Electric Fence Zone Breaks Vertical Wire Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrified fences are vulnerable at zone breaks, such as those near fence posts, where the electrified portion stops, allowing potential compromise through climbing or electrical shorting, especially in harsh weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
An electric fence system that includes tensioned vertical wires connected to support members and existing electrified horizontal wires, providing continuous electrical current and covering zone breaks to prevent climbing and electrical shorts, with adjustable support posts for tensioning and redundancy in power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrified fences are used with zone breaks near fence posts, then the fence structure is simpler and easier to install, but the security and reliability are reduced at vulnerable portions
Solution Approach 1:
The fence system is divided into electrified horizontal wire segments and vertical wire segments at zone breaks. Each segment serves a specific function: horizontal wires provide general perimeter security while vertical wires specifically address the vulnerability at zone breaks near fence posts. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity in most areas while adding targeted security where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies electrified vertical wires specifically at zone break locations where vulnerability exists, rather than electrifying the entire fence uniformly. This local quality approach concentrates security resources at the most vulnerable points (zone breaks near posts) while maintaining simpler construction in less vulnerable areas, thus improving overall reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Reliability
If zone breaks are eliminated to improve security, then climbing vulnerability is reduced, but electrical shorting risk increases in harsh weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical circuit is segmented into multiple independent paths through the use of both horizontal and vertical electrified wires. If one path experiences electrical shorting due to harsh weather, the segmented structure allows current to flow through alternative paths, preventing complete system failure while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates redundancy by installing both horizontal and vertical electrified wires, creating backup electrical pathways before weather-related damage occurs. This beforehand cushioning ensures that if electrical shorting happens at any location, the system maintains functionality through alternative current paths, thus preventing the harmful effect of complete system shutdown.
3Reliability
If vertical wires are added to cover zone breaks, then climbing prevention is improved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The installation process is segmented into modular steps: first installing the horizontal electrified wires for general security, then adding vertical wires specifically at zone break locations. This segmentation allows installers to complete the majority of the fence quickly with simple horizontal wires, then methodically add vertical segments only where needed, minimizing overall installation complexity while achieving enhanced climbing prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
Complex vertical wire installation is applied locally only at zone break positions rather than throughout the entire fence. This concentrates installation effort at specific vulnerable points while maintaining ease of manufacture for the majority of the fence structure, thus improving climbing prevention without proportionally increasing overall installation complexity.
4Reliability
If continuous electrification is implemented to eliminate vulnerabilities, then security at zone breaks is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Electrification is applied with local quality by concentrating vertical electrified wires specifically at zone break locations where security vulnerabilities exist, rather than uniformly electrifying the entire fence perimeter. This approach achieves improved security at critical points while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary electrification in less vulnerable areas, thus resolving the contradiction between security improvement and energy usage.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric fence for zone breaks is disclosed. An example electric fence for zone breaks includes a first support member having at least one attachment, and a second support member having at least one corresponding attachment. At least one wire is connected to the at least one attachment and the at least one corresponding attachment. The at least one wire extends between the first support member and the second support member to cover a zone break. An electrical connection provides electrical current to the at least one wire to protect non-electrified portions of an electric security fence.