Animal Feed Container Device Coordinated Deblocking Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container devices for animal feed struggle to effectively and reliably prevent blockages during the unloading process, as they often rely solely on pressure detection and temporary stopping or reversing of elements, which is insufficient to prevent or solve blockages effectively.

Innovation Solution

A container device with an internal transport system and rotatable discharging elements equipped with sensing means that, upon detecting a blockage, temporarily reverses direction and slows down or stops, entering a coordinated deblocking mode to address the issue, and optionally a preliminary deblocking mode to prevent blockages before they occur, ensuring reliable unloading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pressure detection and temporary stopping or reversing of elements are used to avoid blockages, then blockage prevention is attempted, but blockages cannot be avoided or solved effectively and reliably

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblockage prevention reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a preliminary deblocking mode that activates before a full blockage occurs. When sensing means detect an expected blocking (below the first threshold value), the system performs preliminary deblocking actions including moving the transport device back over a further certain distance and slowing down or stopping discharging elements, preventing the blockage from developing into a complete obstruction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by implementing a coordinated deblocking mode that dynamically adjusts the operation of both the transport device and discharging elements together. When a blocking is detected (sensing means reach or pass the first threshold value), the system coordinates the transport device to move back over a certain distance while simultaneously controlling discharging elements to slow down or stop their rotation, creating a dynamic response that effectively solves blockages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the transport device moves back and discharging elements slow down or stop in coordinated deblocking mode, then blockages are effectively solved, but unloading time is temporarily increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeblocking effectivenessVSAvoidunloading speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by using sensing means to continuously monitor the operation of discharging elements and detect blockages or expected blockages. The sensing means measure power, torque, or number of revolutions, and when threshold values are reached or passed, the control unit receives this feedback and automatically activates the appropriate deblocking mode, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to actual system conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by temporarily altering the operational parameters of the transport device and discharging elements during deblocking modes. The transport device changes its movement direction and distance (moving back over certain distances), while discharging elements change their rotation speed or stop completely. These parameter changes are temporary and automatically reversed when deblocking is complete, allowing the system to maintain high productivity during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If sensing means detect expected blockages and activate preliminary deblocking mode, then blockages are prevented before occurrence, but system responsiveness requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblockage preventionVSAvoidthreshold detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a preliminary deblocking mode that activates before a full blockage occurs. When sensing means detect an expected blocking (below the first threshold value), the system performs preliminary deblocking actions including moving the transport device back over a further certain distance and slowing down or stopping discharging elements, preventing the blockage from developing into a complete obstruction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies feedback by using sensing means to continuously monitor the operation of discharging elements and detect blockages or expected blockages. The sensing means measure power, torque, or number of revolutions, and when threshold values are reached or passed, the control unit receives this feedback and automatically activates the appropriate deblocking mode, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to actual system conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4075956B1Container device for animal feed, and feeding system, loader wagon and automatic harvesting, transporting and feed dosing device comprising the container device
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 LELY PATENT NV
  • EP4075956B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4075956B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a container device (2) for animal feed having an internal transport device (12) for transporting the feed (14-1, 14-2) to a number of rotatable discharging elements (16) for unloading the feed (14-n), and a control unit (19) suitable for controlling the transport device (12) and the discharging elements (16), wherein the discharging elements (16) are provided with sensing means (17) for detecting a blocking or an expected blocking caused by the feed, wherein in response to the sensing means (17) the control unit (19) is suitable for changing over both the transport device (12) and the discharging elements (16) temporarily into a coordinated deblocking mode. The coordinated action involving both the transport device (12) and the discharging elements (16) enables a more reliable deblocking. The invention also relates to a feeding system with an autonomously movable dosing device for dosing feed at a feeding location, said system comprising such a container device (2) for filling the autonomously movable dosing device with feed. The invention also relates to a loader wagon comprising such a container device (2). The invention also relates to an unmanned, autonomously movable, automatic harvesting, transporting and feed dosing device comprising such a container device (2).