Metered Chick Nutrient Delivery for Low-Handling Hatcheries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Challenges exist in efficiently delivering nutrients to recently hatched chicks without causing injury and reducing labor intensity, as they are fragile and require precise hydration, feeding, and vaccination.
Innovation Solution
An automated system with a controller, sensor, and metered delivery mechanism to securely deliver a predefined quantity of digestible products to containers of chicks, including a mixer for combining constituents and a dispenser for precise nutrient distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If manual handling and placement of feed strips are used to nourish hatchling chicks, then the chicks can receive nutrients, but the labor intensity increases and the risk of chick injury rises
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic nutrient delivery where the apparatus autonomously detects chick containers, positions itself, and dispenses pre-measured feed portions without human intervention. The container is placed on a conveyor that automatically transports it through the feeding station, eliminating manual handling and reducing labor intensity while ensuring consistent nutrient delivery to chicks.
2Quantity of substance
If manual placement of feed strips is used to nourish hatchling chicks, then the chicks can receive nutrients, but the handling complexity and risk of chick injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual mechanical handling with an automated conveyor-based system. The conveyor mechanically transports containers through the feeding station, while a dispenser mechanism automatically positions and releases feed portions. This substitution eliminates the need for manual dexterity and complex handling procedures, reducing both handling complexity and chick injury risk while maintaining effective nutrient delivery.
3Productivity
If automated metered delivery mechanism is used to deliver nutrients to chicks, then labor requirements are reduced and delivery precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system is divided into distinct functional modules: a conveyor system for container transport, a sensor system for detection, a metered dispenser for precise feed portioning, and a control system for coordination. Each module performs a specific function independently, which simplifies the overall design and maintenance while achieving high delivery efficiency and precision through their integrated operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for delivering digestible products to hatchling fowl includes a controller and a metered delivery mechanism, the metered delivery mechanism electrically coupled to the controller and configured to deliver a pre-defined quantity of digestible products to the container. The digestible product includes an edible and digestible semisolid material.