Automated Sensor Catch System for Hydraulic Livestock Chutes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic livestock squeeze chutes require manual operation, leading to potential missed catches due to operator distraction or lack of concentration, resulting in inefficiency and potential animal harm.
Innovation Solution
A fully automated, sensor-driven catch and release system for hydraulic livestock squeeze chutes, utilizing sensors and a control module to automate the catching and releasing process, ensuring accurate and efficient animal restraint without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual operation is used to operate the levers of the valve body, then the operator can control the squeeze chute, but missed catches occur due to lack of concentration or distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation of valve levers with an automated sensor-driven system. Sensors detect animal presence and trigger hydraulic valves automatically, eliminating the need for manual lever operation and preventing missed catches due to operator distraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The squeeze chute system performs the catching function autonomously through sensors and automated control. The system detects when an animal enters and automatically actuates the appropriate valves to close gates, making the system self-sufficient without requiring continuous manual intervention.
2Productivity
If manual operation is used, then the operator can adjust the squeeze chute, but excess wasted time occurs due to human reaction and processing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated sensor and hydraulic valve system. Sensors immediately detect animal presence and electronically trigger hydraulic valves, eliminating human reaction time delays and significantly reducing the time required to catch and restrain animals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is pre-configured with sensors positioned to detect animal entry and pre-programmed control logic that immediately actuates the appropriate hydraulic valves upon detection, eliminating the time required for human decision-making and manual adjustment.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If manual operation is used, then the operator can control the squeeze chute, but catching the animal in the wrong place can potentially hurt the animal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual control with automated sensor detection and hydraulic valve actuation. Sensors precisely detect animal position and the control system automatically actuates valves to close gates at the correct locations, eliminating the risk of operator error that could cause animals to be caught in wrong places and potentially harmed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to continuously monitor animal presence and position, providing real-time feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism ensures that hydraulic valves are actuated at the correct moments and locations, preventing harmful mistakes that could occur with manual operation.
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 system enhances processing efficiency and accuracy by automating the catching process, reducing the likelihood of missed catches and allowing for more precise animal handling, while maintaining safety and efficiency across various animal sizes and scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
A pair of hydraulic cylinders are secured to the tail gate assembly for opening and closing the tail gate members of the tail gate assembly. A pair of hydraulic cylinders are secured to the head gate assembly for pivotally moving the head gate members between open and closed positions.
Implementation Method 2
First, second, third and fourth sensors are mounted on the sensor support member in a longitudinally spaced-apart manner.
Data Source
AI summary
A fully automated, sensor driven catch system for a livestock squeeze chute includes an elongated sensor support member mounted on the upper end of the squeeze chute which has first, second, third and fourth sensors mounted thereof. A fifth sensor is built into one of the head gate hydraulic cylinders. A sixth sensor is built into the hydraulic cylinder for controlling the side squeeze panels of the chute. A seventh sensor is built into one of the hydraulic cylinders for controlling the tail gate hydraulic cylinders. The sensors are connected to a control module which is connected to a hydraulic valve module. The sensors send signals to the control module which controls the hydraulic cylinder of the tail gate assembly, the side squeeze panels and the head gate assembly. The sensors sense the movement of the animal as it passes through the chute which in turn controls the hydraulic cylinders.