Induction Coil Animal Access System Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal access systems are unsightly, pose trip hazards, and are susceptible to damage due to projecting canopies that house sensors, requiring precise alignment and proximity for proper function, and lack effective deterrents for unauthorized animals.
Innovation Solution
An animal access system with an induction coil spaced from the door, housed in an elongate, adjustable structure that reduces water ingress, featuring a microchip implant for authorization, and deterrents like fluid nozzles and optical signals to manage unauthorized access, with control means including microprocessors and memory for data storage and transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a projecting canopy is used to house the sensor, then the sensor can detect the animal implant, but the system becomes unsightly, creates trip hazards, and is susceptible to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is extracted from the projecting canopy structure and integrated directly into the door assembly. This removes the vulnerable, unsightly canopy while preserving the sensor's detection function through direct mounting on the door surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor mounting is transitioned from a three-dimensional projecting canopy to a two-dimensional flat surface mounting on the door. This dimensional change eliminates the need for a protruding structure while maintaining sensor functionality.
2Ease of operation
If the sensor is mounted in the canopy, then the system can function, but the canopy is susceptible to damage and costly to repair
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is extracted from the vulnerable canopy structure and relocated to the door assembly. This separation protects the sensor from damage while maintaining system functionality, and simplifies repair since the sensor is now part of the door rather than a separate replaceable canopy component.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor is positioned close to the door, then alignment with the implant is improved, but the canopy must project significantly from the door
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is extracted from the projecting canopy and mounted directly on the door. This eliminates the need for a long-projecting canopy while achieving optimal alignment between the sensor and the animal implant through direct door surface positioning.
4Reliability
If the access door surround is provided with an induction coil, then the system can detect the implant, but the system lacks effective deterrents for unauthorized animals
Solution Approach 1:
The access door surround assembly is designed to accommodate multiple functions: the induction coil for detecting authorized implants, and integrated deterrent mechanisms (such as fluid nozzles or optical signals) for managing unauthorized animals. This multi-functional design allows a single structure to perform both identification and deterrence roles.
Solution Approach 2:
The control means acts as an intermediary between the induction coil detection system and the deterrent mechanisms. When the induction coil detects an unauthorized implant, the control means activates the appropriate deterrent, creating a coordinated response system that manages both authorized and unauthorized access.
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 system provides a sleek, durable, and efficient access solution that minimizes damage risks, ensures proper alignment, and effectively deters unauthorized animals while monitoring animal health and access data.
Implementation Method 1
an induction coil operative to induce an electro-magnetic field at the access door
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
An animal access system comprising a lockable access door, an access door surround, and an implant adapted to be inserted through the outer tissue of an animal, the access door surround being provided with an induction coil operative to induce an electro-magnetic field at the access door, the induction coil being controlled by control means operative to generate a control signal to lock or unlock the access door in response to a change in the induced electro-magnetic field generated as a result of the implant entering the induced electro-magnetic field.