Manure Blocking Device for Autonomous Barn Vehicle Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous manure removing vehicles face challenges in maintaining a clean charging station environment due to manure runoff, which can lead to soiling and hinder reliable battery charging.
Innovation Solution
A system with a manure blocking device at the charging station, combined with a manure bounding device on the vehicle, creates a substantially closed-off holding space to contain manure, preventing it from running off and ensuring the charging area remains clean.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the autonomous manure removing vehicle is stationary in the charging station for battery charging, then the battery system can be recharged, but manure in front of the manure slider may run off across the floor causing soiling and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
A manure blocking device is introduced as an intermediary element between the manure bounding device and the floor. This blocking device prevents manure from running off the floor during charging, while allowing the charging process to proceed uninterrupted. The blocking device acts as a mediator that resolves the conflict between maintaining a clean charging area and enabling battery recharging.
Solution Approach 2:
The manure blocking device is positioned in advance to prevent manure runoff before it can cause soiling. By placing the blocking device at the charging station, the system proactively counteracts the potential harmful effect of manure running off during the charging process, ensuring the floor remains clean without interfering with battery charging.
2Ease of operation
If the manure bounding device is used to contain manure in front of the manure slider, then manure can be bounded during vehicle travel, but the charging station floor becomes soiled when the vehicle is stationary
Solution Approach 1:
The manure containment function is segmented into two distinct components: the manure bounding device on the vehicle for travel, and the manure blocking device at the charging station for stationary charging. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its respective function - the bounding device operates during travel while the blocking device ensures cleanliness during charging, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and charging reliability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the vehicle enters the charging station for battery charging, then energy can be replenished, but alignment problems occur due to manure soiling on the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The manure blocking device serves as a mediator that prevents manure from reaching the floor areas critical for vehicle alignment. By blocking manure runoff at the charging station, the device ensures that the floor remains clean and free of contaminants that could interfere with the vehicle's ability to align properly during charging operations.
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 solution effectively keeps the charging station clean, ensuring reliable battery charging by containing manure and preventing soiling, thus maintaining the vehicle's operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a battery system for storing electrical energy, which battery system is connected to the drive system and the control system
Implementation Method 2
the vehicle travels to a charging station with charging electrodes. In the charging station, the vehicle maneuvers to a charging position, in which the charging strips on the outside of the vehicle make contact with the charging electrodes of the charging station and charging current can be supplied to the battery system
Data Source
AI summary
A system for removing manure from a floor in a barn, such as cows, includes an autonomous manure removing vehicle provided with a drive system for driving the manure removing vehicle. The drive system includes at least one electrical drive motor. An electronic control system is connected to the drive system for controlling the latter. A battery system for storing electrical energy is connected to the drive system and the control system. The manure removing vehicle includes a manure bounding device with a manure slider for moving manure over the floor while the manure removing vehicle travels across the floor. The manure bounding device is configured to at least partially bound the manure present on the floor in front of the manure slider. The system includes a charging station for charging the battery system of the manure removing vehicle when the manure removing vehicle is in the charging station in a charging position. The charging station includes a manure blocking device which, together with the manure bounding device, is configured to define, in the charging position of the manure removing vehicle, a holding space substantially closed off for manure.