Spinner Plate Feed Distribution System Vermin Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal feed distribution systems are vulnerable to vermin such as mice, squirrels, and raccoons, which can access the feed, and often require additional measures like fencing to prevent wildlife access.
Innovation Solution
A feed distribution system with a hopper, a spinner plate mounted beneath the feed outlet, and a motor-driven closure apparatus that uses centrifugal force to rotate the spinner plate, creating a gap for feed dispersal while preventing vermin access, featuring a central shaft and support legs with biasing members to maintain a seal and resist downward forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the spinner plate is kept close to the hopper bottom to prevent vermin access, then vermin protection is improved, but feed dispersal capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spinner plate is designed to dynamically change its position between a raised operating position during rotation for effective feed dispersal and a lowered closed position when stationary to prevent vermin access. The support legs with biasing members enable this dynamic positioning, allowing the system to optimize both vermin protection and feed dispersal capability at different operational states.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the spinner plate is held in a closed position to seal against the hopper, then vermin access is prevented, but feed cannot be dispersed
Solution Approach 1:
The system operates in periodic cycles, maintaining a closed sealed position during idle periods to prevent vermin access, and transitioning to an open dispersed position during rotation periods for feed dispersal. This periodic action between closed and open states allows the system to achieve both vermin protection and effective feed distribution.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If additional fencing or cages are added to prevent vermin access, then vermin protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vermin protection function is merged with the existing spinner plate and support leg structure. Instead of adding separate fencing or caging systems, the invention integrates vermin prevention into the normal operational components of the feed distribution system, thereby achieving protection without significantly increasing device complexity.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the spinner plate is made stationary to maintain a seal, then vermin protection is improved, but feed distribution efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spinner plate transitions between stationary closed positions that maintain seal integrity for vermin protection and rotating open positions that enable efficient feed distribution. The dynamic capability to switch between these two states resolves the contradiction between maintaining a seal and achieving effective feed distribution.
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
Effectively prevents vermin from accessing the feed while allowing for efficient dispersal of animal feed, eliminating the need for additional cages or fencing, thus protecting the feed from pests and larger wildlife.
Implementation Method 1
The support legs include at least two linkages and are biased to be in extension by a first biasing member to inhibit the spinner plate from being pulled downward
Implementation Method 2
Rotation of the spinner plate generates a centrifugal force that is sufficient to flex the support legs and move the spinner plate downward away from the hopper
Data Source
AI summary
A feed distribution system for animals comprising a hopper for containing feed, a spinner plate mounted beneath the feed outlet of the hopper, and a motor for rotating the spinner plate. A closure apparatus for the spinner plate includes a central shaft and at least two support legs. The spinner plate is mounted on a motor shaft extending from the motor and is biased upward by the support legs to force the plate towards the bottom of the hopper. In the resting position, a minimal gap is maintained between the spinner plate and the bottom of the hopper such that the spinner plate can rotate without interference, but vermin cannot reach into the gap to access feed that may be on the spinner plate. The support legs are biased by a first biasing member to be in extension to inhibit the edge of the plate from being pulled downward if vermin try to hang from or pull down on the plate. Rotation of the spinner plate generates a centrifugal force to force the support legs into flexion and move the spinner plate downward along the central shaft away from the hopper and, thereby creating a larger gap and allowing the feed to be dispersed during the rotation of the spinner plate.