Bird Deterrent Device Tread Pattern Grooves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bird deterrent devices using electric current face issues such as short-circuiting due to water pooling, moisture, and fecal contamination, which affect their reliability and aesthetic appeal, particularly when flexible or raised conductive structures are used.

Innovation Solution

The use of an elongated carrier with a tread pattern of indented grooves on its bottom surface, where conductive traces are coupled using fasteners that extend to the grooves, preventing stitches from contacting water and reducing the likelihood of short-circuiting, and an arc suppressor to increase the creep distance and prevent moisture-related issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conductive traces are mounted on an elevated carrier portion with spaces for drainage, then reliability in moisture exposure is improved, but aesthetic appeal deteriorates and installation flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability in moisture exposureVSAvoidaesthetic appeal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom surface of the carrier is designed with differentiated local qualities: a tread pattern with grooves in specific areas to prevent water pooling at critical locations (where conductive traces are attached), while maintaining a relatively smooth overall appearance. This localized texture modification protects against short-circuiting without requiring the entire carrier to be elevated or heavily textured, thus preserving aesthetic appeal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If conductive traces are sewn to the base to facilitate bending, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to water seeping up stitches and causing short circuits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of bendingVSAvoidresistance to water-induced short circuits

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tread pattern grooves act as an intermediary barrier between water and the conductive traces. Water is directed into the grooves where it pools away from the stitch locations, preventing water from seeping up the stitches and causing short circuits. This intermediary structure maintains the flexibility needed for bending while protecting against moisture infiltration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Shape

If a flat rail structure is used, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to water pooling and short-circuiting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appealVSAvoidresistance to water pooling

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than making the entire carrier structure elevated or heavily textured, the invention applies local quality modification by incorporating a tread pattern with grooves only in specific areas of the bottom surface where water pooling would be most problematic. This allows the overall structure to remain relatively flat and aesthetically pleasing while providing localized drainage functionality to prevent short-circuiting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8887437B2Electrified bird deterrent device with treads

Publication Date: 2014.11.18 BIRD B GONE INC

AI summary

An animal deterrent device includes an elongated carrier having a conductive trace. The carrier can further include a bottom surface with a tread pattern having a pattern of grooves. The conductive trace can be coupled to the carrier by a fastener that extends from the conductive trace to the pattern of grooves, which can prevent water from contacting the fastener and shorting the conductive trace.