Pet Feeder Hatch-Door Control with Rack-and-Pinion Portioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pet feeders fail to accurately control food intake and feeding time, leading to food scattering and irregular eating habits, which can result in obesity and gastrointestinal issues.
Innovation Solution
A pet feeding device with a housing, hatch door, and a driving mechanism connected to a hatch door linkage mechanism, utilizing a transmission gear set and rack system to control the opening and closing of the hatch door, combined with a recognition system that uses a distance induction module to manage feeding times and amounts based on pet presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If food trays are extended at regular time to control feeding time, then pets eat food in fixed positions and households remain clean and tidy, but food may be randomly dug or scattered by pets after trays are extended, so food intake and feeding time cannot be effectively controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The hatch door is divided into multiple independent sections (first hatch door and second hatch door) that can open and close independently. Each section corresponds to specific food trays, allowing precise control over which food portions are accessible. This segmentation enables accurate portion control while maintaining clean feeding positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors to detect pet presence and feeding behavior, providing feedback to the control mechanism. This feedback enables automatic adjustment of hatch door opening timing and duration, precisely controlling food intake amounts based on actual pet consumption patterns rather than fixed schedules.
2Measurement precision
If a driving mechanism with transmission gear set and rack is used to control hatch door opening and closing, then feeding time and food intake can be precisely controlled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission rack serves multiple functions: it converts rotational motion from the motor to linear motion for door opening, provides precise positioning through gear engagement, and enables reversible motion for closing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each function, managing complexity while achieving precise control.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission rack acts as an intermediary element between the motor and the hatch door. It mediates the conversion of rotational to linear motion and provides mechanical advantage for controlled door movement. This intermediary mechanism enables precise control without requiring direct motor-to-door connection, simplifying the overall control architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple transmission racks are used to control multiple hatch doors, then each pet can be fed independently, but manufacturing and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple transmission racks are merged into a single integrated assembly that shares common mounting structures and control mechanisms. The racks are positioned adjacently and controlled by a coordinated drive system, allowing independent operation of multiple hatch doors while sharing manufacturing and assembly processes. This reduces overall complexity compared to completely separate mechanisms for each door.
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 device effectively controls food intake and feeding time, preventing food scattering and promoting healthy eating habits, while being adaptable for multiple pets with varying needs, reducing maintenance complexity, and enhancing user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The hatch door linkage mechanism includes a transmission gear set and a transmission rack. The transmission rack is slidably arranged within the housing, the transmission gear set is drivingly connected to the output end of the driving mechanism and the transmission rack
Implementation Method 2
The transmission gear set includes a first transmission gear set and a second transmission gear set which are drivingly connected to the driving mechanism; the transmission rack includes a first transmission rack and a second transmission rack
Implementation Method 3
The pet feeding device is provided with a distance induction module, and the distance induction module communicates with the driving mechanism. The recognition device is used to be worn on a pet, when the recognition device enters a recognition range of the distance induction module
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a pet feeding device and a recognition system for pet feeding device, comprising: a housing, a hatch door arranged on the housing, and a food tray arranged in the housing, wherein the food tray can prevent pets from spilling food outside the food tray during eating. The housing is provided with a driving mechanism and a hatch door linkage mechanism, wherein the hatch door linkage mechanism is drivingly connected to an output end of the driving mechanism and connected with the hatch door. The driving mechanism is used for driving the hatch door linkage mechanism to lead the hatch door to open and close. This solution not only controls the food intake of the pets, but also controls the feeding time of the pets.