Automated Animal Feeding Dispenser with Peristaltic Pump
Solution Overview
Problem
Manual dispensing of food to large numbers of laboratory animals, particularly fish, is time-consuming, costly, and prone to errors, leading to water pollution and health issues due to improper feeding schedules and environmental conditions affecting feed quality.
Innovation Solution
An automated system with a dispenser supported by moving and positioning means that can access all animal containment devices, allowing precise dispensing of both solid and liquid substances without human intervention, using a dosing device that tilts to dispense controlled quantities and a peristaltic pump for liquids, preventing feed compaction and water pollution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual dispensing of food is used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but time consumption and labor cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automated dispensing where the machine performs the food distribution task without requiring manual intervention. The automated dispenser moves along the rack and dispenses food to tanks automatically, eliminating the need for operators to manually handle and distribute food items.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation with an automated mechanical system. The automated dispenser uses motors, control systems, and mechanical positioning mechanisms to perform the food dispensing function that was previously done manually by operators, thereby reducing time consumption while maintaining operational effectiveness.
2Device complexity
If manual dispensing is used, then system complexity is low, but feeding precision and control accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors detect the position of the dispenser, the status of food containers, and the actual dispensing process. This feedback information is used by the control system to adjust and optimize the dispensing parameters, ensuring accurate food quantity control while managing system complexity through intelligent coordination of components.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated dispenser is designed as a multi-functional device that can handle multiple tasks: moving along the rack, positioning at each tank, detecting food levels, controlling dispensing quantity, and interacting with different tank configurations. This universality allows precise control without requiring separate specialized devices for each function.
3Productivity
If automated dispensing system is implemented, then time efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular segments: individual dispenser units for each tank position, separate food storage containers, independent positioning mechanisms, and distributed control modules. This segmentation allows the complex automated system to be managed through standardized, interchangeable components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions are merged into the automated dispenser unit: positioning, food storage, dispensing control, and tank identification are combined in a single integrated device. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall system architecture while achieving automated dispensing efficiency.
4Ease of operation
If manual food distribution is used, then operational flexibility is maintained, but water pollution and health issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by calculating and pre-dosing the exact amount of food required for each tank based on stored information about the animal population. This preliminary planning prevents over-dispensing and ensures that only the necessary amount of food is distributed, thereby preventing water pollution from uneaten food while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable parameters.
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 significantly reduces operator time and costs, ensures accurate and controlled feeding, maintains feed quality by preventing compaction, and improves ergonomics and hygiene, allowing for efficient and precise distribution of food to multiple tanks without manual handling.
Implementation Method 1
a peristaltic pump for liquids
Data Source
AI summary
An automated system for the distribution of substances to animal containment devices in an animal housing facility. The present invention also relates to a dosing device of substances, such as solid or liquid feed, which is part of said system, and to the method for dispensing feed implemented by said system. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method for automated dispensing of substances to animal containment devices in an animal housing facility.