Poultry Barn Robot Conveyor for Dead Bird and Manure Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Poultry farming operations face high intensity labor demands and hazardous working conditions due to the need for manual collection of dead birds and manure in large-scale industrial poultry barns, which can lead to health risks for workers and inefficiencies in bird care.
Innovation Solution
A robotic system designed for poultry barns that includes a chassis, conveyor, and controller to automate the collection and disposal of dead birds and manure, reducing manual labor and improving air quality by optimizing environmental controls and health monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual labor is used for collecting dead birds and removing manure, then labor flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but labor intensity increases and working conditions become hazardous
Solution Approach 1:
The robot autonomously navigates the barn, detects dead birds and manure locations, and performs collection operations without continuous human intervention. The system uses onboard sensors to detect targets and automatically controls the conveyor and collection platform to complete the entire workflow independently, eliminating the need for workers to manually enter hazardous environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical labor with an automated robotic system that uses sensors, controllers, and automated mechanical components. The robot substitutes human workers in performing repetitive and hazardous tasks, using automated detection and control systems to identify and collect dead birds and manure without direct human contact with harmful substances.
2Extent of automation
If automated robotic systems are deployed, then labor intensity is reduced and air quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot is designed as a multi-functional platform that can perform multiple tasks including navigation, dead bird detection, manure detection, conveyor operation, and collection platform control. This universal design consolidates what could be multiple separate systems into a single integrated unit, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high automation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the detection system, control system, conveyor mechanism, and collection platform into a single integrated robotic unit. By merging these components into one cohesive system rather than separate independent systems, the patent reduces the overall complexity of automation deployment while achieving comprehensive automated functionality.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring and collection operations are performed, then bird health improves and antibiotic use decreases, but loss of time for robot operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot operates continuously through the barn, systematically scanning and collecting dead birds and manure without interruption. The continuous operation ensures that bird health issues are addressed promptly and the barn environment is maintained consistently, improving reliability of health monitoring while the automated efficiency reduces overall time loss compared to manual intermittent operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot performs preliminary detection and collection operations proactively, identifying and removing dead birds and manure before they can compromise bird health or create hazardous conditions. This preliminary action prevents health deterioration and reduces the need for subsequent intensive intervention, optimizing the balance between monitoring reliability and operation time.
Data Source
AI summary
A poultry barn robot for robotically preforming various poultry barn operation tasks that includes a chassis, a collection platform pivotally mounted to the chassis, and an conveyor connected to the chassis, wherein the conveyor includes conveyor system for conveying at least one of dead birds and manure cakes from a bedded floor of a poultry barn to the collection platform. The robot additionally includes at least one equipment cabinet mounted to the chassis, and at least one controller that is structured and operable to control: movement of the robot through the poultry barn; movement of the conveyor system; and movement of the collection platform between a Collection position and a Disposal position.