Cable-Pulley Animal Enclosure Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automated systems for moving animal enclosures are often expensive, labor-intensive, prone to getting stuck in terrain, and pose risks to the animals due to their weight, complexity, and mechanical issues, making them unsuitable for budget farmers and small-scale producers.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight, self-propelled animal enclosure system that uses a pull-cable mechanism with an electronic control unit to move the enclosure automatically, powered by a solar panel, and includes an electric fence and automatic feeding mechanism, ensuring safe and efficient movement without manual operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If motorized assemblies with driven wheels are used to move animal enclosures, then automation is achieved, but the system gets stuck in varying terrain and requires open bottom design that compromises predator protection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated movementVSAvoidgetting stuck in terrain

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional driven wheel mechanisms with a cable-pulley system. The enclosure is moved by winding a cable around a pulley mechanism, eliminating the need for wheels that can get stuck. This mechanical substitution maintains automation while improving reliability across varying terrain conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the enclosure sit on wheels that roll along the ground, the invention inverts the approach by having the enclosure suspended or supported in a way that allows cable-driven movement. The pulling mechanism is inverted from ground-based wheels to an overhead or side-mounted cable system that draws the enclosure along.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If motorized assemblies are used for automated movement, then labor is reduced, but the systems become heavy, mechanically complicated, and expensive with high maintenance requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabor reductionVSAvoidmechanical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex motorized drive train from the enclosure system. By removing engines, transmissions, and driven wheels, the design retains only the essential cable and pulley components, dramatically reducing mechanical complexity while preserving automated movement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs simple, inexpensive components that can be easily replaced if needed. The cable-pulley system uses basic mechanical elements rather than expensive electronic motors and controllers, making the system more affordable and easier to maintain for budget farmers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Extent of automation

If motorized assemblies are used to move enclosures, then automation is achieved, but animals may be injured when limbs get trapped underneath walls during motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated movementVSAvoidanimal injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates safety features that prevent animal injury before it can occur. The cable-pulley system moves the enclosure in a controlled manner that avoids sudden drops or crushing motions. The design ensures animals remain safely inside during the movement process, cushioning them from potential hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the enclosure is designed with low walls to allow grass access, then grass availability is improved, but the enclosure gets stuck and high-centers on terrain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrass accessVSAvoidgetting stuck and high-centering

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing the wheel-based mechanical system with a cable-pulley system, the enclosure can have low walls for grass access without compromising movement reliability. The cable system pulls the entire enclosure along the ground rather than rolling over obstacles, eliminating high-centering issues while maintaining adaptability to terrain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 reduces labor costs, minimizes maintenance, prevents getting stuck, and ensures animal safety by moving only during daylight hours when animals are awake, thereby improving the sustainability and profitability of animal husbandry operations.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolar energy conversion: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20240188529A1Attachable system for automating animal shelters

Publication Date: 2024.06.13 SHIREWARE LLC

AI summary

An apparatus for automatically moving an animal enclosure, including a base, which is attachable to the animal enclosure, a motive system that is mounted to the base, an electronic control unit that is mounted to the base for controlling the motive system, a power source that is electrically connected with the motive system and the electronic control unit, and a light sensor that is electrically connected with the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to actuate the motive system only while the light sensor detects day light.