Animal Feeder Venting Device Sealing Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Venting devices in animal feeders can be unreliable, leading to leakage and inefficiency due to clogging or failure of moving parts, resulting in loss of feed and mess during feeding.
Innovation Solution
A venting device with a chamber and a sealing element that moves between sealing and venting positions based on the weight of feed, using the feed's weight as a biasing effect to open and close the vent, eliminating the need for mechanical components and promoting self-cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a venting arrangement with moving parts is used, then venting function is provided, but the device becomes unreliable and prone to clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes all moving parts and mechanical components from the venting mechanism. The vent opening is simply opened or closed by the movement of the sealing element itself under the action of negative pressure and feed weight, eliminating the need for separate vents, valves, or actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element automatically performs the venting function through its own movement driven by physical forces (negative pressure and feed weight). The system is self-regulating and requires no external control mechanisms, maintenance, or mechanical assistance.
2Productivity
If a venting arrangement is provided to relieve negative pressure, then feeding flow is improved, but feed leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element responds to changes in physical parameters (negative pressure and feed weight) by moving between sealed and vented positions. This dynamic parameter-based control allows the system to automatically adjust venting based on actual feeding conditions without manual intervention.
3Reliability
If moving parts are used in the vent, then venting is provided, but the parts cease to operate fully or partially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical moving parts with a purely physical force-based system. The sealing element's position is controlled by the balance between negative pressure and feed weight, eliminating mechanical actuators, springs, or linkages that could fail or require maintenance.
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
The solution provides effective and reliable venting with minimal leakage, as the sealing element oscillates between sealed and venting positions in response to pressure changes, ensuring efficient feeding without reliance on mechanical biases, thus maintaining feed quality and reducing mess.
Implementation Method 1
the said first surface being configured such that when a negative pressure in the feeder acts on the first surface and is sufficient to overcome the weight of feed acting on the first surface, the sealing element will be drawn into a venting position
Data Source
AI summary
A venting device for an animal feeder which has a feeding teat is disclosed. The venting device has a chamber with an opening into the chamber. A vent opening is also connected to the chamber. A sealing element is retained freely moveable in the chamber. The sealing element has a first surface positioned relative to the opening such that, in use of the feeder, feed in the feeder will contact the first surface and cause the sealing element to move to a sealing position on seat to close the chamber from the vent opening. The surface is configured such that when a negative pressure in the feeder acts on the surface and is sufficient to overcome the weight of feed acting on the surface, the sealing element will be drawn into a position where the chamber can communicate with the vent opening and thereby vent the feeder to atmosphere.