Static Feed Mixing Plant with Dual Flow Conveyor and Weight Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feed mixing plants for ruminant livestock are limited in productivity, unable to efficiently handle large volumes, and lack the capability to incorporate solid and liquid ingredients, resulting in reduced accuracy and quality of mixes, particularly suited for small farms.
Innovation Solution
A static plant with a conveyor unit, chain and/or screw feeders, weight sensors, and silos for solid and liquid ingredients, featuring a dual flow system with weight control and laser sensors to ensure accurate mixing and high productivity, capable of feeding over 1,500 heads of livestock per hour, with automated cycles and strain gauges for quality control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional single-flow conveyor system is used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity is insufficient to feed more than 1,500 heads of livestock per hour
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is divided into two independent parallel conveyor belts (first conveyor belt and second conveyor belt), each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows continuous feeding operation where while one belt is discharging, the other can be loaded, thereby doubling the productivity without requiring a completely complex new system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by having one conveyor belt prepare and discharge feed while the other belt simultaneously loads and prepares the next batch. This overlapping preparation and discharge cycle eliminates idle time and ensures continuous high-speed operation to meet the 1,500+ livestock feeding requirement
2Manufacturing precision
If manual or simple automated mixing is used, then the manufacturing precision is low, but the mixing time is shorter
Solution Approach 1:
Weight sensors are integrated at multiple points in the system (at the feeders and at the mixer inlet) to provide real-time feedback on ingredient quantities. This feedback mechanism enables precise control and adjustment of batching amounts, ensuring accurate ingredient proportions while maintaining efficient mixing cycles through automated control
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual batching operations with automated weight-controlled feeders that use sensors and control systems to precisely measure and dispense ingredients. This substitution of mechanical/manual processes with automated sensing and control achieves high batching accuracy without extending mixing time
3Productivity
If a static plant configuration is used, then the ease of operation is high, but the productivity is insufficient for large-scale livestock feeding
Solution Approach 1:
The static plant is designed with universal, multi-functional components that perform multiple operations. The mixers can receive ingredients from either conveyor belt, the system can operate with one or both belts, and the discharge mechanism can serve multiple livestock areas. This multi-functionality enables high productivity through continuous operation while maintaining the simplicity and ease of operation characteristic of static plants
Data Source
AI summary
Static plant for preparing feed mixes for ruminant livestock, having a conveyor unit for conveying the feed mix ingredients, chain and/or screw feeders, feeders with weight sensors and supplementary conveyor belt, silos of solid ingredients, and silos of liquid ingredients, independently supplying via the conveyor unit, with dual flow, two or more high-capacity mixers.