Pig Feeder Hopper with Inclined Walls and Guide Mouth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal feeders lack effective mechanisms for adjusting the feed flow rate and preventing feed escape, especially with varying feed types and sizes, and do not adequately protect the feed supply system from animal interference.
Innovation Solution
A feeder design featuring an elongate hopper with inclined walls and a guide mouth that allows for adjustable feed dispensing, preventing feed escape and protecting the downspout from animal access, along with hinged cover plates for inspection and adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the hopper is made taller to increase feed storage capacity, then the feed supply system becomes more vulnerable to animal interference and damage, but reducing hopper height limits feed availability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the hopper vertically upward in a different dimension away from the animal access zone. The inclined walls project upwardly and inwardly from the top edge of the hopper to form an extended hopper that positions the feed supply system above the animal's reach, thereby increasing storage capacity while preventing animal interference.
2Productivity
If the opening between hopper and trough is made larger to improve feed flow, then feed distribution becomes less controllable and feed escape increases, but smaller openings restrict feed flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses adjustable shutters that can be positioned at different heights and angles to precisely control the opening parameters between the hopper and trough. This allows optimization of feed flow rate while maintaining controlled distribution, as the shutters can be adjusted to match different feed types and flow requirements.
3Device complexity
If simple shutters are used to control the opening, then the structure becomes simpler, but feed escape cannot be prevented and distribution control is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adjustable shutters that can be dynamically positioned to control feed flow. The shutters are carried on straps and can be raised or lowered to adjust the opening height, providing dynamic control over feed distribution while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure.
4Ease of operation
If the downspout is positioned lower for easier feed delivery, then feed distribution improves, but the downspout becomes accessible to animals causing damage and blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the downspout in the upper extension of the hopper, elevated above the animal access zone. The inclined walls extend upwardly and inwardly to create a protected space where the downspout is located out of reach of animals, preventing damage and blockages while maintaining effective feed delivery through gravity.
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 design enhances feed distribution, prevents blockages, maintains feed freshness, and protects the feed system from damage, ensuring consistent feed availability and accessibility for the animals.
Implementation Method 1
two opposed planar inclined walls each extending along a top edge of a respective one of the side walls and extending upwardly and inwardly of the side wall of the hopper to a position at the open upper guide mouth
Data Source
AI summary
A feeder unit for pigs has an elongate trough with a hopper mounted over the trough for depositing feed downwardly and a feed dispensing control system at a bottom of the hopper so as to supply feed downwardly to make up feed taken by the pigs. The hopper includes four upstanding side walls forming an elongate rectangular open top edge with an open upper guide mouth located centrally above the top edge for locating a downspout of a feed supply system. The open top is covered by two inclined walls each extending upwardly from a long top edge of a respective one of the side walls and inwardly of the side wall of the hopper toward the open upper guide mouth and by two hinged dust covers extending from the short edges to the mouth.