Motor-Driven Pivot Hinge for Automated Chicken Coop Doors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated chicken coop door systems are vulnerable to predator attacks, have quick movement that can startle or injure chickens, and are complex and costly to maintain, with issues such as doors becoming wedged or failing to close due to trapped materials.
Innovation Solution
A chicken coop door module featuring a pivot hinge and motor drive unit that moves the door between open and closed positions in response to signals, with a slow movement rate and a mechanism to prevent door movement without a signal, reducing the need for additional locking mechanisms and simplifying maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a guillotine door arrangement with cable or chain is used, then the door can be automated to raise and lower, but the door moves too quickly which may startle or injure chickens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional cable/chain mechanical lifting system with an electric motor coupled to a pivot hinge. This substitution allows for controlled rotational movement that can be precisely regulated in speed, eliminating the uncontrollable rapid movement of cable-based systems while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor drive unit provides dynamic control over door movement speed, allowing the system to adjust the rate of door opening and closing. This enables slow, controlled movement that prevents startling or injuring chickens, while still achieving full automation of the door operation.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent predators from lifting the door panel, then predator security is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for separate locking mechanisms by integrating predator prevention directly into the motor drive unit. The motor's ability to hold the door in a closed position against external forces provides inherent security without requiring additional locking components, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor drive unit serves multiple functions: it opens and closes the door through controlled rotation, and simultaneously prevents predator access by maintaining holding force to keep the door securely closed. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate locking mechanisms while improving overall system efficiency.
3Loss of energy
If the door moves quickly to minimize open time and reduce heating or cooling losses, then energy efficiency is improved, but chicken safety is worsened due to risk of startling or injury
Solution Approach 1:
The motor drive unit provides dynamic speed control, allowing the door to move slowly enough to prevent chicken injury while still opening and closing automatically. The system can be programmed to move the door at an optimal speed that balances energy efficiency with chicken safety, rather than forcing rapid movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor-driven pivot hinge system maintains continuous control over the door throughout its entire movement range, allowing for smooth, continuous motion at controlled speeds. This eliminates the abrupt, rapid movements of traditional systems while maintaining the benefit of automated operation and minimized open time.
4Extent of automation
If a lever arrangement with roller sliding in slot is used, then automated door operation is achieved, but the door becomes prone to becoming wedged in tracks since force is not centered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the lever-and-roller track system with a motor-coupled pivot hinge. This substitution eliminates the track slots and rollers that are prone to wedging, while maintaining automated operation through direct motor-driven rotation of the hinge. The pivot hinge design naturally centers the rotational force, preventing the off-center force problems of the lever arrangement.
5Extent of automation
If cable or lever arrangements are used, then automated door operation is achieved, but they are prevented from completely closing by material trapped under the door panel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces cable and lever arrangements with a motor-driven pivot hinge system. This substitution provides direct, forceful control over the door throughout its entire closing arc, enabling the motor to overcome and push through any resistance from trapped materials. The direct coupling of the motor to the hinge ensures complete closing action that cannot be blocked by materials underneath the door.
6Extent of automation
If multiple parts are used in the lever arrangement, then automated door operation is achieved, but maintenance difficulty increases due to number of parts to disassemble
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the door system into distinct, easily replaceable components: the door panel itself, the pivot hinge assembly, and the motor drive unit. This segmentation allows the door panel to be independently removed and replaced without disassembling the hinge or motor components, greatly simplifying maintenance compared to integrated lever arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the door panel as a separate, independently replaceable component from the mechanism. The pivot hinge and motor remain fixed in the frame, while only the door panel needs to be removed for replacement. This extraction eliminates the need to disassemble multiple interconnected parts required in traditional lever arrangements.
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 provides secure, slow, and reliable automated door operation, reducing predator access and chicken stress while eliminating the need for manual operation and additional locking mechanisms, thus enhancing chicken safety and caretaker convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The motor drive unit is coupled to the pivot hinge. The motor drive unit is configured to rotate the pivot hinge about the longitudinal axis
Data Source
AI summary
A chicken coop door module having a frame, a door, and a motor drive unit. The motor drive unit is configured to move the door toward the open position in response to receiving an opening signal so that the frame opening is unobstructed, move the door toward the closed position in response to receiving a closing signal so that the frame opening is obstructed, and prevent the door from moving when no signal is received. The door module receives an opening signal in the morning to let the chickens out of the chicken coop, and a closing signal in the evening to close the door to secure the chickens in the coop. When no signal is received, the door is prevented from moving by the motor drive unit so that when open, the chickens may freely enter and exit the coop; and when closed, predators cannot open the door and attack the chickens. The chicken coop door module may include a controller to provide the opening signal and the closing signal base on a signal from a timer or light detector.