Feed Distribution Turbine Rotation Feedback for Jam Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural distribution machines for animal feed and bedding face issues such as jamming and safety hazards due to dense or compact products, requiring lengthy operator intervention and risking injury from moving blades.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a rotary indicator and control and data acquisition system to monitor the turbine's rotation, providing visual and audible feedback to the operator, allowing for automated adjustments to prevent jams and ensure safe operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the user manually monitors and adjusts the distribution machine during operation, then the machine can handle product density variations, but the user is exposed to safety risks from moving blades and requires lengthy intervention time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation continuityVSAvoidsafety risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a sensor detects the rotational speed of the turbine and sends signals to the control unit. The control unit automatically adjusts the conveyor speed based on this feedback, eliminating the need for manual monitoring and intervention, thus ensuring operational continuity without exposing users to safety risks from moving blades

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The distribution machine performs self-regulation through automated control. The system automatically detects turbine rotation issues and adjusts conveyor speed accordingly, enabling the machine to handle product density variations and prevent jamming without requiring user intervention, thereby ensuring operational continuity while eliminating safety risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If the turbine rotates at high speed to maintain material flow, then productivity is improved, but the risk of injury from moving blades increases when intervention is needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial distribution rateVSAvoidsafety risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor continuously monitors turbine rotational speed and provides feedback to the control unit. When the turbine slows down or stops (indicating potential jamming), the system automatically responds by adjusting conveyor speed, eliminating the need for manual intervention during high-speed operation and thus maintaining productivity without exposing users to blade injury risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical intervention with an automated electronic control system. The control unit electronically regulates conveyor speed based on turbine rotation detection, substituting the need for physical user intervention during high-speed turbine operation, thereby maintaining productivity while eliminating safety risks from moving blades

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If the conveyor speed is increased to prevent jamming, then productivity is improved, but the likelihood of product density causing blockages increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial flow rateVSAvoidblockage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts conveyor speed based on real-time turbine rotation conditions. Rather than operating at a fixed high speed, the conveyor speed varies automatically in response to product density variations and turbine performance, maintaining optimal material flow rate while preventing blockages through adaptive control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control system uses feedback from turbine rotation speed detection to automatically regulate conveyor speed. When product density causes turbine slowdown, the system responds by adjusting conveyor speed accordingly, maintaining productivity while preventing blockages through continuous adaptive regulation rather than fixed high-speed operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Reduces manual intervention time, minimizes machine downtime, and enhances safety by enabling proactive intervention to prevent blockages and blade-related injuries.

Implementation Method 1

These blades generate an airflow that, with their high-speed movement, propels the products towards the discharge opening of the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow generation through rotating blades: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP4169373B1Agricultural machine for the distribution of products for the feeding of animals and/or the formation of their litter

Publication Date: 2026.05.20 KUHN AUDUREAU SAS

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AI summary

The present invention relates to an agricultural machine for distributing products for animal feed and/or bedding. The machine comprises a product receiving chamber (1), a distribution turbine, a product projection space (2a), a rotating element (3) equipped with blades (3a) mounted in the projection space (2a), a drive shaft (4) for the rotating element (3), and a conveyor and/or untangling system (9, 10). It includes a rotating indicator (5) located outside the projection space (2a) and capable of being driven in rotation, directly or indirectly, by the drive shaft (4), so as to transmit to a user, by its own visual effect of rotation, a visual indication of the rotation of the rotating element (3).