Ratchet Hopper Feeding Device for Quantitative Pet Feed Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic feeders for pets often fail to discharge a predetermined quantity of feed accurately due to jamming issues, leading to irregular feeding times and hygiene problems.
Innovation Solution
A feeding device with a quantitative mechanism featuring a ratchet turning wheel that pushes a hopper up and down to fill a collecting channel, accompanied by a blocking door mechanism that ensures smooth and quantitative feeding by opening to discharge the feed through a discharge port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a gate valve switch is used to discharge feed from the storage barrel, then the feeding time can be controlled, but the feed may jam at the opening causing inaccurate discharge quantity
Solution Approach 1:
The feed discharge path is segmented into multiple sections: the storage barrel, the collecting passage, and the discharge port. The hopper is divided into multiple compartments corresponding to different feeding quantities. This segmentation allows feed to be discharged through different paths based on the required quantity, preventing jamming at a single opening while maintaining controlled feeding times.
Solution Approach 2:
The hopper acts as an intermediary component between the storage barrel and the discharge port. It receives feed from the storage barrel, stores it in multiple compartments, and then discharges it through the discharge port. This intermediary structure prevents direct contact between the gate valve and the feed mass, eliminating the jamming problem while maintaining precise discharge quantity control.
2Device complexity
If the storage barrel opening is blocked by feed, then the structure is simple, but the feed cannot fall out accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The feed discharge system is segmented into multiple independent discharge paths leading to different compartments of the hopper. This segmentation prevents feed from blocking a single discharge path, as feed can flow through alternative paths. The structure remains relatively simple while significantly improving discharge reliability and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge system transitions from a single-dimensional vertical discharge path to a multi-dimensional system with multiple discharge paths and compartments. Feed can be discharged through different spatial routes, preventing blocking issues while maintaining structural simplicity. The hopper's compartmentalized structure adds a spatial dimension to the discharge process.
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 prevents jamming and ensures accurate, smooth discharge of a predetermined quantity of feed, addressing the irregular feeding and hygiene issues of previous designs.
Implementation Method 1
The outer periphery of the ratchet teeth abuts against the hopper to push the hopper to move up or down
Implementation Method 2
the feed in the collecting channel may fall from the discharge port at the same time
Data Source
AI summary
A feeding device includes a base, a storage barrel, a hopper, a blocking door and a ratchet turning wheel. The storage barrel is disposed above the base, and a collecting passage is extended from the bottom of the storage barrel. A discharge port is disposed on the collecting passage. The hopper is accommodated in the collecting passage. The blocking door shields the discharge port. The ratchet turning wheel is installed on the base and disposed below the hopper. The ratchet turning wheel includes a wheel and ratchet teeth arranged annularly on the periphery of the wheel. An outer periphery of the ratchet teeth abuts against the hopper to push the hopper to move up or down. The wheel is extended with a lever to open the blocking door. Therefore, the feed may be filled in the collecting channel, and the feeding device has the effect of quantitative feeding.