Self-Propelled Feed Container Decoupled from Separator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feed transporters are heavy, leading to high pollution, noise, and inefficiency, as they are often driven by diesel engines, and can only serve one feed store at a time, making it difficult to provide feed quickly and continuously, especially for large numbers of livestock.
Innovation Solution
A device with a self-propelled transport container that can navigate independently between feed stores and dispensers, using sensors and guides, and is equipped with an electric drive to reduce noise and emissions, allowing multiple feed stores to be served simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional feed transporters use diesel engines to power heavy equipment, then sufficient power and mobility are achieved, but high noise levels and exhaust emissions harmful to human and animal health occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent parts: a stationary separating device that remains at the feed storage facility, and a mobile transport container that travels to dispensing points. This segmentation allows the heavy, powerful separating equipment to stay fixed (eliminating mobile exhaust emissions), while the lightweight container handles transport
Solution Approach 2:
The transport function is extracted from the separating device, creating an independent self-propelled container. This extraction allows the separating device to remain stationary and heavily powered without mobility constraints, while the container uses lighter, cleaner propulsion suitable for travel between locations
2Device complexity
If a single feed transporter is used to serve feed storage facilities, then device complexity is reduced, but the time required to provision feed for large livestock herds increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The transport container is designed as a universal unit that can serve multiple feed storage facilities and multiple dispensing points. A single container type can be deployed across the entire farm system, replacing the need for specialized equipment at each location and enabling parallel operations across multiple facilities
Solution Approach 2:
The separating device performs preliminary separation and preparation of feed material at the storage facility before the container arrives. This preliminary action allows the container to be quickly filled and immediately transported to dispensing points, eliminating waiting time and enabling continuous operation
3Ease of operation
If the transport container is coupled to the separating device, then feed material can be transferred directly, but the transport container cannot move independently between feed storage and dispensing points
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device serves as an intermediary mechanism that temporarily connects the container to the separating device only during the filling operation. This mediator allows efficient direct transfer of feed material while enabling the container to detach and move independently to and from various dispensing points throughout the farm
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for extracting feed from a feed storage facility (1) comprising a separating device for separating feed from the feed storage facility (1), and a conveying device (8) for conveying separated feed material (7) from a feed area of the conveying device (8) arranged on the separating device to a discharge area of the conveying device (8) and for filling a transport container (5) arranged in a filling position in the discharge area of the conveying device (8) with separated feed (7). It is proposed that the separating device comprises a separating tool (3) arranged on a movable frame (4), and that the transport container (5) is designed as a container movable independently of the movable separating device, wherein a coupling device is provided in the filling position for aligning the transport container (5) relative to the discharge area of the conveying device (8).