Mixer Feeder Ingredient Loading Timing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mixer/feeder apparatuses for animal feed face challenges in avoiding over-mixing and under-mixing, which affect the nutritional value and digestibility of fibrous materials, particularly in ruminants, due to inadequate control over the mixing cycle and ingredient loading times.
Innovation Solution
A device that monitors and controls the mixer/feeder apparatus, determining the optimal instants for loading ingredients based on the mixing cycle and the number of revolutions of the mixing rotor, ensuring each ingredient is subjected to the appropriate mixing duration to prevent over-mixing and under-mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the mixing cycle duration is extended to ensure thorough mixing of all ingredients, then mixing homogeneity is improved, but fibrous material deteriorates due to over-mixing and over-chopping
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines and signals the optimal instant for discharging ingredients before the mixing cycle completes. The controller monitors the mixing process and activates the discharge mechanism at the predetermined optimal time, preventing over-mixing while ensuring adequate mixing homogeneity is achieved.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a controller to monitor the mixing cycle progress and compares it against predetermined optimal parameters. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically signals for discharge at the optimal instant, resolving the contradiction between achieving sufficient mixing and preventing fibrous material deterioration.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the mixing cycle is shortened to preserve fibrous material properties, then fibrous material quality is maintained, but mixing homogeneity deteriorates due to insufficient mixing time
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-determines the optimal mixing cycle duration and discharge instant based on the specific ingredients and their required mixing times. This preliminary setup ensures that the mixing cycle is neither too short nor too long, achieving both adequate homogeneity and fibrous material preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller adjusts the mixing cycle parameters based on the type of ingredients being processed. By changing parameters such as mixing speed, cycle duration, and discharge timing, the system optimizes the balance between achieving mixing homogeneity and preserving fibrous material quality for different feed formulations.
3Manufacturing precision
If ingredients are loaded sequentially to optimize mixing timing, then mixing precision is improved, but the complexity of the loading system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a controller that receives feedback from sensors monitoring the mixing cycle progress and ingredient loading status. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically determines and signals the optimal instants for loading each ingredient, achieving precise mixing control without requiring complex manual coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors its own mixing cycle progress and determines the optimal loading instants without external intervention. The controller self-regulates the ingredient loading timing based on predetermined parameters and real-time mixing status, simplifying operation while maintaining high mixing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A mixer/feeder wagon (1) for mixing and dispensing batches of animal feed comprises a device (50) for monitoring operation of the mixer/feeder wagon (1) and for determining instants during a mixing cycle during which ingredients of the animal feed are to be loaded into the mixer/feeder wagon (1). The mixer/feeder wagon (1) comprises a mixing compartment (14) within which a paddle mixer (17) is rotatable for mixing the ingredients of the batch of animal feed therein. Load sensors (9) produce signals indicative of the current weight of the ingredients in the mixing compartment (14) which are read by a microprocessor (55) of the device (50). A proximity sensor (38) counts the number of revolutions of the paddle mixer 17. Particulars of the ingredients of the batch of animal feed together with the weights of the respective ingredients are stored in a RAM (56) in the device (50) as well as the instants during a mixing cycle at which the respective ingredients are to be loaded into the mixing compartment (14) based on the count of revolutions of the paddle mixer (17) from the commencement of the mixing cycle. The microprocessor (55) in response to signals from the proximity sensor (38) outputs a signal to activate a siren (67) to indicate when the next ingredient is to be loaded into the mixing compartment (14). The identities of the respective ingredients as they are to be loaded into the mixing compartment (14) are displayed on a visual display screen (54) together with the weights thereof.