Incubation Tray With Segmented Passages for Chickens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing egg trays for incubation chambers do not effectively separate newly hatched chickens from eggshells, leading to germ contamination and limited space for the chickens, and require manual handling for chicken placement in rearing environments.
Innovation Solution
A tray design with passages that allow chickens to pass through while keeping eggs and eggshells contained, optimizing egg density and providing a safe transition to a chicken accommodation space, along with a crate assembly for hatching and rearing that integrates forced air flow and feeding systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If eggs are held in holes in the tray bottom face, then the tray can be manipulated in forced air flow, but the holes are closed off by eggshells preventing chicken passage
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom face of the tray is segmented into multiple small holes, each too small for eggs or eggshells to block, but collectively providing sufficient passage area for chickens to move through the tray
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single large opening dimension to multiple small opening dimensions, changing the scale and distribution of passages to simultaneously satisfy tray manipulation and chicken passage requirements
2Productivity
If egg density is maximized in the tray, then incubation capacity is optimized, but walking space for hatched chickens is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The tray bottom is divided into numerous small holes that collectively provide adequate passage area for chickens while maintaining high egg density in the accommodation spaces above
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the tray serve different functions: egg accommodation spaces maintain high density for productivity, while the bottom hole pattern provides localized passage areas for chicken movement
3Productivity
If eggs are placed in a stable for rearing, then rearing capacity is increased, but the environment is polluted by eggshells and germs
Solution Approach 1:
The tray design with multiple small holes creates a separation mechanism where eggshells remain in the tray while chickens pass through to the stable below, preventing pollution while maintaining rearing capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful element (eggshells) is extracted and retained in the tray, while the beneficial element (chickens) is transferred to the stable, separating the rearing environment from contamination sources
4Object-generated harmful factors
If chickens must climb over eggshells to leave the tray, then separation occurs, but chickens may be hurt by eggshells
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple small holes provide numerous safe passage routes for chickens, eliminating the need to climb over eggshells and preventing injuries while achieving separation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a tray (1) for containing a number of eggs (2) in an incubation chamber, the tray comprising a number of egg accommodation spaces (3) in which space an egg is able to be hatched, and at least one passage (4) for a chicken through which passage a chicken hatched from said egg may pass through the tray and enter a chicken accommodation space located below the tray.