Ambient Pressure Pet Spray System for Bark Deterrence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pet training devices using pressurized canisters face regulatory challenges, reliability issues, and high production costs, and often require supervision or invasive methods to control excessive barking in dogs.
Innovation Solution
A portable animal behavior modification device that uses a microphone, filter, and micro-positive displacement pump to release a bark deterrent fluid at ambient pressure, powered by a battery, which can be manually or remotely activated, and includes a collar attachment for convenient use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressurized canisters are used in spray training devices, then the spray delivery is effective, but regulatory compliance costs increase and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pressurized canister component entirely from the spray training device. Instead of using a pressurized container, the invention employs a pump system that draws fluid from an ambient pressure reservoir, thereby eliminating the regulatory and reliability issues associated with pressurized canisters while maintaining effective spray delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressurization system with an electrically-driven pump system. The pump uses electrical power to create the necessary pressure differential to deliver spray, substituting the complex pressurized canister mechanism with a more reliable and easier to manufacture electric pump assembly
2Reliability
If pressurized canisters are used in spray training devices, then the spray delivery is effective, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pressurized canister component entirely from the spray training device. Instead of using a pressurized container, the invention employs a pump system that draws fluid from an ambient pressure reservoir, thereby eliminating the regulatory and reliability issues associated with pressurized canisters while maintaining effective spray delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simpler, less expensive pump mechanism and ambient pressure fluid reservoir instead of expensive pressurized canisters. The system uses readily available, low-cost components that can be easily manufactured and assembled, reducing production costs while maintaining functional effectiveness
3Extent of automation
If remote or automatic systems are used to control barking, then the need for owner presence is reduced, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates automatic bark detection and response capabilities where the device monitors for barking sounds and automatically triggers the spray response without requiring owner intervention. The system serves itself by detecting the problem condition and executing the corrective action, thereby reducing the need for owner presence while managing complexity through automated sensor-actuator integration
4Reliability
If invasive methods such as electrical stimuli are used, then barking control is effective, but the acceptability to pet owners decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful electrical stimulus approach into a benign spray-based correction method. Instead of applying electrical shocks to the dog, the system uses a spray mechanism that delivers a non-invasive corrective stimulus, thereby maintaining barking control effectiveness while dramatically improving acceptability to pet owners who find electrical methods cruel
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 device effectively discourages barking without the need for pressurized canisters, reducing regulatory compliance costs and improving reliability, while allowing for remote or automatic operation, thus addressing the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
A microphone is provided. The microphone is configured to receive sound frequencies, and to generate electrical signals in response
Implementation Method 2
A filter is provided. The filter is tuned to recognize sound frequencies received by and emitted in proximity to the microphone
Implementation Method 3
The pump has an electrical motor configured to draw fluid from the canister in response to the electrical signal from the filter
Data Source
AI summary
An animal behavior modification device is provided. The device includes a sound or motion sensor that is configured to generate electrical signals in response to an occurrence. The device may include a filter, which is tuned to recognize sound frequencies received by and emitted in proximity to a microphone, and generate an electrical signal in response to recognizing sound frequencies characteristic of a dog's bark. The device further includes a canister that holds a deterrent fluid at substantially ambient pressure. The device additionally comprises a pump configured to draw fluid from the canister in response to the electrical signal from the filter. The pump has a spray nozzle for releasing an emission of the fluid that affects the dog's senses. A method of modifying the behavior of an animal using the device is also provided herein.