Movable Partition Farrowing Pen for Sow Restraint and Piglet Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing farrowing pens inadequately utilize space when the sow's restraint area is adjusted, making it difficult to access work-relevant areas and the piglet nest, and the pen can be entered awkwardly, especially when the piglet nest cover is removed.
Innovation Solution
A farrowing pen with a movable partition unit that allows the sow to be temporarily fixed in one position and access a lying area while separating the piglet nest from the lying area, with the partition unit designed to prevent escape and featuring a lower border for the piglet nest to ensure safety and easy access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sow restraint area size is changed in known farrowing pens, then the available space utilization is improved, but the access to work-relevant areas and piglet nest becomes difficult or awkward
Solution Approach 1:
The pen is divided into distinct functional areas (restraint area, lying area, piglet nest) that can be independently accessed. The movable partition creates separate zones that maintain access pathways regardless of the restraint area configuration, allowing workers to reach all areas without removing the piglet nest cover.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition between the restraint area and lying area is designed to be movable, allowing dynamic adjustment of the sow's available space. This dynamic element enables the restraint area size to be changed while maintaining fixed access points and pathways, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the piglet nest cover is removed to enter the pen, then access is achieved, but the operation becomes awkward and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The piglet nest cover is removed from its traditional position blocking the main access route. Instead, access is provided through dedicated openings in the border, separating the entry function from the piglet nest protection function. This allows workers to enter without manipulating the piglet nest cover, eliminating the time loss and awkward operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Dedicated access openings with doors serve as intermediary elements between the outside area and the pen interior. These intermediaries provide a direct pathway for workers to reach work areas without needing to remove the piglet nest cover, thus maintaining both security and ease of operation.
3Reliability
If the sow is temporarily restrained in known farrowing pens, then the piglets are protected, but the space utilization becomes insufficient when restraint size is adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The movable partition enables dynamic reconfiguration of the sow's available space. The partition can be positioned to create appropriate restraint for piglet protection while allowing the sow access to the lying area when needed, optimizing space utilization without compromising piglet safety.
Solution Approach 2:
Different areas of the pen have different functional qualities - the restraint area provides protection when the partition is in one position, while the lying area provides comfort and space when the partition moves. This local differentiation of functional qualities allows the system to optimize both protection and space utilization at different times.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a farrowing pen comprising a perimeter, an access area (6), a feeding area (2), a restraint area (7), a lying area (5) and a piglet nest (3), wherein the farrowing pen comprises at least one partition unit (1) which is designed to be movable so that the partition unit can assume at least two positions, and is designed and arranged such that in one position the sow is restrained in the restraint area (7) (restraint position) and in the second position the sow is allowed access to the lying area (5) and at the same time the piglet nest (3) is separated from the lying area (5) (piglet nest position), wherein the piglet nest (3) is arranged between the access area (6) and the restraint area (7).