Chicken coop door module
A chicken coop door module having a frame, a door, and a motor drive unit. The motor drive unit is configured to move the door toward the open position in response to receiving an opening signal so that the frame opening is unobstructed, move the door toward the closed position in response to receiving a closing signal so that the frame opening is obstructed, and prevent the door from moving when no signal is received. The door module receives an opening signal in the morning to let the chickens out of the chicken coop, and a closing signal in the evening to close the door to secure the chickens in the coop. When no signal is received, the door is prevented from moving by the motor drive unit so that when open, the chickens may freely enter and exit the coop; and when closed, predators cannot open the door and attack the chickens. The chicken coop door module may include a controller to provide the opening signal and the closing signal base on a signal from a timer or light detector.
1. A chicken coop door module comprising:
a frame configured to define a frame opening and be attached to a chicken coop wall having a wall opening, wherein the frame opening is to be aligned with the wall opening, said frame having a top frame portion, a bottom frame portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion;
a pivot hinge movably coupled to the frame, said pivot hinge comprising a rod configured to extend vertically between the top frame portion and the bottom frame portion substantially close to the first side portion and define a longitudinal axis, wherein said pivot hinge pivots about the longitudinal axis;
a door coupled to the frame by the pivot hinge and movable between an open position, where the door is substantially vertical and substantially perpendicular to the frame such that the frame opening is substantially unobstructed, and a closed position, where door is substantially vertical and substantially parallel to the frame such that the frame opening is substantially obstructed by the door; and
a motor drive unit coupled to the pivot hinge, said motor drive unit configured to rotate the pivot hinge about the longitudinal axis and thereby move the door toward the open position in response to receiving an opening signal, move the door toward the closed position in response to receiving a closing signal, and prevent the door from moving when no signal is received.
2. The module in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the motor drive unit is further configured move the door from the closed position to the open position during an opening time to interval greater than about 15 seconds, and move the door from the open position to the closed position during a closing time interval greater than about 15 seconds.
3. The module in accordance with claim 1 , wherein when the door is in the closed position, the door is recessed within the frame opening and spaced apart from the frame opening by a clearance gap less than an amount effective to prevent a predator from getting a grip on the door.
4. The module in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said frame opening is a rectangle.
5. The module in accordance with claim 4 , wherein the frame defines a rectangle perimeter having a perimeter width of about 368 millimeters (14.5 inches) and a perimeter height greater than about 368 millimeters (14.5 inches).
6. The module in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the pivot hinge further comprises a plate arranged tangential and fixedly attached to the rod, whereby the door is coupled to the pivot hinge by plate.
7. The module in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the motor drive unit is attached to the top frame portion, the motor drive unit has a motor output coupled to the pivot hinge in a manner effective to rotate the pivot hinge about the longitudinal axis.
8. The module in accordance with claim 7 , wherein the motor drive unit has a rotating coupler coupled to the motor output, the rod extends through the rotating coupler, and the rod is fixedly attached to the rotating coupler, whereby the motor output is coupled to the pivot hinge.
9. The module in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the door has an edge that is adjacent the second frame portion when the door is in the closed position, and the motor drive unit limits a maximum output torque applied to the pivot hinge such that a door closing force between the door edge and the second frame portion is limited to avoid injury to a chicken located between the door edge and the second frame portion when the door is closing.
10. The module in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a door stop coupled to the frame and configured to prevent the door from being forced past the closed position.
11. The module in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a door closed switch arranged to be activated when the door is in the closed position.
12. The module in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a controller electrically coupled to the motor drive unit and configured to output the opening signal and output the closing signal.
13. The module in accordance with claim 12 , further comprising a light sensor electrically coupled to the controller and arranged to be exposed to sunlight to determine an opening time around sunrise for outputting the opening signal, and to determine a closing time around sunset for outputting the closing signal.
14. The module in accordance with claim 12 , further comprising a timer coupled to the controller and configured to output a timer signal to determine an opening time for outputting the opening signal and to determine a closing time for outputting the closing signal.
15. The module in accordance with claim 14 , further comprising a light sensor electrically coupled to the controller, wherein the opening time and the closing time are determined based on the timer and the light sensor.
16. The module in accordance with claim 12 , further comprising:
a door closed switch coupled to the controller and arranged to be activated when the door is in the closed position; and
an alarm coupled to the controller and effective to provide an indication that the alarm is activated,
wherein the controller is further configured to output the closing signal at a closing time, and activate the alarm if the door closed switch is not activated a closing period after the closing time.
17. The module in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising:
a bottom hole in the bottom frame portion surrounding the longitudinal axis and configured to receive the pivot hinge; and
a top hole in the top frame portion surrounding the longitudinal axis, wherein the top hole is configured to receive the pivot hinge and allow the pivot hinge to be removed from the frame module by lifting the pivot out of the bottom hole, then angling the pivot hinge such that the bottom of the pivot hinge is outside of the frame opening, and then withdrawing the pivot hinge out of the top hole.
18. A chicken coop system comprising:
a chicken coop having a wall with a wall opening;
a frame attached to the wall and configured to define a frame opening, wherein the frame opening is aligned with the wall opening, said frame having a top frame portion, a bottom frame portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion;
a pivot hinge movably coupled to the frame, said pivot hinge comprising a rod configured to extend vertically between the top frame portion and the bottom frame portion substantially close to the first side portion and define a longitudinal axis, wherein said pivot hinge pivots about the longitudinal axis;
a door coupled to the frame by the pivot hinge and movable between an open position, where the door is substantially vertical and substantially perpendicular to the frame such that the frame opening is substantially unobstructed, and a closed position, where door is substantially vertical and substantially parallel to the frame such that the frame opening is substantially obstructed by the door; and
a motor drive unit coupled to the pivot hinge, said motor drive unit configured to rotate the pivot hinge about the longitudinal axis and thereby move the door toward the open position in response to receiving an opening signal, move the door toward the closed position in response to receiving a closing signal, and prevent the door from moving when no signal is received.
19. The system in accordance with claim 18 , wherein the motor drive unit is further configured move the door from the closed position to the open position during an opening time to interval greater than about 15 seconds, and move the door from the open position to the closed position during a closing time interval greater than about 15 seconds.
20. A chicken coop door module comprising:
a frame configured to define a frame opening and be attached to a chicken coop wall having a wall opening, wherein the frame opening is to be aligned with the wall opening, said frame having a top frame portion, a bottom frame portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion;
a pivot hinge movably coupled to the frame, said pivot hinge comprising a rod configured to extend vertically between the top frame portion and the bottom frame portion substantially close to the first side portion and define a longitudinal axis, wherein said pivot hinge pivots about the longitudinal axis;
a door coupled to the frame by the pivot hinge and movable between an open position, where the door is substantially vertical and substantially perpendicular to the frame such that the frame opening is substantially unobstructed, and a closed position, where door is substantially vertical and substantially parallel to the frame such that the frame opening is substantially obstructed by the door; and
a motor drive unit coupled to the pivot hinge, said motor drive unit configured to rotate the pivot hinge about the longitudinal axis and thereby move the door toward the open position in response to receiving an opening signal and during an opening time to interval greater than about 15 seconds, move the door toward the closed position in response to receiving a closing signal and during a closing time interval greater than about 15 seconds, and prevent the pilot hinge from rotating when no signal is received and thereby prevent the door from moving when no signal is received;
a controller electrically connected to the motor drive unit and configured to output the opening signal at an opening time and output the closing signal at a closing time; and
a timer coupled to the controller and configured to output a timer signal to determining the opening time for outputting the opening signal and determine the closing time for outputting the closing signal.