Pivoting Free-Range Box for Sows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current free-range boxes for pigs do not adequately meet animal welfare requirements, particularly in terms of space utilization and safety, as they lack a pivoting mechanism that allows for flexible configuration to restrict the sow's movement during critical periods like birth and prevent escape, while also being operable with one hand without tools.
Innovation Solution
A freewheel box with a pivoting mechanism that allows for at least three configurations of accessible floor area, featuring swivel mechanisms that can be positioned parallel, connected, or angled, with a swivel lock for secure fixing, enabling one-handed operation and protection from aggressive animals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the sow cage has two mesh-like side walls that are pivotable, then the floor space utilization is improved, but the side walls cannot be positioned parallel when open which reduces maximum space utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The side walls are designed as pivotable elements that can dynamically change their position and orientation. The pivot mechanisms allow the side walls to be positioned parallel to each other when open, maximizing floor space utilization, while also allowing diagonal positioning for farrowing. This dynamic reconfiguration capability resolves the contradiction between space utilization and positioning flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pivoting mechanism is designed to allow diagonal positioning for farrowing, then the sow's movement restriction is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting mechanism is segmented into multiple independent components: pivot points at the corners, individual side walls with independent pivot capability, and separate locking mechanisms. This segmentation allows the complex function of diagonal positioning for farrowing to be achieved through simple, modular elements that can be easily manufactured and assembled, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If the door mechanism is designed for one-handed operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety protection from aggressive animals may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The door mechanism incorporates a self-latching feature where the door automatically engages and locks when closed, providing safety protection without requiring complex manual operation. The simple one-handed operation is sufficient to close and secure the door, while the self-latching mechanism ensures reliable safety protection from aggressive animals, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and safety reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a free-range pen for pigs, in particular for sows and piglets. These free-range pens have a pivoting mechanism (1) and a rectangular base, which is delimited by conventional boundaries and/or doors. This pivoting mechanism (1) has at least one mounting frame (2) with a base axis (2.2) on which at least one extension (2.1) is arranged, and a door mechanism (3) which has at least one door element (3.1) with a pivot axis (3.2). This pivot axis (3.2) is arranged parallel to the base pivot axis (2.2). The door mechanism (3) is pivotably mounted on the mounting frame (2).