Birthing Sensor Padding Insert with Ventilation Passageways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing birthing sensors for animals are often difficult to mount correctly, cause discomfort and distress, can become dislodged, lead to injury, and may result in infection due to irritation, making them impractical for prolonged use.
Innovation Solution
A birthing sensor with a casing and adjustable strap featuring a padding insert made of resiliently deformable material with ventilation passageways, providing secure, comfortable, and adjustable fit on the animal's tail, reducing the risk of infection and slippage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external sensors are placed on the animal, then the sensor can be mounted without veterinary assistance, but the sensor becomes difficult to position correctly and may become dislodged
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor incorporates a flexible strap with padding that can be wrapped around the animal's tail, allowing easy mounting without veterinary assistance while maintaining secure and accurate positioning through the combination of flexibility and cushioning
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the sensor is left on the animal for extended periods, then continuous monitoring is achieved, but irritation and infection risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The padding insert is made from a breathable material with a foam structure that allows air circulation and moisture wicking, reducing skin irritation and infection risk while enabling extended wear for continuous monitoring
3Reliability
If the sensor strap is tight to prevent dislodgement, then positioning stability is improved, but animal comfort and blood circulation are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The breathable padding material allows air and moisture passage, enabling the strap to maintain secure positioning without excessive tightness, thus preventing circulation problems while ensuring sensor stability
Solution Approach 2:
The cushioning pad is positioned between the sensor and the animal's skin before the sensor is activated, providing immediate protection and comfort while distributing pressure evenly to maintain circulation
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 sensor maintains its position effectively, reduces irritation and infection risk, and allows for prolonged use without discomfort, enhancing the reliability and safety of animal monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a padding insert comprising a resiliently deformable material having a plurality of ventilation passageways formed therein for throughpassage of air when the birthing sensor is mounted on the tail of a pregnant animal
Implementation Method 2
a padding insert comprising a resiliently deformable material
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a birthing sensor (1) for mounting on the tail of a pregnant animal. The birthing sensor comprises a casing (3) and an adjustable strap (5) for securing the casing to the tail of the pregnant animal. The casing houses monitoring equipment, communication equipment and a power supply. There is provided a padding insert (7, 37, 47) for location between the casing, the strap and the animal's tail. The padding insert comprises a sheet of resiliently deformable material, such as rubber, having a plurality of ventilation passageways formed therein. The ventilation passageways allow passage of air over the cow's tail underneath the sensor and further allow escape of urine and faeces from under the sensor. The passageways may be formed by having a plurality of upstanding bosses (9) on the surface of the padding insert and the passageways are the spaces between these upstanding bosses (9).