Fodder-Feeding Disc Wire Tension Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automatic poultry feeders with disc wire systems face issues of tension loss over time, leading to slipping, tangling, and potential motor damage or fire, requiring frequent manual checks and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A fodder-feeding disc wire driving device with a tension management unit, including a drive motor, drive sprocket, idle wheel, tension adjustment unit using a spring, and a tension measurement unit, allowing operators to visually assess and maintain proper tension by moving the idle wheel and indicating when maintenance is needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If the disc wire is used for a long period, then the conveying function is maintained, but the disc wire elongates and loses tension, causing slipping and tangling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice life of disc wireVSAvoidtension maintenance of disc wire

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The idle wheel is designed to be movable along the guide rail rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position to compensate for disc wire elongation. As the disc wire stretches over time, the idle wheel automatically moves to maintain proper wire tension and routing, resolving the contradiction between long service life and tension maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tension adjustment mechanism operates automatically without manual intervention. The movable idle wheel self-adjusts to maintain disc wire tension based on wire elongation, and the scale provides automatic visual indication when maintenance is needed, eliminating the need for frequent manual checks and adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual checks are performed frequently to monitor disc wire tension, then reliability is improved, but loss of time and operational efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetimely detection of tension lossVSAvoidtime for maintenance checks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A scale is attached to the guide rail that provides visual feedback on the idle wheel's position. This scale indicates the degree of disc wire elongation and signals when maintenance is needed, giving operators immediate feedback without requiring manual tension checks. The system transforms the abstract concept of wire tension into visible, quantifiable information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical inspection process is replaced with a visual indication system. Instead of requiring operators to physically check wire tension through manual methods, the scale provides automatic visual indication of tension status, substituting mechanical inspection with a simpler visual monitoring system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the idle wheel is made movable to adjust tension, then device complexity increases, but ease of operation improves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic tension adjustmentVSAvoidstructure of tension management unit

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tension management system is segmented into independent functional components: the movable idle wheel mechanism, the guide rail with scale, and the visual indication system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply, with the movable wheel handling adjustment and the scale providing indication, reducing overall system complexity despite added functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Prevents disc wire slipping, tangling, and motor damage by maintaining consistent tension, enabling timely maintenance and reducing the risk of fires, thus ensuring continuous and efficient fodder feeding.

Implementation Method 1

the tension adjustment unit constantly maintains tension of the disc wire by moving the idle wheel away from the drive sprocket by using an elastic force of a spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9493311B1Fodder-feeding disc wire driving device having tension management unit

Publication Date: 2016.11.15 PARK JANG CHUN

AI summary

The present invention generally relates to a fodder-feeding disc wire driving device having a tension management unit, the driving device including: a drive motor; a drive sprocket having multiple protrusions on a circumference thereof; an idle wheel provided at a position adjacent to the drive sprocket such that the disc wire moved by the drive sprocket passes over the idle wheel; a tension adjustment unit connected to a central shaft of the idle wheel, the tension adjustment unit being movably provided on a line extending between a central axis of the drive sprocket and a central axis of the idle wheel; a casing having a disc wire inlet and a disc wire outlet; a tension measurement unit mechanically provided between the casing and the tension adjustment unit.