Slurry Manure Discharge Sealing via Segmented Flaps and Spacers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slurry manure discharge apparatuses in animal houses fail to ensure effective sealing against injurious gases and fumes while allowing proper discharge, often leading to clogging and inefficient operation.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus features spacers that keep closing parts apart, flexible flaps for easy slurry manure passage, and a buckled profile to prevent sticking, ensuring the closing parts press against floor slats for secure sealing and easy cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If closing parts are used to shut off slurry manure discharge openings, then injurious gases and fumes are prevented from being emitted, but the discharge opening may become clogged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas emissionVSAvoiddischarge opening clogging
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The closing part is divided into multiple flaps (first flap, second flap, third flap) that can move independently. This segmentation allows slurry manure to pass through by pushing individual flaps aside rather than blocking the entire opening, preventing clogging while maintaining sealing capability when flaps are in closed position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flaps are designed to be flexible and movable rather than fixed. They can dynamically open to allow slurry discharge and close to prevent gas emission. The flaps' ability to move independently enables them to adapt to the flow of slurry manure, preventing clogging while maintaining sealing when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If a rigid profile is used for the second closing part, then structural stability is improved, but the profile may move or bend under slurry manure pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprofile stabilityVSAvoidprofile position
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The spacers act as counterbalancing elements that apply force in the opposite direction to slurry manure pressure. They push the closing parts against the floor slats, creating a counteracting force that prevents the rigid profile from moving or bending under pressure, thereby maintaining both structural stability and positional stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If closing parts are attached to floor slats, then sealing is improved, but cleaning and maintenance become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The closing parts are extracted from the floor slat structure and positioned independently between floor slats. They are not permanently attached but held in place by spacers and pressure against the floor slats. This extraction allows the closing parts to be easily removed for cleaning and maintenance while still providing effective sealing when in operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a single large flap is used, then sealing coverage is improved, but slurry manure discharge becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing coverageVSAvoidslurry discharge ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The single large flap is divided into multiple smaller flaps (first, second, and third flaps) arranged side by side. This segmentation reduces the size of each individual flap, making it easier for slurry manure to push them aside for discharge. The multiple flaps collectively provide adequate sealing coverage when closed, resolving the contradiction between sealing coverage and discharge ease

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design ensures minimal gas emission, prevents clogging, and facilitates easy slurry manure discharge by allowing the flaps to be pushed aside, while the spacers and buckled profile maintain effective sealing and ease of maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

each spacer comprises two spacer elements which are directly or indirectly connected to each other by means of spring-mounted connecting elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the first closing part comprises at least one flexible flap extending in an essentially vertical direction during use

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

the flaps which are suspended against the edge of the profile as a result of gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2347647B1Device for use in a pen floor discharge of waste
Publication Date: 2012.07.04 SWAANS JOHANNES
  • EP2347647B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2347647B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

A slurry manure discharge apparatus 1 comprises two closing parts 3, 5 which shut off a slurry manure discharge opening 7. The closing parts are present against longitudinal sides 9A, 11A of floor slats 9, 11. The two closing parts 3 and 5 are not attached to the floor slats 9 and 11 so that they can be removed from the slurry manure discharge opening 7 so as to be cleaned. The closing parts with the projecting upper sections 3A and 5A rest on supports 13 of the floor of the animal house. To ensure that the closing parts are present below the upper edges 9B and 11B of the floor slats, the slurry manure discharge apparatus comprises spacers 15. These spacers each have a spacer element 17 keeping the upper sections 3A and 5A near the upper edges apart as well as an upside down T-shaped turning element 19 keeping the upper sections near the lower edges apart.