GB2196613A

GB2196613A - Automatic feed dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2196613A
Application number: GB08621931A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Henry Jackson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-09-11
Filing date: 1986-09-11
Publication date: 1988-05-05
Also published as: GB8621931D0

Abstract

An automatic feed dispenser can discharge three feeds per day at equal intervals. The quantity of feed dispensed at each feeding time depends upon how much is put into each feed compartment 10, 11 and 12. The dispenser is powered from batteries, via a control device incorporating a speeded-up test facility. When the lid of the dispenser is opened to fill the compartments the flaps which form the bottom of each compartment are drawn up into the closed position and at the same time an electrical circuit is primed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Automatic feed dispenser This invention relates to an automatic feed dispenser which can discharge up to three feeds per day at equal intervals and can be used anywhere as it does not rely on mains electricity for its power source.

The invention was designed initially to feed Horses which, by way of their physiological make up, benefit from being fed little and often. This practice is not always possible due to lack of help and commitments on time. A large percentage of Horse owners go out to work or school and have no convenient means of feeding their Horses or Ponies throughout the day. This dispenser will also be invaluble to the owner of the performance Horse which has a greater need of and responds more to smaller regular feeding of concentrates.

According to the present invention there are three components which can be filled with either equal or variable amounts of feed which are then dispensed when latches release the flaps at the bottom of the compartments.

In the preferred configuration, three latches are released in sequence at intervals of three hours from the time when the dispenser is primed.

When the dispenser is empty the lid covering the compartments is opened to re-fill with feed. This operation also closes the flaps at the bottom of each compartment and primes the timing device.

The electronic control unit provides signals to operate solenoids which release the latches on the feed dispenser flaps allowing the contents to be discharged.

The operation of the control unit is as follows: When the feed dispenser lid is open for filling, the power from the batteries is cut off by a switch. When the lid is closed, power is restored, the control unit reset and an integrated circuit timer generates a repetitive digital signal with a period of three hours. The period may be changed by altering component values. During each period a decade counter is increased by one, and at the end of each period a pulse of 1-2 seconds is generated by a monostable multivibrator. The first three pulaes are gated with the counter outputs numbers one to three and used, after amplification, to operate the solenoid latches. The fourth output of the counter is used to inhibit its advance and no further action occurs until the circuit is reset.A 'test' switch, when pressed, both resets the control unit and speeds up its operation 1000 times, so that the solenoids are operated at intervals of about twelve seconds. When the 'test' switch is released, the unit is reset again. A monostable multivibrator connected to the 'test' switch generates the reset signal needed for this purpose.

LED indicators show when the solenoids are being driven and a further LED indicator shows if the battery voltage is adequate, when the 'test' switch is pressed.

The control unit can be adapted to drive any number of feed dispensers at the same time and to operate any number of solenoid latches in sequence using the same principle.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the three compartments 10, 11 and 12 and the hinged lid 13 covering them. Attached each side of the lid is the wire 14 which acts as a stop when the individually hinged flaps 16, 17 and 18 fall open, and draws them into the closed position when the lid is opened to fill the compartments. At the same time the trip-switch 15 will engage the electrical circuits.

Figure 2 shows the lid 13 opened to allow the compartments 10, 11 and 12 to be filied.

The flaps 16, 17 and 18 have been drawn into closed position.

Figure 3 shows the lid 13 closed-the feed is in the compartments and the trip switch 15 has primed the timing mechanism.

Figure 4 shows the dispenser after three hours when flap 18 has been released and the food in compartment 12 dicharged.

Figure 5 shows the dispenser after six hours when flap 17 joins flap 18 in the released position and the food in compartment 11 discharged.

After nine hours flap 16 joins both flaps 17 and 18 in the released position and the food in compartment 10 discharged (see Fig. 1).

Figure 6 shows the front view of the electrical circuit. The wire 14 with the trip switch 15 is shown and 15 engages a switch 21 on the electrical circuit. Three solenoids 22 are used to operate self locking latches 23, which release the flaps 16, 17 and 18 in Fig. 1. The device is operated by 8 x 1 21 volt batteries 24 and the timing and circuit checking controlled by the printed circuit 25.

Figure 7 shows the dispenser which is supplied with a hopper 26, to direct the feed into the mangers, and a cover 27, which is to protect the sensitive mechanics of the device from interference. This cover is held onto a backing board by four keyhole slots 28.

Figure 8 shows the electronic control unit which provides signals to operate solenoids which release the latches on the feed dispenser flaps, allowing the contents to be discharged. In the preferred configuration, three latches are released in sequence at intervals of three hours after the dispenser is closed. The operation of the control unit is as follows:- When the feed dispenser is opened for filling, a mechanical link places the ON/OFF switch in the OFF position. Capacitor C8 is discharged by resistor R14 as otherwise the unit would continue to operate for some time after the dispenser was opened. When the feed dispenser is closed, the switch is changed to the ON position and power is supplied. Capacitor C6 ensures that the reset line remains high for a short time and IC2 and IC3 are reset.IC2 is a digital timing circuit which generates a signal with a period of three hours, determined by the timing components R7, R13 and C5. These components can be changed if required to produce signals with different periods. Halfway through each timing period the output of IC2 on pin 8 changes from low to high and this increases the count in 1C3 by 1. At the end each timing period the output of IC2 on pin 8 changes from high to low and this triggers one section of monostable multivibrator lC1. Timing components R8 and C2 are chosen to produce a pulse of approximately 2 seconds duration at the output of IC1, pin 6. At the end of the first timing period, the decade counter IC3 will be set at 1 and the output on pin 2 will therefore be high and the remaining outputs low.As a result the gates in IC4 will transmit the pulse from lC1, pin 6, through to IC4, pin 10. This pulse will be amplified by the high current driver in IC5 and then used to operate the solenoid connected to latch 1. At the same time, indicator S1 will be illuminated to show that the solenoid should be operating. At the end of timing periods 2 and 3, an exactly similar circuit is used to operate latches 2 and 3 respectively. Halfway through the fourth timing period, the output of the decade counter IC3 on pin 10 will become high and this is connected to pin 13 which unhibits further changes in the counter until it is reset. There are therefore no further outputs to the solenoids latches.A 'test' switch is provided so that the operation of the control unit may be checked without having to wait for three hours to see each latch operating. When the 'test' switch is pressed, pin 13 of the timer IC2 changes from high to low and this speeds up the operation of the timer by 256 times.

At the same time the switch contact connected to pin 2 of IC2 opens and the effect of this is be reduce the value of the timing capacitor by a factor of approximately 4. The consequence of these two actions is that the timer runs approximately 1000 times faster, i.e. the period of the output signal on pin 8 is reduced from three hours to approximately 11 seconds. The whole cycle of the controller is therefore completed in less than 40 seconds and the operation of all three latches can be checked. Pressing the 'test' switch also activates transistor TR1 in a voltage sensing circuit in which the battery indicator is illuminated provided the voltage available from the batteries is sufficient to operate the unit. The remaining contacts of the 'test' switch are connectd to the second monostable multivibrator, IC1, pin 12. When the switch is pressed or released, the signal at pin 12 changes momentarily from low to high and triggers the monostable multivibrator. The output at pin 10 becomes high for a short period, determined by R9 and C3 and this activates the reset inputs of lC2 and IC3 in the same way as occurs when the batteries are connected by the ON/OFF switch. The effect of this is that the circuits are reset when the 'test' switch is pressed and again when it is released. The control unit can be adapted to drive any number of feed dispensers at the same time by connecting suitable circuits such as relays to the outputs. By extending the circuit using the same principles, the control unit can also be adapted to operate any number of solenoid latches in sequence.

Claims

1. An automatic feed dispenser which can administer three separate feeds at equal intervals throughout the day and which requires no mains electrical supply so has the benefit of being able to be used anywhere.

2. An automatic feed dispenser as in Claim 1 wherein the opening of the lid to put in feed automatically sets the timer and at the same time closes the trap doors through which the feed will ultimately fall.

3. An automatic feed dispenser as in Claim 1 and 2 which incorporates a checking device to speed up the complete cycle into about 36 seconds so checking that the voltage in the batteries is adequate and the mechanisms within the dispenser are functioning satisfacto rily.