Vertical Offset Fodder Machine with Integrated Belt and Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The animal feed industry faces challenges in efficiently utilizing land for fodder production, as large animal operations often lack sufficient space and resources to grow their own fodder, leading to land being diverted from human food production and requiring extensive transportation, which is resource-intensive and impractical.
Innovation Solution
A fodder machine that allows for vertical, offset bed configurations with integrated belts, rollers, motors, seeders, watering systems, grow lights, and control systems to automate and optimize fodder growth in compact spaces, enabling efficient production and water recycling while minimizing land use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional horizontal fodder beds are used, then fodder can grow, but the machine occupies excessive space and cannot be efficiently located near animals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional horizontal fodder beds into a vertical configuration. Multiple beds are stacked vertically one above another, converting the space utilization from two-dimensional (horizontal) to three-dimensional (vertical). This allows the fodder machine to occupy minimal floor space while maintaining multiple growing surfaces, enabling efficient location near animals without sacrificing fodder production capacity.
2Extent of automation
If manual fodder production operations are used, then the system is simple, but user time is consumed and automation is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple manual operations into an integrated automated system. The seeder, watering system, lighting system, and bed rotation mechanism are merged into a single coordinated unit controlled by a controller. This allows automated seed distribution, water delivery, light scheduling, and bed positioning, freeing user time while maintaining manageable system complexity through integrated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The fodder machine is designed to perform its own operational tasks automatically. The system self-regulates seed distribution, water delivery, lighting schedules, and bed rotation without continuous human intervention. The controller manages all subsystems to maintain optimal growing conditions autonomously, achieving high automation while keeping the system manageable through centralized control.
3Loss of substance
If fodder is transported from distant locations, then land can be used for human food crops, but transportation consumes enormous resources
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical fodder machine acts as an intermediary solution between distant fodder sources and animals. Instead of transporting fodder over long distances or dedicating large land areas to fodder production, the vertical machine provides a compact, automated fodder production system that can be located near animals. This intermediary system eliminates the need for extensive transportation while maintaining practical and efficient fodder supply.
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 fodder machine enables reliable and efficient fodder production in minimal space, reducing land competition with human food crops and minimizing resource usage, while ensuring a constant food supply for animals through automated and space-efficient operations.
Implementation Method 1
The belt is wetted with a slip agent to reduce friction between the belt and the seed
Implementation Method 2
Each bed is tilted away from the offset so that water drainage does not fall onto lower beds
Implementation Method 3
A grow light system is included to provide light to the beds
Implementation Method 4
A trough is provided to receive water drainage from the beds
Data Source
AI summary
A fodder machine. The fodder machine includes one or more beds. The one or more beds are vertical relative to one another and each of one or more beds is offset to every other bed in both horizontal directions. Each of one or more beds is tilted approximately two degrees from horizontal. The fodder machine also includes one or more belts, where the one or more belts are configured to be a surface for the growth of fodder.