Pivotable Feeding Device Back Wall for Livestock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feeding systems for cattle and small livestock, such as drive-through feeding alleys, face issues with fodder contamination, space inefficiency, and the need for manual or mechanical re-pushing of fodder, as well as the requirement for a high and long elevator and weather protection structures.
Innovation Solution
A feeding device with a pivotable loading and closing member that acts as a back wall, allowing for easy access and protection from the weather, eliminating the need for a high elevator and enabling mechanical cleaning, and can be installed along a building's outer wall to save space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high back wall is used in the crib to prevent animals from throwing fodder away, then the fodder retention is improved, but the device complexity and cleaning difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The back wall is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be positioned in different states (swung-down to swung-up) depending on whether fodder is being dispensed or the area is being cleaned. This dynamic element resolves the contradiction by providing high fodder retention during feeding while enabling easy access for cleaning during maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The back wall is segmented from the main crib structure and connected via a pivot point, allowing independent movement of the back wall portion. This segmentation enables the back wall to function independently for fodder retention while being separately accessible for cleaning operations.
2Ease of operation
If a high and long elevator is used on the feeding machine to dispense fodder into a crib with a high back wall, then the fodder dispensing capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The back wall's movable design allows it to be swung down during fodder dispensing, creating an open access path that eliminates the need for complex high and long elevators. The dynamic positioning of the back wall simplifies the feeding machine's elevator requirements while maintaining the ability to dispense fodder effectively.
3Productivity
If a drive-through feeding alley is used for mechanical cleaning with a tractor, then the cleaning efficiency is improved, but the fodder contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable back wall allows the feeding area to be isolated from the drive-through alley by swinging up during cleaning operations. This dynamic barrier prevents tractor wheels from contacting the fodder while still allowing efficient mechanical cleaning of the feeding table surface, resolving the contradiction between cleaning efficiency and contamination prevention.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a roof is built over the drive-through feeding alley to protect fodder from weather, then the weather protection is improved, but the space requirement and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The movable back wall acts as a dynamic weather barrier that can be positioned to protect the fodder when needed while allowing the feeding alley to remain open and accessible. This eliminates the need for a permanent roof structure over the entire feeding alley, reducing space requirements and construction costs while maintaining weather protection capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A feeding device for cattle and small livestock, in which a loading and closing member (1) is pivotably attached to the outer portion (3) of the feed table (2). Further, a lon- gitudinal elastic lip member (14) is described, arranged to abut against an overlying building structure (15).