Automated Fodder Distribution System for Livestock Ships
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for stowing, preserving, and distributing fodder on ships transporting large animals are labor-intensive, unreliable, and prone to inefficiencies in feeding schedules, safety concerns, and environmental exposure, leading to high operational costs and potential nutritional losses.
Innovation Solution
A fully automated system utilizing symmetrically arranged silos, chain-type conveyors, and bucket elevators for loading, drawing, and distributing fodder, with programmable control and monitoring to ensure precise feeding and balance, allowing for efficient and safe fodder management and recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual means (wheelbarrows) and simple conveyors are used for fodder distribution, then the system is simple to implement, but labor costs are high and productivity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The fodder storage system is divided into multiple silos (at least two silos) that are symmetrically arranged on the ship. Each silo operates independently to store and distribute fodder, enabling parallel operation and increasing overall productivity while maintaining system simplicity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical means (wheelbarrows) are replaced with an automated conveyor system comprising conveyors and distributors that automatically transport and distribute fodder from silos to animal compartments. This substitution eliminates manual labor while maintaining relatively simple mechanical infrastructure, thereby increasing productivity without excessive complexity
2Quantity of substance
If large quantities of fodder are stored on the upper deck, then the feeding requirements can be met, but the ship's stability and balance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The fodder storage system transitions from horizontal placement on the upper deck to vertical placement in silos located in the lower hold of the ship. This dimensional change from horizontal to vertical storage allows large quantities of fodder to be stored without compromising the ship's center of gravity and stability
Solution Approach 2:
The symmetric arrangement of at least two silos creates a balanced weight distribution in the lower hold, counteracting potential instability. The symmetrical positioning ensures that the heavy fodder load is evenly distributed, maintaining the ship's balance while storing large quantities
3Device complexity
If fodder is exposed to atmospheric agents during storage and distribution, then the system remains simple and open, but the fodder deteriorates and loses nutritional properties
Solution Approach 1:
The silos are designed as enclosed structures with sealed openings, creating protective barriers that shield fodder from atmospheric agents such as moisture, dust, and contaminants. These enclosed shells maintain relatively simple system architecture while effectively preventing environmental deterioration
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful atmospheric elements are excluded from the fodder storage environment by using enclosed silos. The system extracts or removes the fodder from direct exposure to the external atmosphere, protecting nutritional properties while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized silo designs
4Productivity
If automated conveyor systems are implemented, then productivity and precision are improved, but device complexity and initial costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is designed with multi-functional components that perform multiple operations. Conveyors serve both transport and distribution functions, while distributors can serve multiple animal compartments. This universality increases productivity while reducing overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The automated conveyor and distributor system operates with minimal human intervention, feeding itself through programmed automated control. The system's self-service capability increases productivity and precision in fodder distribution while requiring relatively simple control mechanisms rather than complex manual operation systems
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for stowing, preserving and distributing fodder in ships for transporting large quantities of animals, the system (1) comprising: - at least one silo (2, 3) for storing the fodder, located in a region of the ship (N) that is located below deck; - means (4) for automated drawing of the fodder from the storage silo (2, 3) to convey it into at least one intermediate region (5) located at a higher level than the level at which the compartments (6) for the animals to be fed are located; - means (7) for the automated distribution of the fodder from the intermediate region (5) to the compartments (6) for the animals to be fed.