Reusable Ear Tag with Thin Needles and Thermal Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Long-term animal monitoring devices cause discomfort, damage, and are costly for short-term applications due to their invasive nature and heavy design, which is undesirable for situations like short-term tracking of animal temperature readings during transport or feeding activities.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, reusable electronic animal tracker with thin stainless steel needles for piercing the ear, a tool-free enclosure for replaceable batteries, and a thermally conductive design to minimize discomfort and infection risk, featuring a secure and stable fit using a male and female stud configuration with retention mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If long-term monitoring devices with large diameter metal or plastic pegs are used to reliably affix the device to the animal for a long time, then the device can be securely attached, but the animal's ear is greatly damaged leading to open wounds and infections
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate portions: a male portion with thin protrusions that pierces the ear, and a female portion with retention portions that secures the male portion. This segmentation allows the piercing elements to be thin (reducing damage) while the securing mechanism is separate (maintaining reliability).
Solution Approach 2:
The thin protrusions act as intermediaries that penetrate the ear with minimal damage, while the retention portions (indentations with lock/release mechanisms) serve as intermediaries to secure the device without requiring large damaging pegs. The male and female portions interface through these intermediary structures.
2Duration of action of moving object
If long-term tags with large batteries are used to monitor the animal over long periods, then the monitoring duration is extended, but the ear tags may weaken or rip the ears of the animals
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the heavy battery component into the male portion while using thin protrusions for piercing. The female portion provides structural support without adding weight to the piercing area, distributing the load and preventing ear ripping.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions are specifically designed to be thin at the piercing point (local quality) to minimize ear damage, while the battery and housing can be larger elsewhere in the device where they do not contact the ear tissue.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If reusable ear tags with thin protrusions are used for short-term applications, then the discomfort and infection risk are reduced, but the device must be securely re-attached multiple times
Solution Approach 1:
The lock/release mechanisms in the retention portions automatically secure the male portion when inserted, and can be released without tools. This self-service feature simplifies the re-attachment process despite the device's complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention mechanisms are extracted as separate functional elements within the female portion, allowing the device to be secured through modular engagement rather than requiring complex integrated fastening systems.
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 consistent, non-invasive, and reliable temperature readings with reduced discomfort and infection risk, making it suitable for short-term monitoring without the drawbacks of long-term tags.
Implementation Method 1
The male portion may include a thermally conductive region (sometimes in a ring-type shape) that is pressed against the animal's ear and that thermally conducts heat from the ear to the temperature sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
A monitoring device includes a male portion including a housing with a top on a first ear side, a first needle and a shorter second needle for piercing the ear, electronic components including a battery, processor and temperature sensor, a thermally conductive ring on the first ear side coupled to the temperature sensor, a female portion including a housing with a bottom surface on a second ear side, a first and second openings in the housing, a first chamber for physically selectively retaining and releasing the first needle, and a second chamber for inhibiting rotation of the male portion relative to the female portion, when the first needle is physically retained by the first chamber.