Bird Feeder Tapered Wall Squirrel Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bird feeders do not effectively prevent squirrels from accessing bird feed, as they lack features that discourage squirrels from gaining paw-holds or descending onto the feeder's perches.
Innovation Solution
A bird feeder apparatus with a feed holder having a larger upper portion and a smaller lower portion, where the perch is positioned below the upper portion, and the upper surface is designed to resist squirrel gripping, along with a fill opening and vent configuration that minimizes squirrel access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the feed holder has a uniform width throughout, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but squirrels can easily gain paw-holds and access the feed
Solution Approach 1:
The feed holder is segmented into an upper portion and a lower portion with different widths. The upper portion has a larger width that tapers to a smaller lower portion, creating distinct functional zones that prevent squirrels from gaining paw-holds while maintaining structural integrity and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the feed holder are given different widths to serve specific functions. The upper portion's larger width prevents squirrel access, while the lower portion's smaller width allows bird access to feed openings, creating local quality variations that address the squirrel problem without complicating the overall structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the perch is positioned above the feed holder upper portion, then birds can easily access the feed, but squirrels can use the perch as a platform to reach the feed
Solution Approach 1:
The perch is repositioned from a vertical height consideration to a horizontal projection consideration. By positioning the perch so that substantially its entirety projects below the upper portion's outer perimeter, the design uses dimensional repositioning to prevent squirrels from using it as a platform while maintaining bird accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered upper portion acts as an intermediary element between the perch and the feed openings. Its overhanging structure prevents squirrels from reaching from the perch to the feed while allowing birds to access the feed openings from the perch position.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the feed holder has a large opening for easy filling, then filling is simple and quick, but squirrels can easily enter and access the feed
Solution Approach 1:
The fill opening parameters are optimized to be sufficiently large for easy filling operations while the tapered wall structure and perch positioning create geometric constraints that prevent squirrel entry, allowing both easy filling and squirrel resistance to coexist.
Data Source
AI summary
A birdfeeder apparatus for discouraging squirrels from accessing birdfeed in the birdfeeder apparatus may comprise a feed holder configured to contain a quantity of birdfeed and having a perimeter wall with an upper portion and a lower portion, with the upper portion and the lower portion of the feed holder each having a width. The apparatus may also comprise at least one feed opening being located on the lower portion and extending through the perimeter wall of the feed holder, and a perch configured to support a bird feeding at the at least one feed opening, with the perch being located adjacent to the at least one feed opening on the lower portion of the perimeter wall and extending outwardly from the perimeter wall. The width of the upper portion may be larger than the width of the lower portion.