectuated to thereby linearly displace the food bin boot slide door
Implementation Method 2
The arm may preferably be pivotably connected to a handle at a shoulder
Data Source
AI summary
A feed bin boot slide operator provides an arm which may be adjustable in length operably coupled to a handle supported by a leg. The leg and arm are preferably pivotably connected together and the leg may terminate at a foot with a pivot. Movement of the handle reciprocates the arm which is connected to a sliding door so the operator need not crouch underneath the feed bin to operate the door.