Thesis Abstract

<p>&nbsp;            <b>ABSTRACT&nbsp;</b></p><p>This senior project discusses the design, construction, and evaluation of automated animal feed dispenser on a small-scale level. The system consists of three main components with various sub-components. Those three components are the outercasing, the hardware and circuitry, and lastly the code to make sure the hardware operates properly. System tests have indicated that the feed dispenser is able to provide one week’s worth of feed to the end user with no human interference. <br></p>

Thesis Overview

<p> <b>1.0 INTRODUCTION&nbsp;</b></p><p><b>1.1 BACKGROUND STUDY&nbsp;</b>&nbsp;</p><p>Animal feed distribution systems are a very common item and are used greatly both on a domestic scale as well as on a larger scale in commercial applications. Animal feed distribution systems come in many different forms with different ways to control how the feed actually gets distributed. Whether it is a manual system, an automatic system on a timer, or a sensor based system; there are many different ways to accomplish the same end outcome, with some of the routes being more efficient than others. The use of sensors is a huge added benefit when it comes to feed systems because it automates the process completely, allowing for minimal human interference. Many users are looking for a system that is not only capable of running on its own, but also one that is visually appealing. In today’s college culture, many young adults are looking for a new experience, and one of these experiences is bringing a pet of some sort home. Whether it be a dog, cat, hamster, or any other sort of pet, these animals need to be properly cared for and nourished. Often times, a source of stress for these animals can be not getting fed the proper amounts of feed or not getting fed on time. This is a sad reality that leads to malnourishment and eventually abandonment of these animals. In addition, many times feed will come in an airtight bag that pet owners can forget to close up completely after feeding pets. This leads to things like growing mold spores and bacteria cultures in the feed itself. All these reasons come together to pose the question of: “Is there a better way to do this?”, and the answer is yes.&nbsp;</p><p><b>1.2 JUSTIFICATION&nbsp;&nbsp;</b></p><p>Many animal feed systems can be designed to function as an automatic device, that allow the user to predetermine when the feed is distributed from a pre-set list of parameters that may include a per time basis, a per weight basis, or even on a proximity basis that depends on the position of the animal in relation to the feed distribution system. The purpose of having sensors in a system like this is to automate the feed process completely. In addition to having a single sensor in a system like this, it is possible to incorporate other aspects to the system, to make it more efficient and user friendly. The use of things like LCD displays, weight sensors, and servo-motors all the individual components of the system to work together in order to provide an efficient and easy way to control and monitor the feed levels in a system like this. Though systems like this exist in the real world, they are often complicated, provide many unnecessary services, and can be very pricy to someone who is on a college budget. These factors often lead to students throwing out the idea of an automated feeder, an instead leads to them settling for manual feeding, which can often be late, inconsistent, and in some cases, unsanitary. These are all factors that need to be considered when caring for the life of another being, and should be considered in the construction of this project.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>1.3&nbsp;<b>OBJECTIVE&nbsp;&nbsp;</b></p><p>The objective function of this project is to design and build the hardware for a dog feed distribution system that would operate on a sensor basis through the use of a load cell, an LCD display, and a servo motor. It will provide schematics to be used for the wiring of the system, images and procedures for the construction of an aesthetically pleasing and useful outer-casing, as well as the code developed that is necessary to ensure every component does its job. Constraints of the system would be that the actual hardware would need to be able to be confined to the end user’s available area of use. Although this is different for everyone, for this specific project, the system will be held in a 2 ft x 2 ft x 1 ft environment. <br></p>