Furniture Animal Deterrent Using Vibration and Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal deterrents for furniture are unsightly, require removal for human use, and can damage furniture or frighten pets with loud noises or sprays, failing to effectively deter animals without interfering with human use.
Innovation Solution
A furniture animal deterrent system using a vibrating mechanism with a housing, controller, animal presence sensor, and multi-positional switch, allowing for adjustable vibration levels and LED indicators, which is small enough to be hidden under cushions and activated via a mobile device, ensuring the deterrent remains in place without disturbing humans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If loud noises or liquid sprays are used to deter animals, then the deterrent effectiveness is improved, but furniture damage and animal fright increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a vibration motor to generate mechanical vibrations that create an unpleasant sensation for animals through the furniture surface, replacing harmful loud noises and liquid sprays. The vibration mechanism delivers targeted tactile feedback that deters animals without causing furniture damage or excessive animal fright.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes a multi-positional switch with at least two on positions that allow adjustment of vibration intensity levels. This enables parameter changes in the vibration strength to optimize deterrent effectiveness while minimizing potential harm to animals and furniture, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and harmful effects.
2Reliability
If deterrent devices are placed on furniture, then animal deterrence is improved, but furniture usability by owners deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The deterrent device is extracted from the furniture surface and placed underneath cushions or hidden within furniture structure. The animal presence sensor detects when an animal approaches or contacts the furniture, triggering vibration only when needed. This allows the furniture to remain fully usable by owners while maintaining effective animal deterrence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic vibration activation based on animal presence detection rather than continuous operation. The animal presence sensor triggers vibrations only when an animal is detected, allowing uninterrupted human use of the furniture while providing deterrent action only when required.
3Shape
If the deterrent device is made small and hidden, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but detection and activation reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky mechanical deterrent mechanisms with compact electronic components including an animal presence sensor and vibration motor integrated into a small housing. This substitution enables the device to be concealed underneath furniture cushions while maintaining reliable animal detection and vibration activation through electronic sensing and control systems.
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 discourages animals from jumping or lying on furniture without being unpleasant for humans, maintaining functionality for pet owners while providing a discreet and effective deterrent.
Implementation Method 1
uses a vibrating mechanism to produce a strong vibration
Implementation Method 2
The animal presence sensor is preferably an accelerometer to activate the vibration device when movement is detected
Implementation Method 3
In an alternate embodiment, the animal presence sensor is further comprised of a pressure switch to activate said vibration device
Data Source
AI summary
A furniture animal deterrent system for deterring pets from jumping, or lying, on furniture comprising a housing; a controller located within the housing; an animal presence sensor; a vibration device; and a multi-positional switch, movable between an off position, and at least two on positions relating to different vibration levels; wherein the animal presence sensor, the vibration device, and the multi-positional switch are operably connected to the controller within the housing.