Livestock Weighing Device with Mechanical Marking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current livestock sorting and weighing devices are often manual, require external power, and can be dangerous and inefficient, leading to weight loss and physical injuries in animals due to excitement and handling challenges, especially with aggressive species like pigs and hogs.
Innovation Solution
A livestock weighing and marking device that integrates a chute and scale with a mechanical marking mechanism, using a counterbalance system and cable actuation to mark animals with a predetermined weight, ensuring safety and efficiency by automating the sorting process without external power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual sorting and weighing methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases and safety risks increase due to time-consuming manual handling and animal aggression
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses the animal's own weight to automatically trigger the marking mechanism. When the animal steps onto the platform, its weight activates the scale arm and cable system, which automatically positions and releases the marking shuttle without requiring external power or manual operation. The system serves itself by using the load being measured to perform the marking action.
Solution Approach 2:
A cable system acts as an intermediary between the weighing platform and the marking mechanism. The cable transmits the mechanical force from the animal's weight through the scale arm to the shuttle release mechanism, enabling automatic actuation without direct mechanical connection or external power sources.
2Productivity
If automated marking mechanisms are added to the weighing device, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases due to additional mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The marking mechanism is integrated into the weighing device structure. The shuttle is positioned within the chute and is actuated by the same cable system that measures weight, combining two functions (weighing and marking) into a single unified device rather than separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The marking mechanism is self-actuating through the animal's weight. The scale arm pivots in response to the load, which automatically tensions the cable and releases the shuttle without requiring external motors, sensors, or power sources. The mechanical energy from the animal itself performs the marking action.
3Extent of automation
If external power sources are used to operate the sorting device, then automation level increases, but ease of operation decreases due to power supply requirements and safety concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The device requires no external power source. It uses the gravitational force acting on the animal's weight to automatically pivot the scale arm, tension the cable, and release the marking shuttle. The system converts the potential energy of the loaded platform directly into the kinetic energy needed for marking, eliminating all power supply requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electrical or motorized actuation systems with a pure mechanical advantage system. The scale arm and cable arrangement provides mechanical amplification of the animal's weight to trigger the marking mechanism, substituting complex electrical automation with simple mechanical leverage.
4Measurement precision
If animals are handled manually for weighing and sorting, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to animal stress, weight loss, and physical injury
Solution Approach 1:
The marking action occurs rapidly as the animal passes through the chute. The shuttle is released and marks the animal in a single quick motion during the natural flow of the animal through the device, minimizing the time the animal is restrained or handled and reducing stress and excitement.
Solution Approach 2:
The animal's own weight triggers the marking process, eliminating the need for external handlers to operate controls or intervene. The system automatically responds to the animal's presence and weight, reducing human-animal interaction and associated stress.
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 device effectively sorts and marks animals based on weight, reducing handling risks and stress, allowing for efficient identification and sorting of market-ready livestock while minimizing weight loss and physical injuries.
Implementation Method 1
A platform is suspended from a scale arm by a hanger. The scale arm may pivot in response to a weight of the animal
Implementation Method 2
The first scale arm is pivotally connected to the frame at a first pivotal connection proximate a first end of the platform and the first scale arm is connected to a first suspension link proximate a second end of the platform
Data Source
AI summary
A livestock weighing device that performs a secondary operation such as marking animals having a desired minimum weight with a visual indicia to aid sorting thereof. The weight of an animal moving across the platform actuates a cable system to move a shuttle associated with an actuator. The actuator changes condition to initiate a secondary operation, such as opening an outlet valve for a container of paint to dispense a quantity of paint onto the animal supported on the platform, when the sled is moved in a predetermined direction and the animal weighs more than the minimum required weight.