WO2024213388A1

WO2024213388A1 - Hoof protector, preferably a hoof boot or hoof bell

Info

Publication number: WO2024213388A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/058211
Authority: WO
Inventors: Max Konstantin WERHAHN; Peter Michael Marienfeld; Moritz Plinke
Original assignee: Contitech Deutschland Gmbh
Priority date: 2023-04-13
Filing date: 2024-03-27
Publication date: 2024-10-17
Also published as: DE102023203351A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hoof protector (37), preferably a hoof boot (37) or a hoof bell (37), comprising: an electronic hoof component (25) which is preferably removably arranged on a hoof-protector wall (37b); and at least one sensor for detecting the temperature of the hoof (H) of a hoofed animal during use.

Description

202302079

1

Description

Hoof protection, preferably hoof boot or hoof bell

The invention relates to a hoof protection, preferably a hoof shoe or a hoof bell.

For the gait and health analysis of a horse or other hoofed animal (e.g. camel), it is desirable to record the reaction forces that arise when it hits the ground or the ground not only at one point, but with a certain resolution across the impact area of the hoof. The measured values should be able to be used to draw conclusions about the animal's state of health, e.g. with regard to lameness or overloading of the gait apparatus.

While there are a whole range of solutions for corresponding tasks in the field of medical diagnostics, training status analysis and rehabilitation in humans, the availability of corresponding systems for hoofed animals is limited. There is a commercially available product from the company Tekscan and systems with a similar purpose, but these are based on measuring accelerations instead of reaction forces.

From GB 2 482 192 B it is known to attach force sensors for such purposes to a horseshoe and to store their signals locally and/or to transmit them to a remote receiving and evaluation station via a wireless transmitter.

According to DE 10 2011 016 344 A1, force sensors are inserted into an elastomer body for a corresponding purpose. The elastomer body, the which is to be inserted into a hoof boot, the use of commercially available resistive force sensors with their limited force measuring range should also enable reaction force analysis in horses with their relatively high ground pressure.

US 2020/319044 A1 teaches another system for the area-resolved recording of reaction forces on the hooves of an ungulate, which transmits the sensor signals to a remote evaluation unit via a wireless transmitter. This system has a complex construction consisting of a base plate and a floor plate, which are precisely guided relative to each other and between which several force application cylinders and a plurality of resistive force measuring sensors are housed, as well as a microprocessor unit, a communication unit and a battery for powering the components. The function of the "force application cylinders" cannot be inferred from the document, nor can the manner in which they are attached to the hoof.

DE 102021 211 795.3 (unpublished) describes a reaction force measuring plate for detecting the ground reaction force distribution over the ground contact surface of the foot of an ungulate or the foot of a human when it steps on the ground, with a rigid carrier plate with a first surface facing the ground during use and a second surface facing the hoof or foot, a plurality of flat force measuring sensors fixed in position on the first surface of the carrier plate and a plurality, in particular a plurality corresponding to the plurality of force measuring sensors, of elastic force transmission studs which are fixed to the free surfaces of the force measuring sensors.

A disadvantage of the known possibilities of this kind for measuring the force of the

foot of an ungulate or the foot of a human being when it steps on the ground, ie when it comes into contact with the ground, is that the measuring properties of the used force measuring sensors can be temperature-dependent or can be influenced by the temperature in the immediate vicinity of the force sensor or its temperature. This can influence or distort the recording of the measured variable from which force values can be determined. This can affect the accuracy or quality of the recorded measured variable or the force value determined or ascertained from it. This can have a correspondingly detrimental effect on the results of the evaluation of the force values.

Furthermore, the temperature of the hoof of hoofed animals such as horses can provide helpful information about possible causes of existing lameness or signs of impending problems. Up to now, temperature measurements on the hoof have generally been carried out using thermography with a thermal imaging camera or a commercially available infrared thermometer.

The disadvantage is that the temperature distribution on the hoof can vary locally. It is therefore difficult to obtain a reproducible measurement with an infrared thermometer. Measurement with a thermal imaging camera can provide more precise information about the temperature distribution, but such systems are very expensive.

If the known systems for gait analysis are to be used simultaneously with the determination of the temperature of the hoof of ungulates, this will at most be done one after the other, since it would be cumbersome to use another device for determining the hoof temperature at the same time as a system for gait analysis.

One object of the present invention is to improve the possibilities for determining the temperature of the hoof of hoofed animals. In particular, a reproducible temperature measurement on the hoof is to be achieved by integrating a temperature sensor on a carrier system on the horse's hoof. This is intended to improve the ability of the animal to move its feet, particularly in combination with the measurement of the force of the foot of an ungulate when it hits the ground.

If necessary, at least one other physical parameter on the hoof should be able to be recorded additionally or alternatively using sensors. This should be done as simply, inexpensively, and in a way that saves space and/or weight as possible.

At least an alternative to the known options should be created.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a hoof protection according to patent claim 1. Advantageous further developments are described in the subclaims.

Thus, the invention relates to a hoof protection, preferably a hoof shoe or a hoof bell, with an electronic hoof component which is arranged, preferably removably, on a hoof protection wall, and with at least one sensor for detecting the temperature of the hoof of a hoofed animal during use.

Any sensor principle that can detect the temperature of the hoof of the ungulate in this application can be used as a sensor, as described in more detail below.

In any case, according to the invention, a reproducible and/or continuous temperature measurement on the hoof can be carried out in this way without additional devices, since the sensors for temperature detection can be installed in a device that is already used to protect the hoof, in particular in a hoof boot or a hoof bell. Additional devices that could disturb the hoofed animal in particular can be dispensed with. In particular, this allows temperature detection during movement, in particular during training of a horse, which can be particularly helpful for the trainer or owner. Preferably, these options for measuring the temperature of the hoof can be combined with other sensor values recorded on the hoof, as will be described in more detail below. This can be combined with sensor recording for gait analysis, e.g. by measuring pressure under the hoof and/or measuring acceleration on the hoof. Temperature measurements can provide additional information, particularly in the health analysis of horses, which makes it possible to identify a diseased hoof more quickly, for example. The term "hoof" includes not only the hoof itself but also the coronary band and the pastern.

According to one aspect of the invention, the hoof protection wall has a wall passage, wherein the electronic hoof component has an infrared sensor which is directed at the hoof through the wall passage of the hoof protection wall. This can represent one possibility for concrete implementation. This can be particularly advantageous in that the infrared sensor can be arranged on a circuit board of the electronic hoof component, so that additional cabling can be dispensed with, which would cost installation space and cause assembly effort. This can also ensure that the infrared sensor cannot perform any relative movement to the electronic hoof component.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the wall passage is closed with a transparent filling. This can keep dirt, moisture and the like away from the electronic hoof component and in particular from its infrared sensor, as well as prevent contact with the electronic hoof component and in particular with its infrared sensor through the wall passage. This can protect the electronic hoof component and in particular its infrared sensor and prevent the "visual contact" of a sensor on the hoof from being disturbed by dirt and so that the measurement is distorted. The transparency of the filling can simultaneously enable the infrared sensor to detect infrared radiation.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the hoof protection wall has a wall passage which is closed off from the hoof by means of a thermally conductive closure, wherein the electronic hoof component has a temperature sensor which is arranged inside the thermally conductive closure. A thermally insulating closure can also be used as the thermally conductive closure, which is sufficiently thin to have no significant thermally insulating effect, but can have a protective effect. The heat from the hoof can thus pass through the thermally conductive material of the closure to the temperature sensor in order to be detected there by the sensor. This can represent an additional or alternative possibility for detecting the temperature of the hoof.

The temperature sensor is a temperature-sensitive element that has a temperature-dependent physical quantity, the value of which can be recorded and converted into a corresponding temperature value. This allows the temperature of the temperature sensor or its immediate surroundings to be recorded by sensor and a temperature value to be determined from this. The temperature dependency is preferably linear, at least in the relevant measuring range, which can make recording the sensor value and determining the temperature value easier and/or more accurate. In any case, a PTC (positive temperature coefficient) or an NTC (negative temperature coefficient) element can be used as a temperature sensor or as a temperature-sensitive element.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the wall passage of the hoof protection wall from the temperature sensor to the outside is closed by means of a thermally insulating filling. This can prevent the possible The self-heating of the electronic hoof component is detected by the temperature sensor, which could impair the temperature detection.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the electronic hoof component further comprises a temperature sensor which is arranged on the inside of the hoof protection wall and is in contact with the hoof or in the immediate vicinity of the hoof during use. This can represent a direct and comparatively simple way of detecting the temperature. However, this exposes the temperature sensor to mechanical stress due to contact with the hoof, which can reduce its longevity. Accordingly, the temperature sensor can also be integrated inside the hoof protection wall, for example between several layers of fabrics, textiles, foams and the like, in order to be used in the immediate vicinity of the hoof. This can provide additional protection, but can delay the spread of the temperature to the temperature sensor somewhat.

This aspect of the invention is based on the idea that the temperature-sensitive element is integrated within the hoof protection and is preferably contacted externally, for example via a plug. The difference compared to the previous variants or aspects of the invention can be that in this case the temperature sensor can neither be integrated within an electronic unit nor on a force sensor below the hoof, but is located in the hoof protection. Optionally, the temperature sensor can then be in contact with the hoof, or lie within the hoof protection wall or the collar.

Alternatively, the temperature sensor of the hoof protection wall can also be present in addition to a temperature sensor of the electronic hoof component or its circuit board and/or a force sensor underneath the hoof. In this case, the temperature sensor of the electronic hoof component can be used to The ambient temperature can be recorded or estimated and/or the temperature dependency of the electronic hoof component can be compensated. Additionally or alternatively, the force between the hoof and the ground can be recorded using the force sensor. In addition, if the ambient temperature is known, the temperature dependency of the force measuring cells of the force sensor can be compensated and/or the hoof temperature can be estimated. In any case, additionally or alternatively, the hoof temperature can be measured using the "external" temperature sensor of the hoof protection wall for additional diagnosis or indication, independently and if necessary solely of the other measurement options.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the electronic hoof component further comprises a temperature sensor. This allows the temperature of the electronic hoof component itself and its immediate surroundings to be detected by sensors in addition to the temperature of the hoof.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the electronic hoof component also has an acceleration sensor and/or a gyroscope. This also allows the acceleration of the hoof to be recorded, which can enable additional options for evaluating the movements of the hoof or the hoofed animal. In addition to or as an alternative to the acceleration sensor, a gyroscope can also be used.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the hoof protection further comprises a reaction force measuring plate for detecting the ground reaction force distribution over the ground contact surface of the hoof when it hits the ground, with a preferably rigid carrier plate with a first surface facing the ground during use and an opposite second surface facing the hoof, or vice versa, and with a plurality of flat surfaces fixed in a fixed position on the first surface of the carrier plate. Force measuring sensors. The ground represents a subsurface which can basically be of any type or made of any material.

The reaction force measuring plate can have a carrier plate that is essentially both rigid and incompressible (but possibly elastically flexible). Such a reaction force measuring plate is structurally simple and can therefore be produced inexpensively, is robust in practical use and is easy to handle. It also enables the reaction forces to be recorded with sufficient resolution over the surface of the hoof, with low force side effects and therefore high accuracy. It is also flat and light in construction and is therefore not only easy to use, but also easy to transport.

Preferably, at least five force measuring sensors can be used. Preferably, at least and particularly preferably exactly seven force measuring sensors can be used, which can be arranged along the edge. In any case, the force measuring sensors can be arranged at approximately the same distance from one another in the circumferential direction. This can enable representative recording of the force values while at the same time limiting the effort.

Preferably, an additional force measuring sensor can be arranged in the middle and/or on the edge between the heel ends of the hoof of an ungulate, which can increase or improve the significance of the recorded measured values.

The carrier plate can, as explicitly formulated and described above, be arranged with the first surface facing the ground in use and with the second opposite surface facing the hoof or foot. However, the arrangement can also be reversed, in that the carrier plate can be arranged with the first surface facing the hoof or foot in use and with the second opposite surface facing the ground. This can be the Increase the possibilities for use and design. In particular, the arrangement of the carrier plate with the first surface facing the hoof during use is advantageous because the force measuring sensors and any elastic force transmission studs act against the hoof.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the hoof protection further comprises at least one temperature measuring sensor, which is designed and arranged on the reaction force measuring plate to detect the temperature of the hoof. This can additionally also enable detection of the temperature of the sole of the hoof.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the temperature measuring sensor of the reaction force measuring plate is also formed on the continuous sensor carrier film, preferably as a printed electrical line, preferably in a meandering shape. This can also be implemented accordingly for the temperature measuring sensor.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the force measuring sensors together with associated sensor signal lines and optionally power supply lines are realized on a continuous sensor carrier film, which is fixed in particular on the first surface of the carrier plate. This can simplify implementation and production.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the force measuring sensors or the sensor carrier film are glued to the carrier plate. This can represent an easily implemented design.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the effective area of the force measuring sensors is in the range between 0.5 cm ² and 10 cm ² , in particular 2 cm ² and 5 cm ² . It is understood that when using a relatively large number of force measuring sensors and especially in configurations of the measuring plate which are suitable for animals with a relatively small hoof or foot area, the effective area can be relatively small, whereas in configurations with a relatively small number of sensors and for animals with a large detection area, it can be closer to or even higher than the upper limit mentioned as preferred.

According to a further aspect of the invention, all force measuring sensors are essentially rectangular in shape and have the same geometric shape and effective area. This can facilitate technologically easy and cost-effective manufacture of the sensors and the configurability of different versions of the measuring plate.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the force measuring sensors are resistive-dielectric sensors, which in particular comprise a first conductive layer, on this a dielectric layer which is surrounded and delimited by a spacer that determines the shape of the force measuring sensor, and a second conductive layer on the dielectric layer and the spacer. In addition to the structure mentioned here as a variant, such resistive force measuring sensors can also have a different, i.e. known, structure. In principle, in addition to resistive-dielectric sensors in the reaction force measuring plate, piezoelectric or capacitive or inductive sensors or electroactive polymers can also be used.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the carrier plate has the shape of a closed horseshoe, circular ring, U or polygon, in particular with a recess in the middle area. This allows adaptation for use with various ungulates or other vertebrates (including humans).

According to a further aspect of the invention, the carrier plate consists of organic sheet, spring steel or plastic. These can represent concrete possibilities for implementation. In other words, according to an option A, a contactless temperature sensor (e.g. an infrared sensor) can be used according to the invention, which is integrated in the electronic hoof component as an electronic unit, in order to establish a "visual contact" with the hoof, the coronary band or the pastern through a "viewing window", for example a transparent or translucent element of the hoof protection wall, so that the temperature can be determined there.

The hoof protection, in particular the hoof shoe or the hoof bell, can have a recess or an opening or a transparent or translucent insert at this point so that the measurement on the animal is possible. The viewing window is advantageously integrated into the rear housing wall (e.g. glued, welded or molded on). The viewing window advantageously protrudes over the back. The viewing window advantageously protrudes so far over the rear wall that it fills a recess in the hoof protection or protrudes into it.

According to option B, a temperature-sensitive element can be integrated into the electronics. In the simplest version, this can be placed directly on the electronics or its circuit board. The temperature-sensitive element is advantageously arranged on the outer wall of the electronics on the side facing the hoof or immediately behind it. The housing advantageously protrudes from the back of the electronics in the area of the sensor so that it completely or at least partially fills a recess in the shoe. A material with high thermal conductivity, e.g. a metal, is advantageously integrated into the housing of the electronics at least in the protruding area so that the temperature from the hoof is transmitted well. The space between the temperature-sensitive element and the electronics is advantageously filled with a material with lower thermal conductivity. filled, for example cast. This prevents interference from the self-heating of the electronics.

According to option C, at least one temperature-sensitive element, such as an RTD, PTC or NTC, can be integrated into the hoof protection, which is connected directly or indirectly to the electronic unit via a plug contact.

According to option D, a temperature-sensitive element can be arranged inside the hoof component, but not on the circuit board. This can then be done with an insulating filling and as close to the hoof as possible.

Combinations of options A, B, C and D are also possible.

The electronic hoof component can also have a 3-axis acceleration sensor and/or a 3-axis gyroscope.

Several embodiments and further advantages of the invention are explained below in connection with the following figures. Therein: Fig. 1 shows the structure of an exemplary reaction force measuring plate in a perspective view from below;

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a reaction force measuring system according to the invention, in the form of a block diagram;

Fig. 3 shows a hoof of a hoofed animal with a hoof protection according to the invention according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 4 shows a hoof of a hoofed animal with a hoof protection according to the invention according to a second embodiment;

Fig. 5 shows a hoof of a hoofed animal with a hoof protection according to the invention according to a third embodiment; and

Fig. 6 shows a hoof of a hoofed animal with a hoof protection according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment. The above figures are described in Cartesian coordinates with a longitudinal direction X, a transverse direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and a vertical direction Z perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y. The longitudinal direction X can also be referred to as depth X, the transverse direction Y as width Y and the vertical direction Z as height Z. The longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y together form the horizontal X, Y, which can also be referred to as the horizontal plane X, Y. The longitudinal direction X, the transverse direction Y and the vertical direction Z can also be referred to together as spatial directions X, Y, Z or as Cartesian spatial directions X, Y, Z.

Fig. 1 shows, in a perspective view from below, the structure of an exemplary reaction force measuring plate 1 with a closed horseshoe-shaped rigid carrier plate 3, which has a first surface 3a and a second surface 3b. Seven resistive force measuring sensors 5 with a matching rectangular basic shape are attached to the first surface 3a at equal distances from one another. The free surfaces of each of the force measuring sensors 5 point downwards in the direction of a substrate (not shown) and thus, for example, away from the horse's hoof H. The force measuring sensors 5 can also be referred to as force sensors 5 or as force sensor elements 5.

The force measuring sensors 5 are integrally implemented on a sensor carrier film 9, which also carries conductor tracks (not shown) for connecting each sensor. The sensor carrier film 9, together with the force measuring sensors 5 formed thereon, can be manufactured using conventional means of printed circuit board technology, which are known per se to the person skilled in the art. The sensor carrier film 9 is applied with its rear side to the first surface 3a of the carrier 3.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a reaction force measuring system 17, which can be formed in particular with a reaction force measuring plate according to Fig. 1. The representation is in the form of a functional block diagram and is not intended to show the exact structural implementation of the system components.

In addition to the force measuring sensors 5 already shown in Fig. 1 with their plug outlet 13, the reaction force measuring system 17 comprises a sensor signal preprocessing unit 19, which are connected to the force measuring sensors 5 via the sensor signal lines or via the plug outlet 13 and serve to effect a preprocessing and formatting of the sensor signals that is advantageous for external signal transmission.

On the output side, the sensor signal preprocessing units 19 are connected to a wireless sensor signal transmitter 21, which can operate according to the Bluetooth standard, for example, but also according to another standard of wireless message transmission depending on the application. The above-mentioned components are assigned an energy source 23, which in the simplest case is a commercially available primary cell or a rechargeable battery. If a rechargeable battery is used, this can be assigned a charging socket (not shown in the figure) for recharging when installed.

All of the above-mentioned components are advantageously arranged on the reaction force measuring plate 1, and in particular protected in its interior, and are referred to here as electronic hoof component 25. In particular, the functional units of the hoof component 25 can all be realized on the sensor carrier film 9. As shown in the further Figs. 3 to 6, the electronic hoof component 25 can also be arranged as a box on the outside of a hoof protector 37 or its hoof protection wall 37b.

The electronic hoof component 25 is in wireless signal connection via the sensor signal transmitter 21 when the system is in use with a sensor signal receiving, evaluation and display device 27, which is located away from the animal (or human) to be examined. The device 27 comprises a wireless sensor signal receiver 29 which is configured to communicate with the sensor signal transmitter 21 on the electronic hoof component 25 and which feeds the received signals to a signal evaluation unit 31 where they are subjected to evaluation according to a program stored in a program memory 33.

Finally, a display unit 35 is used to display the evaluation results, for example for a therapist or trainer. The components of the sensor signal reception, evaluation and display device can be implemented, for example, in a notebook, tablet or smartphone with a suitable evaluation app.

Fig. 3 shows a hoof H of a hoofed animal with a hoof protector 37 according to the invention in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment. The hoof protector 37 is designed as a hoof bell 37 and surrounds the hoof H up to the coronary edge (not designated), to which the leg B or its pastern is connected.

The hoof protection 37 or the hoof bell 37 according to the first embodiment has a wall passage 37c in the upper area of the hoof protection wall 37b, which is filled by a transparent filling 37d as part of the hoof protection 37. The electronic hoof component 25 arranged on the outside of the hoof protection wall 37b has an infrared sensor 25a, which is directed at the wall passage 37c or through the transparent material of the filling 37d to the outside of the hoof H. Accordingly, the temperature of the hoof H can be recorded at any time and continuously by the infrared sensor 25a and transmitted to the outside of the electronic hoof component 25, just like the sensor data of the force measuring sensors 5. There, the recorded temperature of the hoof H can be used for sporting and medical purposes. Fig. 4 shows a hoof H of a hoofed animal with a hoof protector 37 according to the invention in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment. In this case, the hoof protector 37 is a hoof shoe 37 with a hoof protection sole 37a, which closes the hoof shoe 37 downwards towards the ground or the floor (not shown). The reaction force measuring plate 1 described above is arranged between the underside of the hoof H, ie its hoof sole, and the inside of the hoof shoe 37 or its hoof shoe sole 37a, which additionally has a centrally arranged temperature sensor 11 and is connected to the electronic hoof component 25 by means of an electrical connection 26. Furthermore, the electronic hoof component 25, which basically corresponds to the first embodiment of Fig. 3, has a further temperature sensor 25b, which can detect the temperature there or in the environment, as well as an acceleration sensor 25c in order to detect, transmit and evaluate accelerations of the hoof H. In addition, a gyroscope can also be provided (not shown).

Fig. 5 shows a hoof H of a hoofed animal with a hoof protection 37 according to the invention in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment. In this comparatively simple variant, the reaction force measuring plate 1 is used as previously described, i.e. without an additional temperature sensor 1. On the part of the electronic hoof component 25, there is only a temperature sensor 25d, which is arranged on the inside of the hoof protection wall 37b such that the temperature sensor 25d is in contact with the hoof H during use. For this purpose, the temperature sensor 25d can also be arranged in the immediate vicinity of the hoof H in the hoof protection wall 37b in order to be protected. The temperature sensor 25d is connected to the electronic hoof component 25 by means of a plug connection 26a.

Fig. 6 shows a hoof H of a hoofed animal with a hoof protector 37 according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment. The hoof protector 37 as a hoof shoe 37 essentially corresponds to the third embodiment with a temperature sensor 25d comparable to the first embodiment, wherein in In this case, the temperature sensor 25d is arranged on the inside of the wall passage 37c. The temperature sensor 25d is protected from the surface of the hoof H by means of a thermally conductive closure 37f, but can detect the temperature of the hoof H as directly as possible due to the thermally conductive properties of the material of the closure 37f. Furthermore, the wall passage 37c is filled with a thermally insulating filling 37e.

List of reference symbols (part of the description)

H hoof or horse hoof

B Leg or pastern of the horse

X longitudinal direction; depth

Y transverse direction; width

Z vertical direction; height

X, Y horizontals; horizontal plane

I reaction force measuring plate

3 carrier plate; sensor plate

3a first surface

3b second surface

5 force measuring sensors; force sensors; force sensor elements

9 sensor carrier film

I I Temperature sensor of the reaction force measuring plate 1

13 Connection element; plug outlet

17 reaction force measuring system

19 sensor signal preprocessing units

21 wireless sensor signal transmitter

23 energy source

25 electronic hoof components

25a Infrared sensor of the electronic hoof component 25

25b Temperature sensor of the electronic hoof component 25

25c Acceleration sensor of the electronic hoof component 25

25d Temperature sensor of the electronic hoof component 25

26 electrical connection

26a connector

27 Sensor signal receiving, evaluation and display device 29 wireless sensor signal receiver

31 signal evaluation unit

33 program memories

35 Display unit 37 Hoof protection; Hoof shoe; Hoof bell

37a hoof protection sole

37b hoof protection wall

37c wall passage

37d transparent filling of the wall passage 37c 37e thermally insulating filling of the wall passage 37c

37f thermally conductive end of the wall passage 37c

Claims

patent claims

1. Hoof protection (37), preferably hoof shoe (37) or hoof bell (37), with an electronic hoof component (25) which is arranged, preferably removably, on a hoof protection wall (37b), and with at least one sensor for detecting the temperature of the hoof (H) of a hoofed animal during use.

2. Hoof protection (37) according to claim 1, wherein the hoof protection wall (37b) has a wall passage (37c), wherein the electronic hoof component (25) has an infrared sensor (25a) which is directed towards the hoof (H) through the wall passage (37c) of the hoof protection wall (37b).

3. Hoof protection (37) according to claim 2, wherein the wall passage (37c) is closed with a transparent filling (37d).

4. Hoof protection (37) according to claim 1, wherein the hoof protection wall (37b) has a wall passage (37c) which is closed off from the hoof (H) by means of a thermally conductive closure (37f), wherein the electronic hoof component (25) has a temperature sensor (25d) which is arranged inside the thermally conductive closure (37f).

5. Hoof protection (37) according to claim 4, wherein the wall passage (37c) of the hoof protection wall (37b) from the temperature sensor (25d) is closed to the outside by means of a thermally insulating filling (37e).

6. Hoof protection (37) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic hoof component (25) further comprises a temperature sensor (25d) which is arranged on the inside of the hoof protection wall (37b) and is in contact with the hoof (H) or in close proximity to the hoof (H) during use.

7. Hoof protection (37) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic hoof component (25) further comprises a temperature sensor (25b).

8. Hoof protection (37) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic hoof component (25) further comprises an acceleration sensor (25c) and/or a gyroscope.

9. Hoof protection (37) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a reaction force measuring plate (1) for detecting the ground reaction force distribution over the ground contact surface of the hoof (H) when it hits the ground, with a preferably rigid carrier plate (3) with a first surface (3a) facing the ground during use and an opposite second surface (3b) facing the hoof, or vice versa, and with a plurality of flat force measuring sensors (5) fixed in position on the first surface (3a) of the carrier plate (3).

10. Hoof protection (37) according to claim 9, further comprising at least one temperature measuring sensor (11) which is designed and arranged on the reaction force measuring plate (1) to detect the temperature of the hoof (H).

11. Hoof protection (37) according to one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the force measuring sensors (5) together with associated sensor signal lines and optionally power supply lines are realized on a continuous sensor carrier film (9) which is fixed in particular on the first surface of the carrier plate (3).

12. Hoof protection (37) according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the force measuring sensors (5) or the sensor carrier film (9) are glued to the carrier plate (3).

13. Hoof protection (37) according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the effective area of the force measuring sensors (5) is in the range between 0.5 cm ² and 10 cm ² , in particular 2 cm ² and 5 cm ² .

14. Hoof protection (37) according to one of claims 9 to 13, wherein all force measuring sensors (5) are substantially rectangular in shape and have the same geometric shape and effective area.

15. Hoof protection (37) according to one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the force measuring sensors (5) are resistive-dielectric sensors, which in particular comprise a first conductive layer, on this a dielectric layer which is surrounded and delimited by a spacer determining the shape of the force measuring sensor (5), and a second conductive layer on the dielectric layer and the spacer.