Inclined Wire Mesh Floor for Automatic Egg Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current poultry rearing systems require significant effort to transition chicks from rearing to laying chicken facilities, as they lack efficient mechanisms for egg collection and chick containment, leading to inefficiencies in both processes.
Innovation Solution
A grid floor system with an inclined area and integrated egg conveyor, featuring a detachable side cover and adjustable feeding troughs and partitions, allows for seamless transition from chick rearing to laying hen management, enabling automatic egg collection and preventing chicks from accessing the conveyor until they are large enough.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wire mesh floor with small mesh size is used to prevent chicks from climbing through, then chick containment is improved, but the floor cannot be used for laying hens due to mesh size limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the floor mesh size adjustable. The wire mesh floor can be changed from a small mesh configuration (suitable for chicks) to a large mesh configuration (suitable for laying hens) according to the developmental stage of the poultry. This dynamic adjustment allows the same floor structure to serve multiple purposes throughout the growth cycle, resolving the contradiction between chick containment reliability and floor versatility.
2Ease of operation
If a stationary egg collection area is provided, then egg collection is simplified, but chicks can access the egg collection area and cause contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the barrier between the chick area and egg collection area movable. During the chick rearing phase, a partition or cover is in place to prevent chick access to eggs. When chicks are removed and the facility transitions to housing laying hens, the partition or cover is removed or repositioned, allowing eggs to roll freely into the collection area. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between ease of egg collection and prevention of chick access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the housing area into distinct zones: a chick rearing area and an egg collection area. The partition or cover creates a physical separation between these zones, allowing independent control of access. This segmentation enables the egg collection area to be protected from chicks while maintaining efficient egg collection functionality.
3Reliability
If the wire mesh floor has a small mesh size for chicks, then chick containment is improved, but egg rolling to collection area is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by dynamically adjusting the mesh size of the wire mesh floor. When housing chicks, the floor uses a small mesh configuration to ensure proper containment. When transitioning to laying hens, the mesh size is increased to allow eggs to roll efficiently toward the collection area while still providing adequate support for the hens. This dynamic mesh adjustment enables both chick containment reliability and egg collection productivity at different stages.
4Productivity
If staff manually move chicks from rearing to laying facilities, then chick transition is completed, but significant time and labor are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by designing a single housing unit that can serve dual functions: rearing chicks and housing laying hens. The adjustable mesh floor, movable partitions, and configurable egg collection systems allow the same facility to accommodate different poultry stages without requiring separate buildings or extensive manual relocation. This multi-functionality dramatically reduces the time and labor required for transitioning chicks to laying facilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by preparing the housing unit in advance for stage transitions. All necessary components (adjustable mesh floors, movable partitions, egg collection systems) are pre-installed and can be quickly reconfigured. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for manual chick moving between separate facilities, as the transition simply requires adjusting the configuration of existing elements within the same unit.
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
This solution facilitates easy egg collection and reduces staff effort by allowing eggs to roll into a collection area and be transported via conveyor, while ensuring chicks do not escape, thus optimizing the use of space and labor in poultry facilities.
Implementation Method 1
the wire mesh floor intended for rearing has an inclined section. This allows the poultry farmer to also use this area for laying hens. Due to the inclined wire mesh floor, the laid eggs automatically roll into an area referred to here as the egg collection area
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for housing chicks in poultry rearing, comprising a mesh floor. According to the invention, the mesh floor has an inclined area.