Autonomous Feed Vehicle Adjustable Dispensing Chute

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing autonomous feed displacement vehicles are inefficient in dispensing feed supplements as the chute, being non-adjustable, often remains too far from animals, especially when dispensing roughage, leading to resistance issues and waste.

Innovation Solution

The vehicle is equipped with an adjustable dispensing device that can modify the dispensing distance based on local conditions and animal type, using sensors and control systems to ensure optimal feed supplement delivery, including adjustable chute length and dispensing rate, and oscillating patterns to spread the feed effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the chute is made collapsible but not adjustable, then the device can reduce complexity, but the dispensing distance cannot be optimized for different conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing distance adaptabilityVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chute is transformed from a static structure to a dynamic one by introducing an adjustment mechanism that allows it to change its position and angle. This enables the dispensing device to adapt to varying distances and conditions, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by making the structure dynamically adjustable rather than fixed or merely collapsible

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the chute is fixed at a long distance, then the device structure is simple, but the feed supplement cannot reach animals when feed mound resistance is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeed supplement delivery effectivenessVSAvoidchute adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chute's position and angle parameters are made variable through an adjustment mechanism. This allows the dispensing distance and direction to be optimized based on feed mound resistance and animal location, improving delivery effectiveness without requiring a completely complex system by adjusting key geometric parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the chute is made adjustable, then the dispensing distance can be optimized, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing reliability under varying conditionsVSAvoidadjustment means complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chute is transformed from a static structure to a dynamic one by introducing an adjustment mechanism that allows it to change its position and angle. This enables the dispensing device to adapt to varying distances and conditions, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by making the structure dynamically adjustable rather than fixed or merely collapsible

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2696672B1Autonomously displaceable feed displacement vehicle
Publication Date: 2015.08.05 LELY PATENT NV
  • EP2696672B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2696672B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2696672B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

An autonomously displaceable feed displacement vehicle (1), comprising a frame which is provided with driven wheels (4'), a feed displacement means (12) which is designed to push aside feed situated on the ground, a container (22) for a feed supplement (24) to be dispensed, a dispensing device (25) for dispensing the feed supplement from the container and an adjustment means (28) which is designed such that the dispensing device can be adjusted, preferably autonomously and on the basis of at least one position-dependent parameter, in order to dispense the feed supplement at a desired dispensing distance. As a result thereof, it is possible to always dispense the feed supplement, such as a feed additive, at a correct distance/position, i.e. not on a sloping side of the feed, but on a flat top, and not on the ground, but only on the pushed feed itself.