Flexible Bird Deterrent Tape with Conducting Strips

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bird deterrent systems for structures like billboards are ineffective due to their rigid design, inability to conform to irregular shapes, and aesthetic concerns, posing hazards to humans and not easily installable on complex surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A flexible bird deterrent tape with conducting strips spaced to avoid arcing, integrated with a dielectric base material and a film layer for insulation, allowing easy installation on various surfaces and conforming to angles and bends, coupled to a high voltage source for electrical shock deterrence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If rigid electric shock track designs are used, then electrical shock deterrence is provided, but the tracks cannot conform to irregular shapes and angles of structures like billboards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to conform to irregular shapesVSAvoidrigid track structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid track structures with flexible tape that can be easily applied to irregular surfaces. The tape contains conducting strips embedded in a flexible base material, allowing it to conform to angles and bends of structures like billboards while maintaining electrical functionality for shock deterrence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from static rigid tracks to a dynamic flexible tape system that can be adapted to various surface geometries. The flexible nature allows the deterrent to be installed on different structures with varying shapes and angles without requiring custom rigid constructions for each application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If thick electric shock tracks are used, then electrical shock is effective, but the tracks create visible profiles and trip hazards that detract from aesthetics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of electrical shockVSAvoidvisual profile and thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a thin flexible tape construction with conducting strips embedded within, eliminating the need for thick rigid tracks. This thin profile reduces visual impact and eliminates trip hazards while maintaining electrical shock effectiveness through proper conductor placement and spacing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical structure of thick rigid tracks with a thin flexible tape system. The electrical functionality is maintained through embedded conducting strips rather than relying on the physical thickness of the track structure, achieving both aesthetic and functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Area of stationary object

If conducting strips are placed close together, then the deterrent covers more area, but arcing occurs between strips reducing effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage area of deterrentVSAvoidelectrical shock effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dielectric material as an intermediary between conducting strips. This dielectric layer prevents arcing between adjacent strips while allowing the strips to be positioned close together for maximum coverage. The dielectric acts as a mediator that enables both close spacing and electrical isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the electrical parameters between conducting strips by introducing dielectric material with specific dielectric strength properties. This allows the system to maintain high voltage for effective deterrence while preventing breakdown and arcing through proper dielectric selection and thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-affected harmful factors

If bird deterrent products like spikes and sticky gels are used, then birds are repelled, but they pose hazards to workers and require regular maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebird repulsion effectivenessVSAvoidsafety for workers and maintenance requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical deterrents like spikes and sticky gels with an electrical shock system. This substitution eliminates the physical hazards associated with installation and maintenance of mechanical devices while providing effective bird repulsion through harmless electrical shocks that birds quickly learn to avoid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 repels birds from complex structures by delivering a harmless electrical shock, reducing health hazards and maintenance costs while maintaining a low visual profile and ease of installation.

Implementation Method 1

coupled to a high voltage source for electrical shock deterrence

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical shock: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

A flexible bird deterrent tape with conducting strips spaced to avoid arcing, integrated with a dielectric base material and a film layer for insulation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric insulation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentUS7249436B2Electric shock bird and animal deterrent

Publication Date: 2007.07.31 SHOCK TAPE

AI summary

An animal and bird deterrent apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a flexible dielectric material, and electrically conducting strips disposed on a top surface of the flexible material. In one embodiment the flexible material is secured to a structure by an adhesive and the strips are coupled to a high voltage source such that a shock is provided.