Adjustable Spring Compression for Bird Feeder Weight Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bird feeder spring systems face challenges due to inconsistencies in spring manufacturing, leading to variations in strength and compressibility. This results in inadequate separation of bird and squirrel weights, affecting access to bird feed.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable spring system comprising a central rod, a compressible component, an elongated member, and a cap, allowing for adjustment of spring compression by moving the elongated member between two positions, thereby adapting to different animal weights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed spring system is used in bird feeders, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the spring compression varies due to manufacturing inconsistencies, leading to unreliable weight-based access control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the spring system adjustable rather than fixed. The elongated member can be repositioned along the central rod to change the spring compression distance, allowing the system to adapt to different spring characteristics and animal weights. This transforms a static spring system into a dynamic one that can be modified to achieve reliable weight-based access control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by allowing adjustment of the spring compression distance. By changing the position of the elongated member relative to the central rod, the compression distance parameter is modified, which directly affects the spring force. This enables the system to compensate for manufacturing variations and achieve consistent weight-based access control despite using springs with varying properties.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the spring compression is increased to prevent squirrel access, then squirrel exclusion improves, but bird access may be blocked due to excessive compression
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamics principle is applied by enabling the user to adjust the elongated member position to find the optimal compression setting. This allows the system to be tuned so that the spring compression is sufficient to block squirrels (heavier animals) while remaining light enough to allow birds (lighter animals) to access the feed, resolving the contradiction between squirrel exclusion and bird access.
Solution Approach 2:
The parameter changes principle is implemented by allowing modification of the spring compression distance. By adjusting this parameter, the system can achieve a balance where the compression force is high enough to prevent squirrel access but low enough to permit bird access, thus resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements.
3Reliability
If different spring strengths are used to accommodate weight variations, then weight-based access control improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of manufacturing springs with different strengths, the patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the compression distance of a standard spring. By changing this geometric parameter, the system achieves the effect of different spring forces without requiring different spring specifications, thus maintaining ease of manufacturing while achieving reliable weight-based access control.
Solution Approach 2:
The universality principle is applied by designing a single spring that can serve multiple functions through adjustment of the elongated member position. The same spring can provide appropriate resistance for different animal weights by simply changing its compression distance, eliminating the need to manufacture and inventory multiple spring types with different strengths.
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 adjustable spring system effectively separates bird and squirrel weights by allowing precise adjustment of spring compression, ensuring consistent access to bird feed while accommodating manufacturing inconsistencies in springs.
Implementation Method 1
a compressible component positioned around the central rod
Implementation Method 2
The spring within the spring system needs to be precise to compress under the weight of a squirrel and remain generally uncompressed under the weight of a bird
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an adjustable spring system, which is comprised of a central rod positioned partially within a member. A spring is positioned over the central rod, confined in the area in between the lower cap and the member. The member is attached to and capped by an end cap, and the member is threaded onto the central rod. As such, rotation of the end cap or the member directly correspondingly rotates the member, which moves up or down along the length of the central rod. When the adjustable spring system is installed within a bird feeder, it allows an operator to choose the amount of compression of the spring, which in turn affects the ability of the central rod to move with respect to the seed tray.