Cattle Feeding Slide Impact Detection for Malfunction Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feeding apparatuses for supplying feed to cattle fail to detect malfunctions in a fast and reliable manner, leading to potential damage and decreased milk yield.
Innovation Solution
A feeding apparatus with a slide equipped with multiple impact detectors below the outlets to detect feed impact, allowing for real-time monitoring of feed dispensation and malfunction detection, using a control unit to collect and analyze measurement data from these detectors to generate warning signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional feeding apparatus without impact detectors are used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of malfunction detection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical or acoustic detection systems with simple impact detectors that sense mechanical vibrations from feed impacting the slide. This substitution maintains high reliability in detecting whether feed is being dispensed while significantly reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The impact detectors are integrated directly into the slide structure, allowing the slide itself to serve as both the feed guidance component and the vibration sensing element. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate detection components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detection reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple impact detectors are installed below each outlet, then the reliability of detection through redundancy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented by placing individual impact detectors at specific locations below each feed outlet. This segmentation allows independent monitoring of each dispenser, enabling reliable detection of malfunctions in any single outlet while keeping the overall system modular and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide serves multiple functions: it guides feed from the outlets to the trough and simultaneously acts as the mounting structure for impact detectors. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, offsetting the complexity increase from adding multiple detectors.
3Speed
If real-time monitoring with impact detectors is implemented, then the speed of malfunction detection is improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs periodic evaluation of impact detector signals during feed dispensing operations rather than continuous monitoring. This periodic evaluation approach enables fast malfunction detection when needed while minimizing energy consumption during non-dispensing periods.
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
Enables direct and reliable monitoring of feed dispensation, quickly identifying malfunctions and ensuring continuous operation by providing redundancy in detection and allowing for prompt issue resolution.
Implementation Method 1
the slide comprises one or more impact detectors located below the respective outlets to detect impact of feed on the slide
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a feeding apparatus (1) for supplying feed to a trough (30). The feeding apparatus (1) comprises a plurality of feed dispensers (10) having respective outlets (11). The feeding apparatus (1) further comprises a slide (20), the slide (20) being positioned below the outlets (11) to receive feed falling from the outlets (11) and guide the feed towards the trough (30). The slide (20) comprises a plurality of impact detectors (41) located below the respective outlets (11) to detect impact of feed on the slide (20).