Knitted Conductors for Electric Deterrent Device Flexibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric deterrent devices face issues with conductor flexibility and texture, as they often break or corrode easily, and lack sufficient contact points with pests due to their flat or braided designs.
Innovation Solution
The use of knitted conducting strands, which provide flexibility and a textured surface by forming interlocking loops, allowing for multiple points of contact and improved conductivity, and can be attached to a flexible insulating base using various fastening methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conducting strips are deposited or sewn on insulating material, then the device provides electrical conductivity, but the conducting strips break under repeated flexing or corrode easily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a knitted conductor structure that inherently provides flexibility through its loop-based construction. The knitted fabric allows repeated flexing without breaking, while maintaining electrical conductivity through the interconnected conducting yarns. This resolves the contradiction between durability and flexibility by creating a conductor that can bend repeatedly without structural failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining conducting yarns with non-conducting yarns in a knitted structure. This creates a conductor that has both electrical conductivity (from the conducting yarns) and flexibility/durability (from the knitted structure itself). The composite nature allows the conductor to resist corrosion and breaking while maintaining its electrical function.
2Strength
If strands are molded into or glued to the base material, then the conductors have greater flexibility, but a substantial portion of their flexibility is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the conductor and base material into a unified knitted structure where the conductor IS the base material in certain regions. The knitted fabric integrates conducting and non-conducting elements into a single flexible substrate, eliminating the need for separate attachment processes that would reduce flexibility. This resolves the contradiction by making the conductor inherently part of the flexible base rather than an attached component.
3Reliability
If conductors are made from flat conducting sheet or braided strands, then the device provides electrical conductivity, but the conductors lack sufficient texture to provide many contact points against pests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a knitted conductor surface with varying textures at different locations. The interlocking loops and spaces in the knitted structure provide localized contact points throughout the conductor surface. This allows the conductor to maintain electrical conductivity while providing multiple textured contact points that improve pest deterrence effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses curved and three-dimensional structures in the knitted loops rather than flat surfaces. The raised loops and interlocking patterns create a three-dimensional textured surface that provides multiple contact points for pests. This curvature and dimensionality resolve the contradiction by giving the conductor both conductivity and effective surface texture for pest contact.
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 knitted conductors offer enhanced flexibility, conductivity, and durability, reducing wear and tear, while providing numerous contact points for pests, leading to a more effective and long-lasting deterrent device.
Implementation Method 1
The knitted conductors provide a textured surface by forming interlocking loops
Implementation Method 2
The conductors can be coupled to an electrical power supply to charge the conductors. When an undesirable pest comes into contact with the conductors, the pest forms a short circuit between the conductors and thereby receives an electrical shock.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrical deterrent device (200), comprising: an elongated base (230) having first and second conductors (220); wherein the elongated base has a bottom with a first trough (270) disposed beneath the first conductive trace; and wherein the first conductor is coupled to the elongated base by a first fastener that extends from the first trough to the first conductor.