Implanted Wireless Terminal for Early Livestock Bloat Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Livestock, particularly those that feed on roughage, are prone to bloat due to gas production during rumen fermentation, and conventional wireless terminals often detect bloat too late, necessitating an early detection method.

Innovation Solution

A wireless terminal with a pressure sensor and waterproof case is implanted in the livestock's stomach to measure and transmit pressure data, featuring a cylindrical case body with a measurement hole and pressure-receiving part, ensuring accurate and early detection of bloat.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a conventional wireless terminal is used to measure stomach pressure, then basic monitoring function is provided, but early detection capability of bloat is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveearly detection capabilityVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement hole is divided into two separate linear parts (first linear part and second linear part) that intersect in T shape. The first linear part extends from the inner face of the lid member to an internal portion of the protection wall part, while the second linear part extends through the protection wall part in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the case body. This segmentation allows the pressure sensor to measure pressure at multiple orientations, improving early detection capability while maintaining measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Speed

If the pressure sensor is exposed to directly measure stomach pressure, then measurement responsiveness is improved, but the pressure sensor is vulnerable to damage from stomach contents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement responsivenessVSAvoidsensor vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement hole acts as an intermediary structure that allows pressure transmission while protecting the sensor. The hole is configured to extend through the protection wall part with its distal ends open to the outer face, allowing stomach pressure to be transmitted to the pressure sensor through the wall rather than direct exposure to stomach contents. This intermediary approach maintains measurement responsiveness while shielding the sensor from harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protection wall part functions as a thin film or shell structure that allows pressure transmission while providing protection. The measurement hole extends through this protection wall part, enabling the wall to act as a flexible barrier that transmits pressure information while blocking harmful stomach contents from reaching the pressure sensor directly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the case structure is made complex to protect the pressure sensor, then sensor protection is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor protectionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement hole is segmented into two linear parts that intersect in T shape, with the first linear part extending from the inner face of the lid member to an internal portion of the protection wall part, and the second linear part extending through the protection wall part perpendicular to the case body axis. This segmentation provides effective sensor protection through multi-directional pressure reception while maintaining a relatively simple case structure that is easier to manufacture compared to more complex protective designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables early detection of bloat in livestock by consistently measuring and transmitting pressure data, reducing the risk of late intervention and improving animal health management.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure sensor, a wireless circuit, and a case that accommodates the pressure sensor and the wireless circuit in a waterproof manner, the wireless terminal being left inside a stomach of a livestock animal to measure pressure inside the stomach

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensor detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11974549B2Wireless terminal, livestock monitoring system, and livestock monitoring method

Publication Date: 2024.05.07 PACIFIC INDUSTRIAL CO LTD

AI summary

A wireless terminal includes a pressure sensor, a wireless circuit, and a case accommodating the pressure sensor and the wireless circuit in a waterproof manner, and is left inside a stomach of a livestock animal to measure pressure inside the stomach and wirelessly transmit acquired pressure data. The case includes a cylindrical case body and a lid member closing an opening of the case body. The lid member has a measurement hole extending between inside and outside of the lid member and a protection wall part located outside of the case body. The measurement hole has a pressure-receiving pressure measurement part inside for measurement of the pressure and is closed. The measurement hole includes a first linear part and a second linear part intersecting in T shape with the first linear part, and has distal ends open to an outer face of the protection wall part.