Autonomous Vehicle Pusher Device for Feed Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing livestock feeding systems face inefficiencies in pushing feed back towards the feeding barrier, requiring vehicles with complex scraper mechanisms that are not always efficient or easy to implement.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous unmanned vehicle equipped with a pusher device featuring a V-shaped scraper member that moves transversely to push food laterally towards the feeding barrier, combined with an obstacle detection system for safe operation, allowing the vehicle to move autonomously along the feeding alley and adjust its pusher position for effective feed distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a V-shaped scraper blade is used to push food to the sides, then food is effectively pushed towards the feeding barrier, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher device is divided into multiple independent scraper members (first scraper member and second scraper member) that can be positioned at different lateral offsets. Each scraper member independently pushes feed along the ground, allowing the system to handle wide feeding barriers effectively without requiring a single complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The scraper members are positioned at different lateral offsets from the vehicle's longitudinal axis, creating a distributed pushing configuration across the width of the feeding barrier. This dimensional arrangement allows effective feed pushing across wide barriers while keeping each individual scraper mechanism simple.
2Productivity
If the pusher device is positioned close to the ground for effective feed pushing, then feed pushing efficiency improves, but the ability to detect obstacles worsens
Solution Approach 1:
An optical sensor is introduced as an intermediary detection device positioned on the vehicle to detect obstacles in the feed pushing path. The sensor provides advance warning of obstacles, allowing the vehicle to adjust its operation before the scraper members encounter the obstacles, thus maintaining both efficient feed pushing and obstacle detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensor detects obstacles before the pusher device encounters them, allowing the vehicle to take preliminary action (such as adjusting speed or position) to avoid collisions. This preliminary detection resolves the contradiction by providing advance information about obstacles while the pusher remains positioned for effective feed pushing.
3Productivity
If the vehicle operates autonomously without manual control, then feeding efficiency improves, but the ease of operation and safety monitoring worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor provides continuous feedback about obstacles in the vehicle's path to the control system. This feedback loop allows the autonomous vehicle to automatically adjust its operation to avoid obstacles, maintaining safety without requiring manual intervention while preserving autonomous feeding efficiency.
4Productivity
If multiple scraper members are used to cover wide feeding barriers, then feed distribution improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher device uses multiple independent scraper members (first and second scraper members) positioned at different lateral offsets. Each scraper member is a simple, identical component that independently pushes feed, allowing the system to cover wide feeding barriers while keeping individual components simple and maintenance-free.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple scraper members perform the same function (pushing feed along the ground) but at different lateral positions. This universal design allows the system to effectively serve wide feeding barriers using repeated simple units rather than a single complex mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
This pusher device (12) comprising a support (22) and a pusher member (14) borne by the support, the pusher member (14) being designed to push feed along the ground in a transverse direction (T) resulting from the movement of the pusher device (14) in a longitudinal direction (L) perpendicular to the transverse direction (T) is characterized in that the pusher member (14) is translationally mobile with respect to the support (22) in the transverse direction (T). Application to an automatic vehicle for distributing feed to an animal rearing installation.