Poultry Feeder Coupling Clamp for Water-Resistant Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing poultry feed troughs for tube feeding systems are complex and difficult to assemble, and when rotated for washing, washing water can penetrate into the conveying pipe, contaminating the feed.
Innovation Solution
A simplified design featuring a plate-shaped bottom shell, a vertically displaceable feed guide device, and a coupling clamp that securely attaches to the conveying pipe, allowing rotation without opening the feed passage to prevent water ingress during washing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the conveying pipe is rotated to bring the feeding trough into washing position, then the feeding trough can be easily cleaned, but washing water penetrates into the conveying pipe through the outlet opening
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling between the feeding trough and conveying pipe is segmented into two functional parts: a gripping element that maintains axial connection and a drive element that enables rotation. The outlet opening is also segmented with a closing element that can open and close independently, allowing the trough to rotate for washing while preventing water ingress into the conveying pipe.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing element of the outlet opening is designed to be dynamically controllable, opening when needed for feed delivery and closing automatically or manually during washing operations. This dynamic closure prevents water penetration while maintaining feeding functionality, resolving the contradiction between cleaning access and water protection.
2Ease of operation
If a gripping element with drive pin and drive slot is used to enable rotation, then the feeding trough can be washed, but the construction becomes complex and assembly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping element and drive element are merged into a single integrated component rather than separate parts. The coupling clamp combines the gripping function (with resilient side parts) and the drive function (with integrated drive pin and drive slot) into one piece, significantly reducing the number of components and simplifying assembly while maintaining the ability to rotate the feeding trough for washing.
3Ease of operation
If the feeding trough is firmly connected to the conveying pipe for rotation, then simultaneous rotation of all troughs is achieved, but the outlet opening remains open allowing water penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between feeding trough and conveying pipe is segmented into axial connection (maintained throughout rotation) and rotational movement (enabled during washing). The outlet opening is segmented with a closing element that separates the feed passage function from the washing function, allowing the trough to rotate firmly connected to the conveying pipe while preventing water ingress through the closed outlet opening.
Data Source
AI summary
The trough (1) comprises a plate-shaped dish (2), a tubular feed guide device (3) located in a central position above the dish and a feed conveyor tube holder (26) located at the top of the guide device. The holder includes an opening for locating the conveyor tube and a follower mechanism for transmitting rotary movement of the tube to the trough. A clamp (4) is located inside the opening in the holder and includes at least one drive part for cooperating with the follower mechanism. The tube can be fixed into position inside the holder so that it prevented from sliding or rotating. The opening for feed to fall from the tube into the trough is located in the region of a feed through-fall opening in the clamp.