Resilient Semi-Rigid Trough With Transverse Restraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal feeding systems face issues with feed wastage and spoilage due to trampling and soiling, particularly in outdoor settings, and shy animals often miss out on feed as dominant animals consume first, while mobile troughs can damage surfaces and are difficult to clean.
Innovation Solution
A freestanding, portable trough with an elongate body made from a resilient semi-rigid sheet, featuring transverse restraints that maintain side walls upright and prevent them from moving outward, combined with electrically conductive lines to deter animals from walking on the trough, reducing wastage and spoilage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If feed material is distributed directly onto the ground or floor, then animals can access feed easily, but significant wastage occurs from trampling and soiling
Solution Approach 1:
The trough is divided into multiple compartments that can be distributed in different orientations (longitudinally or transversely) to serve multiple animals simultaneously, reducing competition and access barriers while containing feed to prevent wastage
2Productivity
If large numbers of animals are grouped together at a single feeding point, then feed access is concentrated, but shy feeders are disadvantaged by dominant animals consuming first
Solution Approach 1:
The trough is segmented into multiple compartments arranged to allow simultaneous access by multiple animals, with at least one compartment positioned to provide access for shy or subordinate animals without interference from dominant animals
Solution Approach 2:
Compartments are arranged in different spatial orientations (longitudinal or transverse) to create multiple feeding zones at different locations, allowing animals to feed simultaneously from different areas rather than competing at a single point
3Adaptability or versatility
If mobile troughs are used outdoors to reduce ground damage, then feeding sites can be relocated, but the trough may become unstable or tip over
Solution Approach 1:
The trough is designed with inherent stabilizing features (wide base, low center of gravity, outriggers) that are built into the structure beforehand, allowing it to stand stably on uneven outdoor ground without requiring attachment or preliminary setup of external support structures
4Strength
If the trough is made from rigid materials to maintain shape, then structural strength is improved, but the trough becomes difficult to clean and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The trough is constructed from flexible or semi-rigid material that can be rolled or folded for easy transport and storage, yet maintains sufficient structural integrity when in use, and can be easily unrolled and set up without complex assembly or cleaning procedures
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 trough effectively contains feed, reduces wastage and spoilage, and allows all animals equal access to food, while being easy to move and clean, with the electric deterrent further minimizing contamination and damage to feeding sites.
Implementation Method 1
the bottom portion is integrally formed with the two side wall portions from a resilient semi-rigid sheet
Implementation Method 2
the side wall portions are restrained from moving outward, away from a longitudinal centreline of the trough, at least in part by a tension in the restraint
Data Source
AI summary
A freestanding trough has an elongate trough body 12 and transverse restraints 14. The trough body has a bottom portion 16 integrally formed with two side wall portions 18 from a resilient semi-rigid sheet. The restraints 14 extends transversely across the inside of the trough, intermediate the ends of the trough body 23, lower than upper edges of the side wall portions but higher than the bottom portion. The side wall portions 18 are restrained from moving outward, away from a longitudinal centerline of the trough, at least in part by a tension in the restraint 14 and the side wall portions are maintained upright in part by the tension in the restraint, and in part by the resilient semi-rigidity of the sheet.