Modular Animal Training Collar with Segmented Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic collars for animal training and tracking are bulky, causing discomfort and necrosis due to constant friction, difficult to use on small dogs, and lack customization options for stimulus levels, leading to aesthetic and psychological issues.
Innovation Solution
A modular, flexible electronic collar design with interchangeable modules and extendors that conform to the animal's body, allowing adjustable contact points and customizable stimulus levels, reducing bulk and improving comfort and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bulky box-shaped housing is used to encase the receiver components, then the electronic components can be protected and integrated, but the device causes discomfort and necrosis due to constant friction at the same spot on the animal's body
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver is divided into multiple functional modules (battery module, circuit board module, contact point module, housing module) that can be independently arranged and configured. This segmentation allows the components to be distributed along the collar rather than concentrated in a single bulky housing, reducing friction concentration on the animal's skin.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar design allows for flexible adjustment of the receiver's position and orientation along the collar strap. The modular components can be repositioned to distribute contact points and reduce friction concentration on any single spot on the animal's body, making the system adaptable to different animal sizes and positions.
2Reliability
If a large inflexible box housing is used, then all electronic components can be contained, but the device is difficult to use on small dogs as it does not wrap well around small necks
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver is segmented into multiple small modular components that can be distributed along the collar strap. This allows the overall system to be scaled to fit different neck circumferences, from small dogs to larger animals, while still containing all necessary electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design creates a universal collar system that can accommodate various animal sizes and collar types. The same set of modular components can be configured for different applications and animal sizes, making the device versatile across multiple use cases.
3Device complexity
If contact points are fixed horizontally in a bulky housing, then the receiver structure is simplified, but the device lacks customization options for stimulus levels
Solution Approach 1:
The contact points are separated into independent modules that can be selectively activated. The circuit board module can be configured to engage different combinations of contact points, allowing customization of stimulus levels and patterns without requiring a completely different receiver structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic configuration of stimulus parameters through the transmitter, which can selectively activate different contact point combinations and adjust stimulation intensity. This provides programmable customization of stimulus levels while maintaining a relatively simple physical structure.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If components are stacked vertically to reduce surface area, then the device fits better on the animal's neck, but the housing remains bulky and compromises aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical stacking of modules along the collar creates a linear, streamlined profile rather than a bulky three-dimensional housing. The segmented modules can be arranged to minimize protrusion and create a sleek appearance that is less noticeable on the animal.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing modules can be designed with flexible, thin-walled constructions that conform to the collar strap and animal's body contours. This creates a low-profile, aesthetically pleasing appearance while maintaining component protection.
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 modular design enhances comfort and effectiveness by distributing contact points, reducing necrosis risk, and accommodating various animal sizes, while providing customizable stimulus levels and improved aesthetics, suitable for diverse applications including animal training and tracking.
Implementation Method 1
a battery for feeding the receiver
Implementation Method 2
one or more contact points with the animal/human being's body connected by insulated wires to the PCB
Data Source
AI summary
A modular device for wireless communication between a transmitter and a receiver, the latter being mounted on a fastener to be worn by an animal/a human being or to be in contact therewith, comprising a string of individual separate elements or modules (210, 310), each containing at least either the PCB (213, 313), the battery (214, 314) or one or more contact points (220, 320) of same polarity respectively, said separate individual elements (210, 310) being attached to one another thanks to at least two substantially parallel flexible tubes (31, 32; 331, 332) containing said wires, so that the specific location of the modules (220, 320) containing the contact points and the order or sequence thereof in the string define an extension length for the contact points.