Feed Dispensing Apparatus with Merged Discharge and Valve Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses for mixing and dispensing animal feed often make it difficult for operators to control and monitor the discharge of material from both the unloading door and the blower aggregate from a single position, due to their separate placements.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus positions the first and second conveying means, such as a cross conveyor and a blower aggregate, at the same area of the sidewall, with a valve aggregate that allows material to be directed to either means, facilitating control and monitoring from a single operator position. This includes a movable shielding plate and guiding mechanism to manage the flow of material effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the unloading door and blower aggregate are placed at opposite sides of the container, then material can be discharged from both sides, but it becomes difficult for the operator to observe and control discharge from both positions simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the unloading door and blower aggregate discharge openings to the same side of the container (front or rear end). This spatial merging allows the operator to observe and control both discharge operations from a single position, eliminating the need to monitor opposite sides separately while maintaining the versatility of dual discharge paths.
2Ease of manufacture
If the cross conveyor and blower aggregate are placed at different positions, then material flow paths are separated, but the apparatus requires more complex control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places both the cross conveyor and blower aggregate at the same end of the container (front or rear), merging their spatial locations. This consolidation simplifies the control architecture by allowing a single valve aggregate to direct material to either conveying means, reducing the complexity of control mechanisms compared to distributed positioning.
3Ease of operation
If the valve aggregate is positioned to actively direct material, then material flow control is precise, but the apparatus structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a valve aggregate as an intermediary device positioned between the container discharge opening and the conveying means. This valve aggregate actively directs material flow to either the cross conveyor or blower aggregate using a movable shielding plate, providing precise control while maintaining a relatively simple structural implementation through a single movable component.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for mixing and dispensing material, especially animal feed, said apparatus comprises a container (1) for containing material to be mixed and dispensed, said container (1) having a sidewall (1a), at least one discharge opening (6) in the sidewall (1a), at least two conveying means (7, 8) for ejecting material from the apparatus, namely a cross conveyor (7) for conveying laterally material, and a blower aggregate (8) for ejecting material. A first conveying means (7) and a second conveying means (8) of said at least two conveying means (7, 8) are placed at the same area of the sidewall (1a), and means (12) are provide for material discharged from the container (1) to be led to either the first conveying means (7) or the second conveying means (8).