Animal Sensor Housing with Force and Acceleration Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensor assemblies for monitoring animal physiological states, particularly in livestock, face challenges in accurate placement and protection from environmental damage, leading to reduced effectiveness in detecting reproductive and health states.
Innovation Solution
A sensor apparatus with a housing and sensor assembly that includes a force sensor and accelerometer, securely attachable to an animal, providing accurate data on physiological states through a combination of force and motion detection, and featuring a flexible enclosure and retention mechanism for protection and secure mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensor assembly is used to monitor animal physiological states, then valuable data can be obtained, but the sensor assembly may be damaged by adverse environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a protective housing that shields the sensor assembly from adverse environmental conditions before damage can occur. The housing is specifically designed to protect against environmental factors such as moisture, dust, and physical impact, ensuring the sensor assembly remains durable throughout its operational lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible shells and thin films through the use of a flexible housing material that conforms to the animal's body contours. This flexible housing protects the sensor assembly while allowing natural animal movement, preventing damage from both environmental factors and mechanical stress during movement.
2Measurement precision
If a sensor assembly is placed on an animal, then physiological data can be collected, but accurate placement is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing pre-marked placement indicators on the animal's body and corresponding alignment features on the sensor assembly. These indicators guide the operator to the correct placement location before the sensor is attached, ensuring accurate positioning for optimal physiological data collection without requiring complex placement procedures.
3Reliability
If a sensor assembly is securely mounted on an animal, then reliable data collection is enabled, but the mounting mechanism may compromise animal comfort or safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible shells and thin films by using a flexible housing material that conforms to the animal's body contours. This flexibility allows the sensor assembly to move naturally with the animal, preventing discomfort or injury while maintaining secure attachment for reliable data collection throughout the monitoring period.
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 solution enables more accurate monitoring of animal reproductive and health states, allowing for timely and informed herd management decisions by providing reliable and secure data collection.
Implementation Method 1
The force sensor can detect a magnitude of a force applied to the animal
Implementation Method 2
The accelerometer can detect vibration or a velocity of the animal over a length of time
Data Source
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AI summary
Exemplary embodiments are directed to sensor apparatuses for attachment to an animal that include a housing and a sensor assembly. The housing can be attachable to the animal and includes an internal cavity formed therein. The sensor assembly can be disposed within the internal cavity of the housing. The sensor assembly includes a force sensor and an accelerometer arranged to detect force data and accelerometer data representative of a physiological state of the animal. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to method and sensor systems for detecting a physiological state of an animal.