Rotomolded Polyethylene Cattle Floor Panel with Intersecting Ridges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-slip floor panels for cattle enclosures, particularly those made of wood, metal, and plastic, are either too slippery when wet, uncomfortable for animals, or inadequate in supporting heavy loads, leading to slipping and discomfort issues for large animals like cattle.
Innovation Solution
A non-slip floor panel featuring a combination of rectilinear ridges and cylindrical point elements with a flared collar, oriented to intersect, providing a supportive surface that prevents slipping while allowing comfortable lying down without discomfort, made from lightweight and durable plastic material like rotomoulded polyethylene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If plastic material is used for grating, then weight is reduced and ease of cleaning is improved, but non-slip performance deteriorates when wet
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic grating incorporates localized non-slip elements (protrusions, ridges, or patterns) at specific areas where animal hooves contact the surface. These elements create friction and mechanical interlocking only at contact points, while the rest of the plastic surface maintains its lightweight and easy-to-clean properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines plastic material with embedded non-slip components made of different materials (such as rubber, silicone, or textured inserts) that provide superior grip when wet. This composite approach allows the grating to simultaneously achieve light weight, ease of cleaning, and reliable non-slip performance.
2Strength
If metal or concrete grating is used, then strength and load-bearing capacity are improved, but weight increases and ease of handling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic grating is designed with optimized structural parameters including rib thickness, spacing between support elements, and overall geometry to achieve the necessary load-bearing capacity for adult cattle. Rotomolding technology allows precise control of material distribution to maximize strength while minimizing weight, enabling the grating to support heavy loads without requiring the mass of metal or concrete alternatives.
3Reliability
If non-slip reliefs are added to plastic grating, then non-slip performance is improved, but comfort for lying down deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The non-slip elements are designed with specific geometric characteristics (low profile, rounded edges, appropriate spacing) that provide effective friction for standing hooves while presenting a smooth enough surface for comfortable lying. The elements are positioned to concentrate grip forces at hoof contact points rather than creating widespread roughness across the entire surface.
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 panel effectively prevents hoof slipping and provides a comfortable, supportive surface for large animals, ensuring stability and ease of cleaning, while being lightweight and resistant to wear and environmental factors.
Implementation Method 1
made from lightweight and durable plastic material like rotomoulded polyethylene
Implementation Method 2
A non-slip floor panel featuring a combination of rectilinear ridges and cylindrical point elements with a flared collar, oriented to intersect, providing a supportive surface that prevents slipping
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The panel has longitudinal elements (9) e.g. rectilinear grooves, defining a support surface, and isolated elements (10) defining a fixing surface, where the panel is made of plastic material e.g. rotomolded polyethylene. The longitudinal and isolated elements are distributed at regular intervals. The isolated elements include a cylindrical-shaped bulged part (14) whose upper end is mounted on a wedge (15). The longitudinal elements are oriented such that longitudinal axes of the longitudinal elements are secant. An independent claim is also included for a supporting device for a farm animal enclosure.