Automated Feeding Automated Feeding Solutions for Dog Solutions for Dog OwnersOwnersPreliminary Design ReviewPreliminary Design ReviewOctober 19, 2007October 19, 2007

ProjectProjectAutomated Dog FeederAutomated Dog Feeder

Project AdvisorProject AdvisorDr. Hongwei WuDr. Hongwei Wu

The Canine Hunger ForceThe Canine Hunger Force

Team MembersTeam MembersJustin WatersJustin Waters Ryan PriceRyan PriceRandy BoucherRandy BoucherAdam HartleyAdam Hartley

Project OverviewProject Overview

Creation of an automated dog feeder which allows the owner to Creation of an automated dog feeder which allows the owner to adjust or set feeding times through web interface GUIadjust or set feeding times through web interface GUI

Eliminates food waste when owner is absent for long periods of Eliminates food waste when owner is absent for long periods of time (i.e. vacation) by controlling feed time and by delivering time (i.e. vacation) by controlling feed time and by delivering appropriate food amounts while the owner is busy or awayappropriate food amounts while the owner is busy or away

Eliminates need for dog boarding during vacationsEliminates need for dog boarding during vacations

Targeted customers - dog owners who travels often, people who Targeted customers - dog owners who travels often, people who would like a dog but may not have the appropriate caring timewould like a dog but may not have the appropriate caring time

Cost of entire project roughly $250Cost of entire project roughly $250

Design ObjectivesDesign Objectives

Owner Interface through web server GUIOwner Interface through web server GUI

PC/feeder communication through USB DAQ boardPC/feeder communication through USB DAQ board

Auger operation by use of 12 VDC motorAuger operation by use of 12 VDC motor

12 VDC motor receives power directly from computer power supply12 VDC motor receives power directly from computer power supply

Food amounts appropriate to dogFood amounts appropriate to dog

Food stored in sturdy, dry containerFood stored in sturdy, dry container

Owner able to set feeding schedule through web serverOwner able to set feeding schedule through web server

Design OverviewDesign Overview

12 VDC

Ground

USB Interface

GroundAnalog output 0

PC Control

12VDC 50 rpm Motor

5VDC Reed Relay

Coil + Coil -

National Instruments USB 6008 DAQ Board

Ground Load Cell / Weight Sensor

5VDC

Return

12V DC Gear Motor12V DC Gear Motor

Horse Power 0.8W (60 mA no load)

TorqueTorque 12 Lb-inch(1 Ft-lb)12 Lb-inch(1 Ft-lb)

SpeedSpeed 50 rpm50 rpm

Length of MotorLength of Motor 54 mm (2.13 54 mm (2.13 inches)inches)

Weight of MotorWeight of Motor 3 ounces3 ounces

Sensor Compression Sensor Compression Load Cell Load Cell

This load cell is rated for up to 5 lbsThis load cell is rated for up to 5 lbs

Powered by a 5 VDC input signalPowered by a 5 VDC input signal

The output is an analog signal that ranges from 0 – 5 voltsThe output is an analog signal that ranges from 0 – 5 volts

The amount of weight determines the output voltageThe amount of weight determines the output voltage

Sensor Compression Sensor Compression Load CellLoad Cell

The DAQ board provides a 5 VDC supply rail for loads The DAQ board provides a 5 VDC supply rail for loads under 200 mA, allowing us to power the load cellunder 200 mA, allowing us to power the load cell

With an input voltage range of 0 With an input voltage range of 0 ± 10 VDC, the DAQ ± 10 VDC, the DAQ boards analog inputs can easily read the load cell’s return boards analog inputs can easily read the load cell’s return signalsignal

The load cell will be located underneath the dog bowl and The load cell will be located underneath the dog bowl and will be properly sealed to avoid exposure to moisturewill be properly sealed to avoid exposure to moisture

Web ServerWeb Server

Apache HTTP Server 2.2.6Apache HTTP Server 2.2.6

Allows user access from any Allows user access from any

Internet-connected PCInternet-connected PC

Password protected (SSL 128) Password protected (SSL 128)

accessaccess

Modifying a file on the server Modifying a file on the server

will update feeding schedulewill update feeding schedule

Webpage based profile Webpage based profile modificationmodification

User connects to custom web page hosted on dog feeder PCUser connects to custom web page hosted on dog feeder PC

User modifies feeding schedule in the web based tableUser modifies feeding schedule in the web based table

Table is saved as a tab-delimited text file to local driveTable is saved as a tab-delimited text file to local drive

Labview based software loads the text file values as an Labview based software loads the text file values as an arrayarray

Data Acquisition Data Acquisition SolutionSolution

National Instruments USB-6008 student kit chosenNational Instruments USB-6008 student kit chosen

USB based data acquisition unit provides versatilityUSB based data acquisition unit provides versatility

Labview Student Edition provided with bundleLabview Student Edition provided with bundle

Visual ProgrammingVisual Programming

Labview allows for rapid prototyping and implementation of Labview allows for rapid prototyping and implementation of programming conceptsprogramming concepts

Provides step-by-step debugging using visual indicatorsProvides step-by-step debugging using visual indicators

Function calls can be saved as modular “sub vi’s”Function calls can be saved as modular “sub vi’s”

Visual ProgrammingVisual Programming

Accepts Boolean input (true/false)Accepts Boolean input (true/false)

Converts to integer (1/0)Converts to integer (1/0)

Applies gain of 5 and becomes voltage control for analog Applies gain of 5 and becomes voltage control for analog outputoutput

Visual ProgrammingVisual Programming

DAQ Assistant provides dialog based configuration of DAQ DAQ Assistant provides dialog based configuration of DAQ board inputs/outputs with built in diagnostic featuresboard inputs/outputs with built in diagnostic features

Customizable scaling profiles allow for curve fitting and Customizable scaling profiles allow for curve fitting and calibrationcalibration

Visual ProgrammingVisual Programming

Scaling profile used to calibrate load cell against a separate Scaling profile used to calibrate load cell against a separate digital scaledigital scale

Load cell experimentally shown to be accurate to within Load cell experimentally shown to be accurate to within ±1/2 ±1/2 ounceounce

Cost AnalysisCost Analysis

Prototype Component Prices per Unit

Component Cost

National Instruments USB-6008 DAQ Board $160

12V DC Motor $30

Load Cell Approximately $60

Food Bowl Approximately $5

Hopper Approximately $5

Web server Software and Hardware Free (hardware already obtained)

Miscellaneous hardware/ wires $20

Total $280

Cost AnalysisCost Analysis

Mass Production Component Prices per Unit

Component Cost

National Instruments USB-6008 DAQ Board $120

12V DC Motor $25 [5]

Load Cell $5

Food Bowl $1

Hopper $1

Web server Software and Hardware $30 Web server software free; open source)

Miscellaneous hardware/ wires $20

Fringe Benefits, Overheard, Advertising $10

Total $212

Project TimelineProject Timeline

Aug AugAug Aug Sep Sep Sep Oct Oct Oct Nov Nov Nov Nov Dec Dec DecTask Duration Who 20 23 25 27 3 10 16 1 21 22 4 5 11 12 9 10 14

Decide on Project 1 week allResearch Specifics 6 weeks allFind Webserver 4 weeks rpFind DAQ Board 4 weeks rbFind Hopper/Feeder Mechanism 4 weeks jwFind Load Sensor 4 weeks ahProposal 1 week allAcquire Parts 2 weeks allAssembly 1 week allUnit Testing 4 weeks allField Testing 4 weeks allFinal Demostration 1 week all

Future WorkFuture Work

Mount motor to hopperMount motor to hopper

Complete web server and interface GUIComplete web server and interface GUI

Complete system operation programComplete system operation program

Assemble prototype feeding mechanismAssemble prototype feeding mechanism

Final phase testingFinal phase testing