Fluidic Animal Consumable Dispensing Device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic treat dispensers for animals face issues with inconsistent treat sizes and shapes, leading to unreliable dispensing, jamming, and cleanliness problems due to broken treats and crumbs.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic consumable dispensing device with a fluid reservoir, valve, and control module that dispenses fluidic animal consumables, ensuring uniformity and preventing clogging by maintaining the consumables in a fluid state, allowing for precise and consistent dispensing based on predetermined events and parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If conventional treats are baked to have a crunchy consistency or formulated to have a soft and chewy consistency, then the treats have a defined shape, but they are prone to being broken and crumbling, resulting in lack of uniformity in size and shape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the consumable from solid (baked treat) to fluid (liquid or semi-liquid consistency). This parameter change eliminates the breaking and crumbling issues while maintaining uniformity in dispensing, as fluids flow consistently through the dispensing mechanism without varying shapes or sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a fluid-based dispensing system that uses hydraulic principles to deliver consumables. The fluid reservoir and pump mechanism allow for precise control of fluid flow, ensuring consistent and reliable dispensing of uniform consumables without the mechanical handling issues that cause breaking of solid treats.
2Measurement precision
If conventional treats are used in an automatic treat dispenser, then the dispenser can be programmed to dispense treats, but the mechanisms cannot reliably or accurately dispense the desired amount due to unpredictable shapes and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the consumable from solid to fluid state, the system achieves precise measurement and dispensing control. Fluid flow can be accurately measured and controlled through the pump and valve mechanisms, eliminating the need for complex mechanical counting systems that struggle with irregular solid shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical counting and handling mechanisms with a fluid-based dispensing system. The pump and valve control system provides precise control over the amount dispensed through fluid flow regulation, simplifying the overall mechanism while improving accuracy.
3Reliability
If conventional treats are used in an automatic treat dispenser, then the dispenser operates, but frequent jamming occurs when treats are dispensed or not dispensed as programmed
Solution Approach 1:
Changing the consumable from solid to fluid eliminates jamming issues. Fluids flow smoothly through the dispensing mechanism without getting stuck or misaligned, ensuring consistent operation whether the dispenser is programmed to dispense or not. The fluid nature of the consumable allows for seamless flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid-based system uses hydraulic principles to ensure smooth, continuous flow of consumables. The pump and valve control mechanism provides reliable operation without the mechanical interference and misalignment that cause jamming in solid treat dispensers.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional treats are used in an automatic treat dispenser, then the dispenser functions, but crumbs and dust accumulate within, on, and about the dispenser, affecting cleanliness and functionality
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the consumable from solid to fluid state, the system eliminates crumb and dust generation. Fluids do not break into crumbs or create dust particles, maintaining cleanliness within the dispenser. The fluid flow leaves no residual debris that would accumulate and affect functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid-based dispensing system uses hydraulic principles to deliver consumables without creating debris. The smooth fluid flow prevents accumulation of crumbs and dust, maintaining dispenser cleanliness and functionality over time.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a fluidic consumable dispensing device for reliably and consistently dispensing uniform animal consumables. More specifically, the device dispenses animal consumables having the viscosity of a fluid such that the consumables are not broken or malformed and do not become oriented within the device such that they clog the flow of consumables from the device.