Feed Mixer Counter Element Control via Power Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal feed mixing and cutting devices lack efficient control mechanisms, often relying on unreliable measurements of feed volume or weight, which can be affected by moisture content and density, leading to inefficient cutting and mixing processes.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus uses a control unit to determine the power consumption of the rotary mixing and cutting device, employing sensors to measure current, torque, or revolutions per unit time, to control counter elements' positions based on power thresholds, ensuring efficient cutting and mixing by adjusting their insertion or retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If feed volume or weight measurements are used to control counter element positioning, then the control system can operate automatically, but the measurement reliability deteriorates due to moisture content and density variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from indirect feed quantity measurements (volume, weight) to direct power consumption measurement. Power consumption of the rotary mixing and cutting device directly reflects the actual cutting and mixing load, which is not affected by moisture content or density variations. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by providing reliable feedback for automatic control without the measurement errors associated with traditional methods.
2Productivity
If counter elements are manually positioned, then the system structure remains simple, but productivity deteriorates due to labor requirements and potential operator error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where power consumption measurements are continuously monitored and used to automatically adjust counter element positioning. The control unit receives power consumption data from sensors and automatically positions counter elements to optimize mixing and cutting efficiency. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling high productivity through automation while keeping the control system relatively simple, using only power consumption as the feedback parameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation where the apparatus automatically adjusts its own counter element positioning based on real-time power consumption measurements. The control unit autonomously determines when counter elements should be inserted or retracted without human intervention, allowing the system to optimize its own performance. This self-service capability increases productivity while avoiding the complexity of complex control algorithms.
3Productivity
If power consumption measurement is used to control counter elements, then cutting and mixing efficiency is optimized, but energy use deteriorates due to continuous monitoring and actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic actuation of counter elements based on power consumption thresholds rather than continuous adjustment. The control unit monitors power consumption and only actuates counter elements when power consumption exceeds or falls below predetermined thresholds, indicating suboptimal cutting conditions. This periodic action resolves the contradiction by optimizing cutting and mixing efficiency through targeted adjustments while minimizing energy consumption of the control system itself, avoiding continuous monitoring and actuation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach provides a reliable indicator of mixing and cutting efficiency, optimizing energy use and reducing labor requirements by automatically controlling counter elements based on power consumption, ensuring consistent performance regardless of feed type or moisture content.
Implementation Method 1
The control unit is arranged to determine an indication of the amount of power consumed by the driving means for driving the rotary mixing and cutting device
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for mixing and cutting animal feed comprising a container (10) with a side wall (11), a rotary mixing and cutting device (20) positioned inside the container (10) and arranged to be driven by driving means (25). At least one counter element (30) is provided at the sidewall (11). The apparatus (1) comprises positioning device (31) for moving the counter element (30) between a retracted position and an inserted position, and a control unit (40) to control the positioning device (31) of the counter element (30)and arranged to determine an indication of the amount of power consumed by the driving means (25) for driving the rotary mixing and cutting device (20) and to control positioning device (31) based on the determined indication of the amount of power.