Rotary Feed Device with Movable Teeth for Obstruction Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feeding devices for animals, such as those in automatic systems like the Lely Vector, face issues with long grass or straw wrapping around the roller body, causing obstructions and inefficient feed removal.
Innovation Solution
A feeding device with a rotatable, cylindrical body and movable teeth that protrude through slots to catch feed and retract within the body for efficient feed removal, utilizing a synchronized movement and curved track construction to ensure optimal feed catch and drop without hindering the container's opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the roller body has fixed teeth extending inside the side wall, then feed catching is effective, but long grass or straw wraps around the roller body causing obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The teeth are made movable relative to the roller body, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position. During the first part of rotation, teeth protrude through slots to catch feed effectively. During the second part of rotation, teeth retract completely within the roller body circumference to prevent grass and straw from wrapping around, thus eliminating obstructions while maintaining feed removal efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The tooth structure is segmented into movable components that can independently protrude and retract relative to the roller body. The teeth are provided in a movable way through slots in the roller body, allowing different parts of the tooth system to perform different functions at different times during rotation, resolving the contradiction between feed catching and obstruction prevention
2Productivity
If the teeth are always protruding from the body, then feed catch is good, but the device becomes more complex and safety is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The teeth transition from a static configuration to a dynamic one, moving between protruding and retracted positions based on rotational phase. This dynamic behavior is achieved through the interaction between the curved track and the slots in the roller body, allowing the teeth to automatically adjust their position without complex control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The teeth system is self-regulating through the curved track mechanism. As the roller body rotates, the curved track automatically guides the teeth to protrude during the feed-catching phase and retract during the feed-drop phase, eliminating the need for external actuators or complex control systems while maintaining effective feed removal
3Productivity
If the feed removing device is positioned close to the dispensing opening, then feed removal is efficient, but the teeth may hinder the closing of the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The teeth dynamically retract within the roller body during portions of rotation, creating clear space that allows the dispensing opening to close completely without interference. This dynamic retraction enables the feed removing device to be positioned close to the dispensing opening for efficient feed removal while preventing obstruction of the closing operation
Solution Approach 2:
The teeth perform periodic protrusion and retraction cycles synchronized with the rotation of the roller body. During the periodic retraction phase, the teeth are completely within the roller body circumference, allowing the dispensing opening to close without hindrance. This periodic action enables close positioning of the feed removing device while maintaining ease of operation for opening and closing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A feeding device for feeding animals comprises a feed container (1) for accommodating feed, the feed container (1) being provided with a side wall (2) having a closable dispensing opening (6), and a feed removing device (10) for removing feed from the feed container (1), the feed removing device (10) being provided outside of the side wall (2) near the dispensing opening (6) and having a rotatable, substantially cylindrical body (11) with feed catching teeth (13) and a drive unit (14) for the body (11), wherein the teeth (13) are provided in a movable way relative to the body (11) during its rotation in such a way that, during a first part of each rotation of the body (11), the teeth are protruding from the body (11) through slots (12) to catch feed and that, during a second part of each rotation of the body (11), the teeth (13) are positioned substantially completely within the circumference of the body (11).