Multi-Spout Feed Vehicle Tubing System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Manual feeding of minks in farms is labor-intensive, with operators spending about 25 minutes per day, with 85% of the time used to pump pasty feed portions and 15% moving the spout between cages, indicating inefficiency in current feed vehicle designs.
Innovation Solution
A motorized feed vehicle with a tubing system equipped with multiple spouts that allow simultaneous discharge of feed portions to multiple cages, enabling lateral, upward, downward, and longitudinal movement adjustments, reducing the time spent feeding by allowing simultaneous discharge to multiple cages or adjacent cages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single spout is used for discharging feed portions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity decreases due to sequential feeding of each cage
Solution Approach 1:
The single feed discharge path is segmented into multiple spouts (first spout and second spout) that can discharge feed simultaneously to different cages. The tubing system is divided into separate discharge paths, allowing parallel feeding operations while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple spouts are combined into a single integrated feed discharge device that shares common pumping means and control systems. This merging allows simultaneous feed discharge to multiple cages while avoiding the need for completely separate feeding systems, thus improving productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity
2Loss of time
If manual control of spout movement is used, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the loss of time increases due to manual spout repositioning between cages
Solution Approach 1:
The spout positioning system is made dynamic through motorized actuators that enable automatic movement and repositioning of spouts between cages. This dynamic capability eliminates manual repositioning time while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable control sequences
Solution Approach 2:
The feed discharge device incorporates self-positioning capabilities where the system automatically moves spouts to the correct cages based on pre-programmed sequences or sensor detection. This self-service function reduces operator intervention and eliminates time loss associated with manual spout repositioning
3Productivity
If feed is discharged to one cage at a time, then the device complexity remains low, but the productivity is reduced due to sequential rather than simultaneous feeding
Solution Approach 1:
The feed discharge system is segmented into multiple independent spout units that can operate simultaneously. Each spout has its own discharge path and can serve different cages at the same time, transforming sequential feeding into parallel operations and thereby increasing overall productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from one-dimensional sequential feeding (one cage after another) to multi-dimensional simultaneous feeding by adding spatial distribution of multiple spouts. This dimensional expansion allows feed discharge to occur at multiple locations and cages concurrently, significantly boosting productivity
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 reduces the time spent feeding by approximately 40%, improving efficiency for both manned and unmanned vehicles by enabling simultaneous discharge to multiple cages or adjacent cages, thereby optimizing the feeding process.
Implementation Method 1
pumping means being upstream connected to the inner space of the feed container and downstream connected to an upstream/proximal end of a tubing, the pumping means being operable to pump feed from the container to the tubing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A motorized feed vehicle (1) for feeding minks in cages (3) having wire mesh top walls (4) and arranged in longitudinal rows (2), said vehicle comprising a frame supported by wheels (6.6; 7.7) and carrying a feed container for storing pasty mink feed. The vehicle further comprises a feed discharge device (12) for discharging feed on a wire mesh top wall of the cages when operated and activated and a control unit for controlling the activation of the feed discharge device. The feed discharge device (12) comprising pumping means (13) being upstream connected to the feed container and downstream connected to an upstream/proximal end of a tubing (14), the pumping means being operable to pump feed from the container to the tubing. The tubing (14) is at a distal end thereof provided with at least two connected spouts (15.1;15.2), each having an outlet opening, the openings being longitudinally mutually spaced to allow, during operation of the feed discharge device, discharge of a feed portion (21) to at least two spaced spots of a top wall of a single cage or discharge of a feed portion to a spot of the top wall of each of at least two adjacent cages in a first longitudinal row of cages through the outlet openings of the spouts.