Livestock Chute Gate Mechanism Using Animal Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing livestock chutes require significant electrical power and compressed air to operate, making them inconvenient for use in remote locations, especially during rodeo events where energy sources like batteries need frequent recharging.
Innovation Solution
A livestock chute design that uses the weight of the animal to open and close gates, employing a linking mechanism with a biasing force to store energy, which can be remotely released to open the exit gate, minimizing the need for electrical power and compressed air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electrically powered radio-controlled systems are used to operate gates, then remote operation capability is achieved, but energy consumption increases significantly requiring large batteries that need frequent recharging
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the livestock's own weight to power the gate operation mechanism. As the animal moves through the chute and depresses the movable floor, its weight automatically triggers the linkage mechanism to open and close gates, eliminating the need for external power sources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electrically powered radio-controlled systems with a mechanical linkage system that uses the animal's movement to directly operate the gates through levers, linkages, and floor mechanisms, substituting electrical energy with mechanical energy derived from the livestock itself
2Power
If compressed air systems are used to operate gates, then gate operation speed and force are improved, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the compressed air system entirely from the gate operation mechanism, replacing it with a simpler mechanical linkage system that uses the livestock's weight and movement to directly open and close gates without requiring air compressors, storage tanks, or distribution lines
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical linkage system is activated automatically by the livestock's own movement through the chute, requiring no external power source or complex control infrastructure, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining adequate gate operation capability
3Device complexity
If manually operated gates are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but labor requirements and operational efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically operates gates in response to the livestock's movement through the chute. As the animal enters and moves forward, its weight triggers the mechanical linkage to open the entry gate, close behind it, and subsequently open the exit gate, eliminating the need for manual gate operation while maintaining system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical linkage system provides automatic feedback response to the livestock's position and movement. The system detects when the animal has entered the chute through floor depression and automatically sequences gate operations accordingly, improving operational efficiency without requiring complex electronic sensors or controls
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 chute operates efficiently with minimal battery power, allowing for remote operation of gates with reduced energy consumption and no compressed air requirements, enhancing convenience and usability in remote settings.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing mechanism for applying a first biasing force to keep the entry gate in the open position and to keep the exit gate closed, wherein a force applied by an animal stepping on the floor proximal the moveable second end moves the floor into the lowered position and overcomes the first biasing force to move the entry gate to the closed position and stores a second biasing force; and a release mechanism for releasing the stored second biasing force to open the exit gate
Implementation Method 2
The primary source of energy for opening and closing the entry and exit gates to the livestock chute is provided using the weight of the animal
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of a remotely controlled apparatus for selectably admitting a large animal into and then selectably releasing the animal from a livestock chute uses the weight of the animal as its primary energy source for opening and closing the entry and exit gates. The livestock chute has a linking mechanism for communicating with the entry gate, the exit gate, a moveable floor, and a biasing force wherein the weight of the animal is used to overcome the biasing force to open the entry gate and to store energy that can be selectively activated to open the exit gate on the livestock chute.