Bovine Estrus Detection Patch with Removable Flood Coat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for managing beef and dairy cow reproduction lack effective visual means for determining breeding status, estrus, and pregnancy confirmation, leading to inefficiencies in breeding programs.
Innovation Solution
A visual breeding status detector is secured externally to the cow, featuring a patch-like structure with a colored indicator layer obscured by a removable flood coat, which activates and exposes colors upon mounting, allowing herdsman to monitor breeding status through mounting activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If visual breeding status detection methods are implemented, then breeding management efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is divided into distinct functional layers: a base layer, a removable flood coat layer, and an indicator layer with colored regions. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall simplicity of the device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The flood coat is designed as a removable, consumable layer that is discarded after use when it is rubbed off during mounting activity. This disposable approach simplifies the overall device structure by eliminating the need for complex reusable mechanisms while still providing reliable detection functionality.
2Ease of operation
If a removable flood coat structure is used, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flood coat is applied as a thin film layer over the indicator layer, creating a flexible structure that can be easily removed through rubbing. This thin film approach allows for simple application processes while maintaining sufficient precision through the inherent properties of the coating materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The flood coat is pre-applied to the indicator layer during manufacturing, creating a ready-to-use detector that requires no additional preparation by the user. This preliminary action ensures proper layer alignment and coating uniformity are achieved during controlled manufacturing processes, reducing precision requirements during field operation.
3Measurement precision
If color-based visual indicators are implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of information increases due to flood coat obscuration
Solution Approach 1:
The flood coat is designed to be selectively removed through rubbing during mounting activity, extracting the obscuring element only when needed. This allows the colored indicator regions to remain hidden and preserve information until activation, at which point the flood coat is taken away to reveal the breeding status information.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector transitions from a static obscured state to a dynamic revealed state through the rubbing action. The flood coat's removability creates a dynamic system where information is concealed during the monitoring period and revealed only when mounting activity occurs, optimizing both information preservation and detection accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A bovine estrus detection device includes a generally rectangular base having sides and ends, the base having a predetermined length and a predetermined width, and the width being less than the length, the base having a first side and. a second side. The first side of the base has a central region having a first color and end regions having a second color. The second color is different from the first color. An adhesive is disposed on the second side of the base for coupling the base to a female cow or heifer. A removable coating is disposed over the first side of the base. The removable coating is exposed for contact by male or female cows mounting the female cow or heifer to which the device is attached. The coating is adapted to being removed by mounting male or female cows, whereby the first and second colors become visible. Exposure of the first color in the central region is an. accurate predictor of activation and estrus.