Animal Collar Lighting System Embedded Optical Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dog collars lack visibility and safety features, particularly in low-light conditions, and do not offer adjustable lighting solutions for enhanced identification and safety.
Innovation Solution
A dog collar with an integrated lighting system featuring a power source and an optical element, including an LED, embedded within flexible material, allowing for adjustable illumination and color bands for improved visibility, which can be activated remotely or by a push-button.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional dog collars are used without lighting systems, then the collar structure remains simple and cost-effective, but visibility and safety in low-light conditions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lighting system with the collar structure by embedding the optical element within the collar material and integrating the power source into the collar assembly. This merging approach adds illumination functionality while maintaining a unified, compact design that does not significantly increase overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar serves multiple functions: traditional identification (tags, nameplates) plus safety illumination. The lighting system is integrated into the collar itself, allowing the single device to provide both structural support and active illumination for enhanced visibility in low-light conditions.
2Illumination intensity
If a lighting system with multiple components is integrated into the collar, then visibility is improved, but the weight and size of the collar increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential illumination components needed for visibility, embedding the optical element directly within the collar material rather than adding separate external lighting assemblies. This selective extraction approach provides necessary illumination while minimizing additional weight and size.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element is embedded within the flexible collar material, utilizing the collar's existing structure as a housing. This integration within thin flexible material layers avoids adding bulky components, keeping the collar lightweight and comfortable for animal wear.
3Shape
If the optical element is embedded within the collar material, then the lighting system becomes more integrated and aesthetically pleasing, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element is nested within the collar material structure, with the lighting component housed inside the collar assembly. This nesting approach achieves aesthetic integration while allowing separate manufacturing of components that are subsequently assembled, balancing integration benefits with manufacturing feasibility.
4Duration of action of moving object
If a power source is integrated into the collar, then continuous illumination is enabled, but energy consumption and battery replacement requirements arise
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system operates in periodic cycles rather than continuous illumination, with the control circuit enabling the optical element to illuminate during low-light conditions detected by sensors or at scheduled intervals. This periodic operation extends battery life while maintaining safety functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar incorporates automatic light detection sensors that trigger illumination when ambient light levels drop, eliminating the need for manual activation. The system serves itself by automatically monitoring conditions and activating the lighting function only when needed, optimizing power consumption.
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 collar provides enhanced visibility and safety for dogs, especially in low-light conditions, using a single battery for efficient power consumption and adjustable lighting, while maintaining a stylish and durable design.
Implementation Method 1
The optical element further includes an LED that is configured to illuminate a portion of the optical element when the power source is turned on
Data Source
AI summary
A collar for an animal includes an elongate piece of flexible material having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends configured to be releasably coupled together about the neck of an animal. The collar also includes a lighting system coupled to the piece of material. The lighting system includes a power source and an optical element coupled to the power source. The optical element is at least partially embedded within the piece of material and extends along a length direction between the first and second ends. The optical element further includes an LED that is configured to illuminate a portion of the optical element when the power source is turned on.