Grooved Cowshed Floor Element with Alternating Rigid and Soft Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing grooved floor elements in cowsheds have rigid edges that are narrow and sharp, leading to uneven claw support and discomfort for animals, as claws can easily slip off, causing claw problems.
Innovation Solution
A grooved floor element with a substrate and a walking surface featuring alternating rigid and soft regions, where the rigid member fixes the flexible mat to the substrate, providing anti-slip properties and comfortable claw wear, with the flexible mat extending up to the grooves to form side walls and the rigid member ensuring proper claw support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid edges are used in the walking surface, then structural strength is improved, but animal comfort deteriorates due to uneven claw support and slipping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating alternating rigid and elastic regions within the walking surface. The rigid members (protrusions) provide structural strength and claw support at specific locations, while the elastic members (recesses) provide comfort and prevent slipping in other areas. This localized differentiation allows the surface to simultaneously achieve strength and comfort without requiring uniform material properties throughout.
2Ease of manufacture
If narrow and sharp rigid edges are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but animal comfort deteriorates due to uneven claw support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the walking surface into multiple discrete rigid members (protrusions) and elastic members (recesses) arranged in alternating patterns. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately with simple geometries, while the collective arrangement provides uniform claw support. The modular segmented structure is easier to manufacture than a continuous complex surface while achieving better animal comfort.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If flexible mat is used for the walking surface, then animal comfort is improved, but durability deteriorates due to wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure combining rigid members (protrusions) and elastic members (recesses) within the walking surface. The rigid members provide durability and resistance to wear and tear, while the elastic members provide animal comfort through cushioning and flexibility. This composite approach allows the surface to simultaneously achieve both comfort and long service life by leveraging the complementary properties of different materials.
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 a comfortable and anti-slip walking surface for animals by ensuring stable claw placement and reducing the risk of slipping, while allowing for easy replacement of the flexible mat and longer lifespan of the substrate and rigid member.
Implementation Method 1
a soft region formed by an elastic member
Implementation Method 2
the rigid member has two functions: it holds the flexible mat to the substrate whereas it provides a hard region in the walking surface... advantageous in terms of anti-slip properties
Data Source
Figure 1~3
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Figure 8~9
AI summary
A grooved floor element (3) for a cowshed comprises a substrate (8) and a walking surface (5) broken by parallel grooves (4). The walking surface (5) between two neighbouring grooves (4) has a hard region (6) formed by a rigid member (11) and a soft region (7) formed by an elastic member (12). The rigid member (11) is fixed to the substrate (8). The elastic member comprises a flexible mat (12) which is supported by the substrate (8). The flexible mat (12) surrounds the rigid member (11) in the plane of the walking surface (5) and extends up to the neighbouring grooves (4).