Deterrent Device Dome Cover Light Refraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing deterrent devices for repelling noise- and vibration-sensitive pests face energy supply limitations, particularly on cloudy days, which can hinder effective deterrence due to insufficient power generation from photovoltaic elements.

Innovation Solution

The deterrent device features a translucent cover with optical structures such as light-refracting edges and light-bundling bulges that direct incident light towards flat plate photovoltaic elements, positioned within a dome-shaped cover, enhancing light output and energy production, and includes a cylindrical shaft with rechargeable batteries for improved power supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If photovoltaic elements are used for energy generation in deterrent devices, then energy production is enabled, but energy supply is insufficient on cloudy days or under low solar radiation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy productionVSAvoidenergy supply reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a dome-shaped cover instead of a flat cover over the photovoltaic elements. This curved surface optimizes light reflection and refraction, directing more incident light onto the photovoltaic elements regardless of the angle of sunlight. The dome shape effectively concentrates light onto the flat plate photovoltaic elements, significantly improving energy generation efficiency under various lighting conditions including cloudy days and low solar radiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the optical parameters of the cover by incorporating light-refracting edges and light-bundling bulges. These optical structures modify the path and distribution of light rays, redirecting them onto the photovoltaic elements. The prismatic or faceted structures on the cover surface alter light refraction and reflection characteristics, maximizing light capture efficiency and ensuring reliable energy supply even under challenging environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the deterrent device operates more intensively with higher noise or vibration, then deterrence effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeterrence powerVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The dome-shaped cover optimizes the capture of incident light onto the photovoltaic elements, maximizing energy generation capacity. This increased energy availability enables the device to operate at higher power levels for longer durations, supporting more intensive noise and vibration generation without compromising energy supply stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical structures (light-refracting edges, light-bundling bulges, prismatic patterns) on the cover modify light propagation parameters to concentrate more sunlight onto the photovoltaic elements. This enhances the electrical energy output, providing sufficient power for intensive deterrence operations even under reduced solar radiation conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the photovoltaic elements are positioned flat under the cover, then the structure is simple, but light output efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural complexityVSAvoidlight output efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The dome-shaped cover creates an optimized optical environment that directs light onto the flat plate photovoltaic elements positioned within the dome. The curved surface acts as a light-concentrating structure, ensuring that even flat-mounted photovoltaic elements receive maximum light intensity. This maintains structural simplicity while dramatically improving energy generation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover is designed with integrated optical structures (light-refracting edges, light-bundling bulges, prismatic patterns) that segment and redirect light rays onto the photovoltaic elements. These segmented optical features work together to concentrate light efficiently, improving output without requiring complex mechanical adjustments or multiple photovoltaic layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This configuration significantly improves energy production efficiency, allowing for more frequent and intense noise or vibration generation, thereby enhancing deterrence effectiveness over a longer period and increasing the device's operational radius even under low solar radiation or cloud cover.

Implementation Method 1

photovoltaic elements for converting daylight into electrical energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

optical structures in the form of light-refracting edges and/or light-bundling bulges that deflect the incident light in the direction of the photovoltaic elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight refraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP1992225B1Deterrent device
Publication Date: 2011.02.16 ISOTRONIC MEZGER
  • EP1992225B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

A scare-device repelling noise-sensitive and/or vibrations-sensitive pests which live in the ground and includes a shaft (12) for inserting into the ground and having a plate-shaped upper end (14) jutting out of the ground carrying a photovoltaic element (16) for converting day-light into electrical energy. A light-transparent cover is at least partly designed with optical structures (40) in the form of light-refracting edges and/or light focusing concavities.