Horse Feed Dispenser with Elastic Cable Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal feed dispensers for horses do not allow for controlled, metered dispensing of feed, leading to overconsumption and lack of engagement, as they either allow all treats to be accessed at once or require sequential action that can result in rapid delivery of multiple items.
Innovation Solution
The use of elastic cables and pulling elements within a vertically oriented tube, where each cable holds a single unit portion of feed, requiring the animal to play and pull to release feed portions sequentially, with a design that prevents overconsumption by only allowing the lowermost portion to fall when the space is free, and optional flexible hoses for bulk feed dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If all food items are placed in the tube simultaneously, then the horse can access all items at once, but this leads to overconsumption and rapid eating
Solution Approach 1:
The tube is divided into multiple compartments by elastic cables, with each compartment holding a single food item. The cables act as separators that prevent all items from being accessed simultaneously, forcing the horse to work sequentially through each compartment to retrieve food items one at a time.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic cables are designed to move dynamically in response to the horse's actions. When the horse pulls on a cable, it moves to allow access to the corresponding compartment, and returns to its original position when released. This dynamic behavior enables controlled sequential access while maintaining the ability to reset between attempts.
2Quantity of substance
If sequential access mechanisms are used to control feed delivery, then overconsumption is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the horse's own actions (pulling on cables) to control the dispensing mechanism. The elastic cables automatically return to their original position after being pulled, creating a self-resetting mechanism that requires no external intervention or complex control systems. The horse effectively operates the dispensing mechanism through its natural behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The state of each compartment is changed by the movement of elastic cables, which transition between two positions: retracted (blocking access) and extended (allowing access). This binary state change simplifies the control mechanism while effectively managing feed dispensing sequences.
3Productivity
If the horse can immediately access all food items, then engagement time is short, but this encourages rapid consumption
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the food supply into multiple compartments separated by elastic cables, the system extends the time required to access all food items. The horse must sequentially work through each compartment, which naturally prolongs engagement time and prevents rapid consumption of all items at once.
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 solution ensures that horses are engaged for longer periods with controlled feed release, preventing overeating and maintaining interest, while the design prevents damage and allows easy monitoring of feed levels and refill needs.
Implementation Method 1
each cable (3) being movable to the side when pulled by the associated pulling element (5)
Implementation Method 2
a unit portion (20) placed above the cable (3) to be able to fall down
Data Source
AI summary
An animal feed dispenser, in particular for horses, comprising a downwardly open, substantially vertically oriented tube with at least one filling opening for animal feed that is arranged in the upper portion of the tube. At least two elastic cables which project through in the interior transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube are arranged above one another, wherein a clearance remains above each cable and in each case allows only the reception of an individual portion unit of the animal feed, and wherein each cable is connected to an end of an associated pulling element which is guided outwardly substantially normal to the respective elastic cable via an opening in the tube wall, wherein a biting element is fastened to the end of the pulling element that is situated outside the tube.