Electrochromic Blinker Cups for Dynamic Equine Vision Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horse racing equipment, such as blinkers and winkers, either fail to adequately focus a horse's vision or require the use of whips to control the horse's behavior, leading to potential animal cruelty concerns.
Innovation Solution
A control device with electrochromic cups that can be switched between opaque and transparent states using an activation device, allowing selective restriction of a horse's field of vision to enhance focus and reduce the need for whip use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If blinkers are used to limit the horse's field of vision, then the horse's focus is improved, but the horse's ability to see predators and maintain situational awareness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies electrochromic material to the cup members, allowing the blinkers to dynamically change between opaque and transparent states. This dynamic property enables the horse to have restricted vision when needed for focus while maintaining full visibility when situational awareness is required, resolving the contradiction between focus and awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameter (transparency) of the cup members using electrochromic material that can switch between transparent and opaque states. This parameter change allows the same device to provide both focused vision and full awareness conditions, eliminating the need to choose between the two opposing requirements.
2Speed
If blinkers are used to improve the horse's focus, then the horse breaks from starting gates faster, but the jockey loses the ability to slow or rate the horse during the race
Solution Approach 1:
The electrochromic material allows the cup members to switch between opaque and transparent states, enabling the jockey to dynamically adjust the horse's vision during the race. This provides control flexibility - the horse can be focused at the start by making cups opaque, then the jockey can make them transparent to allow the horse to see the jockey and respond to cues for slowing or rating during the race.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables periodic switching between opaque and transparent states of the cup members during the race. This periodic action allows the jockey to alternately apply focus (opaque state for speed) and relaxation (transparent state for control), providing both starting speed advantage and ongoing race control.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If cheaters or winkers are used to partially limit the horse's field of vision, then the horse retains some monocular vision, but the horse's focus is insufficient and whip use is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electrochromic material that can change from transparent to opaque, providing full vision restriction capability that cheaters or winkers lack. This parameter change enables the cup members to achieve sufficient focus by becoming opaque, eliminating the need for whip use while still allowing partial vision when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrochromic material in the cup members undergoes color/optical property changes between transparent and opaque states. This color change capability provides the full range of vision restriction needed for proper focus, unlike cheaters or winkers which only provide partial restriction and insufficient focus.
4Measurement precision
If opaque cup members are used to restrict the horse's field of vision, then the horse's focus is improved, but the device complexity increases compared to traditional blinkers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical or removable opaque covers with electrochromic material that changes optical properties electrically. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical mechanisms for switching between opaque and transparent states, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to provide focused vision when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses electrochromic material that changes its optical parameter (transparency) in response to electrical signals. This parameter change approach simplifies the device structure compared to mechanical systems, as it requires only electrical control rather than complex mechanical switching mechanisms to achieve opaque/transparent states.
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
Enables tailored control of a horse's vision to improve racing performance while minimizing the need for whip use, promoting animal welfare and ensuring optimal energy conservation.
Implementation Method 1
an electrochromic member applied to the at least one cup member to extend at least partially over the cup member
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to a system and device for controlling an equine, and in particular, to a system and device that is worn by the equine and which is used in a racing environment for controlling the behaviour of the equine.