Mixer-Wagon Brushing Elements for Residual Food Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mixer-wagons for animal food distribution in intensive breeding operations are inefficient in repositioning residual food products, requiring manual intervention and additional machinery, which increases operational time and costs.
Innovation Solution
The mixer-wagon is equipped with brushing elements that can automatically push residual food products back into the mangers, allowing for efficient distribution of new food products without manual repositioning, utilizing a conveyor belt system and self-moving or hauled design with integrated weighing and mixing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual repositioning of residual food product is performed using operators with brooms or shovels, then the residual food product can be brought back into the mangers, but the operational time is considerably long and numerous operators are required
Solution Approach 1:
The mixer-wagon is equipped with brushing elements that automatically push residual food product back into the mangers during its normal movement through the corridor. The system serves itself by integrating the repositioning function into the existing mixer-wagon structure, eliminating the need for separate manual intervention or additional specialized machinery.
Solution Approach 2:
The brushing elements for repositioning residual food product are integrated into the mixer-wagon structure, combining the food distribution function with the residual food repositioning function. This merging of functions allows both operations to be performed by a single system without requiring separate devices or manual labor.
2Productivity
If brushing machines are used to push residual food product in the stalls, then the operational time for repositioning is reduced, but considerable expenses are incurred for purchasing and maintaining the brushing machines
Solution Approach 1:
The mixer-wagon performs multiple functions: it distributes new food product to the mangers and simultaneously repositions residual food product using its integrated brushing elements. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated brushing machines, reducing equipment costs while maintaining high repositioning speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixer-wagon utilizes its own movement and integrated brushing elements to reposition residual food product, rather than requiring separate externally-operated brushing machines. This self-service approach reduces equipment purchasing and maintenance expenses while maintaining operational efficiency.
3Device complexity
If conventional mixer-wagons are used without integrated repositioning elements, then the structure is simpler, but specific operations are required to reposition residual food product before distributing new food product
Solution Approach 1:
The brushing elements are integrated into the existing mixer-wagon structure, merging the residual food repositioning function with the food distribution function. This integration allows both operations to occur simultaneously during the mixer-wagon's normal movement, eliminating the need for separate repositioning operations and reducing total operational time.
Solution Approach 2:
The brushing elements continuously push residual food product back into the mangers during the mixer-wagon's movement through the corridor, ensuring that the repositioning action is continuous rather than intermittent. This continuous action eliminates idle time between repositioning and distribution 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
Enables quick and efficient distribution of animal food products, reducing waste and operational costs by automating the repositioning of residual food, thus improving feeding efficiency and reducing manual labor and machinery expenses.
Implementation Method 1
The conveyor belt is drivable to slide towards one flank or the other of the mixer-wagon in order to distribute the food product in the mangers placed along such flank of the mixer-wagon itself
Implementation Method 2
one or more mixing screws mounted with vertical axis inside the tank, peripherally provided with multiple blades and drivable to rotate in order to chop the components of the food product weighed and loaded inside the tank and in order to mix such components in a uniform manner
Implementation Method 3
The mixer-wagon comprises suitable weighing sensors operatively connected to the aforesaid tank and adapted to detect the weight of the food product loaded inside the tank itself
Data Source
AI summary
Mixer-wagon for animal food products, which comprises: a support frame (2) abutted against the ground by means of one or more pairs (6, 7) of wheels fixed to one or more corresponding axles; a containment tank (10) mounted on the support frame (2), intended to house, at its interior, a food product, and having weighing sensors associated therewith in order to detect the weight of the food product loaded in the containment tank (10) itself; one or more screws (18) provided with cutting blades (19), arranged inside the containment tank (10) and drivable for cutting and mixing the food product; distribution means (22) operatively connected to an outlet opening (20) of the containment tank (10) in order to receive the food product, and provided with one or more dispensing outlets (23) arranged along the corresponding lateral flanks (5) of the mixer-wagon in order to dispense the food product on a ground portion of the manger adjacent to the corresponding lateral flank (5); two brushing elements (25), drivable and movable in an independent manner, each of which frontally arranged along the corresponding lateral flank (5) of the mixer-wagon in front of the corresponding dispensing outlet (23) of the distribution means (22), and drivable to operate on the ground portion arranged adjacent to the corresponding lateral flank (5) in order to push a residual part of an old food product (previously deposited on the ground) in the mangers before the aforesaid distribution means (22) of the same mixer-wagon deposit the fresh food product in the mangers.