Animal-Mimicking Sensing Unit for Accurate Vibration Profiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current environmental monitoring systems for animal research fail to accurately capture the vibrations experienced by animals due to the lack of consideration for the movement and body dynamics of the animals, leading to distorted or incomplete measurements.
Innovation Solution
An environmental sensing system is developed that mimics the morphological attributes of non-human living organisms, including automated joints and materials to replicate resonant frequencies and damping, coupled with sensing elements to measure environmental factors and output an environmental sensory profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional accelerometers are attached to cages or trucks to measure vibration, then the measurement system is simple and easy to implement, but the measurement accuracy is distorted and incomplete because it does not account for animal body dynamics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a physical copy of the animal model (phantom model) that replicates the anatomical structure, mass distribution, and mechanical properties of the actual animal. This copy is then instrumented with sensors to measure vibrations as the animal would experience them, providing accurate measurements without requiring complex mathematical models or multiple sensors on the actual animal.
Solution Approach 2:
The animal model serves as an intermediary between the vibration source and the measurement system. Instead of directly measuring vibrations in the environment or on the actual animal, the model transmits and experiences the vibrations in a way that replicates animal body dynamics, providing a bridge between environmental vibrations and animal perception.
2Loss of information
If environmental vibrations are measured without considering animal body movement, then the monitoring system is simple and fast to implement, but it fails to capture the true vibration experience of the animal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by creating and validating the animal model before actual vibration measurements are taken. The model is pre-configured with appropriate mass distribution, structural properties, and sensor placement to ensure it accurately represents animal body dynamics. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex real-time corrections during measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from environmental vibration levels to animal-experienced vibration levels by using a model that incorporates animal-specific mass, stiffness, and damping properties. This transforms the measurement from a general environmental assessment to a biologically-relevant assessment without requiring complex real-time calculations.
3Measurement precision
If accelerometers are attached directly to animals to measure vibration, then the measurement would be accurate, but it causes additional stress and harm to the animals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a physical copy (model) of the animal instead of the actual animal for measurement purposes. This copy replicates the anatomical and mechanical properties needed for accurate vibration measurement while eliminating all harmful effects associated with attaching sensors to live animals, including stress, discomfort, and potential injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The animal model acts as an intermediary that experiences the vibrations in place of the actual animal. This mediator provides the necessary measurement data without exposing the real animal to any harm, combining ethical considerations with measurement accuracy.
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 system provides a more accurate measurement of vibrations and other environmental factors experienced by animals, improving animal welfare and research reproducibility by accounting for body-induced amplification and damping.
Implementation Method 1
mimic resonant frequencies and damping
Implementation Method 2
mimic resonant frequencies and damping
Data Source
AI summary
An environmental sensing unit that includes one or more sensing elements that are coupled to a physical mass morphologically modeled after a non-human living organism is provided. The environmental sensing unit further includes a processing system coupled to said one or more sensing elements to detect environmental factors experienced by the physical mass, determine an environmental sensory profile and output said environmental sensory profile.