Vibration-Based Farrowing Warning for Piglet Crushing Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to accurately detect when piglets are in danger of being crushed by their mothers due to variations in piglet sounds across age and breed, and the acoustics of confinement buildings interfere with sound-based detection, leading to high piglet mortality rates.

Innovation Solution

A vibratory detector system that uses a processor to analyze frequency, magnitude, and pattern recognition of piglet squeals to identify potential crushing events, triggering a warning device to stimulate the mother to stand up and prevent injury.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If acoustic sensing is used to detect piglet squeals, then the system can detect feeder distress, but the detection accuracy deteriorates due to variations in piglet sounds across age and breed and interference from building acoustics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidsound detection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system transforms the detection parameter from acoustic frequency (which varies by piglet age and breed) to vibratory characteristics (magnitude, frequency, duration) that are more consistent across different piglets. The vibratory detector measures physical vibrations transmitted through the farrowing crate structure, which remain relatively stable regardless of piglet developmental stage or breed differences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the acoustic sensing mechanism with a vibratory detection mechanism. Instead of using microphones to capture sound waves that are affected by building acoustics and piglet variability, the system uses vibratory detectors to measure mechanical vibrations transmitted through the crate, providing more reliable and consistent detection of piglet distress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If electric shock warning devices are used to stimulate mothers to stand up, then piglet crushing can be prevented, but the device complexity and operational interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary vibratory detector that senses piglet distress through crate vibrations and a processor that analyzes the vibratory patterns to determine when intervention is needed. This intermediary layer between the piglet and the warning device enables more precise and context-aware detection, reducing false alarms and unnecessary interventions while maintaining effective protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If stored acoustical signals are used for comparison, then the system can identify distress squeals, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to the non-trivial acoustics of confinement buildings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal comparison accuracyVSAvoiddetection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the acoustic signal comparison approach with direct vibratory measurement. Instead of capturing and comparing acoustic signals that are distorted by building acoustics, the system measures mechanical vibrations transmitted through the crate structure, which provide a more direct and accurate indication of piglet distress without being affected by the acoustic environment.

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

Reduces piglet mortality by effectively detecting and responding to crushing threats with a high accuracy, minimizing the need for contact-based irritations and reducing operational interference.

Implementation Method 1

a vibratory detector for detecting a vibratory signal from one or more feeders

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration detection: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) can be provided for digitizing the vibratory signal from the vibratory detector to create a digitized vibratory signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnalog-to-digital conversion:

Implementation Method 3

A time-to-frequency domain (TFD) converter can also be provided for converting the digitized vibratory signal to a frequency domain representation of the digitized vibratory signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency domain analysis:

Data Source

PatentUS12490720B2Warning system for animal farrowing operations

Publication Date: 2025.12.09 SWINETECH INC

AI summary

A vibratory detector for detecting a vibratory signal from one or more feeders. A processor is in communication with the vibratory detector and configured for determining from at least one characteristic of the vibratory signal a possible action event, and for determining from a pattern of possible action events a likely action event. A warning device is in communication with the processor for providing an output in response to the likely action event. In an embodiment, the at least one characteristic of the vibratory signal can comprise the frequency or magnitude of the vibratory signal.