Intersecting Circle Feeder Pan for Poultry Feed Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing feeder systems for poultry, particularly in broiler breeder houses, face challenges in providing sufficient feed space without occupying excessive floor space, especially as buildings become larger and more birds are housed, leading to inefficiencies in feed distribution and bird performance.
Innovation Solution
A feeder assembly with a pan member shaped like two intersecting circles, featuring double fill ports and adjustable aperture sizes to accommodate more birds comfortably, while minimizing floor space usage, and incorporating a unique outer grill member with rotating inner grill members to control access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If additional feeder lines are placed into the house to provide sufficient feeder space, then the feeder space for birds is improved, but the system cost increases and valuable floor space is taken up
Solution Approach 1:
The feeder pan is divided into multiple feeding zones with different aperture configurations. The outer grill member includes first, second, third, and fourth aperture regions with varying sizes and orientations, allowing different sections of the pan to serve different bird groups efficiently, thereby increasing the number of birds served per feeder without adding more feeder lines
Solution Approach 2:
The feeder pan uses a non-circular elongated configuration with intersecting circle geometry, extending in both longitudinal and lateral directions. This dimensional optimization maximizes the feeding surface area within the available floor space, allowing more birds to access feed simultaneously without requiring additional feeder units
2Quantity of substance
If the feeder pan is made larger to accommodate more birds, then the feeding capacity is improved, but the floor space occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feeder pan employs a unique geometry formed by two intersecting circles, creating a rounded elongated shape. This curved configuration optimizes space utilization by reducing wasted corner areas and maximizing the feeding perimeter, allowing more birds to feed along the curved edges without increasing the overall footprint
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the feeder pan are designed with specific aperture sizes and orientations tailored to local feeding needs. The first and second aperture regions have different characteristics from the third and fourth regions, optimizing feed access for birds at different positions around the pan, thereby increasing capacity without proportional increase in floor space
3Device complexity
If a single drop tube member is used to deliver feed to the pan, then the device complexity is reduced, but the feed flow to the outer limits of the feed pan becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The feed delivery system is segmented into multiple drop tube members positioned at different locations around the elongated pan. This segmentation ensures that feed is delivered to multiple zones simultaneously, preventing feed flow bottlenecks and ensuring adequate feed reaches the outer limits of the pan without requiring an overly complex single-tube distribution system
Data Source
AI summary
A feeder assembly is used in a feed distribution system having a feed supply conduit. The feeder assembly includes an elongated pan member. The feeder assembly includes first and second fill ports for receiving feed from the feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto a base portion of the pan member. Each fill port provides feed to a separate portion of the base portion of the elongated pan member. The fill ports are defined through an outer grill member having an elongated rim member which is operatively associated with the pan member. First and second drop tube members are associated with the first and second fill ports to direct (feed flowing through the fill ports through first and second lower feed gates and onto the pan member. The drop tube members may have brood gates provided therethrough for providing a raised level of feed in the pan member.