Pet Feeder Aiming With Infrared Sensing and Rotating Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic pet feeding apparatuses fail to detect a pet's position, resulting in the food being flung in an unpredictable manner and requiring user control from a distance.
Innovation Solution
A feeding apparatus equipped with a lens for focusing infrared radiation, a target sensing unit to generate position signals, a rotating element for aiming a discharge channel, and a control unit to direct the discharge channel at the pet, allowing for precise and timely flinging of pet food.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional automatic feeding apparatus flings pet food in an invariable direction and angle, then the device complexity is reduced, but the pet may not notice the pet food and the feeding effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the discharge channel rotatable to change its aiming direction dynamically. The rotating element allows the discharge channel to adjust its orientation based on the detected pet position, transforming a static feeding system into a dynamic one that adapts to the pet's location, thereby improving feeding effectiveness without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the discharge direction and angle of pet food based on the detected pet position. The control unit adjusts the rotational position of the discharge channel to optimize the throwing parameters (direction and angle), ensuring the pet food reaches the pet accurately. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between simple device structure and effective feeding.
2Device complexity
If the feeding apparatus does not include a target detection system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the apparatus cannot detect the pet's position and cannot fling pet food timely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by continuously monitoring the detection area for the presence of a target object before initiating the feeding action. The target sensing unit is actively scanning and ready to detect the pet's position in advance, so when the pet enters the detection area, the system can immediately respond and adjust the discharge channel orientation, reducing the response time without requiring complex real-time processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical detection systems with optical sensing technology. The target sensing unit uses optical fields to detect the pet's position non-contactly and automatically, eliminating the need for complex mechanical sensors or manual intervention. This substitution enables timely and automatic pet detection while keeping the overall device complexity manageable.
3Device complexity
If the discharge channel is fixed in position, then the device complexity is reduced, but the discharge channel cannot be aimed at the target object
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the discharge channel rotatable to change its aiming direction dynamically. The rotating element allows the discharge channel to adjust its orientation based on the detected pet position, transforming a static feeding system into a dynamic one that adapts to the pet's location, thereby improving feeding effectiveness without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
4Extent of automation
If the feeding apparatus requires user control from a distance, then the automation level is reduced, but the user can control the flinging timing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by enabling the feeding apparatus to automatically detect the pet's position and autonomously control the discharge channel orientation and timing. The target sensing unit and control unit work together to make the system self-regulating, eliminating the need for remote user intervention. This fully automated operation improves both automation level and user convenience, as users no longer need to manually control the feeding timing from a distance.
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 automatic and precise flinging of pet food without user intervention, ensuring the food reaches the pet accurately and enhancing interaction between the pet and its keeper.
Implementation Method 1
The lens focuses a distribution of an infrared radiation in the detecting room on the target sensing unit
Implementation Method 2
the lens is a Fresnel lens
Implementation Method 3
the target sensing unit is a pyroelectric target sensing unit
Data Source
AI summary
A feeding apparatus, disposed in a detecting room having therein a target object, includes a fixing element, at least one target sensing unit, a rotating element, a driving module, and a control unit. The fixing element includes at least one lens disposed on a sidewall of the fixing element. The lens converges an infrared radiation in the detecting room onto the target sensing unit which then generates a position signal corresponding to the target object. The rotating element is disposed on one side of the fixing element. The rotating element includes a discharge channel. The driving module is connected to the rotating element. The control unit is coupled to the target sensing unit and the driving module to receive a position signal from the target sensing unit and control the driving module to drive the rotating element according to the position signal.