Flexible Electronic Ear Tag for Stable Solar-Powered Livestock Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal tracking and monitoring systems face challenges in maintaining optimal solar exposure and sensor functionality while ensuring comfort and stability on the animal, often leading to unreliable biometric measurements due to external debris exposure and rotation issues.
Innovation Solution
A foldable, flexible electronic ear tag with a solar panel oriented for sunlight exposure and a dual-pinning mechanism for stability, housing sensors inside the ear to protect them from debris and ensure secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the solar panel is mounted externally on the tag, then sunlight exposure is improved, but the solar panel is susceptible to snags and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panel is nested within a protective housing structure that integrates it into the tag body. The housing encloses the solar panel while maintaining its exposure to sunlight, protecting it from external damage and snags while preserving its energy capture functionality.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are mounted externally on the tag, then biometric sensing capability is improved, but sensors are exposed to external debris causing unreliable measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The sensors are nested within the housing structure that forms the tag body. The housing provides a protected internal environment for the sensors while maintaining their sensing capability through controlled openings or transparent surfaces that filter out harmful debris.
3Ease of operation
If the tag uses a simple attachment mechanism, then ease of application is improved, but the tag rotates or becomes unstable on the animal's ear
Solution Approach 1:
The tag incorporates pre-configured attachment features such as integrated ears or mounting structures that are prepared in advance during manufacturing. These features enable straightforward attachment to the animal's ear while providing inherent stability and preventing rotation through geometric interlocking or friction-fit designs.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the tag structure is made rigid for stability, then tag stability is improved, but the tag cannot adapt to the interior shape of the animal's ear
Solution Approach 1:
The tag employs different structural properties in different regions: the main body housing is rigid to provide stability and protect internal components, while specific contact surfaces or mounting portions are made flexible or contoured to adapt to the varying geometry of the animal's ear interior, achieving both stability and adaptability.
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 design enhances solar energy capture, protects sensors from damage, and provides accurate biometric data collection, ensuring comfort and stability for the animal.
Implementation Method 1
The tag also includes a solar panel housed on a protruding segment of the flexible member, where the solar panel is configured to maintain an upward-facing orientation for sunlight exposure
Data Source
AI summary
Foldable or flexible ear tags for animals are disclosed herein. An example ear tag includes a flexible member configured to adapt to an interior of an ear of an animal, a solar panel housed on a protruding segment of the flexible member, the solar panel is configured to maintain an upward-facing orientation for sunlight exposure when the electronic ear tag is attached to the ear, an electronics assembly mounted on a rigid member of the electronic ear tag, the electronics assembly having a controller having a processor and memory for receiving and processing data from a location sensor, and a biometric sensor that are in contact with the ear, and a strap extending from the flexible member, the strap being configured to fit over a top of the ear to prevent rotation of the electronic ear tag when a securement member is inserted through the strap, the ear, and the flexible member.