Spring-Loaded Food Ejection Mechanism for Long-Range Feeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food supply devices, such as pet feeding machines, face inefficiencies when ejecting food over a distance greater than 20 cm due to the need for larger solenoid valves, which increase power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An ejection device with a housing and ejection member, including a push rod and elastic member, that uses a recess in the ejection channel to guide food into a ready position for ejection, allowing the push rod to efficiently eject food over a greater distance with reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a larger solenoid valve is used to eject food to a farther distance, then the ejection distance is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection process is divided into two stages: a loading stage where food is guided into the ejection channel using a push rod and elastic member, and an ejection stage where the food is propelled outward. This segmentation allows the system to use minimal force for loading and concentrate energy only when ejection is needed, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining long ejection distance capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member is pre-compressed during the loading stage to store mechanical energy, which is then released during the ejection stage to propel the food. This preliminary action of compressing the elastic member allows the system to achieve long ejection distances without requiring continuous high power consumption, as the stored elastic energy provides the necessary propulsive force.
2Length of moving object
If a larger solenoid valve is used to eject food to a farther distance, then the ejection distance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the solenoid valve from the system entirely, replacing it with a simpler mechanical ejection mechanism consisting of a push rod, elastic member, and gear-driven stirring member. This extraction of the complex solenoid valve component while maintaining the ejection function directly reduces device complexity while preserving the capability for long-distance food ejection.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member automatically returns the push rod to its initial position after compression, and the gear mechanism automatically engages and disengages from the convex portion to control ejection timing. This self-service functionality eliminates the need for complex external control systems and additional actuators, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective ejection distance.
3Ease of operation
If the push rod width is reduced to allow passage through the ejection channel, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ejection force may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The top portion of the push rod is designed with a conical shape that tapers toward the tip, allowing it to pass through the ejection channel opening while maintaining sufficient contact area with the food for effective ejection. The curved conical surface distributes force more effectively across the food contact area compared to a flat surface, maintaining ejection force while accommodating the width reduction for ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member is compressed to a specific degree during the loading stage, storing mechanical energy that is then released during ejection. This parameter change in the elastic member's compression state provides the necessary ejection force even though the push rod has reduced width, compensating for the potential force reduction and maintaining effective ejection capability.
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 ejection device effectively ejects food over 20 cm with lower power consumption by using a conical spring and recess design, ensuring accurate ejection without obstruction, and incorporating a stirring function through a shared driving mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic member is adjacent to the top portion of the push rod and surrounds a portion of the push rod that is disposed in the ejection channel, in which when the elastic member is not compressed, at least a portion of the top portion of the push rod is between the end of the feed channel and the recess
Implementation Method 2
The elastic member is a conical spring
Data Source
AI summary
An ejection device includes a housing and an ejection member. The housing defines a feed channel, an ejection channel and a discharge opening. A portion of the ejection channel has a recess facing an end of the feed channel. The ejection member is partially disposed in the ejection channel and includes a push rod and an elastic member. The push rod has a top portion facing the discharge opening. A width of the top portion of the push rod is smaller than a width of the ejection channel. The elastic member is adjacent to the top portion of the push rod and surrounds a portion of the push rod that is disposed in the ejection channel. When the elastic member is not compressed, at least a portion of the top portion of the push rod is between the end of the feed channel and the recess.