Single-Motor Pet Feeder Gear Train for Controlled Food Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pet feeders lack automation, hygiene, control over single food intake, and safety, and often require multiple motors for different driving mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A feeder design with a transfer housing, a rotatable transfer portion, a first gear powered by a motor, and a feeding head that moves based on the motor's rotational direction, allowing single-motor operation for both feeding and stopping functions, with features for improved hygiene and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple motors are used for different driving mechanisms, then the feeder can perform multiple functions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single motor is designed to perform multiple functions by changing its rotational direction. The motor drives both the feeding head movement mechanism and the food transfer mechanism through directional control, eliminating the need for separate motors and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining multiple driving functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of multiple driving mechanisms into a single motor system. By integrating the feeding head actuation and food transfer operations under one motor's control through directional reversal, the design merges previously separate functions into a unified system, reducing component count and simplifying the overall structure
2Productivity
If automated food supply is implemented, then productivity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single motor performs multiple automated functions by reversing its rotation direction - driving the feeding head in one direction and rotating the food transfer portion in the opposite direction. This multi-functional approach enables complete automated food supply while avoiding the complexity of multiple independent actuators
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves automated operation where the single motor self-regulates to perform sequential functions without external intervention. The motor automatically switches between driving the feeding head and rotating the transfer portion, creating a self-service automated food supply system that reduces mechanical complexity
3Device complexity
If a single motor controls both feeding head movement and transfer portion rotation, then device complexity decreases, but control precision becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The motor operates in periodic cycles, alternating between driving the feeding head forward and rotating the transfer portion. This periodic reversal of motor direction enables precise control of each function at appropriate intervals, maintaining control precision while using a single motor
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors to detect the position and state of the feeding head and transfer portion, providing feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables the controller to precisely manage the motor's directional switches, ensuring accurate control of each function despite using a single motor
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 feeder provides automated and hygienic food supply with controlled single food intake, enhancing user safety and efficiency through a single motor operation.
Implementation Method 1
a motor that supplies power to the first gear; a second gear that receives power from the motor
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a feeder. The feeder includes a transfer housing having an opening; a transfer portion rotatable within the transfer housing; a first gear transmitting power to the transfer portion; a motor providing power to the first gear; a second gear receiving power from the motor; and a feeding head which is adjacent to the opening of the transfer housing, and moves by a power transmitted by the second gear, wherein when the motor provides rotational power in a first direction, the feeding head moves, and, when the motor provides rotational power in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the movement of the feeding head stops and the transfer portion rotates.