Reusable Lick Deterrent Device with Segmented Power and Flexible Substrate

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lick deterrent devices for animals are not reusable, not easily conformable to different body areas, and lack effective cleaning and sterilization capabilities, limiting their application and effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A flexible and conformable lick deterrent device with electrical traces on a substrate, allowing secure application to various body areas, reusable with new power sources, and capable of being cleaned and sterilized, providing a mild electrical shock to deter animals from licking wounds or dressings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If lick deterrent devices are designed as disposable single-use items, then they are simple to manufacture and apply, but they cannot be reused and generate waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of manufactureVSAvoidreusability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into two separable components: a reusable substrate with conductive traces and a disposable power source (battery). The battery can be removed and replaced after use, allowing the substrate to be reused while the power source is discarded. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by making the device reusable without complicating the manufacturing of the substrate itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows the power source (battery) to be discarded after use while the substrate is recovered and reused with a new battery. This partial discarding approach enables reusability of the main device structure while accepting that certain consumable components must be replaced, thus resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reusability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Stability of the object's composition

If lick deterrent devices are made rigid for structural stability, then they maintain their shape, but they cannot be conformally applied to different body areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidconformability to different body areas

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is made from a flexible material that can be conformally applied to various body surfaces while maintaining its structural integrity. The flexibility allows the device to adapt to different curvatures and shapes, yet the conductive traces and overall structure remain stable enough to function reliably when applied.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of manufacture

If lick deterrent devices use water-soluble or alcohol-soluble conductive traces, then they are easier to manufacture, but they cannot be effectively cleaned and sterilized for reuse

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of trace manufacturingVSAvoidcleanability and sterilizability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive traces are made from materials with specific properties (water-insoluble and alcohol-insoluble) that enable them to withstand cleaning and sterilization processes. This parameter change in material selection allows the device to be properly cleaned and sterilized for reuse without degrading the conductive traces, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and cleanability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If lick deterrent devices are designed as single-use disposable items, then hygiene is maintained, but they cannot be reused and generate waste

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovehygieneVSAvoidwaste generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed to be cleaned and sterilized for reuse, with only the power source being discarded. This partial recovery approach maintains hygiene through proper cleaning protocols while significantly reducing waste compared to complete disposable design, resolving the contradiction between hygiene and waste generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 deters animals from licking wounds or dressings, is reusable multiple times, and can be easily applied to different areas, ensuring continued effectiveness and hygiene.

Implementation Method 1

A first conductive trace and a second conductive trace are both on the first side surface of the substrate... Each of the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace may be water insoluble and alcohol insoluble

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS10455809B2Conformable and reusable lick deterrent

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 ANDERSON MARK L

AI summary

A lick deterrent device to deter animals from biting or chewing. The deterrent device has a flexible substrate physically conformable in three directions with conductive traces thereon. The lick deterrent device is configured for electrical connection to a removable power source. The traces are configured so that they may be contacted by an animal's tongue or saliva, so that upon contact, an electrical circuit is completed thereby delivering a mild electric shock to the animal. The lick deterrent device may be stretchable in at least one direction.