Remote Feed Dispensing Control for Species-Specific Wild Boar Feeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feeding devices for wild animals, particularly wild boars, fail to provide controlled, species-specific, and hygienic dispensing of feed, leading to uncontrolled distribution, waste, and disturbance, while requiring frequent manual checks and refills.
Innovation Solution
A device with a reservoir, dispensing unit, sensor, and control system for remote or automated feed dispensing, ensuring species-specific access and controlled quantities, using sensors and actuators to manage feed distribution based on animal presence and user commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual checking and refilling of bait is performed regularly, then feed distribution can be controlled and monitored, but time consumption and financial costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables automatic self-service functionality where the dispensing unit autonomously refills feed from the reservoir without human intervention. The system monitors feed levels and automatically dispenses predetermined portions, eliminating the need for manual checking and refilling while maintaining controlled distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated control system that uses sensors, processors, and actuators. The system substitutes human labor with electronic control mechanisms that automatically monitor feed levels, calculate portions, and operate the dispensing mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If feed is made freely accessible to game, then animals can consume feed without restriction, but feed may be accessed by non-target species and waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing unit provides feed in a controlled local environment rather than open access. Feed is dispensed into a confined space where only target animals can access it, and the system monitors consumption to prevent waste. The local quality of the feeding environment is optimized for target species while preventing unauthorized access.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts feed accessibility based on detected animal presence and species identification. The dispensing unit opens or closes based on real-time conditions, providing feed only when appropriate target animals are present and preventing access when non-target species are detected or when consumption limits are reached.
3Reliability
If daily visits to feeding sites are made to ensure proper feed distribution, then feed accessibility can be monitored and adjusted, but disturbance to game increases and hunting success decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs self-monitoring through integrated sensors and control systems that track feed distribution, animal visits, and consumption patterns without human intervention. This eliminates the need for daily hunter visits while maintaining reliable monitoring of feed distribution and animal behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual monitoring by hunters is replaced with electronic sensors, cameras, and data processing systems. The automated system continuously monitors feeding activity, identifies animal species, and tracks consumption, providing reliable data without human presence that would disturb the game.
4Reliability
If maximum daily feed quantity is enforced through manual control, then regulatory compliance is achieved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically enforces daily feed limits through self-monitoring and self-control mechanisms. The processor tracks cumulative feed dispensing, prevents further dispensing when limits are reached, and provides automated reporting, eliminating the need for complex manual tracking while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system incorporates feedback loops where sensors monitor feed levels and dispensing activity, the processor calculates cumulative amounts against daily limits, and the system automatically adjusts or stops dispensing based on the feedback. This closed-loop control ensures compliance while keeping the system relatively simple through automated decision-making.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (I) for the automatic and/or remotely controllable dispensing of feed material, in particular game feed or bait, comprising: at least one reservoir (II) for the feed material and a dispensing unit (V) for the feed material associated with the reservoir (II); at least one sensor (VII) connected to the device (I) and/or the dispensing unit (V) or arranged in close proximity to the device (I) and/or the dispensing unit (V) but detached from it; a transmitting unit for sending at least one sensor signal detected by the sensor (VII) to the user and/or an evaluation unit;a receiver unit for receiving at least one control command derived from the received sensor signal by the user and/or the evaluation unit, and a control unit coupled to the receiver unit, which is configured to control the dispensing of feed material from the reservoir (II) into the dispensing unit (V) after receiving the control command, and a method for remotely controlled and/or automatic dispensing of feed material from such a device (I).