Animal Collar Acoustic Concentrators for Vibration Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Animals often hide their symptoms due to feeling defenseless, making early diagnosis and detection of diseases challenging, especially in pets like dogs and cats, which can lead to delayed treatment and severe health issues.
Innovation Solution
An animal collar device equipped with a sensor arrangement that includes acoustic and non-acoustic sensors, a processing subsystem, and automatic gain control circuitry, which collects and processes bioparameter data to monitor vital signs, behavior, and health conditions of animals in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If acoustic sensors with piezoelectric elements are embedded in the band to detect vibrations, then measurement precision of bioparameters is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Acoustic concentrators are introduced as intermediary elements that focus and channel vibrations from the animal's body to the piezoelectric sensing elements. These concentrators act as mediators between the vibration source and the sensor, enhancing detection precision without requiring direct sensor-to-skin contact, thereby managing device complexity through a specialized acoustic interface layer
Solution Approach 2:
The band is designed with regions of different properties: soft flexible regions for comfort and acoustic concentrator regions for vibration detection. The piezoelectric elements are strategically positioned in specific local zones where vibration transmission is optimal, allowing precise local measurement while maintaining overall device simplicity through functional zoning
2Reliability
If automatic gain control circuitry is added to adjust acoustic signal gain, then reliability of signal processing is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Automatic gain control circuitry implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor acoustic signal amplitude and automatically adjust gain levels to maintain optimal signal ranges. This feedback-based approach ensures reliable signal processing across varying conditions without requiring manual intervention or complex external calibration systems
Solution Approach 2:
The gain control system is designed to self-regulate signal levels autonomously, using the acoustic signals themselves to trigger appropriate gain adjustments. The system serves itself by detecting signal saturation or weakness and automatically correcting gain settings, eliminating the need for external control systems or complex processing algorithms
3Measurement precision
If acoustic concentrators are added to convey vibrations to piezoelectric elements, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Acoustic concentrators serve as intermediary structures that focus and direct vibrations from the animal's body to the piezoelectric sensing elements. These concentrators act as acoustic funnels or channels, enhancing the transmission of mechanical vibrations without requiring complex sensor arrays or direct contact mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic concentrators are integrated directly into the band structure, merging the mechanical support function of the band with the acoustic focusing function. This combination eliminates the need for separate mounting structures or complex assembly procedures, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining vibration detection precision
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 collar device enables early detection of health issues, reduces the risk of severe diseases, and provides real-time monitoring of animal health and behavior, allowing for timely interventions and improving animal welfare.
Implementation Method 1
acoustic sensors that have a piezoelectric element embedded in regions of the band
Implementation Method 2
acoustic concentrators...project in a direction from an inner surface of the band toward the animal in order to convey vibrations from the animal to the piezoelectric elements
Data Source
AI summary
A collar has a band having oppositely disposed first and second surfaces. Acoustic concentrators project from the first surface in a projection direction and are configured to penetrate fur in a portion of an animal to place the band in communication with the animal. Acoustic sensors functionally associated with the acoustic concentrators are configured to measure at least one first bioparameter by detecting vibrations corresponding to the at least one first bioparameter, and generate signals representing the at least one first bioparameter. Non-acoustic sensors are associated with the band and are configured to measure one or more second bioparameters associated with the animal, and generate signals representing the one or more second bioparameters. AGC circuitry adjusts signal gain of the signals representing the at least one first bioparameter. A processing subsystem determines a condition of the animal based at least in part by processing signals received from the AGC circuitry.