Rotating Arm Feeding System for Multi-Can Dispensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feeding systems are unable to dispense multiple sealed cans of food over time, particularly wet food, and lack the capability to minimize dry out and bacterial growth of opened food.
Innovation Solution
A feeding system with a rotating arm to support and position cans, a built-in can opener, and a mechanism to expose opened cans for consumption while maintaining them in a specialized location to prevent spoilage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a feeding system dispenses multiple sealed cans sequentially, then the versatility and duration of feeding is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feeding system is divided into multiple functional modules: a can holder with rotating arm for positioning cans, a separate can opener mechanism, and a dispensing area. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling multi-can dispensing capability while keeping individual components relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating arm serves multiple functions: it positions sealed cans for opening, holds opened cans during feeding, and facilitates the dispensing process. The can opener mechanism also serves dual purposes by both opening cans and potentially sealing them again. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each operation.
2Ease of operation
If opened food is exposed for consumption, then ease of operation is improved, but food quality deteriorates due to dry out and bacterial growth
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the exposure state of the opened can. The rotating arm can move the opened can from a protected position during storage to an exposed position at the dispensing area where the animal can access it. This dynamic positioning allows the system to maintain food quality during storage while enabling easy access during feeding.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating arm acts as an intermediary between the protected storage area and the exposed dispensing area. It transports the opened can from the protected environment (minimizing dry out and bacterial growth) to the accessible position (enabling consumption), thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of protection and access.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a specialized location is provided for opened food, then food quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protected location for opened food is merged with the can holder structure. The rotating arm itself serves as both the positioning mechanism for sealed cans and the protective enclosure for opened cans. This merging eliminates the need for separate specialized containers or chambers, reducing overall device complexity while still providing protection from dry out and bacterial growth.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is directed to a feeding system. The feeding system includes a housing that substantially forms an exterior surface of the feeding system, inside the housing includes an arm configured to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise to a plurality of positions, wherein the arm is configured to support a can; a can opener at a first position of the plurality of positions; and an opening of the housing at a second position of the plurality of positions.