Pivotable Cutting Elements for Silage Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for separating compacted feed, such as silage, from bulk feed stock are slow, inert, and energy-consuming, requiring frequent repositioning and adjustments, which limits their efficiency and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A device with pivotably adjustable cutting elements mounted on a moveable frame structure, allowing for efficient cutting actions with minimal repositioning, featuring two cutting elements with axes of rotation in different planes, and an autonomous vehicle with sensors and control units for fully automated operation, enabling efficient and flexible feed separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional cutting device with fixed cutting elements is used, then the device structure is simple, but the device is slow and requires frequent repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting elements are mounted on a moveable frame structure that allows dynamic positioning and adjustment during operation. The frame can be moved relative to the bulk feed stock, and the cutting elements can be repositioned along the longitudinal axis, enabling the device to adapt to different cutting positions without complete repositioning, thus increasing productivity while managing complexity through controlled mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces longitudinal movement of cutting elements along the silo axis in addition to the traditional horizontal cutting plane. This third dimension of movement allows the cutting elements to access different depths and positions within the bulk feed stock, enabling more efficient cutting operations without requiring complete device repositioning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cutting elements are fixed on the frame structure, then the device structure is simple, but the device is inert and requires frequent repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting elements are mounted on a moveable frame structure that allows dynamic positioning and adjustment during operation. The frame can be moved relative to the bulk feed stock, and the cutting elements can be repositioned along the longitudinal axis, enabling the device to adapt to different cutting positions without complete repositioning, thus increasing productivity while managing complexity through controlled mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The moveable frame structure serves multiple functions: it supports the cutting elements, provides longitudinal movement capability, and enables repositioning along the silo axis. This multi-functionality increases adaptability while avoiding the need for separate mechanisms for each function, thereby controlling overall device complexity.
3Power
If a single cutting element is used, then the device structure is simple, but the device lacks power and efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple cutting elements on a single moveable frame structure, allowing them to operate simultaneously or in sequence. This merging approach increases cutting power and efficiency while sharing the movement and positioning mechanisms, thereby controlling complexity through resource sharing rather than independent systems for each cutting element.
4Productivity
If the cutting elements require frequent repositioning, then the device can adapt to different positions, but the device becomes slow and inert
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting elements are mounted on a moveable frame structure that allows dynamic positioning and adjustment during operation. The frame can be moved relative to the bulk feed stock, and the cutting elements can be repositioned along the longitudinal axis, enabling the device to adapt to different cutting positions without complete repositioning, thus increasing productivity while managing complexity through controlled mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting elements are pre-positioned on the moveable frame structure at multiple possible cutting positions. This preliminary arrangement allows the device to quickly switch between positions by simply moving the frame along the longitudinal axis, rather than requiring time-consuming repositioning of individual cutting elements during operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for separating compacted feed, such as silage, from a bulk feed stock (11), such as a silo, said device comprising at least one cutting element (5) which can be driven rotatably about an axis of rotation by a drive unit (6) and which is mounted on a moveable frame structure (4) in such a manner that the at least one cutting element (5) can be moved relative to the bulk feed stock (11), wherein the axis of rotation of at least one cutting element (5) is pivotably adjustable relative to the frame structure (4). In this way, an efficient cutting action is enabled, allowing for a simple frame structure (4). There is less need for (re)positioning of the frame structure (4), making the device more flexible. The invention further relates to an automatic feeding system with an autonomously moveable feeding device (14) for feeding animals, said device comprising a feed container (15) for accommodating feed, an automatic loading device (16) for loading feed into the feed container (15), and a feed dispensing device for dispensing feed from the feed container (15), wherein such a device for separating compacted feed from a bulk feed stock (11) is used to provide separated feed (13) for the automatic loading device (16). In this way, an improved automatic feeding system is provided, wherein the autonomously moveable feeding device (14) does not have to separate the feed from the bulk feed stock (11), which would be too energy-consuming.