Animal Feed Mixing Regime Control for Homogeneity and Fiber Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal feed mixing technologies face challenges in determining optimal mixing regimes to avoid over-mixing and under-mixing, which can lead to nutritional deterioration and inefficient digestion in animals.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that read ingredients, apply standard mixing periods and mixing factors from a master table to determine the optimal mixing periods and loading sequence for a mixing cycle, taking into account non-standard conditions such as ingredient proportions, animal size, and mixing apparatus characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the mixing duration is extended to ensure homogeneous mixing, then the mixing homogeneity is improved, but the fibrous material deteriorates and loses its digestive stimulation properties
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the mixing duration based on real-time analysis of ingredient composition, animal type, and feed requirements. Rather than using a fixed mixing time, the controller modifies the mixing regime during the mixing cycle to achieve optimal homogeneity while preventing fibrous material deterioration through adaptive control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously including mixing duration, rotor speed, paddle configuration, and chopping intensity. By adjusting these parameters based on ingredient analysis and feed specifications, the system achieves homogeneous mixing without excessive duration that would cause fibrous material degradation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the mixing duration is reduced to preserve fibrous material properties, then the fibrous material integrity is maintained, but the mixing homogeneity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic mixing regimes that adjust intensity and duration based on real-time feedback. For feeds requiring short mixing times to preserve fibrous integrity, the system increases initial mixing intensity then reduces it, achieving adequate homogeneity faster without prolonged exposure that would degrade fibrous materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing process uses periodic variations in rotor speed and paddle movement patterns. This periodic action enhances mixing efficiency during brief mixing cycles, achieving homogeneous distribution of ingredients without extending the total mixing duration that would compromise fibrous material properties.
3Productivity
If the mixing intensity is increased to reduce mixing time, then the productivity is improved, but the fibrous material is over-chopped and deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different mixing intensities to different regions and stages of the mixing process. High-intensity mixing is applied initially to achieve rapid homogenization, then intensity is reduced to preserve fibrous material. The paddle configuration also varies locally to provide gentle handling for fibrous ingredients while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing intensity is dynamically adjusted during the mixing cycle rather than maintained at a constant high level. The system starts with high intensity for rapid mixing, then progressively reduces intensity to prevent over-chopping, achieving both productivity and material preservation through time-dependent control.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the mixing intensity is decreased to preserve fibrous material, then the fibrous material integrity is maintained, but the mixing time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic mixing patterns with varying intensities rather than continuous low-intensity mixing. Short bursts of higher intensity are interspersed with lower intensity periods, achieving adequate homogeneity faster while preserving fibrous material integrity through rhythmic rather than sustained gentle mixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing process maintains continuous useful action through optimized rotor rotation and paddle movement patterns. By eliminating idle time and ensuring every moment of mixing is productive yet gentle, the system achieves adequate homogeneity in reasonable time without compromising fibrous material through unnecessarily prolonged mixing.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for determining a mixing regime for use in the preparation of an animal feed in which a main computer is programmed to store a master list of ingredients which are available to farmers and from which a farmer can select a specific set of ingredients for the preparation of animal feed. The main computer is programmed to store the ingredients in a look-up table cross-referenced with standard mixing periods to which the respective ingredients should be subjected during the mixing regime to produce an animal feed. Additionally, the look-up table contains mixing factors by which the standard mixing periods may be altered in order to take account of non-standard conditions, such as variations of the ingredients, the proportion of the particular ingredient, the average size or weight of the animals and the mixing apparatus and condition thereof in which the animal feed is to be mixed. The computer is programmed to determine the mixing period to which each ingredient is to be subjected in the mixing apparatus based on the corresponding standard mixing periods and any mixing factors which should be taken into account. The computer is programmed to then produce a sequence in which the ingredients are to be loaded into the mixing apparatus and the instants at which the respective ingredients are to be loaded into the mixing apparatus, so that each ingredient is subjected to the appropriate mixing period for that ingredient during the mixing cycle of the mixing regime, in order to avoid over-mixing and under-mixing of ingredients.