Solar-Powered Animal Ear Tag Assembly for Reusable Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal tags with electronic componentry are expensive to manufacture and prone to damage, necessitating improvements for reusability and reduced damage during use.
Innovation Solution
An animal ear tag assembly featuring a housing with a photovoltaic panel for powering electronics and a tether body with a unique coupling mechanism that secures the tag to the animal's ear, minimizing direct contact and optimizing solar energy collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronic componentry is integrated into animal tags for tracking and monitoring, then the functionality and value of the tags improve, but the manufacturing cost increases and the tags become more prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The tag assembly is divided into separate functional modules: the ear tag housing with electronics, the tether body, and the photovoltaic panel. This segmentation allows the expensive electronic components to be protected in a dedicated housing while the tether body can be manufactured separately and more economically, reducing overall manufacturing costs while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a tether body that acts as a protective buffer between the electronic components in the ear tag housing and the animal's body. This tether provides beforehand cushioning against impacts and damage, protecting the expensive electronic componentry while allowing the tag to maintain its tracking and monitoring functions.
2Reliability
If animal tags are made durable and reusable, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but the complexity of the tag assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly is segmented into modular components (ear tag housing, tether body, photovoltaic panel) that can be independently manufactured, tested, and replaced. This modularity increases reusability - if one component fails, only that specific component needs replacement rather than the entire tag - while the overall system complexity is managed through standardized connection interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether body serves multiple functions: it connects the ear tag to the animal, provides protective cushioning, and incorporates a photovoltaic panel for power generation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing complexity while enhancing reliability and reusability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If photovoltaic panels are integrated into the tag housing, then power supply for electronic components is improved, but the tag housing becomes more complex and larger
Solution Approach 1:
The photovoltaic panel is segregated from the ear tag housing and placed in the tether body instead. This segmentation allows the housing to remain compact and simple while the power-generating component is positioned where it can effectively charge the battery without complicating the housing structure. The electrical connection between the panel and battery is managed through simple conductive pathways.
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 design enhances reusability and reduces damage to the tag, ensuring effective biosecurity and efficient solar-powered operation.
Implementation Method 1
at least photovoltaic panel being arranged to form an external frontal outer face of the tag for receiving sunlight and powering the electronic componentry therein
Data Source
AI summary
Animal ear tag assembly comprising: ear tag comprising a housing for enclosing electronic components, the housing comprising at least photovoltaic panel being arranged to form an external frontal outer face of the tag for receiving sunlight and powering the electronic componentry therein; a tether body configured to contact the animal's body during use, the tether body having an in-use upper female coupling portion for receiving and coupling an ear attachment stud member and an in-use lower cradle portion being configured for securing an attachment portion of the ear tag extending from the housing of the tag to arrange the photovoltaic panel in an outwardly facing configuration during use.