Stable Cleaning Scraper Control Using Thermal Animal Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning devices for animal stalls struggle to safely clean the run area, as they often fail to differentiate between young animals and waste, leading to a risk of injury or death for young animals.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a thermal imaging camera into the cleaning device allows for more precise detection of animals in the run by analyzing thermal images, reducing the risk of injury or death, especially for young animals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If resistance measurement is used to detect obstacles, then adult animals can be detected, but young animals cannot be reliably detected due to their smaller mass

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobstacle detection accuracyVSAvoidyoung animal detection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical resistance measurement system with a thermal imaging detection system. The thermal camera detects the thermal radiation emitted by animals, allowing identification of both adult and young animals based on their thermal signatures rather than mass-dependent resistance. This substitution of detection mechanism resolves the inability to reliably detect young animals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection parameter from mass-dependent electrical resistance to temperature-dependent thermal radiation. By measuring thermal parameters instead of mechanical resistance, the system can detect animals of all sizes including young animals that have insufficient mass to generate detectable resistance signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If automated cleaning with resistance-based detection is used, then cleaning efficiency is maintained, but the risk of injuring young animals increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidinjury risk to young animals

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the inadequate mechanical resistance detection system with a thermal imaging system that can reliably detect young animals. This allows the automated cleaning process to continue with high efficiency while the improved detection capability eliminates the primary source of injury risk to young animals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermal imaging camera acts as an intermediary detection device between the cleaning scraper and the animals. It provides advance warning of young animals' presence, allowing the control system to prevent the scraper from contacting vulnerable animals while maintaining automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If thermal imaging camera is integrated into the cleaning device, then young animals can be accurately detected, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveyoung animal detection reliabilityVSAvoiddetection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex resistance measurement system with a thermal imaging camera system. While thermal imaging technology is sophisticated, it consolidates the detection function into a single specialized device rather than requiring complex signal processing of resistance data, potentially simplifying the overall control architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 use of thermal imaging technology enables the cleaning device to accurately distinguish between animals and waste, minimizing the risk of accidents and ensuring safer cleaning operations in animal stalls.

Implementation Method 1

the sensor comprises a thermal imaging camera

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation detection: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP4548754A1Cleaning device and method for animal stables

Publication Date: 2025.05.07 FELDER STALL GMBH & CO KG

Figure 1~2

AI summary

Cleaning device for an animal housing facility (1), wherein the animal housing facility (1) comprises a walking passage (2), a manure channel (3) and a manure discharge (4) which separates the walking passage (2) from the manure channel (3), wherein the cleaning device comprises: a cleaning scraper (11), a drive for the cleaning scraper (11), at least one sensor (13) for detecting a farm animal in the walking passage (2), a control device coupled to the sensor (13) for the automated operation of the cleaning scraper (11), wherein the cleaning scraper (11) is movable along the walking passage (2) to the manure discharge (4) and away from the manure discharge (4) by means of the drive, wherein the sensor (13) comprises a thermal imaging camera.