Spring-Loaded Supplemental Feeder with Pedal Lever
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supplemental feeders in poultry houses require manual operation, are not default biased to an 'off' position, and can be accidentally activated by birds, leading to wasteful feed spillage and reduced feed conversion rates.
Innovation Solution
A spring-loaded supplemental feeder system with a pedal lever mechanism that defaults to an 'off' position, allowing operators to control the feed flow without bending and preventing accidental activation, using a combination of annular collar clamps, a tubular collar with detents, and tension or torsion springs to manage the rotation of the feeder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If supplemental feeders are manually operated and not default biased to off position, then feed can be provided when bird population is high, but feed spills wastefully onto the floor when accidentally activated and manual operation requires operators to stoop in hot humid conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The supplemental feeder is inverted in its default state: instead of defaulting to the on position where feed flows, it now defaults to the off position where feed is blocked. The spring-loaded mechanism creates a default closed state that must be actively opened by the operator, reversing the conventional approach and preventing accidental feed spillage while improving operational safety and reducing waste.
2Productivity
If supplemental feeders are manually operated requiring operators to stoop, then feed flow can be controlled, but operator labor intensity increases in hot humid crowded poultry houses
Solution Approach 1:
A pedal lever mechanism serves as an intermediary between the operator and the feeder valve. Instead of requiring direct manual manipulation of the feeder components, the operator activates the system by pressing a pedal, which transmits force through the mechanism to open or close the feed flow. This intermediary device allows operation from a standing position, improving operator convenience while maintaining precise feed control capability.
3Productivity
If supplemental feeders are placed in dispensing position before chicks are present, then feed is ready for distribution, but returning to non-dispensing position requires manual rotation of hundreds or thousands of feeders at ground level
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded mechanism provides self-service functionality by automatically returning the feeder to its default off position after activation. When the operator releases the pedal lever, the spring automatically closes the feed flow path without requiring manual intervention to rotate or reposition the feeder. This self-returning feature dramatically reduces the time and effort required to manage hundreds or thousands of feeders across the poultry house.
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 enables efficient operation of supplemental feeders, reducing manual labor and minimizing feed wastage by ensuring the feeders are easily switched on and off without manual bending and preventing accidental activation, thus improving feed conversion rates.
Implementation Method 1
The tubular collar is spring loaded with a tension spring in a first rotational direction
Implementation Method 2
For another implementation the tubular collar is torsion spring loaded
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method is described for a supplemental feeder system that provides a spring loaded supplemental feeder mounted on and spaced along a feed line. The spring loaded supplemental feeder acts as control that controls one or more follower supplemental feeders that is attached to control the one or more distally space apart supplemental feeders to dispense feed. The apparatus includes a pair of left and right annular collar clamps spaced apart and a tubular collar coaxial with respect to the left and right annular collar clamps and rotationally attached to the left and right annular collars. An extension tube having an interior extension channel is communicably attached to an interior channel of the tubular collar.