Motorized Rake with Sinusoidal Tine Vibration for Manure Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for cleaning livestock stalls and golf course sand bunkers result in substantial waste and high costs due to inefficient separation of bedding materials from manure and debris, requiring labor-intensive manual efforts and frequent replenishment of bedding materials.
Innovation Solution
A motion-assisted or motorized rake and fork with a sinusoidal motion mechanism, featuring a handle, rake head with movable tines, and a screening material to effectively separate wanted from unwanted materials, reducing manual effort and waste by improving the separation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If manual cleaning methods are used with conventional forks, then labor effort and time are required for cleaning stalls, but bedding material is wasted due to inefficient separation of manure from bedding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration through a motor-driven oscillating mechanism that vibrates the fork tines at high frequency. This vibration causes the manure to separate from the bedding material through vibrational loosening and screening action, enabling efficient separation without excessive manual agitation while minimizing bedding waste
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely manual mechanical agitation system with a motorized oscillating system. The motor assembly provides automated vibrational motion that substitutes for intensive manual labor, reducing both the physical effort required and the time needed for effective manure-separation while preserving bedding material
2Loss of substance
If vigorous manual agitation is used to separate manure from bedding, then bedding material can be salvaged, but labor cost and supervision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized oscillating fork performs the separation function automatically through its vibrational action. The system serves itself by providing the necessary mechanical energy to separate manure from bedding without requiring operator skill or supervision for proper technique, eliminating the need for training while achieving effective bedding salvage
3Reliability
If frequent cleaning is performed to maintain stall hygiene, then animal health is improved, but bedding material consumption and disposal costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vibrational oscillation of the motorized fork enables thorough and efficient separation of manure from bedding during each cleaning cycle. This effective separation maximizes the amount of reusable bedding that can be salvaged, reducing the quantity of bedding that must be discarded and replenished, thereby lowering overall consumption while maintaining hygiene standards
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized oscillating mechanism provides continuous vibrational action during the cleaning process, ensuring complete and consistent separation throughout the entire bedding layer. This continuous effective action maximizes bedding salvage in each cleaning cycle, reducing the frequency and volume of bedding replacement needed
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 motion-assisted or motorized rake and fork significantly reduces waste by enhancing the separation of bedding materials from manure and debris, minimizing the need for frequent replenishment and labor costs, while maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in stalls and bunkers.
Implementation Method 1
a motor assembly positioned within the handle, which imparts a sinusoidal motion to the tines
Data Source
AI summary
A rake having a handle, and a rake head. The rake head includes a frame having a neck dimensioned to receive one end of the handle; a plurality of tines, the plurality of tines comprising: a movable inner tine section, the movable inner tine section having a first movable inner tine section, a second movable inner tine section and at least one fixed inner tine between the first movable inner tine section and the second inner tine section; and a fixed outer tine section on each side of the inner section; a support member extending across the plurality of tines, the support member comprising a plurality of supports positioned between the tines; and at screening material, which separates a wanted material from an unwanted material.