Automatic Pet Feeder Auger Precision Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic pet feeders lack precision in food portion control and often result in food jams, leading to inefficiencies and potential spoilage.
Innovation Solution
An automatic pet feeder with a base, a rotating feed auger, a food container, and a food dish, equipped with a weighing device and electronic controller that ensures accurate food portioning and minimizes jamming through a spiral auger mechanism and baffle design, maintaining food freshness with sealing mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If gravity is used to fill the food dish, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of food portion control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple gravity-based mechanical dispensing system with an electronically controlled auger mechanism. The auger is driven by a motor that can be precisely controlled to dispense specific amounts of food, substituting uncontrolled gravitational flow with controlled mechanical rotation to achieve precise portioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a weighing device that provides feedback on the amount of food dispensed. The controller receives weight signals from the weighing device and adjusts the auger rotation accordingly to achieve the desired portion size, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures precise food portion control.
2Extent of automation
If a programmable timer is used, then the extent of automation is improved, but the reliability of food dispensing deteriorates due to food jams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the timer-based automated system with an electronically controlled auger system that actively manages food dispensing. Instead of passive timing mechanisms that can lead to jams, the system uses controlled auger rotation with weighing feedback to reliably dispense food portions without jamming issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of food dispensing by controlling the rotation speed, direction, and duration of the auger motor. By dynamically adjusting these parameters based on weighing feedback, the system achieves reliable dispensing that prevents food jams while maintaining high automation levels.
3Productivity
If the feed auger rotates to dispense food, then the productivity of food dispensing is improved, but the object-generated harmful factors increase due to potential food spoilage
Solution Approach 1:
The weighing device provides real-time feedback on the amount of food dispensed, allowing the controller to precisely control the auger rotation to dispense only the required portion. This prevents excess food from being dispensed and left to spoil, thereby reducing food spoilage while maintaining efficient dispensing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses partial action by rotating the auger only for the precise duration and speed needed to dispense the exact food portion required. This avoids excessive dispensing that would lead to food waste and potential spoilage, while still achieving high productivity through efficient, on-demand dispensing.
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 provides precise food portion control, reduces jamming, and keeps food fresh by ensuring accurate dispensing and maintaining a clean environment, enhancing the reliability and effectiveness of pet feeding.
Implementation Method 1
The base is configured to receive food from the food container through an opening and delivery food to the food dish using the feed auger
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic pet feeder includes a base, a feed auger, a food container connected to the base, and a food dish connected to the base. The feed auger is disposed for rotating movement within the base. The base is configured to receive food from the food container through an opening and delivery food to the food dish using the feed auger.