Catapulting Animal Deterrent Device with Hinged Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for deterring undesirable animals, such as pets, often rely on noise or physical deterrents like nose nipping, but fail to effectively scare animals by propelling them airborne, which is necessary for more significant deterrents.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a base plate and a catapulting plate hingedly attached via a biasing member, with a trigger plate and hook mechanism that allows an animal to be baited onto the catapulting plate, whereupon triggering, the stored energy propels the animal airborne.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional noise or physical deterrents like nose nipping are used, then the device is simple to manufacture and operate, but the deterrent effect is insufficient to effectively scare animals
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member (spring) is pre-loaded to store potential energy in the catapulting plate before activation. This preliminary action allows the device to rapidly convert stored energy into kinetic energy when triggered, propelling the animal airborne for a more significant deterrent effect without requiring complex real-time control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static closed position to a dynamic opened position through the catapulting mechanism. The catapulting plate rotates rapidly about the hinge member when activated, creating dynamic motion that propels animals airborne. This dynamic action enhances the deterrent effect compared to static noise or nose nipping deterrents
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a catapulting mechanism is used to propel animals airborne, then the deterrent effect is significantly improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hook member integrates multiple functions: it engages with the catapulting plate to hold it in the closed position, provides a pivot point for rotation, and works with the biasing member to store and release energy. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the catapulting mechanism's effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger plate serves multiple purposes: it acts as the activation mechanism for the catapulting sequence, provides a surface for bait placement to attract animals, and triggers the release of the hook member. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the device while enabling the complex catapulting action
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
Effectively scares undesirable animals by propelling them into the air, providing a more significant deterrent beyond traditional noise or physical deterrents, adaptable to various animal sizes and capable of camouflage for increased effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member attached to the base plate and the catapulting plate, the biasing member configured to force the device in an opened position
Data Source
AI summary
A device for getting rid of undesirable animals having a base plate and a catapulting plate, the catapulting plate hingedly attached to the base plate and configured to swing via a hinge member. A biasing member is provided to force the device in an opened position. A trigger plate is configured to engage a hook member, such that the device is loaded into a closed position. The improved device configured to catapult an undesirable animal when the trigger plate is engaged, moving the device from the closed position to the opened position.