Optical Sensor Feed Control for Variable-Size Pet Food Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic feeding apparatuses for pets struggle to adjust the amount of pet food discharged based on grain size, leading to potential blockages or malfunctions due to varying food sizes, affecting the flow and ejection of pet food.
Innovation Solution
A feeding apparatus equipped with three optical sensors and a control module that adjusts the driving amount of a blade unit and pusher based on detection planes to ensure a consistent discharge, preventing blockages and malfunctions by regulating the amount of pet food dispensed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed amount of pet food is discharged in the first stage, then the ejection mechanism can operate reliably, but the apparatus cannot adapt to different grain sizes of pet food
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the driving amount of the driving unit adjustable rather than fixed. The control module dynamically modifies the driving amount based on feedback from optical sensors that detect the grain size of pet food. This allows the system to adapt to different grain sizes while maintaining reliable operation of the ejection mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using optical sensors to detect the grain size of pet food and feed this information back to the control module. The control module then adjusts the driving amount of the driving unit accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system enables the apparatus to adapt to different grain sizes while ensuring reliable ejection operation.
2Quantity of substance
If the grain size of pet food is larger, then more food can be discharged, but it becomes difficult to push the pet food into the ejection channel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the driving amount adjustable based on grain size detection. For larger grain sizes, the control module increases the driving amount to provide sufficient force to push the larger pellets into the ejection channel, while for smaller grains, it reduces the driving amount to prevent overfilling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the driving amount parameter according to the detected grain size. The control module adjusts this parameter to optimize the balance between discharging sufficient quantity of food and maintaining ease of operation for pushing food into the ejection channel.
3Ease of operation
If the grain size of pet food is smaller, then it can be pushed easily into the ejection channel, but too many grains may be pushed at once causing ejection mechanism malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by reducing the driving amount when small grain sizes are detected. The control module dynamically adjusts the driving amount to push only an appropriate number of small grains into the ejection channel, preventing overfilling that could cause malfunction while still taking advantage of the ease of operation with small grains.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by controlling the driving amount to push only the necessary number of small grains into the ejection channel rather than allowing excessive grains to be pushed. This prevents overfilling and maintains reliability of the ejection mechanism while still utilizing the ease of operation with small grains.
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 apparatus effectively quantitatively dispenses pet food, ensuring smooth operation by adapting to different grain sizes, thereby enhancing interaction and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The three optical sensors together form a high-level detection plane and a low-level detection plane
Data Source
AI summary
A feeding apparatus includes an accommodating tank, a diverting module, a discharge assembly, three optical sensors and a control module. The accommodating tank includes a bottom opening and accommodates the materials. The diverting module includes a driving unit and a blade unit. The blade unit is disposed at the accommodating tank and corresponds to the bottom opening. The discharge assembly includes a storage tank, a discharging opening and a pusher. The accommodating tank is disposed in the storage tank to form a storage space in the storage tank. The pusher moves between the bottom of the storage tank and the discharging opening. The three optical sensors are disposed on the storage tank and correspond to the storage space to form a high-level detection plane and a low-level detection plane. The control module connects to the driving unit, the pusher and the three optical sensors.