Poultry Feeder Shutter Groove Mechanism for Feed Level Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic feed dispensers for poultry breeding face challenges in regulating feed levels effectively across different growth stages of poultry, particularly in small dispensers with narrow access spaces, leading to inefficiencies and hygiene issues.
Innovation Solution
An automatic feeding dispenser with a cylindrical feed supply conduit and a rotatable shutter featuring a protuberance that slides within a groove with two bearing seats at different heights, allowing easy adjustment of feed levels without requiring operators to bend, ensuring chicks can access feed while preventing contamination and waste as poultry grow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a centralized shutter regulation system with cables and returns is used to move all shutters contemporaneously, then the feed level can be regulated periodically according to growth stage, but the system becomes excessively complex and difficult to install and use in small feeding dispensers
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the regulation system into independent local units rather than using a centralized system. Each feeding dispenser has its own shutter with a simple groove mechanism that can be regulated independently, eliminating the need for complex cables and returns that connect all dispensers to a central control point.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the regulation mechanism from the centralized system and places it locally at each feeding dispenser. The groove is directly formed in the shutter itself, allowing the shutter to be regulated independently without relying on external cables or returns, thus simplifying the overall system.
2Volume of moving object
If the access space between the shutter and free edge of the accumulation tray is narrow in small feeding dispensers, then the dispenser can be installed in cages, but the centralized regulation system becomes difficult to install and use
Solution Approach 1:
The regulation mechanism is segmented into a compact local unit integrated into the shutter itself. The groove is formed directly in the shutter, allowing regulation to occur within the narrow space of small dispensers without requiring external cables or returns that would be difficult to maneuver in confined spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of bringing the regulation mechanism to the central supply point (as in centralized systems), the invention inverts the approach by placing the regulation mechanism locally at each dispenser. This allows operators to regulate shutters in place without needing to access central cable systems, making operation easier in narrow spaces.
3Ease of operation
If the feed level is maintained high in accumulation trays for chicks, then chicks can feed themselves, but feed disperses outside the dispenser causing waste and hygiene issues as poultry grow
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a dynamic feed level regulation system where the shutter position can be adjusted according to the growth stage of the poultry. For chicks, the shutter is positioned to maintain high feed level for easy access. As poultry grow, the shutter is lowered to reduce feed level and prevent dispersion outside the dispenser, thus eliminating waste and hygiene problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of feed level height based on the growth stage of the poultry. By adjusting the shutter position, the system adapts the feed level parameter: high for chicks to ensure accessibility, and low for grown poultry to prevent waste and maintain hygiene.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic feeding dispenser with a cylindrical feed supply conduit, an accumulation tray to supply feed to poultry and a shutter having at least one cylindrical portion, outer sliding and rotatable with respect to the supply conduit.