Animal Applicator Sensor Piston Movement Dose Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
In animal husbandry, there is a challenge in ensuring precise application of medications to animals, as existing methods often result in incorrect dosages due to manual errors, lack of precision, and inadequate data collection systems.
Innovation Solution
An improved applicator system equipped with a control module that includes sensors and communication means to accurately measure and record the dose delivered, ensuring correct application by monitoring the movement of the piston and communicating with external devices for data transmission and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual data recording methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability of dose delivery deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical data recording with an automated electronic sensing system. Sensors detect piston movement and calculate delivered dose automatically, eliminating human error in data collection while maintaining simple applicator mechanics.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator system performs self-monitoring of dose delivery through integrated sensors that automatically measure piston displacement and calculate the amount of medication delivered, without requiring external manual recording or user intervention.
2Device complexity
If manual data entry is performed, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time and productivity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing unit continuously monitors piston movement throughout the entire dosing process, automatically recording data in real-time without interruption. This eliminates the need for post-procedure manual data entry and ensures continuous accurate tracking of dose delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual data entry operations are replaced with automated electronic sensing and digital recording, transforming a time-consuming manual process into an instantaneous automated measurement that occurs continuously during the dosing action.
3Ease of operation
If average dosing is applied to the herd, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision and reliability of individual animal treatment deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static average dosing to dynamic individual monitoring. The sensing unit continuously measures actual piston movement for each animal, allowing the system to adapt and verify that the correct dose is delivered to each individual based on their specific requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing unit provides real-time feedback on the actual dose delivered by measuring piston displacement and comparing it against target values. This feedback mechanism ensures that each animal receives the precise dose intended, enabling correction of any deviations from the target dosage.
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 ensures accurate and precise medication application, reducing errors and improving data collection, which leads to better animal health management and cost efficiency in farming practices.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor unit (5) in the control module (4), designed to measure a length L of movement of the movable means (6) in the chamber (28)
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3
AI summary
It is disclosed an applicator (1) of a treatment for an animal, the applicator (1) comprising a chamber (28) including the treatment to be applied; means (6) movable in the chamber (28) to eject the treatment outside the chamber (28) towards the animal, the movable means (6) being preferably a piston (6); actuating means (32) to actuate the movable means (6), the actuating means (32) being preferably a handle (32). A control module (4) is coupled to the chamber (28) outside thereof, including a processor; a sensor unit (5) in the control module (4) is adapted to measure a length (L) of movement of the movable means (6) in the chamber (28), when the movable means (6) are actuated through the actuating means (32) before releasing; wireless communication means in the control module communicate with an external device (42), wherein the wireless communication means are configured to transmit to the external device (42) information concerning or suitable for determining a quantity of said treatment ejected outside the chamber (28).