Bird Deterrent Device with Sealed Conductive Polymer Strip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bird and animal deterrent devices with braided or knitted meshes stitched to a PVC base often experience water ingress through stitching holes, leading to short circuiting and arcing, which reduces voltage, causes noise, and damages the device.
Innovation Solution
A deterrent device featuring an elongate body made of insulating material with embedded metallic conductors covered by conductive polymer strips, ensuring the metallic conductors are not exposed and sealed on both sides, preventing water ingress and arcing, and using co-extrusion for manufacturing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If braided/knitted meshes are stitched to a PVC base, then the device can be manufactured and provide electrical contact, but water ingress through stitching holes causes short circuiting and arcing
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive polymer strip is introduced as an intermediary material between the metallic conductor and the external environment. This polymer strip encapsulates the metallic conductor, providing a waterproof barrier that prevents water ingress through stitching holes while maintaining electrical conductivity through the polymer material itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive polymer strip acts as a flexible encapsulating shell that covers the metallic conductor along its full length. This thin film structure provides continuous protection against water penetration while allowing the device to maintain its flexible installation characteristics on various surfaces.
2Reliability
If metallic conductors are exposed on the upward facing surface, then electrical contact with creatures is enabled, but short circuiting and arcing occur when water contacts the conductors
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive polymer strip serves as an intermediary layer that replaces direct exposure of metallic conductors. The polymer material provides the necessary electrical contact surface while preventing water from reaching the metallic conductor, thereby eliminating the conditions for short circuiting and arcing.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes a composite structure combining metallic conductor, conductive polymer strip, and insulating elongate body. This composite material approach allows the metallic conductor to remain protected while the conductive polymer provides both electrical functionality and environmental protection.
3Ease of manufacture
If stitching holes are present in the PVC base, then the braided mesh can be attached, but water can pass through causing loss of voltage and power
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive polymer strip acts as a continuous intermediary covering that eliminates discontinuities caused by stitching holes. By providing an uninterrupted protective layer over the metallic conductor, it prevents water pathways that would otherwise lead to energy loss through short circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of mechanical attachment and environmental protection into a single integrated structure. The conductive polymer strip combines the role of protecting the conductor with maintaining electrical continuity, eliminating the need for separate stitching that creates vulnerable holes.
4Ease of manufacture
If the device uses traditional stitched construction, then it can be assembled, but loud clicking noises occur during energiser pulses
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive polymer strip integrates multiple functions: electrical conductivity, mechanical attachment, and acoustic dampening. By combining these functions into a single material layer, it eliminates the separate stitched components that generate clicking noises during energiser pulses.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive polymer material represents a composite solution that replaces traditional mechanical stitching with a material that provides both structural and acoustic benefits. This composite approach eliminates noise generation while maintaining assembly capability.
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 solution effectively prevents short circuiting and arcing, maintains voltage, reduces noise, and enhances durability and wear resistance, ensuring the device remains functional and effective in deterring creatures.
Implementation Method 1
seals with the elongate body on each lateral side of the metallic conductor
Implementation Method 2
at least one conductive polymer strip in contact with the or each metallic conductor along its full length
Implementation Method 3
an elongate body formed from an insulating material
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
There is provided a deterrent device (10) comprising an elongate body (11) formed from an insulating material. At least one elongate metallic conductor (21) is provided on an upward surface and a conductive polymer strip (22) extends over and in contact with the or each conductor (21) such that the upward facing surface of the or each metallic conductor (21) is not exposed. The provision of the polymer strips can improve appearance and performance.