Mink Cage Drinking Valve Kit Access Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mink farming systems are inadequate in providing fresh water to kits, leading to dehydration and health issues, as existing solutions either result in water wastage, contamination, or are inconvenient to maintain, and kits do not learn to drink from the rear wall valves.
Innovation Solution
A drinking valve with an inlet secured on the inner side wall outside the nest box, connected to the water line via a branch-off line, featuring a downward-facing outlet and activating pin positioned close to the nest box, allowing kits to easily access water by touching the pin, promoting habituation to drinking from the rear wall valve while ensuring continuous fresh water supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the drinking water valve is arranged on the rear wall of the cage, then adult minks can easily access water, but kits cannot easily reach the valve and do not learn to drink from it
Solution Approach 1:
The drinking water system is segmented into two separate valves: one on the rear wall for adult minks and one in the nest box for kits. This segmentation allows each group to access water at their respective locations without requiring kits to travel long distances or climb obstacles, while adults continue to use the rear wall valve.
Solution Approach 2:
A drinking water valve in the nest box acts as an intermediary solution, providing kits with access to water without requiring them to reach the rear wall valve. This intermediate valve is positioned at a height and location that is accessible to kits, enabling them to learn drinking behavior before transitioning to the rear wall valve.
2Ease of operation
If water bowls are placed on the cage floor for kits, then kits can easily access water, but water is wasted and the nest box becomes moist causing health issues
Solution Approach 1:
The drinking water valve is extracted from the nest box interior and positioned on the nest box wall at a height accessible to kits. This extraction prevents water from being discharged directly into the nest box, eliminating the moisture and health problems associated with water bowls on the cage floor or valves inside the nest box.
Solution Approach 2:
The drinking water valve is positioned in a different spatial dimension - on the nest box wall rather than inside the nest box or on the cage floor. This dimensional change allows kits to access water by touching the activating pin on the wall while water is discharged outside the nest box, preventing moisture accumulation.
3Ease of operation
If rabbit waterers are arranged on the top wall of the cage or nest box, then kits can access water, but frequent refilling is required and water is not fresh
Solution Approach 1:
The drinking water valve is connected to a continuous water supply system that automatically provides fresh water to kits. This eliminates the need for manual refilling of containers, ensuring continuous availability of fresh water without requiring farm personnel to spend time on frequent refilling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically supplying fresh water to the drinking water valve through a connected water line. Kits can access water on demand without human intervention for refilling, and the system maintains continuous availability of fresh water through its connection to the water supply.
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 ensures kits receive adequate fresh water, become accustomed to drinking from the rear wall valves, and reduces water wastage and contamination risks, improving kit health and farm efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure inducing means, such as a pump, for supplying the drinking water line with water under pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
A mink farming plant (1) comprises a row (2b) of mutually spaced (5) mink cages (3), each having a bottom wall (21), wire-mesh side walls (22,23) and a front wall (11), to which a nest box (4) is attached with a nest box rear wall (13) with a nest box opening (12). The plant further comprises a drinking water line (10) running along the row of cages, said line being part of a drinking water system. In the cages, a drinking valve (16) is arranged on a side wall (22), said drinking valve further comprising a downward-facing outlet and in connection therewith a downward-facing protruding activating pin, and which is connected to the drinking water line (10). The valve is configured for supplying water by a light touch or force applied on the activating pin, at least in the form of a drop of water. The activating pin is positioned 3-5 cm above the bottom wall of the cage and no more than 15 cm from the nearest edge of the nest box opening.