Feed Box Discharge Valve Control Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feed boxes lack a simple and effective mechanism to control the discharge valve, leading to inefficient operation and lack of flexibility in managing feed distribution, especially in environments like pig stables where precise control is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A control device using a cord or wire system that allows for manual or motorized operation to connect or disconnect the discharge valve from a common control wire, enabling active or inactive coupling, and featuring a handle for manual operation and a wheel-shaped actuation handle for clear signaling of active or inactive modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the discharge valve is connected to the common control wire for automatic operation, then feed distribution is automated, but the operator loses the ability to manually control individual feed boxes
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to be dynamically adjustable between two states: automatically connected to the common control wire for automated operation, or manually disconnected to allow individual control. The discharge valve mechanism can be switched between automatic mode (connected to control wire) and manual mode (disconnected and controlled by operator), providing flexibility in operation modes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the discharge valve is disconnected from the common control wire for manual operation, then individual control is possible, but automated feed distribution is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The control system allows dynamic switching between automatic and manual operation modes. When individual control is needed, the discharge valve can be disconnected from the common control wire and operated manually by the operator, while maintaining the capability to reconnect for automated operation when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a complex control mechanism is added to enable both automatic and manual operation, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the control connection as a separable element. The discharge valve is connected to the common control wire through a detachable connection mechanism, allowing the control wire connection to be easily removed or maintained. This simple extraction approach enables mode switching without adding complex control systems - the valve can simply be disconnected from the wire for manual operation or reconnected for automatic operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A feed box (2, 26) of the kind that e.g. via one or more supply openings (6) supply feed portions from a feed central via an endless tube conveyor serving a plurality of preferably uniform feed boxes in a livestock stable, the feed box (2, 26) being provided with a lower discharge valve (8, 38) which via one or more down pipes is connected to a feeding position of one or more livestock, preferably pigs, the discharge valve (8, 38) including a valve body (14, 28) which is operatively connected to a common control wire running along an upper end of the feed box (2, 26), wherein the feed box (2, 26) is further provided with a control device adapted for either allowing the operative connection with the common control wire to open the discharge valve (8, 38) by lifting the valve body (14, 28), or to prevent the operative connection with the common control wire from opening the discharge valve (8, 38) by lifting the valve body (14, 28).