Stepping Motor Pet Feeder Motion Sensor Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic pet feeding apparatuses using stepping motors lack effective fault detection mechanisms for stuck pet food, as they do not exhibit current rising when the food is stuck, leading to operational issues.
Innovation Solution
A feeding apparatus with a motion sensor and control module that detects the movement of the push rod unit, driving the motor unit to reverse if no movement is detected within a predetermined time, thereby resolving the fault of stuck pet food.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a stepping motor is used to drive the push rod unit, then the noise is reduced compared to DC motor, but the fault detection capability is lost because stepping motor does not exhibit current rising when pet food is stuck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a motion sensor that provides feedback about the actual movement of the push rod unit to the control module. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect when the push rod is stuck and cannot move, enabling fault detection despite using a stepping motor that doesn't exhibit current rising behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the current-based fault detection mechanism (which works with DC motors) with a motion sensor-based detection system. The motion sensor detects the physical movement state of the push rod unit, substituting the electrical current monitoring approach with a mechanical/optical sensing approach suitable for stepping motors.
2Device complexity
If no fault detection mechanism is implemented, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity is affected due to manual intervention requirements when pet food gets stuck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-diagnostic and self-recovering system where the control module automatically detects when the push rod is stuck through the motion sensor, and automatically initiates reverse rotation to clear the obstruction. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual intervention and maintains feeding operation continuity without requiring complex additional detection mechanisms.
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 solution effectively identifies and resolves the issue of stuck pet food by reversing the motor unit, ensuring continuous operation and reducing the need for manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
The motion sensor is used for detecting the movement of the push rod unit. The motion sensor sends an action signal when detects the movement of the push rod unit.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a feeding apparatus, which includes an ejection mechanism, a motion sensor and a control module. The ejection mechanism includes a motor unit and a push rod unit. When the motion sensor detects the movement of the push rod unit, the motion sensor sends a motion signal. The control module includes a driving unit and a timing unit. The driving unit drives the motor unit turning forward and turning reverse. The timing unit stores a predetermined time. When the timing unit receives an action signal, the timing unit starts timing and sends a forward signal to the driving unit to drive the motor unit turning forward. When the timing unit determines that it has exceeded the predetermined time without receiving the action signal, the timing unit sends a reverse signal to the driving unit to drive the motor unit turning reverse.